Where To Eat Pizza In San Diego

Whenever we’re feeling saucy, we like to dig into a slice of local pizza. San Diego’s pizza scene is bubbling with options — and it keeps finding ways to top itself. If you’re on the quest for the perfect slice, we’ve pie-oneered a list of 40 places to grab pizza that are definitely worth the dough.

Local legends

Pizza Port, Multiple locations
You may know this local brand for its craft beer, but with pizza in its name, it uses grains in another big way. At the brewpubs, you’ll find many pies — including a selection named for local towns and cities. You could also snack on its bite-sized, Beer Buddies (made with pizza crust) as you enjoy your brews.

Surf Rider Pizza Co., La Mesa
This shop makes waves with its hand-tossed pizzas and dough made fresh daily. The signature Surf Rider Pizza has white sauce, roasted garlic, gorgonzola, roma tomatoes, and fresh basil. We recommend finishing your meal with dessert from the restaurant’s Swell Bakery display case.

Pizzeria Luigi, Multiple locations
Owner Luigi Agostini opened the first Pizzeria Luigi in Golden Hill because the community reminded him of his hometown in Italy, and San Diegans fell in love with the food. In fact, Guy Fieri liked the shop so much he featured it on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

Filippi’s Pizza Grotto, Multiple locations
This shop has been a staple of India Street since it arrived in Little Italy in 1950, and has opened over a dozen shops in San Diego County. You’ll find a variety of pizza options, but they all have one thing in common: the old-fashioned, doughy crust.

Leucadia Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant, Multiple locations
For over 30 years, this San Diego County staple has been tossing its dough and crafting its specialty pies. The locations in Encinitas and La Jolla feature large dining rooms, perfect for family pizza night.

The Sandbox, Pacific Beach
This PB staple has been slicing its made-from-scratch dough since 2013. Expect to find a variety of pizza options — like the PB Hot Chick with chicken and spicy buffalo sauce — plus beers on tap and big TVs airing all kinds of sports.

Blind Lady Ale House, Normal Heights
Nothing pairs better with local pizza than local beer — and you’ll find both under one roof at this uptown favorite. The impressive menu features with vegetarian and vegan options, plus a rotating board with special pies.

Caffè Calabria, North Park
You may think of this cafe for its coffee, but locals are also buzzing over its Neapolitan pizzas. Just make sure to check the hours before visiting, because pizza is served Monday-Tuesday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and Wednesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Fun combos

Mr. Moto Pizza, Multiple locations
With white + red pies, the combos at this shop deliver something for every taste. One of the staples is the Mr. Moto which includes Italian sausage, Spanish chorizo, burrata, and marinara dots.

This shop is known for its comfortable seating area and variety of East Coast-style pizzas. Make sure to try something fun — the Uncle Jesse pizza with olive oil, ricotta, mozzarella, and basil will make you say “have mercy.” Its spinoff shop, Little Sisters, is set to open in North Park in late January 2025.

Gelati & Peccati, North Park
Roman-style Pizza al Taglio is the specialty here —large, rectangular pizza loaded with toppings, sold by the slice. Pro tip: save room for a scoop of gelato, too.

Pitfire Pizza, Carlsbad
This LA-based, James Beard Award-nominated pizzeria opened its first San Diego County location in fall 2023 at the Beacon La Costa. The pizzas are made on the brand’s signature sourdough crust in a Marra Forni oven; look for the rotating lists of fun, seasonal flavors.

Dough Momma Pizzeria, La Jolla
The Momma’s Signatures pizzas are the way to go — for a little kick, try the Kick Butt Meatball topped with red sauce, mozzarella, meatballs, ricotta, and “kick butt” peppers or the sauceless Hot Honey Pepperoni with mozzarella, pepperoni, ricotta, and housemade hot honey.

Pizza Cassette, Bay Park
Head to The Gärten in Bay Park and tune into this shop beloved for its wood-fired artisan pizzas. The chefs are also known to offer some off-beat menu items on a rotating basis.

Seaside Pizza Co., Pacific Beach
This PB spot offers slices and whole pies all day — and into the wee hours, open until 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The menu boasts all kinds of fun concoctions — try the Master Splinter with white sauce, grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and garlic.

Fancier fare

Ambrogio15, Multiple locations
This shop offers a fresh perspective — and fresh ingredients — on pizza. Go here for a relaxed, sit-down experience and to try the chain’s signature Milano-style entrees.

Herb & Wood, Little Italy
Local celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey opened this restaurant to celebrate Mediterranean flavors, including pizza. The wood-fired menu features classic combos and perfect cocktail pairings to make dining here an upper-crust experience.

Tribute Pizza, North Park
Try a Neo-Neapolitan pizza — a fusion of New York and Neapolitan styles — a rectangular Grandma-style pie, or a classic NY-style pizza. The names of the pies are so much fun — we spy a lovely cheese pizza dubbed the Kevin McCallister.

Isola Pizza Bar, Little Italy + La Jolla
This restaurant’s menu features traditional Italian meals and cooking inspired by Chef Massimo Tenino’s very own Nonna, Isola. That passion is baked into every pizza, which can be perfectly paired with Isola’s selection of Italian wines.

