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 30+ places to grab pizza that are definitely worth the dough.
Local legends
Pizza Port, 5 local brewpubs
You may know this brand for its beer, but with pizza in its name, it uses wheat in another big way. At the brewpubs, you’ll find many pies — including a selection named for local towns and cities. You could snack on its bite-sized, Beer Buddies (made with pizza crust) as you enjoy your brews.
Surf Rider Pizza Co., La Mesa
This shop has been making 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 — and we recommend finishing your meal with dessert from the restaurant’s Swell Bakery display case.
Pizzeria Luigi, Golden Hill, North Park + Imperial Beach
Owner Luigi Agostini opened the first Pizzeria Luigi in Golden Hill because the community reminded him of his hometown in Italy, and the locals 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, Various
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, 4 local restaurants
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), plus beers on tap and sporting games on the TVs.
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 ale house. 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 and coffee times differ.
Fun combos
Mr. Moto Pizza, 8 locations
This shop is known for its creations. One of the staples here is the signature Mr. Moto pizza which includes Italian sausage, Spanish chorizo, burrata, and marinara dots.
Sisters Pizza, Hillcrest
This shop is known for its comfortable seating area and variety of pizzas. Make sure to try something fun; the Uncle Jesse pizza with olive oil, ricotta, mozzarella, and basil will make you say “have mercy.”
Gelati & Peccati, North Park
The menu here boasts 12-15 options that rotate throughout the day, but there are seven signature styles named for the seven deadly sins. We recommend scooping up some gelato before you leave, 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, and look for the rotating lists of fun, seasonal flavors.
Pizza Cassette, Bay Park
Head to The Gärten in Bay Park and tune into this shop known for 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.
Sicilian Thing Pizza, North Park
Every pizza at this shop can be made as a traditional round pie or in a Sicilian-style square. We recommend spicing things up with a PB&J pizza — pepperoni, bacon, and jalapeño.
Things are heating up at Herb and Wood.
Photo via @herbandwood
Fancier fare
Ambrogio15, 5 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
Here, you’ll be served a “Neo-Neapolitan” pizza — a fusion of New York and Neapolitan styles — with a rotating, seasonal menu inspired by local farmers markets.
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, Isloa. That passion is baked into every pizza, which can be perfectly paired with its selection of Italian wines.
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 $3.50 or less (cash only).
Lefty’s Chicago Pizzeria, North Park + Mission Hills
If you’re hoping to try a 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.
Plenty of flavor, zero gluten.
Photo via @dearcolitis
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. It’s also a great spot to grab a quick, low-cost meal.
We’re always bready for a deep-dish pizza.
Photo via @chicagobrospizzeria
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 Mikes 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, Santee Lakes + Kearney Mesa
This shop is known for cutting corners, but only because it specializes in rectangular, Detroit-style pizzas. It has three local shops, and with its crispy, caramelized crust, locals know it’s a great lake food.
Square Pizza Co., Pacific Beach
This shop knows that Detroit-style pizza is also a great beach food, but if you’re looking for a thinner crust, you can also cut corners with the pizzeria’s rectangular, Boston Beach Pizza.
TnT Pizza blows our minds.
Photo via @coachhoppe
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, which are 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 Pizza, 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.
We’ll take olive the vegetable and put them on a GF crust.
Photo via @powerhauspizza
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 left you craft the perfect meal.
Buona Forchetta, 5 locations
This restaurant started in 2011 in South Park and is known for its Neapolitan-style pizzas. Most of its pies can be made gluten free, and 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 claims to have a “San Diego style” menu, and that includes a wide range of dietary needs. There’s a whole section dedicated to vegan offerings (we’re digging the Farmers Market with walnut pesto, vegan mozzarella, and sun dried tomatoes), and any pizza can be made gluten-free
Donna Jean, Bankers Hill
It’s no surprise that this plant-based restaurant knows how to make a great vegan pizza, and we’re loving the sound of the Thunderkiss ’65 made with white wine garlic cream, ricotta, mozzarella, pistachio, and lemon infused olive oil — with no real dairy, of course.
Gianni’s Pizza, Oceanside
Not only does this restaurant have great pizza and beer, but it also has one of the largest vegan pizza menus in San Diego County. 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.
