Best Pizza in the Bay Area, CA: 11 Top Pizzerias! (2023) (2023)

Encompassing the best of California, the Bay Area is truly a paradise.

Its nine counties offer the best wines and house some of the best pizzerias in the world.

And they’re not just in San Francisco.

Delicious pies are all over, especially in Oakland and Berkeley.

From your greasy wheels to upscale Napoletana, find the best pizza in the Bay Area below.

1. Bare Knuckle Pizza

351 12th St
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 463-1524

Bare Knuckle Pizza is a casual pizza joint serving wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizzas.

Why We Recommend This Pizza Joint

Oakland is brimming with excellent pizzerias.

But one stands out for its delectable wood-fired Neapolitan pies, and that’s Bare Knuckle Pizza.

The pizzas are thin, chewy, and well-crafted, with no toppings piled high or soggy crusts.

The selection is short yet interesting, and each pie is meticulously mastered and produced.

Explore the menu and see toppings from classic to fun, such as peach, arugula, and honey.

Vegan options are prominent on the menu, too.

However, you only have a few days to catch it.

They are open for dinner on Thursdays through Saturdays, from 4 PM to 8:30 PM.

And while indoor seating is limited, you can have it delivered.

Order by phone, in person, or online.

What to Order

The Margherita is a fan favorite, with a balanced, fresh-tasting, and slightly sweet sauce.

It’s topped with slices of mozzarella that melt and combine wonderfully with the red sauce.

2. Benchmark Pizzeria

1568 Oak View Ave
Kensington, CA 94706
(510) 647-9724

Benchmark Pizzeria serves gourmet Neapolitan pies, appetizers, pasta, and soft-serve ice cream.

Why We Recommend This Pizza Joint

Benchmark Pizzeria is an essential stop if you’re in, around, or traveling to Kensington.

Like other well-known Neapolitan pizza joints, quality is their main priority.

The pizzas have the trademark charred crust and are made with only the best ingredients.

Here, however, California flavors take over the pies.

Fresh, nontraditional toppings, such as broccoli, anchovies, and spinach, are present.

Open daily for dinner, visit and check out the top pizza in the Bay Area.

What to Order

Of all the selections, the Fried Sage Pizza is the most popular.

It has a brown butter-lemon blend and garlic, adding depth to each delectable bite.

The fried sage also has a surprising crispness, which improves the overall experience.

Related: Must Eat Restaurants in the Bay Area

3. Bluebird Pizzeria

496 E 14th St
San Leandro, CA 94577
(510) 562-1199

Bluebird Pizzeria delivers New York-style pies and slices in a bright, pleasant setting.

Why We Recommend This Pizza Joint

Bluebird Pizzeria in San Leandro is one of the best pizza places in the Bay Area.

And let us tell you why.

Bluebird Pizzeria serves New York-style pizza with a New Jersey twist.

The pies are medium-thick, with a crunchy exterior and a soft and chewy interior.

You can fold a slice in half if you like, but it’s not exactly the same as the ones from New York.

What screams New York style is the sauce, made from perfectly seasoned crushed tomatoes.

The Jersey vibe extends beyond the food, too.

It’s all over the pizzeria, with license plates and album covers covering the walls.

What to Order

One of the customers’ all-time favorites is the Margherita.

The crust is crispy and chewy, and the signature sauce is nothing short of spectacular.

Also See:
Best Santa Barbara Pizza
Napa Pizzerias

4. Cellarmaker House of Pizza

3193 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 296-6351

Cellarmaker House of Pizza serves house pints and chewy, Detroit-style pizza squares.

Why We Recommend This Pizza Joint

Many people have different reasons why pizza and beer go together.

But, more importantly, they complement and contrast each other’s flavors.

Discover how at Cellarmaker House of Pizza.

Cellarmaker House of Pizza has the best beers and pizzas to go with them.

Both Detroit-style (square-cut rectangular pies) and classic bar-style pizzas are offered.

Enjoy these deliciously topped slices with ales and seltzers with fruit and chocolate nuances.

What to Order

If you can only have one, make it the Detroit-style Pepperoni.

The crust is crisp, and the cheese and pepperoni are high quality.

They’re shaped into little cups after being oven baked and have the perfect crunch.

5. Cheese Board Collective Pizzeria

1512 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 549-3183

Cheese Board Collective Pizzeria is a pizzeria, bakery, and cheese shop selling one type of veggie pizza daily.

Why We Recommend This Pizza Joint

Ask any pizza fan in the Bay Area, and they’ll point you to Cheese Board Collective Pizzeria.

Cheese Board Collective Pizzeria, being a triple threat, is the best pizza place in the Bay Area.

It’s a pizzeria, bakery, and cheese shop all in one, so you don’t have to worry about dough or cheese.

The line may appear intimidating as one of Berkley’s most popular pizzerias.

However, the service and line move so quickly that you’ll have your pizza before you know it.

Explore the ever-changing pizza variants for each day of the week.

The dough is always vegetarian, but the toppings range from classic to inventive.

What to Order

Whatever you order, order their Green Sauce.

If you plan on ordering more than one pizza, go for the large size.

It gives the pizza a fiery kick, a burst of flavor, and overall balance.

