Move over, New York and Chicago—the flowering of L.A.’s food scene has come to the pizza world, and now there are skillful chefs helming creative pizzerias all across town. Truffles in Brentwood, barbecue chicken and ranch on Fairfax Avenue and smoked salmon in Hollywood are among the must-try pies. Scan the list to make sure you aren’t missing a gem in your own neighborhood.
The 14 Best Pizzerias in Los Angeles
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Published Apr 26, 2019
Pizzana/Facebook
Pizzana (brentwood)
The chef’s trademark “slow dough”—fermented in a wooden box for two days, like in the old country—is the base for a pie laden with Italian delights such as prosciutto di Parma, burrata and Norcia black truffle. No wonder people line up for hours to get in.
11712 San Vicente Blvd.; 310-481-7108 or pizzana.com
Tomato Pie Pizza Joint (silverlake)
Perfectly imperfect New York–style thin crust and cheesy names including the Notorious SMG (sausage, mushroom, garlic) make this joint inviting to classic pizza lovers. The next-level high-quality toppings, including fresh jalapeños, mac ’n’ cheese and diced buttermilk-marinated hot wings, make this place appealing to even the snobbiest of pizza snobs.
2457 Hyperion Ave.; 323-661-6474 or tomatopiepizzajoint.com
Pizzeria Mozza/Facebook
Pizzeria Mozza (hancock Park)
Maybe the most famous in town, this busy pizzeria makes a chewy-crispy crust with rye flour, wheat germ and honey that is worth the trip. Order the Margherita—the simple combo ofmozzarella, basil and tomato will only set off, not distract you from, the rustic crust.
641 N. Highland Ave.; 323-297-0101 or pizzeriamozza.com
Superfine Pizza/Facebook
Superfine Pizza (dtla)
Big pies made of chewy crust that’s full of flavor, accented with bits of char and topped with inventive juxtapositions of ingredients. (Salami and honey? Pea tendrils and fontina? Mmm.) What could be better? How about selling it by the slice? Done! We especially favor the Es-Ca-Role, with escarole, red onion, salty olives, spicy chilis and mozzarella…plus smoked provolone.
Inside City Market South, 1101 S. San Pedro St., Unit F; 323-698-5677 or superfinepizza.com
Triple Beam Pizza (highland Park)
Based on the walk-up pizza shops of Rome, this place lets you choose how much you want of the premade pies (toppings range from acorn squash to smoked pancetta), and your order is charged by weight. The crust is ultra-thin and crispy, not unlike flatbread, so you won’t fill up on carbs.
5918 N. Figueroa St.; 323-545-3534 or triplebeampizza.com
Jon & Vinny’s (fairfax)
In the middle of the hippest street in L.A., amid the rapper-endorsed shopping and private bars, stands the most fashionable pizzeria in town. All blond wood and celebrity-chef driven (the titular duo are veterans of the great resto pop-up disruptions of the late aughts), this is the kind of place you just seem to drop into—after having been lucky enough to snap a reservation three weeks out. Come early and order the breakfast pizza—potato, egg, red onion and if you’re feeling cholesterol-strong, artisanal bacon.
412 N. Fairfax Ave.; 323-334-3369 or jonandvinnys.com
Prime Pizza
Prime Pizza (little Tokyo)
This spot has the two things that New York pizzas have going for them: thin-crust deliciousness and by-the-slice ease. But it’s also got Cali-savvy ingredients. The best pie in the house is the kale-and-sausage pie, balanced with a traditional red sauce.
141 S. Central Ave.; 213-256-0011 or primepizza.la
Dough Box (el Sereno)
Deep dish is usually only available as a whole pie, but at Dough Box you can indulge in all the deliciousness solo by ordering a six-inch personal pie all for yourself. The Hill, a pile of ricotta cheese, garlic, spinach and chunks of Italian sausage, is one of the joint’s most popular orders.
2734 N. Eastern Ave.; 323-346-6811 or doughboxla.com
Cosa Buono/FAcebook
Cosa Buona (echo Park)
This neighborhood pizza joint is a cut above L.A.’s usual storefront dives (fitting, since it’s in a quickly gentrifying ’hood). Its operators have a fancy background (upscale bistro Alimento), and the counter is made of rich marble. The menu aligns with this high-low scheme: barbecue chicken pizza (smoked scamorza cheese, jalapeños, onion, ranch, and cilantro) and Hawaiian ’za. Because what happens in Echo Park stays in Echo Park.
2100 W. Sunset Blvd.; 213-908-5211 or cosabuona.com
Duyen V./Facebook
Il Romanista (el Segundo)
Cold fermentation is the secret to the crust at this Roman-style (aka square-cut) pizzeria near LAX. And the flavorful toppings include seasonal options like squash blossom and goat cheese, as well as year-round favorites like mushroom. What it lacks in neighborhood ambience (it’s located in the middle of an industrial park) it makes up for in solid flavor in a novel presentation.
829 N. Douglas St., El Segundo; 310-616-3111 or pizzailromanista.com
La Morra Pizzeria/Facebook
La Morra (thai Town)
A couple of crazy Charleston, South Carolina, kids in love built a pizza oven on the back of a flatbed truck and then drove it to Los Angeles and the rest is history…or at least the Thursday-night happy hour at Tabula Rasa Bar. The sourdough crust and hyper-fresh ingredients (burrata and ramps is a current favorite) make foodies watch for the day’s menu on social media on Thursday mornings and then text their orders to pick up after 5 p.m.
At Tabula Rasa Bar, 5125 Hollywood Blvd.; 213-290-6309 or lamorrapizzeria.com
Pace Joint/Facebook
Pace Joint (hollywood)
The place fittingly names its superior pies after Greek gods: The Hercules is a hefty meat-lover’s feast of pepperoni, soppressata and sausage, while the Neptune is laden with smoked salmon, crème fraîche, lemon and capers. This casual storefront and patio brings the thin-crust goodness of its Laurel Canyon progenitor down to Sunset Boulevard, and in time for summer, it’s expanding its summer hours to close at 10 p.m.
7860 Sunset Blvd.; 323-745-5141 or pacejoint.com
Mariano L./Yelp
Flame Pizzeria (reseda)
Opened in mid-2015 by a former private chef to the stars (Tom Cruise, Jennifer Garner) who pivoted to concentrating on pizza after he built a home pizza oven, this spot has cheffy Neapolitan-style pies—that is, a crust that’s thin in the middle with lots of bubbling. We’re fansof the Lindsey, a medley of pale fresh mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano and Asiago cheeses with a pile of peppery arugula on top.
19309 Vanowen St., Reseda; 818-578-3888 or flamepizza.la
MOD Pizza/ Facebook
Mod Pizza (north Hollywood)
Creative seasonal ingredients including pumpkin (in fall), vegan options and infinitely customizable individual pizzas whipped up in front of your eyes make this place all about fun eating. Psst: Don’t miss the “Sri-rancha” sauce and something called Mike’s Hot Honey to drizzle on your pie after building it.
5300 N. Lankershim Blvd. #103; 818-255-7425 or modpizza.com
