Our Guide to 12 of the Best Pizza Spots in San Francisco

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good piece of pizza, and while we may not have anything quite like the only-in-NYC slice, that doesn’t mean we don’t have a strong pizza game in San Francisco. Any local would be happy to weigh in on which locations make the best version, and there’s plenty of it to go around. So we’ve rounded up what we consider to be 12 of the best pizza spots in San Francisco for every type of craving—from the quintessential, farmers-market-fresh California pie at the perfect date-night restaurant to a huge, foldable slice from a no-frills, counter-service joint that you can eat right on the sidewalk before hopping the bus home at the end of the night.

1. Del Popolo

• Neighborhood: Tendernob
• Yelp Rating: 4 Stars
• Why We Love It: perfectly chewy, beautifully blistered, seasonal, delicious

With Flour + Water alum Jon Darsky at the helm, it’s no surprise that Del Popolo makes some of the best pizza in town. You probably know Del Popolo from its fancy food truck, which has been making regular stops around SF since 2012, but having a sit-down meal of fresh, wood-fired, Neapolitan-inspired pies at the stunning Tendernob restaurant (with a plant-filled back patio) is a must. Want easy, 24/7 access to satisfy your Del Popolo craving whenever it strikes? Stock up on their frozen pizzas, which you can find at local markets around SF or pick up at the restaurant and enjoy right at home in 10 minutes or less.

855 Bush St.; 415-589-7940

2. Gioia Pizzeria

• Neighborhood: Hayes Valley
• Yelp Rating:5 Stars
• Why We Love It: large, foldable slices that come close to NYC-style pizza

Thin (but not too thin) crust, artisanal toppings, just the right amount of grease. NYC transplants, like myself, will appreciate the East Coast style we hold in such high regard. You can’t go wrong at this shop, but I’m partial to the Acciughe (with Sicilian anchovies and Calabrian chiles) and the Julian (with house-made Calabrese sausage, kale and chili flakes). But at Gioia, it’s not just about the pizza. Try the chicken Parm sandwich (an old fave from the now-shuttered Polk Street shop) and the beloved house-made cannolis. If you’re in the East Bay, check out the original Berkeley location.

579 Hayes St.; 415-872-9427

3. Pizzetta 211

• Neighborhood: Richmond District
• Yelp Rating:5 Stars
• Why We Love It: thin crust perfection, well-edited menu, the farm egg

Make the trek out to the Richmond anytime you’re in the mood for a romantic date night and this top-notch trifecta: biweekly pizza specials, seasonal salads and house-made desserts. This tiny shop, with a couple sidewalk bistro tables and parklet, oozes with charm. Specials rarely repeat, but there’s usually an option with spicy San Marzano tomato sauce and a rosemary-pine nut combo. And you’ll definitely want to order whichever pie has the egg on top. The only downside: this cozy spot doesn’t take reservations…but it’s always worth the wait!

211 23rd Ave.; 415-379-9880

4. Square Pie Guys

• Neighborhood: SoMa, Ghirardelli Square
• Yelp Rating: 5 Stars
• Why We Love It: special chef collabs; thick, focaccia-like dough; crispy cheddar edges

Pizza purists and former New Yorkers might roll their eyes at thick, Detroit-style wedges, but Square Pie Guys has made more than a few converts (myself included!). The pan-cooked, square pies with crispy cheddar edges feel indulgently satisfying. But the standout is the occasional celebrity pizza collab—like the one they did with pro basketball star Jeremy Lin and beloved local chef Samin Nosrat. Bonus: Their brand-new Beach Street location in Ghirardelli Square may sound touristy, but it has plenty of outdoor seating. And if you’re in the East Bay, there’s also a shop in Old Oakland that sells to-go cocktails.

