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Culture July 19, 2017
Salad pizza, anyone? It's better than it sounds. Really.
Photo via Instagram/800degreespizzaSure, Los Angeles isn’t exactly known for its pizza. But despite what any New York elite says, we still have some damn good slices here in L.A.
Our pizza is mostly going to be vegan, gluten-free and organic, but pizza is pizza. With all of the craft pizzerias in L.A., it’s hard to pick which to spend your money on.
But if you’re in L.A. and wondering, “How can I find the best pizza near me?” then we’re here to help.
This Larchmont pizzeria is the closest you’ll get to a New York slice in L.A. Take it from this Yelp reviewer who said, “This is the best pizza in LA. And it has those large NYC style slices; the ones you fold in half to eat. Nice thin crust which isn’t too doughy. Perfect amount of sauce to cheese ratio. Crust has some nice bubbling to it which means good water ratio in the dough. The house made sausage is great too.”
The founder of this San Francisco-originated pizzeria wanted to bring an authentic New York slice to L.A. Using only fresh ingredients and house-made sausage, meatballs, marinara sauce, balsamic and Italian dressing, this Village Pizzeria combines New York flavor with California freshness into one slice. With slices ranging from ham and pineapple to clam and garlic, there’s an option for everyone.
Village Pizzeria
131 N. Larchmont Blvd.
You’ll find a massive line outside of this pizzeria every night. This L.A. staple provides regionally inspired Italian cooking with house-made pasta and Neapolitan pizza cooked in an artisan wood-burning oven.
This pizzeria is highly rated by food critics, with menu items such as squid ink campanelle and salsiccia e friarielli. They also have pizza with fennel sausage, rapini, mozzarella and chilies. Italian wines and seasonally relevant cocktails complement their menu. Yelp reviewers even say that despite the long line, this speak-easy type restaurant is worth the wait.
“First time dining here and let me tell u the food was beyond great. The fried octopus with potatoes and sauce was perfectly cooked. The rigatoni was rich in flavor you could really taste the chicken liver. Their meatballs were some of the best ones I have had in this area I highly recommend them. Overall great experience and will surely return for second round.”
This is the closest you’ll get to authentic Italian food in L.A, which justifies its pricey menu. If you want to treat yourself to a nice night out with some Southern Italian food, Sotto is the way to go.
Sotto
9575 W. Pico Blvd.
If you’re looking for quality pizza to go, 800 Degrees Pizza is the ultimate go to. This Chipotle style pizzeria allows you to create your own pie by choosing your own sauce, cheese, meats and toppings. While Chipotle is the white washed version of Mexican food, 800 Degrees uses authentic Italian ingredients and cooks their pizzas in wood burning ovens to give you the authentic crispy and slightly burned slice you’d get in Italy.
This helpful Yelp review might help you understand the hype around this pizzeria.
“Absolutely love it here! 800 Degrees is my go-to personal pizza place in Westwood Village and you’ll see why. Just like any build-your-own pizza place, you come in and pick your base and sauces on the dough. They basically give you every customization option that you could come up with, and then it’s pretty much smooth sailing from here!”
800 Degrees Pizza
800 Wilshire Blvd.
It’s also available in other locations.
This neighborhood pizzeria has the most L.A. pizza you can possibly imagine. Their specialty, a salad pizza, comes loaded with a layer of chopped salad, lemon-olive oil dressing and avocados. It’s as healthy as a pizza can possibly get.
The salad pizza is also the number one raved about slice on Yelp.
“I think this is my go to place now! We got the salad pizza which is absolutely gorgeous btw. A huge vibrant salad with feta, avocado, mixed greens, and other vegetables. The perfect balance of acidity, umami and sweetness!”
This Abbot Kinney staple is a local favorite since their opening in 1995. Their pizzas are pre-made and heated up in an oven once you order. It’s not gourmet, authentic Italian food, but it’s a great example of what L.A. pizza is all about.
Abbot’s Pizza Company
1407 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
This Chicago-originated pizzeria chain offers Italian-style pizza with an L.A. twist. With a menu handcrafted by chef Jeff Mahin, each pizza is unique to Stella Barra and can’t be found anywhere else. Since they wait for their dough to ferment for 18 hours, their pizzas have a unique artisan flavor. Pizzas range from the classic margherita to spicy salumi and burrata.
Yelp reviewers all agreed that this pizzeria has some of the best pizza in L.A.
“I see why people really dig this place. I can’t remember what I ordered exactly, but I remember it being pretty spicy. It might’ve been Spicy Salumi and Burrata. I tried my friend’s Classic Margherita, and I remember it being quite good.”
Most noteworthy, Stella Barra has a weekend brunch menu, which, yes, means pizza for breakfast.
Stella Barra Pizzeria
6372 W. Sunset Blvd (Hollywood)
2000 Main Street (Santa Monica)
So whether you’re just looking for a quick L.A. style slice to go or an authentic Italian meal with a classy vibe, these places are sure to satisfy your cravings.
