A pizzeria which could soon be recognised as one of the best in Britain is set to open its second branch in a west Suffolk village later this month.

On the Hill, which launched its first restaurant in Diss in 2021, will welcome guests to its new Ixworth branch for an 'open night' on Sunday, September 17, ahead of an official opening a couple of weeks later. 

Adam Lees, owner and founder of On the Hill, which has made it to the final of Arla Pro's Britain's Best Pizza competition, said he can't wait for his second restaurant to open its doors.

Bury Mercury: Pizzas at On the Hill, which has a branch in Diss and will open in Ixworth later this monthPizzas at On the Hill, which has a branch in Diss and will open in Ixworth later this month (Image: Adam Lees)

"I am very excited, this is huge for me," he said.

"Having the restaurant in the first place was a lifelong dream but having the success of the first one has just been incredible. Doing it all again is really exciting." 

On the Hill serves handmade pizza made with 24-hour fermented dough, the recipe for which was created through months of trial and error in lockdown and is the component Mr Lees prides himself on the most. 

Bury Mercury: Adam Lees, owner and founder of On the Hill, with chef JackAdam Lees, owner and founder of On the Hill, with chef Jack (Image: Adam Lees)

He said: "We really focus on the quality of the dough. We make it all ourselves using flour that has been imported from Napoli and is the gold standard in pizza making.

"We are sort of intimate and independent. In Diss people have come to be our regulars, people are on first name terms with us and know us and it is that atmosphere we want to recreate. 

"We know people are going to have a great time when they come in, we really hope to carry on this trend in Ixworth." 

Mr Lees said he hopes villagers in Ixworth and surrounding areas, including Great Barton, Thurston and Pakenham, will pay him a visit on his 'open night' on September 17, which will include pizza slice samples and drinks.