WHO HAS THE BEST PIZZA IN SAN DIEGO?
It is not easy to declare a winner for the best pizza in San Diego, as we have many restaurants making great pizzas. I updated my list for 2026. There are pizzerias sprinkled across the city, and each slice is different. But they all tell a different story about flavors and cultural influences. San Diego has no shortage of options, but when it comes to best pizza near me, these stand out. We have everything from the traditional Italian-style pies to avant-garde creations. From national and regional chains to small neighborhood shops offering it by the slice. San Diego’s pizza choices are a wonderful maze of delicious options.
Join me on this doughlicious journey as I share where to get the best crust, sauce, and toppings. I’ll uncover the top contenders for the best pizza in San Diego. Is San Diego Known for Good Pizza? Absolutely. If you are searching for the best pizza near me in San Diego, this guide will help you find the top places locals love to grab a slice. And if I missed your favorite spot for best pizza in San Diego, please let me know in the comments.
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Best Pizza By Neighborhod
North Park / University Heights This is where you’ll find some of the most talked-about best pizza in San Diego. Tribute Pizza on North Park Way draws lines before it opens. Siamo Napoli on 30th Street is Michelin-listed and worth every minute of the wait.
Little Italy / Downtown Slice House on Kettner brings Tony Gemignani’s world-championship pedigree to a fast-casual format. If you want to sit down and pair your pizza with a great wine list, this neighborhood has plenty of options.
South Park Buona Forchetta started here, and the original location still feels like the right place to eat it. Their Neapolitan pies have won world championships. Go early or expect to wait.
Ocean Beach / Mission Hills Pizza Cassette in Ocean Beach is the spot. Wood-fired, locally sourced, and they even make their own vegan cheese.
La Jolla Two solid options here. Regent’s Pizzeria for New York and Chicago-style with craft beer on tap. Piazza 1909 on Fay Ave if you want wood-fired Neapolitan from a chef who trained in Milan.
Carlsbad / North County Pitfire Pizza is the anchor here, as it is James Beard-nominated, with sourdough crust, cooked in an imported Italian oven. And 264 Fresco in Carlsbad does a Margherita that’s really exceptional.
Cardiff / Coastal North County Best Pizza & Brew in Cardiff is a local staple. Tables fill up fast, even on weekdays. The BBQ chicken pizza is the top-seller.
REGENT'S PIZZA
Regent’s Pizzeria is popular for its fresh New York and Chicago-style pies. Their motto says it all: “Eat more pizza. Drink more beer. Be more happy.” All the recipes start from scratch, and their rotating craft beer lineup keeps locals coming back. They are one of the busiest pizzerias in Southern California. Customers love the soft, crispy crust, delicious sauce, and fresh toppings. Their wings get just as much love. They have both spicy and sweet flavors to choose from. No surprise it’s been some of the best pizza in San Diego for 19 years.
- Hours: Sun–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri–Sat 11am–11pm.
- Price range: $$. Pizzas $24–$46 (whole pies).
- Delivery: Yes, within 5 miles. Also on Uber Eats.
- Parking: Above-ground and underground lots on site. 2-hour validation available.
TRIBUTE PIZZA
There’s a line at Tribute Pizza long before the doors open, and it’s for a good reason. It is considered one of the best pizzas in San Diego and is a local favorite. It has also been named as one of the 50 Best Pizzerias in the United States. Walk in the door, and you will be treated to the smell of freshly baked pizza and the sounds of happy customers. Each pie is a tribute to a specific shop or style, and the selection is huge. Go there hungry, and go there early, and it’s some of the best pizza in San Diego.
- Hours: Tue–Thu 4–8pm, Fri–Sat 4–9pm, Sun 3–8pm. Mon closed.
- Price range: $$. Pizzas $22–$24.
- Delivery: Limited takeaway online or in person.
- Parking: Street only. North Park can be tough so plan ahead.
SLICE HOUSE
San Diego finally has a Slice House, the wildly popular handcrafted pizza chain from Tony Gemignani. Tony is a 13-time World Pizza Champion and a four-time Guinness World Record holder. The first location in Little Italy already has lines for its fast-casual pizzas and sides. The ingredients are top quality, and you can taste the results after your first bite. No surprise it’s some of the best pizza in San Diego. They use authentic prosciutto di Parma, peppadew peppers from South Africa, and Menu Dorati Tomatoes from Italy. If you want to explore more than pizza, check out my Little Italy Restaurants guide for all kinds of dining, bars & more.
