The Best Pizza in Los Angeles, Whether You’re in the Mood for Deep Dish or NYC-Style

Los Angeles may not be known for its pizza scene, but we’re here to tell you that it definitely deserves some recognition. More and more ’za spots have opened up, and they’re bringing authentic traditions and techniques to their pies. From Neapolitan-style pizzas cooked in large brick ovens to NYC slices that ooze with red sauce and cheese, LA has got it all. And yes, people here do eat carbs. In no particular order, here’s your guide to the best pizza in Los Angeles.

2. Prime Pizza

• Neighborhood: Fairfax, Little Tokyo, Burbank, West LA, Santa Monica
• Yelp Rating: 4 Stars

New Yorkers will feel at home inside this pizzeria which displays classic, round NY pies. Grab a slice or order one to go, but know that their pies are huge (bigger is better in this case)! You can do half and half so your vegetarian bestie can enjoy a Veggie pie while you indulge in their Pepperoni. They also serve square pizzas if that’s more your speed, and within those, offer three gluten-free options because… LA.

Various locations

3. Gino’s East

• Neighborhood: Sherman Oaks
• Yelp Rating: 4 Stars

True Chicagoans know to flock to this deep dish pizza spot located in the valley, by way of Chicago. Aside from serving their famous deep dish pizza—golden thick crust, chunky tomato sauce, and heaps of real aged cheese—the whole place has that nostalgic chain-restaurant-of-your-youth feel. Thin crust pizza is available as well, along with all the classic bar eats (hot dogs, fries, meatball subs, etc.) you’d expect at a place like this.

12924 Riverside Dr; 818-788-5050

5. Triple Beam Pizza

• Neighborhood: Highland Park, Echo Park
• Yelp Rating: 4 Stars

With the name Nancy Silverton attached (an icon of LA’s culinary world), you know the food here is going to be good. They do things a little differently at Triple Beam, dishing up in the traditional Roman-style. You order at the counter, peep the pizza behind the display and use your hands to indicate how much you want. Then, with a scissor, they cut you a slice (or two, or four). Expect cheesy goodness loaded with toppings and minimal crust, unless you go for a corner slice. The Roasted Fennel & Sausage and the Acorn Squash are both not to be missed.

Various locations

6. Roberta’s

• Neighborhood: Culver City
• Yelp Rating: 4 Stars

Hailing from New York, this eatery does brick oven pizza right; ultra-thin slices with a slightly charred, chewy crust. You can’t go wrong with any of their pies. Their classic Margarita is equally portioned with tomato sauce and cheese and topped with basil. The fan-favorite Bee Sting is off the menu but ask for this pepperoni pie topped with chili and honey and you can still get it. The chef is constantly rotating in new additions, depending on what ingredients are in season. If you catch Ursula’s Paradise on the menu—a white pie with clams—do yourself a favor and order it. Additionally, the restaurant has farmer’s market fresh appetizers, homemade pastas and even their seasonal ice creams are made in house.

8810 Washington Blvd

9. Apollonia’s Pizzeria

• Neighborhood: Mid-Wilshire
• Yelp Rating: 4 Stars

Getting pizza at Apollonia isn’t always easy; they have limited hours, are cash only, and rarely answer the phone. But, just like so many things in life, anything great is worth the effort. Here, it’s all about the Detroit style slices: 1-inch thick crust slices are crunchy on the outside with a fluffy interior and topped with crackling cheese and a wide variety of toppings. Don’t overlook their round pies though—they’re just as good. Grab a cheese slice if you’re a purist but adventurous types have many options to choose from—our vote is the Pepperoni, Burrata and Mike’s Hot Honey pie.

5176 Wilshire Blvd; 323-937-2823​

10. Vito’s Pizza

• Neighborhood: West Hollywood, Santa Monica
• Yelp Rating: 4 Stars

New York-style pizza is done right at Vito’s. Sauce and cheese combine in the perfect ratio upon each foldable slice. You can’t go wrong with a cheese pie, and the White Pesto pie is a favorite amongst customers. Other classic East Coast pizzeria options are available too like baked ziti and meatball parmesan sandwiches. There’s limited seating in the West Hollywood location but Santa Monica has ample seating as well as offers wine and beer.

