THIS week we invited our readers to tell us their favourite place to get a pizza in Dorset and the New Forest.

As usual, we whittled down their responses from Twitter, Facebook and the Bournemouth Echo website to create the ultimate shortlist. Here’s where they recommended.

1. Baffi

Bournemouth Echo:

Baffi prides itself on serving “authentic Neapolitan style pizza” and says it has a “secret sourdough recipe” that’s been handed down through generations

It has branches in Canford Cliffs, Old Town Poole, Westbourne, Southbourne and Ringwood, all of which came highly recommended.

Paul Haviland, who rated their Southbourne branch, said: “All their pizza chefs are from Naples and all the ingredients are imported from Italy. Not everyone loves the Naples style with its slightly soggy centre, but it is the real original version of the much-loved pizza pie. And Baffi also does perfect calzone, which is a rare feat indeed.”

2. Soho

Bournemouth Echo: Soho in Church Street, Christchurch, March 2017.

Coming a very close second place, Soho in Christchurch received scores of nominations and makes “speciality hand made gourmet pizzas” cooked in their clay oven.

With a whopping 17 pizzas on their menu, there’s something for everyone from their Tuk Tuk pizza with satay chicken and tiger prawns to The Greek with mushrooms, feta, spinach and cashews.

There’s even a Porterhouse Blue version featuring strips of steak and Dorset blue cheese. And if you want to eat in the comfort of your own home, they even do take away.

3. Bournemouth Pizza Co.

Bournemouth Echo:

Picture via Google Street View

This eatery in St Swithun’s Road, Bournemouth, claims to serve “the best pizza in Bournemouth” made by hand using quality fresh ingredients. All pizzas are cooked in a traditional wood fired oven using a dough prepared daily.

Bournemouth Pizza Co. has no less than 15 varieties on its menu including the Agnello with lamb prosciutto, mushrooms and rosemary and the Al Cinghiale with wild boar and salmon.

There are also gluten free pizza bases and a vegan special.

4. El Murrino

Bournemouth Echo:

A family-run business in Bournemouth’s Old Christchurch Road, El Murrino is “passionate about creating delicious Italian dishes.”

Their pizzas are hand-stretched using a slow rising dough and many ingredients sourced directly from Italy and are fired between 60 and 90 seconds in a wood fired oven at 450 degrees.

Posting on the Bournemouth Echo’s Facebook page, Brin Chelsea said: “Best pizza and customer service. Authentic Italian.”

5. Da Mario

Bournemouth Echo:

Established in 2008, Da Mario in Queens Road Bournemouth received praise for its “delicious” food and “great” customer service with diners also able to take their own alcohol. With a staggering 27 varieties on their menu, you’ll be spoilt for choice and pizzas are available to take away.

Liam Toms said: “Da Mario isn't just the best pizza place in Dorset and the New Forest, it's the best in the country! Genuine authentic Italian pizza, with unbeatable customer service. Many businesses trade on being 'family run', Da Mario make you feel like you're part of the family.”