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Three pizzas with ranch and dipping sauce. — A selection from Tribute Pizza.

19 Essential Pizzerias Around San Diego

These pies are a cut above

by Darlene Horn and Candice Woo Updated Jul 19, 2022, 12:50pm PDT

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A selection from Tribute Pizza.

| Tribute Pizza

by Darlene Horn and Candice Woo Updated Jul 19, 2022, 12:50pm PDT

San Diego may be better known for California burritos and fish tacos than it is for pizza, but that perception has shifted in recent years as local pizza culture continues to grow. The range of pizzas available is impressive, from SoCal creations with unorthodox toppings like birria and sigsig to classic Neapolitan and solid renditions of regional specialties like New York, Chicago, and Detroit-style pies. Here’s a rundown of top spots in the area, spanning many different genres of dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings.

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Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizza

A mainstay in North County, Blue Ribbon was an early practitioner of California’s now-signature style of pizza topped with seasonal ingredients. The wood-fired pie shop is the brainchild of chef Wade Hageman, who opened the pizzeria in 2010 after a career in fine dining.

897 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA

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Close up of a white pie pizza.

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The Shop: Pizza + Cocktails

Two brothers, alums of an acclaimed pizzeria in the Bay Area, are putting their spin on the deep dish style at this suburban pizzeria. With a crispy, buttery crust, the hefty pies are available as signature combos, like the North County with housemade meatballs, mushrooms, onions, roasted garlic, or customizable with a large range of toppings.

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11967 Bernardo Plaza Dr, San Diego, CA 92128

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A deep dish pizza and a glass of beer.

Also featured in:

Where to Sip Artful Non-Alcoholic Cocktails in San Diego

Regents Pizzeria

This UTC area restaurant and popular takeout spot does solid versions of both New York and Chicago-style pies but its menu spans way beyond pizza to include pasta, burgers, chicken sandwiches, and a wide array of local beer.

4150 Regents Park Row #100, La Jolla, CA 92037

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A pepperoni pizza.

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Ambrogio15

Ambrogio15 is serving up what it calls the “Milan pizza experience.” Expect this to mean light-as-air thin crusts, organic and biodynamic wines, and sustainable and organic pizza toppings. A second and third location can be found at Little Italy Food Hall and the Sky Deck at Del Mar Highlands Town Center.

926 Turquoise St h, San Diego, CA 92109

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A pizza topped with proscuitto.

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Mr. Moto Pizza Pacific Beach

Since opening its Pacific Beach location in 2015, Mr. Moto Pizza has expanded to include locations throughout San Diego including Mission Valley, North Park, Point Loma, Pacific Beach, Encinitas, Seaport Village, Little Italy. The primary style of pizza is New York plus calzones, stombolis and garlic knots, both stuffed and unstuffed.

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4653 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109

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Close up of pizza topped with  Spanish Chorizo, Jalapenos, Chicken.

Square Pizza Co

Find Detroit-style, Sicilian, and thin-crust square slices (aka Boston Beach pizza) at this beachy neighborhood spot. All of the shop’s signature Detroit-style pizzas pay homage to the city and are named after cars like the Chevy with salami, cupping pepperoni, meatball and bacon.

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4508 Cass St Suite C, San Diego, CA 92109

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Selection of rectangular pizzas.

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Blind Lady Ale House

One of San Diego’s most-admired practitioners of SoCal-style pizza, this relaxed Normal Heights restaurant is beloved by locals. Topped with farmers market-bought and housemade ingredients, its personal-sized pies pair with a stacked draft beer list.

3416 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA

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Overhead shot of pizza topped with sauce, cheese and basil.

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Lefty's Chicago Pizzeria

With so many Chicagoans calling San Diego home, it only follows that we have a good Chicago-style pizzeria to call our own. Lefty’s, with two locations in North Park and Mission Hills, is deep dish pie’s SoCal home away from home.

4030 Goldfinch St, San Diego, CA

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Close up of Chicago deep dish pizza.