6. Del Popolo

855 Bush St
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 589-7940

Del Popolo provides Neapolitan-style pizzas, New American snacks, beer, and wine.

Why We Recommend This Pizza Joint

Wood-fired pizzas are excellent, primarily if they’ve been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand.

Experience some of the most delicious wood-fired pies outside of Italy in Del Popolo.

Once a food truck, Del Popolo is now a rustic eatery that looks straight out of a magazine.

Since then, it has earned a reputation as one of the best pizza restaurants in the Bay Area.

If you’re in San Francisco, visit soon and see the pizza oven centerpiece.

Then, have some pizza and wine with friends.

What to Order

There’s only one pizza to order on your first visit: the Margherita Pizza.

The crust is immaculate, and there are chunks of cheese rather than slices.

You’ll love how every bite guarantees a taste of cheese.

Related: Best Brunch in the Bay Area

7. Emilia’s Pizzeria

2995 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94705

Emilia’s Pizzeria is a nondescript cash-only pizza shop serving NYC-style pies.

Why We Recommend This Pizza Joint

Interestingly, this unique one-person pizzeria offers the best the Bay Area pizza.

It’s not overly doughy or topped, but the quality of the ingredients shines through.

So what you do is place your order on their official website and arrive at the window on time.

The ordering process is a little strange at first, but it’s a breeze once you get the hang of it.

What to Order

For starters, order the popular Gina Calabrese.

The crust is excellent, the toppings are delicious, and there is no excess cheese or sauce.

You’ll notice that the salty soppressata and Calabrian chili truly stand out.

Also See:
Top Pizza in Walnut Creek
Temecula: Pizza Places

8. Gialina

2842 Diamond St
San Francisco, CA 94131
(415) 239-8500

Gialina is a small restaurant recognized for its crispy and imaginative Neapolitan-style pizzas.

Why We Recommend This Pizza Joint

Gialina, another iconic pizzeria in San Francisco, is worth a visit.

The pizzas are modest but tasty, and one hungry person can quickly finish an entire pie.

But that’s because Neapolitan pizzas are so adorable and inventive.

Reservations are highly recommended since it is a small establishment.

What to Order

Take the Wild Nettles, for example.

This creative pie is uniquely Gialina, with its kale-tasting wild nettles and portobello mushrooms.

It looks as good as it tastes, making it perfect for those Instagram shots you’re after.

9. GIOIA Pizzeria

1586 Hopkins St
Berkeley, CA 94707
(510) 674-0412

GIOIA Pizzeria is a New York Style pizzeria using only seasonal ingredients.

Why We Recommend This Pizza Joint

Curious about a New York pizza with California roots?

GIOIA Pizzeria is an essential stop in Berkeley.

It’s a little shop in Hayes Valley that sits along a three-block stretch of Hayes Street.

The ambiance is always bustling, serving a staggering number of orders daily.

Keep in mind the restaurant’s size, with only one table inside.

As a result, you’ll almost certainly have to get pizza to go.

If you live nearby, gather your loved ones and share the best pizza near you.

What to Order

Discover how delicious the Salsiccia Pie is.

The best bits are the sausage and jalapeño, both of which are high quality and tasty.

It also has an excellent undercarriage with a faint char that leaves a crispy bottom.

10. Montesacro Pinseria

510 Stevenson St
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 795-3040

Montesacro Pinseria is an industrial-chic pinseria serving Roman-style pizza from a brick oven.

Why We Recommend This Pizza Joint

Montesacro, billed as the country’s first pinseria, is a bucket list sort of pizzeria.

If you’re unfamiliar with Pinsa, it’s an Italian specialty of hand-pressed pizza from Rome.

The expected outcome is a cloud-like pizza with fluffy dough and a very soft inside.

Discover the best pizza in the downtown Bay Area, combined with an exceptional wine list.

What to Order

Most tourists appreciate and love Casal Bertone with honey and cured pork.

Its unique blend gives a good counterpoint to the more savory pizzas.

Related: Best Breakfast in The Bay Area

11. Outta Sight Pizza

422 Larkin St
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 829-3108

Outta Sight Pizza offers rustic Neapolitan pizzas by the slice in the Tenderloin area.

Why We Recommend This Pizza Joint

Outta Sight Pizza is as unpretentious as it gets.

Come in, order a slice, eat it, and then leave.

You’ll realize you’re having the best pizza in the Bay Area at some point.

It’s charred, crisp, and chewy all at once and folds easily without becoming mushy.

For more fun, look around and see the artwork, potted plants, and eccentric decor.

What to Order

Anything with a vodka sauce is a must-order.

If you want to see what all the fuss is about, order the Lunch Lady.

The sauce has a distinct flavor, and the fresh parmesan and basil are a nice touch.

Also See:
Vista: Pizza Restaurants
Best Pizza in Cambria, CA

Map of The Best Pizza Places in the Bay Area

List of image sources

Best Pizza in the Bay Area, CA: 11 Top Pizzerias for 2023

• Bare Knuckle Pizza
• Benchmark Pizzeria
• Bluebird Pizzeria
• Cellarmaker House of Pizza
• Cheese Board Collective Pizzeria
• Del Popolo
• Emilia’s Pizzeria
• Gialina
• GIOIA Pizzeria
• Montesacro Pinseria
• Outta Sight Pizza