The 'nerdy' and fun Edinburgh pizza restaurant that's celebrating its 10th birthday

The most recent addition to these established ranks is the wonderful Pizza Geeks, which has four branches in the Capital, including the original on Dalry Road and the new street food van on Little King Street by St James Quarter. We asked its founder Patrick Ward to tell us more.

How does it feel to be turning 10?

It honestly feels surreal. Back in 2016, Pizza Geeks was a scrappy idea powered by long shifts, big ambition, and a slightly unhealthy obsession with pizza. To be here a decade later - still growing, learning and making people smile feels like a real privilege. More than anything it makes me grateful for the team, for the customers who’ve backed us, and to Edinburgh for giving us the space to become what we are today. It’s also given us the chance to give something back through our food donation charitable initiative Pizza for the People, which feeds the vulnerable and those in need and has become a big part of who we are.

How have you evolved?

In the ways you have to if you want to last. The food has become more confident and consistent, but the biggest changes are behind the scenes; better systems, training, and a clearer sense of what matters. We’ve also learned how to run multiple sites without losing our personality, which is fun, welcoming, a bit nerdy, but serious about quality.

Any plans for the anniversary?

We’re throwing a big party at Easter Road for the people who helped get us here. That means our charity partners, brands, foodies and local voices who’ve supported us. It’s not just a birthday party for business - it’s a thank you. We’ve always felt like Pizza Geeks is something the community helped build, so it makes sense to celebrate together. We’re also marking it with Pizza for the People on May 4, where we’re aiming to feed 1,000 people across the city through our charity partners.

What are you most proud of accomplishing over the last decade?

I’m proud we’ve built something that people feel connected to. It’s easy to talk about growth in numbers, but what matters is that we’re a place where people celebrate birthdays, grab a slice after a gig, bring their mates, and return. Then there's the team, as hospitality is tough and keeping standards high while keeping the culture positive takes real effort. Also, since 2019 we’ve donated around 65,000 pizzas via Pizza for the People, and supported fundraising efforts that have helped raise around £200,000 for good causes. That’s not something we’ve treated as an afterthought.

Any favourite customers that you’ve got to know over the years?

Loads, and that’s one of the best parts. You see people go from “first date pizza” to “bringing the kids in on a Saturday,” which is genuinely wild. We’ve got regulars who know their order better than we do, and customers who bring friends in like they’re showing them a hidden level in a game. Those relationships are a huge part of what keeps you going.

Hardest and best times?

The toughest time is actually right now, with the wider struggles in hospitality. Covid and the energy crisis put huge pressure on the sector, but there was government support at the time. These days it can feel like we’ve been cut adrift. I’ve spoken to a lot of great operators across Edinburgh, and the story is the same everywhere. On a day-to-day level, the hardest moments are when everything hits at once - staffing challenges, rising costs, equipment breaking, a busy service. You can’t hide; you’re only as good as the last order. The best times are when the team is completely in sync, the restaurant is buzzing, and you can feel people having a genuinely great time. There’s nothing like a packed service where everything runs smoothly and you know you’re delivering something special.

Tell us about the new menu

It’s leaning more into the Neapolitan vibe with more classic flavours, done properly, but still with our uniquely geeky twist. We’ve always loved the playful side of naming and storytelling, but we never want that to be a gimmick, the pizza has to stand up on its own. So, the focus is on great dough, great balance, and combinations that feel familiar but still exciting. One of my personal favourites is the White Walker—it’s got ’nduja and pickled chillies, so you get that deep, spicy warmth with a sharp kick.

What are the bestselling pizzas across all branches?

The Mario pizzas. They’ve become part of the Pizza Geeks identity. Beyond that, the bestsellers tend to be the pizzas that hit that sweet spot between comfort and bold flavour - classic bases, strong ingredients, and a couple of signature touches that make them unmistakably ours. Something like the Braveheart or Chorizard would be up there too.

Where do you see yourself in another decade?

Still in Edinburgh, still making pizzas that make people smile and running a business that’s calmer, more consistent, and less dependent on me personally. I’d love us to keep growing in a

way that doesn’t lose the soul of the brand: quality first, community always, and a team culture that people want to be part of. If we can keep improving the guest experience, keep developing our people, and keep doing good work in the community, that’s a future I’d be proud of.

Anything you wish you’d known before starting out?

How much of the job is people and systems. You can have the best pizza in the world, but without training, consistency, and a strong team culture, it’s hard to scale and it’s hard

to sleep at night. I also wish I’d learned earlier that asking for help isn’t a weakness, it’s how you build something that lasts.

How many pizzas do YOU eat a week?

More than any sensible person should - quality control is a tough job. It depends on the week, but I’m always tasting. My favourite right now is the White Walker.

www.pizzageeks.co.uk

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