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Bronx Pizza

Bronx Pizza in Hillcrest is usually the first retort when someone remarks, “there’s no good New York-style pizza in San Diego.” The cheese pie is a classic example but it’s particularly known for the White Stone pie, a traditional white pizza named after an iconic New York City bridge that comes topped with mozzarella, ricotta and garlic.

111 Washington St, San Diego, CA

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Selection of New York-style pizzas in display case.

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Caffé Calabria

Pulling double-time as a coffee roaster and cafe, Caffe Calabria also churns out simple wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas with high quality ingredients from its North Park storefront. Plan your visit in advance, as they offer pizzas from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

3933 30th St, San Diego, CA

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Whole pizza sitting in front of pizza oven.

Tribute Pizza

Getting its start as a well-respected pop-up, this North Park restaurant is widely admired for its wood-fired, seasonal pie that are inspired original creations as well as tributes to some of the world’s most notable pizzas. The airy space serves up “Neo-Neapolitan”, New York, and Grandma-style pies, baked in a rectangular pan with a thicker crust.

3077 N Park Way, San Diego, CA

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Three quarters view of pizza.

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Landini's Pizzeria

A solid NY-style slice shop that’s been serving Little Italy for years, this casual India Street restaurant serves a takeout-friendly menu of whole pizzas as well as slices and pasta dishes. With another location in Point Loma, its best-known pies include the Meatball Ricotta, BBQ Chicken, and Rustica; there’s also a large selection of vegan and vegetarian options.

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1827 India St, San Diego, CA 92101

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A vegan pizza topped with vegetables.

Also featured in:

Where to Find Late Night Eats in San Diego

Buona Forchetta

With a location in Liberty Station called Officine Buona Forchetta, plus others in Encinitas, San Marcos, and Coronado, beloved South Park staple Buona Forchetta continues expansion with its classic Neapolitan-style pizzas. Also notable are its gluten-free pies.

3001 Beech St, San Diego, CA

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Hand holding platter of pizza.

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Isola Pizza Bar

Owner Massimo Tenino runs Isola Pizza Bars in Little Italy and La Jolla, where he serves wood-fired Neapolitan pizza with imported Italian ingredients. Also on the menu is wine from his brother’s vineyard in Piemonte.

1526 India Street, San Diego, CA

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Three pizzas on a table.

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Pizzeria Luigi

A Golden Hill staple, Pizzeria Luigi is considered one of San Diego’s best examples of New York-style pie, with to-go slices at the ready. There’s also a shop on El Cajon Boulevard and in Imperial Beach.

1137 25th St, San Diego, CA

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Person cutting into pizza.

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TNT Pizza

What began as a popular pop-up pizzeria during in the heat of the COVID pandemic launched into spot in East Village serving Detroit-style pizzas, grandma pies, and New York-style available pickup or delivery. Helmed by Kevin Gist and Joseph Wehrly, TNT Pizza offers vegan and gluten-free options available by the slice or as whole pies.

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550 14th St #116, San Diego, CA 92101

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Whole pizza pie topped with artichokes.

Basic Bar & Pizza

This bustling East Village restaurant and bar is one of the only places in town doing New Haven-style thin-crust pizza. Cooked in a brick oven, the pizzas ranges from a signature white pie topped with mashed potatoes (don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it) to build-your-own creations.

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410 Tenth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

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A pizza cooked in a brick oven.

Also featured in:

Where to Find Late Night Eats in San Diego

Pizza Kaiju

National City’s Market on 8th’s answer to pizza is an innovative outfit that offers traditional toppings along with more unique ones like roasted pork belly or sisig with calamansi cream. Pizzas come available whole round, square or by the slice.

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41 E 8th St, National City, CA 91950

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Hand holding slice of pizza.

Pizzeria El Jefe Mexican Pizzeria

Think pizza only has Italian flavors? Think again. This Chula Vista spot serves thin crust pizzas topped with the likes of bistec, birria, zesty black beans, Rajas pepper and more. Libations from the bar are equally intriguing with wines from Valle de Guadalupe and Micheladas made with fresh blended fruits.

