The Best Pizza in the Bay

It's been said that time is a flat circle. Well... that is all a bit too heady for us. But pizza — now that's something we can wrap our minds (and mouths) around! We're not here to debate the merits of layering sauce, cheese, and toppings on delicious, chewy carbs. We're here to celebrate this tasty delight, and share some of our favorite places to grab a pie. From greasy, cash-only spots to put-an-egg-on-it upscale restaurants, check out this guide to the Bay Area's best pizza joints.


Updated January 9, 2024




San Francisco

Via Little Star


Little Star Pizza

(Multiple locations)

Truly a shining star of the Bay Area pizza scene, Little Star has one location in San Francisco and three outposts in the East Bay. Their pizzas are simple but diverse, offering both deep dish and thin crust pies and a cornmeal crust to write home to mom and dad about. Try their namesake with a caprese salad and you'll be good to go for hours.


Joyride Pizza

(Multiple Locations)

The past few years have been a wild ride for Joyride Pizza. When pandemic dining restrictions forced the Joyride founders to rethink their longtime Samovar Tea Lounge locations, they took a chance and pivoted to Detroit-style pizza. Their venture has certainly paid off. Joyride now has four brick-and-mortar pie shops in the city — plus an outpost in the Yerba Buena Bowling Center and partnerships with the Gilman Brewing taprooms in Berkeley and Daly City.

 

Za Pizza

(1919 Hyde St // Russian Hill)

The fine art-inspired pies at this Russian Hill pizzeria will have you feeling like you're eating something far fancier than a slice of ’za. The “Salvador Dali” features roasted chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh pesto, and red sauce and “Da Vinci's Palette” has bright red and green peppers, sausage, and onions. Eat your greens with “Monet's Garden Salad,” which looks just as good up close as it does from afar.


Golden Boy Pizza 

(542 Green St // North Beach)

This beloved North Beach mainstay has been serving rectangular pies since 1978 — long before other purveyors of rectangular pizzas figured out that it’s hip to be square. Reminiscent of what you’d encounter on the streets in Italy, their flagship location advertises their cheesy, focaccia-crust creations in the window to lure in passersby. We recommend that you give in to the temptation, and stop in for a slice of their clam and garlic combo. Fans of Golden Boy living on the westside will soon have an outpost in their backyard, as a second San Francisco location at 1447 Taraval St. is slated to open up in March 2024.



Square Pie Guys

(Multiple locations)

Speaking of angular pizzas, you can’t really go wrong with a Detroit-style combo from Square Pie Guys. From your regular ol' cheese to the Mean Green Sausage Machine, Square Pie Guys has a variety of delectable and innovative options — including pies with gluten free crust to vegan cheese. If you’re in need of a sweet treat, their pizza crust-based desserts are not to be missed.


Pizzetta 211

(211 23rd Ave // Outer Richmond)

Eggs on a pizza? Why did we not think of this sooner! The ham and gruyere pizza from Pizzetta 211 is a gooey treat that you have to try to fully comprehend. This quiet cozy spot fills up quickly on the weekends, so come early or snatch a bar seat, and pair their gourmet pizza with a salad or a fresh-made cake. Mmmmmm. It's completely worth the trek


The Laundromat

(3275 Balboa St // Outer Richmond)

Don't let the cheeky name fool you, there are no spin cycles here. Just crispy square pizza pies paired with a wonderful selection of natural wines. Their pizza selections are pretty basic — cheese, pepperoni, mushroom, and spicy broccoli with fennel (alright, that one's a bit outside the box) — but the flavors absolutely pop. And if you grew up on Bagel Bites, you may appreciate that they also serve top-notch New York-style bagels in the morning.


Shuggie's Trash Pie + Natural Wine

(3349 23rd St // Mission)

With funky dining rooms ranging from neon green to lemon drop yellow and a menu chock-full of upcycled eats, it's hard not to love Shuggie's. Just walking in feels like a warm hug. Pair that with delicious trash (aka waste-free) pies and a solid selection of natural wines, and you're set for your next date night.