Elvira, Ocean Beach
This Roman osteria + pizzeria offers wood-fired pies only on weekends starting at 12 p.m., but it’s worth the wait. Try the Pizza Carbonara or Ortolana in the comfort of a cozy dining room that feels like grandma’s house.

Cross-country crusts

Bronx Pizza, Hillcrest
If you’re looking for thin, New York-style crust, this shop is your go-to. In 2022, Yelp named it the No. 7 best pizza shop in the US, and a slice still costs $4. This place is cash only — if you forget your bills, there’s an ATM inside.

Lefty’s Chicago Pizzeria, North Park + Mission Hills
If you’re searching for deep-dish pizza, look no further than Lefty’s. The menu takes inspiration from the Windy City, but if your love for pizza isn’t that deep, you can opt for a thin and crispy crust.

Landini’s Pizzeria, Little Italy + Point Loma
This New York-style pizza shop landed in Little Italy to bring Italian flavors to San Diego. That might be a mouthful, but when it comes to good food, the pizza speaks for itself.

URBN, North Park
It’s “apizza” — as in, New Haven-style, the way URBN makes its pies. On the menu, you’ll find options like Sausage + Peppers, Mashed Potato, and for a true New England taste, Fresh Clam.

Long Island Mike’s, Kearny Mesa
Head to this shop for traditional New York-style pies tossed and baked with fresh ingredients. You can also grab a slice combo here at a great price.

Prince Street Pizza, Gaslamp Quarter + Pacific Beach
This beloved NYC brand recently expanded to San Diego with its famous Sicilian “SoHo” squares and Neopolitan pies. Try a slice of the Original Prince cheese pizza or walk on the wild side with The Naughty topped with spicy vodka sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella, ricotta, and Zab’s hot honey.

A Brooklyn Pizzeria, Downtown San Diego
Locals love the Brooklyn Veggie packed with spinach, peppers, tomatoes, and garlic atop that NY-style crust. If you’re craving something a tad simpler, try the Grandpa, topped with meatballs and ricotta.

Chicago Bros Pizzeria, Grantville
The Chicago roots run deep at this pizzeria, but the crust is even deeper. You’ll find a huge deep-dish menu, but you can opt for a thinner crust or a calzone if that’s more your style.

Massachusetts Mike’s Pizzeria, Hillcrest
At this pizzeria, you’ll get an East Coast experience on the West Coast. Its pies come in a variety of flavors inspired by New England Greek-style pizzas.

Angry Pete’s, Point Loma + Kearny Mesa
This shop is known for cutting corners, but only because it specializes in rectangular, Detroit-style pizzas. Its crispy, caramelized crust is unforgettable.

Square Pizza Co., Pacific Beach
This shop offers so much variety including Sicilian, Detroit, thin crust, and vegan pizzas. The Thin Crust Beach Pizza is perfect for a day on the sand though — it comes in four, eight, and 20 slices.

TnT Pizza, East Village
This is home to New York and Detroit-style pizzas (plus its gluten-free Detroit crust), but it knows the best pizza comes from grandma’s kitchen. Try the Grandma Pizzas made with a crispy, Long Island-style crust.

Bongiorno’s Pizzeria, Solana Beach
Head to this shop if you’re a fan of thin crust pies. You’ll find a menu with a variety of New York-style pizzas, plus other Italian favorites and local beers on tap.

Regents Pizzeria, La Jolla
You’ll find a huge menu at this shop, including Chicago and New York-style crusts. It’s also a great place to get a pizza to-go with its half-baked menu, designed to be cooked to completion at home.

If you can’t take the wheat (gluten-free)

Powerhaus Wholesome Pizza & Eats, Pacific Beach
Who says pizza can’t be your superfood? This shop offers multiple gluten-free crusts, sauces, and toppings that let you craft the perfect meal.

Buona Forchetta, Multiple locations
This restaurant — known for its Neapolitan-style pizzas — started in South Park in 2011 and now has locations in Coronado, Liberty Station, Encinitas, and San Marcos. Most of its pies can be made gluten free; its GF crust has earned rave reviews for its chewy texture that mimics traditional crusts.

Nectarine Grove, Leucadia
This restaurant is 100% gluten-free and has a large menu that includes pizzas. It loves using local ingredients, and any pizza can substitute dairy-free cheese at no extra charge.

Not to sound cheesy (dairy-free)

Red House Pizza, University Heights
This shop specializes in “California-style pizza” that’s hand-pressed + rolled out — not NY-style pie. The menu offers gluten-free, vegan pizzas like the standout Bangkok topped with lemongrass peanut coconut sauce, vegan mozzarella, broccoli, pineapple, jalapeno, carrots, red onion, fresh scallion, cilantro, and sesame seeds.

Donna Jean, North Park
It’s no surprise that this plant-based restaurant knows how to make a great vegan pizza. Each pie is made on 72-hour fermented whole wheat dough and can be made gluten-free. You can also substitute nut-free, white bean mozzarella for your topping.

Gianni’s Pizza, Oceanside
Not only does this restaurant have great pizza and beer, but it also has an impressive vegan pizza menu. If you can’t get enough veggies, try adding a gluten-free cauliflower crust.

We know, this is just a piece of the pie. If your favorite pizza spot wasn’t mentioned, let us know so we can show it some love in the future.

Source: Michael Beausoleil, Monica Garske, sdtoday.com