From Chicago and Pittsburgh-style to, of course NY-style pizza, we’ve found the best pizza spots in LA worth your time and money
Is there anything more comforting than a delicious, piping-hot pizza? Uh, doubtful. And luckily, LA is having its very own pizza renaissance with more and more incredible pizza joints leveling up the pie game every day. (Thankfully, gone are the days when people would quietly chuckle when they mentioned pizza for dinner in LA). Nowadays, it’s almost (almost) too hard to keep up with which pizza joint is the best. But we did our research and are excited to deliver what we’ve known all along—not all pizza is created equal. After many bites and stuffed bellies, we’re delivering the best pizza in LA that is worth your time and hard-earned dollars.
Where to Find the Best New York Style Pizza in Los Angeles
Danny Boy's: New York City native, Daniel Holzman, owner of Danny Boy’s Famous Original Pizza in DTLA, says the secret to authentic New York Style pizza is in the water temperature used to make the dough—41 degrees to be exact. Holzman believes that making a premium pie is all about the flavor of the dough, the perfect cheese blend, using Stanislaus tomatoes for the sauce, and creating the right structure of a true New York slice—when you fold it to take a bite, it should crack, but not break in half.
Good to Know: The shop is only open Mon.-Fri. so make sure to get your pizza fix on a weekday.
330 S. Hope St.
Downtown
Online: dannyboysfamousoriginalpizza.com
U Street Pizza: When the crew behind Pasadena’s crazy popular Union Italian restaurant decided to open a pizza place last spring, it was bound to be a booming success. Executive Chef, Chris Keyser, brings his East Coast roots to create one of the best New York style pizza shops in town by concentrating on the crust—thin and crispy with the perfect amount of breadiness. Flavors run from classics like pepperoni and a fab sausage pie to pizzas topped with little neck clams, fresh garlic, lemon and Fiscalini Cheddar.
Insider Tip: Save room for dessert. Kiddos will definitely want a bowl of U Street’s amazing soft serve for dessert.
33 E. Union St.
Pasadena
Online: ustreetpizza.com
Secret Pizza LA: Sean Lango, the once anonymous owner of Secret Pizza LA, started his highly successful pizza biz out of his apartment during the pandemic. As a New Jersey native and major pizza lover, he was looking for a way to supplement his income when his job as a musician came to halt during COVID. After a lifetime of making pies for friends and watching people work in his favorite pizza joints back home, Lango learned how to make a simple, yet unbelievably perfect New York style pie. He began advertising on Instagram, and a viral sensation (and business) was born. He sold a limited number of pizzas out of his apartment each week with orders consistently selling out every time. This past July, Lango moved his small business into a Moneticito Heights space where customers can still book time slots for weekend pick-ups via Instagram links. New orders open on Mon. at 11 a.m. sharp. Act quick cause slots go quickly.
Online: instagram.com/secretpizzala
Where to Find the Best Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza in Los Angeles
Masa: In the heart of Echo Park is Masa, a mom and pop, family-owned restaurant specializing in Chicago Deep Dish Pizza made with love by a true Chicago son. With a two-inch-deep cornmeal crust, hand-crushed whole pear tomatoes and fillings like Masa’s secret recipe Sweet Italian Sausage & Authentic Hot Giardiniera imported from Chicago, it’s one of the best in LA for sure. But one of the sweetest parts of coming to Masa is the warm, welcoming atmosphere where you always feel like family.
1800 Sunset Blvd.
Echo Park
Online: masaofechopark.com
Gino's East: For Chicagoans who are living in LA, Gino’s East feels like a real taste of home. The beloved restaurant got its start in Chi-Town where according to the owners, "People know pizza." Lucky for us, they’re now serving up authentic deep dish in Sherman Oaks, along with 15 TVs highlighting Chicago sports, comfy booths for piling in the whole family and lots of Chicago memorabilia on the walls.
12924 Riverside Dr.
Sherman Oaks
Online: ginoseast.com
Hollywood Pies: This pizza spot serves up deep dish deliciousness that would make The Windy City proud. With a perfect combo of incredible crust, homemade sauce, custom butchered meats and locally sourced high-quality ingredients, it’s easy to see why this shop has earned a cult-like following around town.