1077 Mission St., 415-872-9290; 845 Beach St., 415-890-2335

5. Pizzahacker

• Neighborhood: Bernal Heights
• Yelp Rating: 4 Stars
• Why We Love It: perfectly chewy on the inside, crispy on the outside; salted crust

San Francisco loves its sourdough, and PizzaHacker’s sourdough pies hold their own against the city’s most beloved pizzas. They’re just the right amount of chewy on the inside and charred-crispy on the outside, with a subtle tanginess that works. But the best part: the smoked salt crust that brings the overall flavor up a notch. Next time you’re in Marin, check out their second spot in Mill Valley.

3299 Mission St.; 415-874-5585

6. Pizzeria Delfina

• Neighborhood: Mission, Pacific Heights, Palo Alto, Burlingame
• Yelp Rating: 4 Stars
• Why We Love It: It’s the definitive California slice with perfectly charred, chewy crust

With Craig and Annie Stoll of the legendary Cal-Italian restaurant Delfina at the helm, it’s no wonder Pizzeria Delfina’s Neapolitan-style pies are among the best in town. The very definition of a California slice, they’re simple, fresh, and seasonal, with beautifully charred and chewy crust. The classic margherita is a must, but the salsiccia with house-made sausage and the prosciutto pie also shine.

Multiple locations

8. Tony’s Pizza Napoletana

• Neighborhood: North Beach
• Yelp Rating: 4 Stars
• Why We Love It: old-school pepperoni cups and a coal-fired New York-style pie

Thirteen-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani doesn’t mess around. Ingredients are imported from Naples, Italy. And he specializes in, well, every pizza style you can imagine—from Sicilian to Neapolitan to Roman and even Detroit. But I’m partial to the grandma-style slice with old-school pepperoni cups that remind me of childhood. Gluten-free and vegan pizzas are also available, because of course Tony does it all. The next time you’re at Oracle Park for a Giants game, order yourself a slice from Tony’s concession stand. Or check out one of many Slice House locations around the city.

1570 Stockton St.; 415-835-9888

9. A16

• Neighborhood: Marina
• Yelp Rating:5 Stars
• Why We Love It: Southern Italy authenticity and expertly curated list of pies

At A16, you go for the pizza…but also the wine. The award-winning selection of Italian wines runs deep, which makes this a great date night spot or place to meet coworkers. One of the early players in SF’s Neapolitan-style game, wood-fired pizzas with thin, perfectly charred, chewy crusts are the specialty here, but don’t miss the rotating menu of antipasti and pastas. Check out their Oakland location if you’re in the East Bay.

2355 Chestnut St.; 415-771-2216

10. Flour + Water

• Neighborhood: Mission
• Yelp Rating:5 Stars
• Why We Love It: chewy crust, market-fresh ingredients, seasonally inspired toppings

Flour + Water, which celebrated its 13th anniversary earlier this year, is beloved in SF for its inspired menu of handmade pastas influenced by both Italian and California traditions. But let’s not forget about the pizza—with its perfectly chewy crust, market-fresh ingredients and creative toppings (hello, speck). The restaurant’s spinoff Flour + Water Pizzeria has since changed hands and is now Yellow Moto Pizzeria, but the original location continues to offer a few pies on its rotating menu and they’re definitely still well worth ordering. Bonus: Flour + Water Pizzeria will make a comeback (this time in North Beach) next year, with satellite locations delivering hot pizzas throughout the city in the months to come.

2401 Harrison St.; 415-826-7000

11. Tommaso’s Ristorante Italiano

• Neighborhood: North Beach
• Yelp Rating:5 Stars
• Why We Love It: family tradition, authenticity, a slice of the Italian lifestyle

In business for more than 80 years, you know Tommaso’s is the real deal. A North Beach institution, the old-school Italian restaurant brought the first wood-fired brick oven to the West Coast in 1935 and has since influenced the likes of Wolfgang Puck and Alice Waters (it’s also a favorite of Francis Ford Coppola’s). While the pizza may be a little thicker and doughier than purists expect, it’s the Neapolitan tradition and familial vibes that keep us coming back.

1042 Kearny St.; 415-398-9696