- Hours: Sun–Wed 11am–10pm, Thu–Sat 11am–11pm.
- Price range: –– $. Fast-casual pricing.
- Delivery: Yes, available online.
- Parking: Little Italy is tight. Street parking or nearby structures. Expect to walk a bit.
PITFIRE PIZZA
This James Beard Award-nominated Pitfire Pizza opened in San Diego, and clearly, we were excited and waiting. It is not unusual to see a line out of the door of people waiting to try their fermented sourdough pizza crust. The pizzas are cooked in an imported Marra Forni oven, and choosing just one will be a challenge. The Honey Bear may be the most popular dish, but I am crazy about the Field Mushroom pizza that has fontina, cremini, enoki, and thyme. Pro tip: get the Meatball appetizer, but order it Level Up (it comes with whipped ricotta, EVOO, and half a loaf of their Rustic Boule bread). Try it for an option as the best pizza in San Diego.
- Hours: Sun–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–11pm.
- Price range: $$. Artisan pizza pricing.
- Delivery: Yes, via DoorDash and Uber Eats.
- Parking: Free lot on site.
BUONA FORCHETTA
I’ve been impressed with Buona Forchetta pizza since they had just one quaint location in South Park. It is a spot that both locals and visitors love for the best pizza in San Diego. Today, they have five locations (with two more set to open this year), and the quality is consistently good. Their Neapolitan-style pizzas have won multiple world championships, and after one taste, you’ll understand why. I am hoping they will put the Jove Pizza back on the menu (burrata, bresaola, arugula, and Parmigiano Reggiano). Pro tip: Look at the daily special board before ordering, as you’ll find inventive dishes being offered.
- Hours: Mon–Thu noon–3pm & 5–9:30pm, Fri noon–3pm & 5–10pm, Sat noon–10pm, Sun noon–9:30pm.
- Price range: $$. Pizzas $18–$23.
- Delivery: Yes, via Toast.
- Parking: Street parking on Beech and 30th. Usually manageable.
PIAZZA 1909
I have watched Chef Stefana from Milan making his pizzas at Piazza 1909 with the same amount of passion that he does with his handmade pasta. The pizzas are wood-fired, and although the selection is small, they are delicious and among the best pizza in San Diego. They have a Pizza Margherita Burrata that is superb. While you are there, make sure you get some pasta too.
- Hours: Tue–Fri 4:30–9pm, Sat–Sun 4–9pm. Mon closed.
- Price range: $$. Dinner pricing.
- Delivery: Yes, direct ordering available.
- Parking: Street parking on Fay Ave. Can be tough on weekends .
PIZZA CASSETTE
The truth is, there isn’t a pizza on the menu at Pizza Cassette that I haven’t loved. Cooked in a white oak wood-fired oven, it’s so evident how much passion Chef Jimmy and his team put into making every dish amazing. On our last visit, their special was a pizza with sweet potato, pecorino, cipollini onion, sage, balsamic, and toasted pine nuts – so good I hope it’ll be available all season. Whether you get a veggie pizza or The Elvis (arugula and prosciutto), you can taste the quality. Their ingredients are locally sourced, they make all their sauces, and always have gluten-free dough and house-made vegan cheese. A great choice for the best pizza in San Diego.
- Hours: Mon closed, Tue–Thu 3–8pm, Fri–Sat noon–9pm, Sun noon–8pm.
- Price range: $. Pizzas $16–$22.
- Delivery: Yes, via Uber Eats.
- Parking: Lot on site. Generally easy.
SIAMO NAPOLI
Siamo Napoli is an authentic Italian restaurant specializing in Neapolitan Pizza and traditional food from Napoli. Their wood-fired pizzas are the stuff of dreams, with a perfect crust and high-quality toppings. This Michelin Guide restaurant serves wood oven-fired pizza, as well as house-made pasta and fresh seafood. Be sure to check with your server about their daily specials – and save room for dessert. Siamo Napoli is on my list of also on my list of best pizza in San Diego and the best pasta in San Diego.
- Hours: Mon–Thu 4–8:30pm, Fri–Sat 4–9:30pm, Sun 4–8:30pm.
- Price range: $$. Pizzas around $22–$30.
- Delivery: Yes, via DoorDash and Uber Eats.
- Parking: Behind the restaurant under La Boheme retail lot. Ask the hostess for a parking pass.
