Don’t believe anyone who says that LA doesn’t have great pizza: though we may not be the mecca that NY or Chicago are, we’ve got plenty of good pie in LA -- and for proof, here’s our list of the best spots to get the best slices and pies in town.
Sotto
Pico-Robertson
Maybe you’ve never gotten to the pizza, ‘cause everything else at Sotto is so good. It’s OK, we forgive you. But now that you’re older, wiser, and more poised, you should have no trouble marching into Sotto and proudly ordering the Guanciale, a powerhouse of house-cured pork cheek, ricotta, scallions, and fennel pollen. Congratulations on your life choices!
Pitfire Pizza
Mid Wilshire (& other locations)
This fast-casual mini-chain has become such a stand-by, it's easy to forget that Pitfire makes pies with the perfect ratio of toppings-to-cheese-to-crust, and its wood-burning oven and totally chill attitude has inspired a slew of almost-equally-awesome establishments. They’ve also got great seasonal pies and a stellar beer selection, which means you’re gonna keep going back -- not that that’s a bad thing.
Tomato Pie
Melrose (& other locations)
This New Yorkian mini-chain seemed like just another pizzeria when it opened, but Tomato Pie has won over people hand-by-dough-filled-fist with its traditional grandma pie, essentially a thin-crusted margherita that's perfectly, zestily sauced.
800 Degrees
Westwood (& other locations)
This fast-service, quick turnaround, conveyor belt-style pizzeria was super-hyped when it opened for two reasons: being a concept from the dudes behind Umami and an oven that cooks your pie in under two minutes. Well, the hype was deserved: the pies here are satisfying, not just because of the perfectly cooked crusts, but because they're individually customizable with top-grade ingredients ranging from fresh mozz, to house-made pesto, to squash blossoms, all of which they combine in any combo you choose -- or, if you follow them on social media, in an ever-changing $5 pizza of the day. Boom.
Pizza Romana
Mid-Wilshire
This spot from the people behind local favorite Cube, in the former location of local favorite Cube, opened quietly in 2015 almost as a we couldn’t maintain local-favorite Cube-style afterthought, but here’s the thing: the pizza is, like, way way better than it should be -- perfectly chewy and crispy and covered in excellent, imported ingredients that make the whole thing... well, better than Cube. We said it, and we mean it, especially because you can (and should) get the famous Cube fried chicken as well (to share, obviously, since you also are definitely eating pizza).
Pizzeria Mozza
Hollywood
When Nancy Silverton and Mario Batali opened this now-legendary pizzeria they did what others had deemed impossible: they made LA pizza a talking point of the city. No list of the best pizza in LA would be complete without it, thanks in no small part to the perfectly bubbly, perfectly chewy, perfectly charred crust, and ingredients that pop on your palate, whether they’re clams, squash blossoms, or sausages. Man, we’re hungry.
Mulberry Street Pizzeria
Beverly Hills
Ask anyone who grew up in LA to name the pizza that makes them nostalgic for childhood, and they'll drop one of two answers: the XXXXXXL slices at Greco's, which, once you're grown, are only great if you're about seven sheets to the wind, and the floppy pies from Mulberry Street. Their flaptacular crusts are a bit of an acquired taste, but their toppings are absolutely delicious.
Pellicola Pizzeria
Downtown
The 213 LA guys (who’re responsible for some of LA’s best bars, including the Varnish and Seven Grand) just don’t seem to ever mess up, and its DTLA late-night pizzeria is no exception. One of the few slice-specific slots, they concentrate on great ingredients, which is why everything from the simple pepperoni to the not-so-simple vegetariana are beyond tasty.
Casa Bianca Pizza Pie
Eagle Rock
Pizza culture is definitely divided, with some people loving authentic Italian-style pizza, and others loving family-style-garlic-stuffed-checkered-table-cloths pizza. If you’re of the latter group, Casa Bianca is for you, and its signature thin crust ain’t nuthin' to mess with. Every topping is money, but the fried eggplant is a must-order. Don’t believe us? Ask Jonathan Gold. (Surprise ending: he loves the fried eggplant.)
DeSano Pizza Bakery
East Hollywood
It’s nuts that DeSano isn’t a thousand times more famous: the large, sit-down pizza shop imports its ingredients straight from Italy, and you can taste it when you bite into any of its masterpieces, like the capricciosa (San Marzano tomato sauce, mushrooms, artichokes, prosciutto, garlic, scamorza, mozzarella di bufala, and pecorino romano) or the Verdura (broccoli rabe, mushrooms, Vesuvian cherry tomatoes, garlic scamorza, mozzarella di bufala, and pecorino romano). The also-imported gelato is just icing.
