2 /5 Kevin van Staden: I visited Pizza Express recently, and unfortunately, the experience left a lot to be desired. While it wasnt a total disaster, it certainly didnt live up to the price tag.
The food is exactly what you would expect from a massive chain—it’s okay, but nothing to write home about. It fills a gap, but the quality simply doesnt justify the cost. You end up paying a premium for a meal that feels very average.
To make matters worse, the drinks are staggeringly expensive. Paying that much for a small soda feels like a blatant "rip-off" and adds a sour note to the bill.
The biggest issue, by far, was the lighting. The restaurant uses a series of intense spotlights directed poorly at the tables. The result is a bizarre setup where one person is effectively blinded by the glare, while everyone else is left sitting in total darkness. It’s incredibly uncomfortable; sitting there with lights burning into your eyes while your companions are in shadows makes it impossible to relax or actually see the people youre with.
The service was perfectly fine. The staff were professional enough and I have no specific complaints regarding the hospitality, but good service cant make up for the environment and the pricing.
There are way better restaurants out there where the food quality is superior and you dont leave feeling like youve been overcharged. Between the mediocre value and the literal headache caused by the lighting, I wont be rushing back