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1655 Broadway #12, Chula Vista, CA 91911

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Two pizzas topped with birria.

Also featured in:

Where to Order Pizza for Delivery or Takeout in San Diego

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Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizza

897 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA

A mainstay in North County, Blue Ribbon was an early practitioner of California’s now-signature style of pizza topped with seasonal ingredients. The wood-fired pie shop is the brainchild of chef Wade Hageman, who opened the pizzeria in 2010 after a career in fine dining.

897 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA

Visit Website

Close up of a white pie pizza.

The Shop: Pizza + Cocktails

11967 Bernardo Plaza Dr, San Diego, CA 92128

Two brothers, alums of an acclaimed pizzeria in the Bay Area, are putting their spin on the deep dish style at this suburban pizzeria. With a crispy, buttery crust, the hefty pies are available as signature combos, like the North County with housemade meatballs, mushrooms, onions, roasted garlic, or customizable with a large range of toppings.

Open in Google Maps

11967 Bernardo Plaza Dr, San Diego, CA 92128

Visit Website

A deep dish pizza and a glass of beer.

Regents Pizzeria

4150 Regents Park Row #100, La Jolla, CA 92037

This UTC area restaurant and popular takeout spot does solid versions of both New York and Chicago-style pies but its menu spans way beyond pizza to include pasta, burgers, chicken sandwiches, and a wide array of local beer.

4150 Regents Park Row #100, La Jolla, CA 92037

Visit Website

A pepperoni pizza.

Ambrogio15

926 Turquoise St h, San Diego, CA 92109

Ambrogio15 is serving up what it calls the “Milan pizza experience.” Expect this to mean light-as-air thin crusts, organic and biodynamic wines, and sustainable and organic pizza toppings. A second and third location can be found at Little Italy Food Hall and the Sky Deck at Del Mar Highlands Town Center.

926 Turquoise St h, San Diego, CA 92109

Visit Website

A pizza topped with proscuitto.

Mr. Moto Pizza Pacific Beach

4653 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109

Since opening its Pacific Beach location in 2015, Mr. Moto Pizza has expanded to include locations throughout San Diego including Mission Valley, North Park, Point Loma, Pacific Beach, Encinitas, Seaport Village, Little Italy. The primary style of pizza is New York plus calzones, stombolis and garlic knots, both stuffed and unstuffed.

Open in Google Maps

4653 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109

Visit Website

Close up of pizza topped with  Spanish Chorizo, Jalapenos, Chicken.

Square Pizza Co

4508 Cass St Suite C, San Diego, CA 92109

Find Detroit-style, Sicilian, and thin-crust square slices (aka Boston Beach pizza) at this beachy neighborhood spot. All of the shop’s signature Detroit-style pizzas pay homage to the city and are named after cars like the Chevy with salami, cupping pepperoni, meatball and bacon.

Open in Google Maps

4508 Cass St Suite C, San Diego, CA 92109

Visit Website

Selection of rectangular pizzas.

Blind Lady Ale House

3416 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA

One of San Diego’s most-admired practitioners of SoCal-style pizza, this relaxed Normal Heights restaurant is beloved by locals. Topped with farmers market-bought and housemade ingredients, its personal-sized pies pair with a stacked draft beer list.

3416 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA

Visit Website

Overhead shot of pizza topped with sauce, cheese and basil.

Lefty's Chicago Pizzeria

4030 Goldfinch St, San Diego, CA

With so many Chicagoans calling San Diego home, it only follows that we have a good Chicago-style pizzeria to call our own. Lefty’s, with two locations in North Park and Mission Hills, is deep dish pie’s SoCal home away from home.

4030 Goldfinch St, San Diego, CA

Visit Website

Close up of Chicago deep dish pizza.