All’ Angolo
Koreatown
Anybody who has tasted the pasta at this beloved K-Town Italian gem won’t be surprised to hear that its pizza is equally as outstanding. If you’re not too full from the complimentary breadsticks, peruse its large pizza menu, and fear not -- you can’t go wrong. Especially with its Frutti di Mare, with tomato, mozzarella, calamari, shrimp, and clams.
Two Boots
Echo Park (& Downtown)
There’s no place in LA where Italian and Bayou flavors clash so beautifully as this NY import. This is especially evident when you’re dealing with the Bayou Beast, a wondrous monstrosity of spiced shrimp, crawfish, andouille, jalapeños, and mozzarella. Wondering where they got the name? Hint: Italy and Louisiana share a pretty similar shape.
Hollywood Pies
Mid-Wilshire
Though they started as a covert operation run out of an alley, Hollywood Pies has established itself as a pizza heavy-hitter, thanks to what many ex-pats call the only true Chicago-style deep-dish in the city. And heavy-hitter is right: one slice of these multi-layered monstrosities, and you'll have to take a nap.
Bestia
Arts District
Bestia is most definitely in the running for the best restaurant in LA (seriously, it hasn’t left our Eat Seeker list since the list started), and -- once you actually get a res -- it’d be a travesty to ignore its insanely tasty artisan pizzas. All of them are great, but you might actually freak out when you taste the Alla’nduja -- a perfectly blackened, doughy valley full of San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella, black cabbage, fennel pollen, and the house-made spicy ‘nduja, aka a spreadable Calabrian pork salame.
Santino's NY Pizza
Sherman Oaks
If you’re gonna call yourself “NY Pizza” you better be prepared to back it up, as New Yorkers living in LA will be your most merciless reviewers. Lucky for Santino’s, hordes of ex-pats give it up for the authenticity of these square-or-round (your choice!) pies, which are something of a local secret... er, were something of a local secret. Sorry.
Stella Barra Pizzeria
Hollywood (& Santa Monica)
Every pizzeria does a mushroom pizza, but none of them are slicing up anything like Stella Barra’s: the Shaved Mushroom pizza is served with a Parmesan cream sauce, Gruyere, melted onion, truffle oil, rosemary, and parsley, and its Hollywood location means that when you’re going to a movie at ArcLight, your meal-choice has already been made (just save room for cookies: Stella’s are the best in the city. Period.)
Gjelina/GTA
Venice
Forget about the notoriously bad service at this Westside standby and just concentrate on the pizzas, because every single one of them will knock your socks off -- and you might even get some other clothes knocked off if you go with the Bottarga with Jalapeño pizza, a pie laden with tomato confit, asiago, smoked mozzarella, lemon juice, olive oil, arugula, and topped with bottarga (cured fish roe).
Little Dom’s
Los Feliz
If Jon & Vinny’s is too far west for you, and you want breakfast pizza, here’s the less-drivy alternative: the Los Feliz favorite’s morning option’s topped with speck, mozzarella, tomato sauce, and of course, a sunny-side-up egg for maximum #yolkporn Instagraming.
Jon & Vinny's
Fairfax
Pizza doesn’t have to be for lunch and dinner, at least, not when Jon and Vinny (yeah, the dudes from Animal & Son of a Gun) are in charge. Its breakfast pie is the menu allstar: it’s topped with Zuckerman Yukon gold potato, egg, rosemary, olive oil, parmesan and red onion, with a perfectly-runny egg right in the middle of it. The ratios are next-level, and the pizza’s even better if you add Niman Ranch bacon. Obviously.
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Jeff Miller is trying to get out of pizza, but it keeps pulling him back in. He's on Instagram at @jeffmillerla and Twitter at @ThrillistLA.
Wilder Shaw is a regular Thrillist contributor who will eat pizza at any time of day. See for yourself on Instagram at @wildershaw and Twitter at @WilderShaw_.