Delarosa 

(Multiple locations)

There was a time when American pizza lovers were expected to choose between the thin, floppy New York-style and the buttery, saucy Chicago deep dish. Thankfully, here in the Bay Area, we reject bogus binaries! In addition to the fluffy focaccia of Detroit-style pies, there is another configuration of cheese, bread, and sauce currently having a moment: thin and crunchy Roman-style pizza. The long, communal tables at Delarosa give you the opportunity to bond with other like-minded individuals who also love more than one style of pizza. Premium toppings like calabrese peppers and spicy coppa keep things interesting; vegan sausage and cheese mean all of your friends can find something they like.


Pink Onion 

(64 14th St // Mission)

From the founders of the great Lo Coco’s pizzeria, Pink Onion fuses all things amazing to keep their menu interesting. Serving a diverse menu of pizzas, pastas, and appetizers, Pink Onion is sure to keep your taste buds satisfied while your belt buckles suffer. It's a small and popular restaurant, but rotating beers and wine on tap are always present to keep you and your party company.


Tony's Pizza Napoletana 

(1570 Stockton St // North Beach)

Standing tall at the corner of Stockton Street and Columbus Avenue, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana is well known in San Francisco. The Margherita and New Yorker pizzas earn rave reviews nightly, as do the scrumptious meatballs and uber cheesy Detroit Red Top. Fair warning: The mega-popular joint often attracts a crowd, so join the waitlist before heading over if you want to get a table pronto.


Pie Punks

(145 2nd St // East Cut)

If you're picky about your crust, the delightfully eclectic spot Pie Punks has you covered: you can get classic "Grandma style," thin crust, and Detroit-style pies here. All of their options have scrumptious toppings, from Wisconsin brick cheese to garlic-onion confit, but at the risk of being controversial, we'd recommend the Waikiki Sneaky, which has Spam, banana peppers, pickled jalapeño, and, yes, pineapple. We stand by it. 


Also, check out:





East Bay

Via Pizzaiolo


Pizzaiolo 

(5008 Telegraph Ave // Oakland)

"Down home, human-made" food: that's what Pizzaiolo stands for. With their fresh ingredients and down to earth attitude, they make great pizza outside with fresh takes on classic Italian fare. The marinara, sausage, hot peppers, and panna pie is a classic meat combination, but we recommend giving one of their cream-based sauces a try, as well.


Gioia Pizzeria 

(Multiple locations)

Gioia (joy-a) certainly sparks joy among its devotees. This joint has developed quite a following since first opening in Berkeley two decades ago. Thankfully for San Francisco-based fans of Gioia’s fresh ingredients and New York-style pies, there is a a second location in Hayes Valley. We recommend trying the "Formaggio" or the "Spinaci Aglio."


Zachary's Chicago Pizza 

(Multiple locations)

Even avowed haters of the Windy City pies will have to concede this: There are few Bay Area purveyors of deep dish ’za better at putting the cheese under the sauce than Zachary's Chicago Pizza. Just one or two slices from this East Bay mini-chain can put you in a full-blown food coma. We are partial to the “Carne” (sausage, pepperoni, bacon, salami), but if you’re looking counting your calories, you can’t go wrong with the “Super Veggie.”


Sliver Pizzeria

(Multiple locations)

SLIVER uses fresh produce as the inspiration for their vegetarian pies (they don't serve any meat!), and it shows in their pizzas' vibrant flavors. There are only two choices of pizza here: plain or the pizza of the day, which incorporates ingredients ranging from potatoes to asparagus tips. True to their name, you always get an extra "sliver" or two of pizza on top of any pie. Pro tip for newbies: always get extra green sauce on the side. Trust us.