BEST PIZZA AND BREW
As early as 4:30 PM on a Monday, you are likely to find a line and almost every table at Best Pizza & Brew taken. It is a local’s favorite, as you can expect good food, service, and casual vibes. Actually, it is the pizza and beer that earned the credit for this restaurant’s popularity. One of my favorite pizzas is the BBQ chicken pizza. The BBQ sauce, chicken, smoked gouda, red onions, mozzarella & provolone cheese, and cilantro are really delicious.
- Hours: Mon–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 11am–9pm.
- Price range: $. Slices around $4–6, pies affordable.
- Delivery: Yes.
- Parking: Free lot in front of the restaurant. Easy.
Best Pizza Near Me in San Diego (Top Spots by Neighborhood)
When people search for the best pizza near me, they are usually trying to find a great spot close by without digging through reviews. San Diego has strong pizza across different neighborhoods, so the best option depends on where you are.
If you are in North Park or University Heights, you will find some of the best pizza in San Diego, with sourdough crusts and creative toppings. Downtown and Little Italy lean more toward sit-down restaurants with solid wine lists and classic Italian style pies. Coastal areas like Pacific Beach and La Jolla have more casual spots that are easy to walk into after a beach day.
Pizzerias Around San Diego
Here are some of my other favorite pizza places for best pizza in San Diego:
- Alexanders North Park: a modern elegance dinner restaurant in North Park
- Leave of Absence: a restaurant and bar located on the pool deck of the Kimpton Alma San Diego hotel
- Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza: best known for their delicious thin crust hand-made pizzas, and locations across San Diego
- 264 Fresco: their Margherita pizza is one of my favorites in Carlsbad
- Pummarò Pizzeria & Ristorante Italiano in Point Loma has a Vegetariana (cherry tomato, mozzarella and grilled veggies) that is spectacular
Where can I find BEST pizza in San Diego?
These are just a few gems in the best pizza in San Diego scene. The city is full of pizzerias just waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re into classic Margheritas or adventurous toppings, San Diego’s got you covered!
A few spots that didn’t make my main list of best pizza in San Diego deserve a mention. Bronx Pizza in Hillcrest is a local institution. Cash only, no frills, and lines out the door for a reason. The Venetian in Point Loma has been around since the 1960s and still has loyal regulars. Near SDSU, Woodstock’s is the go-to for stuffed crust. Luigi’s in North Park, Angry Pete’s in Mission Hills, and Pizza Port in Ocean Beach round out the list of spots people feel strongly about.
Pizza preference is personal, and San Diego has enough good options that this list could go on for a while. If your favorite didn’t make the cut, drop it in the comments.
So pleased that I managed to make this list of best pizza in San Diego without getting into the pineapple-topping debate. Which pizza places ought to be on my list of the best pizza in San Diego? You can add your suggestions below.
FAQ's
What is the best pizza near me in San Diego?
The best pizza near you depends on the style you enjoy. Look for restaurants that use fresh ingredients, hand-stretched dough, quality cheese, and house-made sauces. Reading recent reviews, checking photos, and looking at specialty pizzas can also help you find a restaurant you’ll enjoy. My recommendations include a variety of pizza styles across San Diego so there’s something for everyone.
Where can I find the best pizza near me for dine-in or takeout?
Many of San Diego’s top pizza restaurants offer both dine-in and takeout, and several also provide delivery. Whether you’re planning a family dinner, grabbing a quick lunch, or ordering pizza for a game night, this guide includes restaurants that make it easy to enjoy some of the best pizza near you no matter how you prefer to eat.
How do I choose the best pizza near me?
The best pizza near you depends on the style you enjoy. Look for restaurants that use fresh ingredients, hand-stretched dough, quality cheese, and house-made sauces. Reading recent reviews, checking photos, and looking at specialty pizzas can also help you find a restaurant you’ll enjoy. My recommendations include a variety of pizza styles across San Diego so there’s something for everyone.
What style of pizza can I find near me in San Diego?
San Diego offers nearly every popular pizza style. You’ll find traditional Neapolitan pizza with wood-fired crusts, classic New York-style slices, Detroit-style square pizzas, Chicago deep dish, Sicilian pizza, and creative local combinations featuring fresh California ingredients. This list includes restaurants specializing in each of these styles so you can find the pizza that matches your taste.
Is there a pizza restaurant near me that's worth driving to?
Absolutely. Some of San Diego’s highest-rated pizza restaurants have built loyal followings because of their exceptional crust, fresh ingredients, and unique recipes. Many locals regularly drive across the county for their favorite pizza. If you’re looking for the best pizza near me, the restaurants in this guide are all worth considering, whether they’re in your neighborhood or a short drive away.