6116 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles
Online: hollywoodpiesla.com
Where to Find the Best Detroit Style Pizza in Los Angeles
DTown: Crowned "World Champion of the 2021 International Pizza Competition," it’s no surprise DTown’s Detroit-Style pizza has gained such a devoted fan following. Run by Chef (and Michigan native) Ryan Ososky, DTown is turning out deep crust square pizzas with incredible flavor, perfectly caramelized crust and such divine texture it would impress even the most die-hard Motor City critic. We especially love The Goomba Pepperoni with pepperoni and fennel.
7326 Santa Monica Blvd., Ste. 10 (inside Phorage WeHo)
West Hollywood
Online: dtownpizzeria.com
Quarter Sheets Pizza Club: Echo Park’s Quarter Sheets Pizza Club knows exactly what they’re doing when it comes to making "Detroit-ish" pan-style pies. What started as a pop-up during the pandemic, is now one of the most sought-after brick-and-mortar pizza shops in town. There are just a few flavors to choose from—our fave is the Red Top with mozzarella, red sauce and Grana. And the desserts…oh man, the desserts are a must as well—Quarter Sheets’ Slab Cake is what dreams are made of.
1305 Portia St.
Echo Park
Online: instagram.com/quartersheets
Where to Find the Best California Style Pizza in Los Angeles
Side Pie: If we can thank the pandemic for anything, it’s sweatpants and that many of LA’s most inventive pizza shops were created during that time. Among them, Side Pie started as a pop-up in the side yard of owner Kevin Hockin’s home in Altadena. Hockin constructed a dome shaped pizza oven in his backyard, finessed his outstanding wood-fired recipes and word quickly spread about his insanely delicious pizza. Today, Side Pie has its own retail space and is still cooking up delish pies like The Bobby Green with kale, mushrooms, mozzarella, lemon oil, onion, parmesan and garlic or The Ramblin’ Peach with peaches, mozzarella, ricotta, basil and honey.
900 E. Altadena Dr.
Altadena
Online: side-pie.com
Where to Find the Best Pittsburgh Style Pizza in Los Angeles
Gorilla Pies: Ever had a Pittsburgh style pizza? Well, Chef of Gorilla Pies, Benjamin Osher, is here to change that. Pittsburgh pies have a puffy crust with a smoky edge, a bit more heft to the bread than their New York counterparts, lotsa mozzarella and a really, really diverse range of toppings. If your fam is feeling adventurous, we say check out The Rabbi with pastrami, Swiss-smoked kraut-chi, red cabbage, Reuben sauce and Caraway seed crust.
12416 Burbank Blvd.
Valley Village
Online: gorillapies.com
The Best Artisanal Pizza in Los Angeles
Pizzeria Bianco: Widely regarded as one of the best pizza makers in America, Chef Chris Bianco, finally brought his highly successful pizza restaurant, Pizzeria Bianco, all the way from Phoenix to LA. What makes his pizza a standout and has earned him countless accolades is his meticulous usage of the highest quality seasonal ingredients possible right down to the salt and pepper, making his own cheese and sausage and cooking everything to absolute perfection in a wood-fired oven. Make sure to check out the Sonny Boy and the Rosa pizzas during dinner service—you will not regret it.
1320 E. 7th St., #100
The Row in DTLA
Online: pizzeriabianco.com
The Best Neopolitan Pizza in Los Angeles
L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele: Skip the cost of airfare to Naples and head over to world-renowned L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele in Hollywood for some of the most scrumptious Neopolitan pizza in town. With a bubbling crust that that’s expertly done and pies like the Bianca with double fior di latte, pecorino and basil, this won’t be your last visit.
1534 N. McCadden Pl.
Hollywood
Online: damicheleusa.com
The Best Vegan Pizza in Los Angeles
Double Zero Venice: Chef Matthew Kenney, known for specializing in plant-based cuisine, is currently making some of the tastiest Vegan pizza in LA. Double Zero Venice is the second location for his New York-based flagship with a goal of bringing a healthy perspective to the world’s most popular food. Notable pizzas include his Truffle Pizza with cashew cream, wild mushrooms, Tuscan kale and lemon vinaigrette, as well as the Pesto Pizza with macadamia ricotta, zucchini, arugula and parmesan.
1700 Lincoln Blvd.
Venice
Online: matthewkenneycuisine.com/double-zero-venice-ca
PS: These noteworthy pizza spots are also worth checking out: Hail Mary in Atwater Village, Brandoni Pepperoni near The Grove and Pizzeria Sei in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood.