The Cheese Board Collective 

(1512 Shattuck Ave // Berkeley)

The idea is simple: the worker-owner collective takes dough and cheese from their bakery/cheese joint next door, piles on fresh veggies from the market nearby, and whips out a different vegetarian pizza Thursday through Saturday to adoring, hungry guests. For the most authentic Cheese Board Experience, grab a slice and a friend and sit on the grassy median across the street.


Artichoke Basille's Pizza

(Multiple locations)

This New York transplant is the closest thing to east coast 'za around, and is sure to please. Its Berkeley location is a campus staple, and you can always find hungry college students lining up there around closing time. Go for their namesake Artichoke with spinach, cream sauce and artichoke hearts, or stay classy with a Margherita slice. Whatever you do, come hungry — in true New York fashion, these slices are huge!


Via Bronco Billy's Pizza Palace


Bronco Billy’s Pizza Palace

(Multiple Locations)

Ask anyone who grew up in the Tri-City area where to get a great pie, and you’re sure to hear about Bronco Billy’s Pizza Palace. At this unpretentious pizza parlor — with outposts in Fremont, Hayward, and Union City — you can get the type of ’za that would have the Ninja Turtles fighting over the last slice. Thankfully, the folks at Bronco Billy’s offer up jumbo single-topping “slices” (they are actually more like triangular personal pizzas) for less than $10.


Richmond Pizza House

(12343 San Pablo Ave // Richmond)

This family-owned and operated business fuses Italian and Mediterranean cuisine in the form of craft pizzas. Try their Chicken Shawarma, made with sesame crust and special sauce or go green with their Cali Veggie. If you somehow manage to leave room for dessert, they also serve up cookies and brownies in pizza form.


Arizmendi Bakery

(Multiple Locations)

From fresh baked bread, pastries, and (of course) pizza, Arizmendi is a one-stop-shop for East Bay carboholics. Their sourdough crust is the perfect vehicle for their pizza of the day with toppings varying from goat cheese to spicy harissa sauce to sweet potatoes. Make sure to ask for extra green sauce — we put that stuff on everything! With two locations in the East Bay and two in San Francisco, you’re never far from a great slice.




North Bay

Pizza Antica 

(Multiple locations)

It all starts with the cool atmosphere: high ceilings, an impressively well-stocked bar, and a view of the wood ovens where all magic happens. Some favorites among customers are the fennel sausage and margherita, and they even boast a breakfast pizza with an egg plopped on top. Whatever you choose, Pizza Antica will make it with great care and precision. Unfortunately the Mill Valley location closed in 2023, but you can still get your fix in Lafayette and at Santana Row in San Jose.


Pizzeria Picco

(31 Magnolia Ave // Larkspur)

Crafted in the traditional Neapolitan thin crust style, options like the “Son of Yeti” (hen of the woods mushrooms + thyme) and the “Nishiki” (shishito peppers + house made sausage) are just a few of the stars on this trendy spot's menu. They also serve delicious small plates like hot chicken sliders and oysters on the half-shell.


Azzurro Pizzeria 

(1260 Main St // Napa)

Pulled hot and fresh from a beautiful brick oven, Azzurro’s rich, thin-crust pizza was born to be paired with the wines its hometown is so famous for. The fungi and speck pizzas are consistent favorites — add an egg for extra goodness — and the meatballs, iceberg wedge, and baked rigatoni are also worth a taste in between slices.


Via PizzaLeah


PizzaLeah

(9240 Old Redwood Highway Suite 116 // Windsor)

Leah Scurto, the founder and owner of PizzaLeah is a longtime member of the US Pizza Team. (Yes. That’s a thing!) Scurto claimed 1st Place at the 2022 Real California Cheese Pizza Contest, and was invited to compete in the 2019 World Pizza Championship in Italy. So, uh, yeah, the pizza here is good. Snag one of their pan pies (the Mush-a-Roni is a must-order) or add your choice of toppings to their plain cheese pizza. 