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1. Sotto
9575 W Pico, Los Angeles -
2. Pitfire Pizza
108 W 2nd St, Los Angeles -
3. Tomato Pie Pizza Joint
7751 1/2 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles -
4. 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria
10889 Lindbrook Dr, Los Angeles -
5. Pizza Romana
615 N LA Brea Ave, Los Angeles -
6. Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Ave, Los Angeles -
7. Mulberry Street Pizzeria
347 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills -
8. Pellicola Pizzeria
421 8th Street, Los Angeles -
9. Casa Bianca Pizza Pie
1650 Colorado Blvd, Eagle Rock -
10. DeSano Pizza Bakery
4959 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles -
11. All' Angolo
4050 W 3rd St, Los Angeles -
12. Two Boots
1818 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles -
13. Hollywood Pies
6116 1/2 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles -
14. Bestia
2121 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles -
15. Santino's NY Pizza
4319 Woodman Ave, Sherman Oaks -
16. Stella Barra Pizzeria
6372 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles -
17. Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice -
18. Little Dom's
2128 Hillhurst Dr, Los Angeles -
19. Jon & Vinny's
412 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles
This West LA restaurant serves Southern Italian food in an upscale and hip basement space. The menu is always changing but remains consistent for its emphasis on comfort and creativity. Expect small, medium, and large plates of meat and seafood, plus simply refined pasta dishes (like spaghetti with clams) and knock-out Neapolitan pizzas. The dimly-lit interior is outfitted with rustic communal tables and an open kitchen.
This casual SoCal chain is a stand-by for its California seasonal-meets-authentic Italian pizza, pasta, and sandwiches. The personal pizzas have the perfect ratio of cheese-to-crust, and they come with a variety of toppings, from burrata and fennel sausage to seasonal vegetables and marinated wild shrimp. There's also a make-your-own-pizza option. Every location of Pitfire has a chill attitude and laid-back industrial vibe.
This mini-chain (aside from the Melrose location, it has outposts in Pasadena and Silverlake) sets itself apart from other pizzerias with its customizable pies. Choose from one of four pie styles then decide on your cheese, meat, and vegetable toppings. If you find the sheer amount of options overwhelming, go for the signature namesake pie. The square-pan tomato pie is topped with marinara sauce, romano cheese, parsley, olive oil and oregano. The menu also includes pasta with garlic knots and meat subs in case you're in the carbo-loading mood.
The restaurant group that brought us Umami Burger is behind this fast-casual pizza chain with locations all around the world. 800 Degrees is kind of like the Chipotle for pizza -- you choose the ingredients for your pizza at an assembly-line counter, then the pie is cooked under two minutes in an insanely hot (800 degrees!) oven. The pies are satisfying, the service fast, and the ingredients top-notch. Speciality pies and gluten-free crust is also available, so really, the choice is yours.
This Mid-Wilshire pizza place serves up authentic Roman-style pies, which means the dough is fermented for 24 hours then baked in an Italian-imported wood-fire oven. The signature pizzas are near perfect (and since this is LA, they're available with gluten-free crust) and seriously affordable -- most hover around $10. Pizza Romana's menu also includes panini sandwiches and spicy fried chicken. Add affordable bottles of Italian wine and this under-the-radar restaurant is the perfect date spot.
Owned by Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich and Nancy Silverton, Pizzeria Mozza put LA pizza on the map when it opened in Hollywood in 2006. It's been a continuous hit since then (and has expanded to Newport Beach and Singapore) because it serves some of the best pizza in the city. The perfectly bubbly, chewy and charred pies are topped with Italian meats and cheeses, like the fontina, mozzarella, and sottocenere white pizza and the eggplant, parmesan, ricotta, and mozzarella pizzetta. Pizzeria Mozza has the casual but upscale vibe characteristic of Batali's restaurants. It's a go-to for dinner, but definitely consider brunch, when the morning pastry basket is proof of Silverton's top-knotch pastry skills.
Ask anyone who grew up in LA to name the pizza that makes them nostalgic for childhood, and they'll likely say the floppy pies from Mulberry Street. With two locations in Beverly Hills and two in the Valley, this checkered-tablecloth restaurant feels like a classic New York pizzeria, and it kind of is, given that the owner is from the Bronx. The flappy, thin-crust pies come in massive slices and are topped with the spot's signature marinara sauce, which is also available to buy.
The 213 LA guys (who are behind some of LA’s best bars, including the Varnish and Seven Grand) seem to always get it right, and this downtown pizzeria is no exception. Pellicola serves pizzas by the slice or by the pie, and flavors range from simple pepperoni to loaded vegetarian. It's open late every night (1am Sunday-Wednesday, 3am Thursday-Saturday), and black-and-white Italian movies are projected on a big screen nightly, so you'll likely want to sit and stay a while. Come extra hungry though -- Pellicola makes must-try Nutella dessert pies.
This Eagle Rock institution serves Italian food of the family-style, checkered tablecloth variety. You know what we mean -- hearty Italian-American dishes like eggplant parm (served with a side of spaghetti of course), meatball subs, and mozzarella sticks that are cheap and consistently good. The pizza is what makes Casa Bianca an LA institution though. The thin-crust pies are customizable with a variety of toppings, but the fried eggplant is a must. If the cheesy slices don't charm your pants off, then surely the retro decor (leather booths, stained glass chandeliers) will.