Bronx Pizza

111 Washington St, San Diego, CA

Bronx Pizza in Hillcrest is usually the first retort when someone remarks, “there’s no good New York-style pizza in San Diego.” The cheese pie is a classic example but it’s particularly known for the White Stone pie, a traditional white pizza named after an iconic New York City bridge that comes topped with mozzarella, ricotta and garlic.

111 Washington St, San Diego, CA

Visit Website

Selection of New York-style pizzas in display case.

Caffé Calabria

3933 30th St, San Diego, CA

Pulling double-time as a coffee roaster and cafe, Caffe Calabria also churns out simple wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas with high quality ingredients from its North Park storefront. Plan your visit in advance, as they offer pizzas from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

3933 30th St, San Diego, CA

Visit Website

Whole pizza sitting in front of pizza oven.

Tribute Pizza

3077 N Park Way, San Diego, CA

Getting its start as a well-respected pop-up, this North Park restaurant is widely admired for its wood-fired, seasonal pie that are inspired original creations as well as tributes to some of the world’s most notable pizzas. The airy space serves up “Neo-Neapolitan”, New York, and Grandma-style pies, baked in a rectangular pan with a thicker crust.

3077 N Park Way, San Diego, CA

Visit Website

Three quarters view of pizza.

Landini's Pizzeria

1827 India St, San Diego, CA 92101

A solid NY-style slice shop that’s been serving Little Italy for years, this casual India Street restaurant serves a takeout-friendly menu of whole pizzas as well as slices and pasta dishes. With another location in Point Loma, its best-known pies include the Meatball Ricotta, BBQ Chicken, and Rustica; there’s also a large selection of vegan and vegetarian options.

Open in Google Maps

1827 India St, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

A vegan pizza topped with vegetables.

Buona Forchetta

3001 Beech St, San Diego, CA

With a location in Liberty Station called Officine Buona Forchetta, plus others in Encinitas, San Marcos, and Coronado, beloved South Park staple Buona Forchetta continues expansion with its classic Neapolitan-style pizzas. Also notable are its gluten-free pies.

3001 Beech St, San Diego, CA

Visit Website

Hand holding platter of pizza.

Isola Pizza Bar

1526 India Street, San Diego, CA

Owner Massimo Tenino runs Isola Pizza Bars in Little Italy and La Jolla, where he serves wood-fired Neapolitan pizza with imported Italian ingredients. Also on the menu is wine from his brother’s vineyard in Piemonte.

1526 India Street, San Diego, CA

Visit Website

Three pizzas on a table.

Pizzeria Luigi

1137 25th St, San Diego, CA

A Golden Hill staple, Pizzeria Luigi is considered one of San Diego’s best examples of New York-style pie, with to-go slices at the ready. There’s also a shop on El Cajon Boulevard and in Imperial Beach.

1137 25th St, San Diego, CA

Visit Website

Person cutting into pizza.

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TNT Pizza

550 14th St #116, San Diego, CA 92101

What began as a popular pop-up pizzeria during in the heat of the COVID pandemic launched into spot in East Village serving Detroit-style pizzas, grandma pies, and New York-style available pickup or delivery. Helmed by Kevin Gist and Joseph Wehrly, TNT Pizza offers vegan and gluten-free options available by the slice or as whole pies.

Open in Google Maps

550 14th St #116, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Whole pizza pie topped with artichokes.

Basic Bar & Pizza

410 Tenth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

This bustling East Village restaurant and bar is one of the only places in town doing New Haven-style thin-crust pizza. Cooked in a brick oven, the pizzas ranges from a signature white pie topped with mashed potatoes (don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it) to build-your-own creations.

Open in Google Maps

410 Tenth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

A pizza cooked in a brick oven.

Pizza Kaiju

41 E 8th St, National City, CA 91950

National City’s Market on 8th’s answer to pizza is an innovative outfit that offers traditional toppings along with more unique ones like roasted pork belly or sisig with calamansi cream. Pizzas come available whole round, square or by the slice.

Open in Google Maps

41 E 8th St, National City, CA 91950

Visit Website