PizzaHacker

(226 Shoreline Highway // Mill Valley)

No reservations needed at this no-frills Mill Valley spot. Just order for delivery or pickup — or simply swing by and savor your slice with a cold beer in their spacious outdoor seating area. Their crust is the perfect combo: Thin on the bottom, but puffy and delicious on the edges. Plus, as if you needed any more reasons to visit, they also serve bagels on weekend mornings. 


Tamalpie Pizza

(477 Miller Ave // Mill Valley)

If the delightfully punny name didn't entice you, and even if the slices at Tamalpie Pizza Bar don’t sell you, perhaps you can be persuaded to swing by for a craft cocktail or two. In addition to pies, they also serve other yummy small plates — like fried brussels sprouts and arancinis. Their pies are similarly upscale, and include options like the “Laurel Dell” (fennel sausage, caramelized onions, kale and the “Blithedale Canyon” (bacon, potatoes, pesto). 




South Bay + Peninsula

Patxi's Pizza

(Multiple Locations)

While this popular pizza restaurant has several Bay Area locations (and even in Southern California), it calls Palo Alto home. That is where their first location opened back in 2004. Patxi's is known for their deep dish pies made for IG-worthy cheese pulls, but they also whip up piadinas (Italian flatbread sandwiches), burrata bruschetta, and even a s'mores pizza to satisfy your sweet tooth.


Vesta 

(2022 Broadway // Redwood City)

A perfect Peninsula date night spot, Vesta serves up Italian comfort food in a candle-lit, high-ceilinged space. Folks rave about the burrata and basil — along with the sausage and honey combinations. And while pizza is already a great food for sharing, Vesta also boasts an excellent tapas menu. Bring your friends, lovers, family... anyone really! 


Oak & Rye 

(202 N Santa Cruz Ave // Los Gatos)

Their menu features some goofy names — like “The Jerk” and “Scotty 2 Hottie.” But trust us, they take pizza seriously, piling their pies with fresh, unique ingredients — like caciocavallo (a pulled cheese curd). Thin crust lovers in the South Bay, take note.


Via Pizzeria Delfina


Pizzeria Delfina

(Multiple locations)

With locations on the Peninsula and San Francisco, Pizzeria Delfina is a well-known and beloved Neopolitan-inspired spot that serves up farm-to-table pizzas and pasta dishes. With a full menu of red and white pies, there's something for everyone. If you're feeling creative, you can add ingredients like house-made fennel sausage to any pizza to really make it your own.


A Slice of New York

(Multiple locations)

When you need a no-fuss slice you can depend on for gooey cheese and a perfect sauce to crust ratio, this is your jam. From “The City” to the “Munchie Lunchie,” any of their classic pies will surely satisfy any craving. Plus, they've got calzones, stromboli, cannoli, and cheesecake. Yum!


Toto's Pizzeria

(Multiple locations)

Call us cheesy, but Toto's Pizzeria holds the key to our heart. It's one of America's oldest family-owned pizzerias, originally opened in Brooklyn after the owners emigrated from Naples, it eventually landed in San Francisco. Over the years and through five generations, their authentic Neapolitan pies are as magical as ever. They currently don’t have a dining room in San Francisco, but you can still nosh on their classic pies in San Bruno and Belmont. whether you choose one piled high with veggies, or stick to a simple cheese.


Pizza My Heart

(Multiple Locations)

With 26 locations — mostly concentrated in the South Bay, with a handful on the Peninsula and East Bay — Pizza My Heart is on the cusp of becoming a full-blown chain restaurant. But when it comes to Bay Area bona fides, no list of pizzerias would be complete without mentioning them. Born in the small beach community of Capitola, next door to Santa Cruz, Pizza My Heart prides itself on its surf-culture roots. Garlic lovers can’t miss with their “Big Sur” and “Little Sur” combinations, which come with enough roasted cloves to kill an army of vampires.


Written by Hailey SimpsonKristine Dizon, and Nick Veronin.




Want pie of a sweeter variety? Check out our Guide to the Best Pie in the Bay!