It’s nuts that DeSano isn’t a thousand times more famous: the casual East Hollywood pizza shop imports its ingredients straight from Italy, and you can clearly taste the difference when you bite into any of the its cheesy masterpieces. The industrial space includes an open kitchen with a few pizza ovens, communal wood tables, and flat screen TVs, so it’s great for groups. And don’t think DeSano is just about pizza, the menu includes calzones, meatballs, and cannoli.
Anybody who's tasted the house-made pasta at this beloved K-Town Italian gem won’t be surprised to know that its pizza is equally outstanding. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, from the thin-crust pies topped with crispy pepperoni and breaded eggplant to the steaming calzones. The strip mall storefront is unassuming and basic, but the generous Italian-style portions will make you feel like royalty.
This New York-based pizza chain doles out its signature Cajun-meets-Italian pies in a colorful and quirky space in Echo Park (it has another LA location downtown). Available by the pie or slice, Two Boots' pizza comes with a funky array of toppings from Bayou specialities like spiced shrimp, crawfish, and andouille to vegan-friendly "cheese." Wondering where the joint got its name? Hint: Italy and Louisiana share a pretty similar shape.
Though they started as a covert operation run out of an alley, Mid-Wilshire's Hollywood Pies has established itself as a pizza heavy-hitter doling out what many Midwestern ex-pats call the only true Chicago-style deep-dish in the city. There are more than 10 kinds of deep-dish pies on the menu, and if you know a thing or two about Chicago pizza, you'll want to order your pie "Native Style," which gets you an added topping of crushed whole tomatoes, olive oil, and oregano. One slice of these multi-layered monstrosities will keep you full for ages.
Since opening in 2012, Bestia's become the definitive LA restaurant, offering a menu that appeals to both eat-anything foodies and eat-carefully dieters in an industrial but homey space. The Arts District restaurant serves an Italian menu with next-level pizza, pasta, and small plates, and no matter what you get, be sure to start with the beloved charcuterie board -- all the meats are cured in-house.
Luckily for New York transplants, Santino's in Sherman Oaks lives up to its promise of serving authentic New York-style pizza. The casual parlor spot is pretty under-the-radar, but its red checkered tablecloths and Italian villa roof are hard to miss. The square-or-round pies are kind of amazing, especially when topped with on-point toppings like spicy sausage and baked eggplant.
From Lettuce Entertain You, this Hollywood spot is part of an upscale mini chain (there's a nearby location in Santa Monica) that focuses on artisanal pizza. The menu is split between red and white thin-crust pies (plus a few starters and salads), and there's an option to have your pie made the extra-thin, Roman way. The shaved mushroom pie, topped with parmesan cream instead of tomato sauce, is a signature. The space is laid-back and homey with an open kitchen where you can see the daily-made dough rising in its 18-hour fermentation period.
Gjelina is a perennial all-day hotspot in Venice known for its inventive American (dare we say, farm-to-table?) cuisine. In tune with similar restaurants of the California cool breed, its focus is on sharable plates like oysters, grilled and roasted vegetables, steak and seafood, and unusual grains. The real speciality, though, is pizza. The wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pies are topped with meat, vegetable, and cheese combinations like you've never tasted before. Trust us: one meal at Gjelina is all you need to join the ranks of its Angeleno addicts.
If you want breakfast pizza and Jon & Vinny's is too far west for you, consider Little Dom's, the Los Feliz alternative. The cool and casual Italian bistro serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner that'll knock out your tastebuds. Seriously. Expect the aforementioned breakfast pizza and egg dishes at breakfast, meaty sandwiches at lunch, and a range of pasta and meat entrees at dinner. Oh, and did we mention Little Dom's pizza margherita? Keep it simple with tomato sauce and mozzarella or dress it up with house-made sausage but either way, it's good.
From Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo (Animal, Son of a Gun), this Fairfax restaurant specializes in all-day Italian, by which we mean all-day pizza. Aside from the signature breakfast pizza, Jon & Vinny's breakfast offerings include pastries (nutella toast!) and hot plates like burrata scrambled eggs and buttermilk pancakes. The lunch and dinner menu emphasizes house-made pastas and pizzas, and your meal should definitely start with bruschetta served on Gjusta bread. The airy and casual neighborhood spot houses a wine shop helmed by Helen Johannesen, the wine director for all of Shook and Dotolo's restaurants.