Various locations

11. Gorilla Pies

• Neighborhood: Valley Village
• Yelp Rating: 4.5 Stars

This takeout spot boasts “Pittsburg Pizza,” and if you’re questioning if that’s a real style of pizza, you’re not alone. But Chef Ben Osher tells us that while he learned to make pizza there, his pies are a combination of both Neapolitian and NY-style pizza. One bite, and you’ll see it’s the best of both worlds. The crust is made with both sourdough and commercial use flour, and the slice is thin and beyond tasty. From the Basic Benny (similar to a pepperoni pie but the meat is sopressata) to the out-of-the-box the Rabbi (essentially a Reuben sandwich on a pizza) you’ll be impressed with the taste. And trust us, get it Gorilla Style—topped with basil, Parm, oregano, chili flakes and extra virgin olive oil.

12417 Burbank Blvd Valley Village; 818-821-3777

12. Cosa Buona

• Neighborhood: Echo Park
• Yelp Rating: 4 Stars

For a casual evening out where you can still get a pie that tastes expensive, check out this excellent restaurant in Echo Park. Their pizzas are made in a brick oven and have a crispy crust with ample sauce and cheese. Happy customers rave about the Pepperoni and the Sausage Pie—the sausage is housemade and is complemented with mustard greens and Calabrese chiles. Don’t overlook their appetizers either, namely the Smokey Mozzarella Sticks and the Meatballs.

2100 Sunset Blvd; 213-908-5211

14. Doughbox

• Neighborhood: Highland Park, El Sereno
• Yelp Rating: 4.5 Stars

Los Angeles is a town known for pop up restaurant concepts, and almost always, the food is outstanding. Doughbox is no exception. This lesser known spot for Chicago deep dish is one you’ll be happy to check out, because it perfectly nails this type of pie. The dough is chewy and the cheese is just right (i.e., not overbearing). It’s currently takeout only while in a temporary spot in Highland Park, but they expect to re-open in a permanent location in El Sereno either end of this year or early 2023.

5567 North Figueroa St; 323-346-6811

17. Joe’s Pizza

• Neighborhood: Sunset Strip, Hollywood, Downtown, Sherman Oaks, Beverly Hills, Mid City
• Yelp Rating: 3.5 Stars

A longstanding contender for the best NY-style slice in LA, Joe’s has been on the scene since 2007 when they opened their first location in Santa Monica. Now with six spots across the city, this is the place to roll into after a night of drinking at the bars, when all you really want to end the evening is that perfect slice. They offer hand-tossed pies, each slice being that quintessential NY-style that’s not too thick, full of cheese and made with fresh toppings.

Various locations

18. Pizzeria Sei

• Neighborhood: Pico-Robertson
• Yelp Rating: 4.5 Stars

If you’re a fan of dinner theater, see if you can snag a seat at the very tiny bar that is situated around the small kitchen where the chef prepares pies in a large brick-oven. This spot is another winner in the Neapolitan pizza game with a unique twist: their pies are inspired by Tokyo’s Neo-Neapolitan movement. The differences are subtle but each bite is a bit chewier, and you may notice salt on the crust. Wondering what to order? You can’t go wrong with their Margarita—the sauce is bright and tart and the charred basil adds a nice touch. For the more daring of palates give the Napoletana a taste where the toppings (green olives, anchovies and capers) are the stars.

8781 W Pico Blvd; 424-279-9800

19. Village Pizzeria

• Neighborhood: Larchmont Village
• Yelp Rating: 4.5 Stars

The shops and restaurants in Larchmont Village are constantly changing, but one staple has been Village Pizzeria, a spot you can always depend on for a really good, authentic slice of NYC-style pizza. The pieces are large, and it gives you that stringy mozzarella cheese pull that so many other places miss the mark on. In addition to their pies, indulge in classic pizzeria fare like an eggplant parmesan hero and baked ziti.

131 N Larchmont Blvd; 323-465-5566

20. Little Coyote

• Neighborhood: Long Beach
• Yelp Rating: 4 Stars

The go-to spot for pizza in Long Beach is even worth a long drive just for one of their pies. They’re NYC-style but the crust boasts more flavor than many other places, and the toppings are added generously. We recommend the White Pie, which is topped with ricotta, garlic, mozzarella, spinach, Calabrian chili and white sauce (we don’t know what the sauce is, but we know we love it). They also offer two subs—Classic Italian and a Meatball—both worth eating if you come hungry.

Various locations