Four of San Diego’s Best Pizza Places

For a city known for its seafood, San Diego is no slouch when it comes to a cheesy classic. 

San Diego’s cuisine is like that of no other city in America – but an irreplaceable part of that rich culinary tapestry is a staple of the American diet that you could probably find in every major city in the United States: pizza. That said, San Diego’s pizza scene is particularly excellent, as well as particularly divisive. Any SD native will probably give you a completely different answer from the next when it comes to their favorite place to grab a slice; certainly, one of the strengths of San Diego’s pizza landscape is its diversity. Still, among that diverse terrain of pizza places, several spots consistently rise to the top. Without further ado, here’s five of San Diego’s best pizza options.

1. Buona Forchetta

Offering up a complement of five locations in San Diego, Buona Forchetta is famed in the city and outside of it for its Italian wood-fired pizza (to say nothing of its pasta and seafood dishes). In fact, the pizza is award-winning to the first degree: it has secured San Diego Magazine Best Pizza 2023 Critic’s Choice, Gambero Rosso Best Pizzeria, Gayot Best Italian Restaurant San Diego, and OpenTable Diner’s Choice. Each location is fantastic, but invariably the favorite is the original South Park location, which opened around 15 years ago and has served quality Neopolitan-style pizza since.

2. Lefty’s Chicago Pizzeria 

Consistently a local favorite, Lefty’s serves some of the best deep-dish pizza in San Diego. With one location in North Park and the other in Hillcrest, Lefty’s is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a bit of Chicago-style food in the heart of SD. Lefty’s also offers a full lineup of craft beer and wine, and serves as a local entertainment venue in the evenings. Their indoor seating and outdoor patios both offer a cozy vibe perfect for enjoying pizzas with friends.

3. Basic Bar and Pizza

Right across the street from Petco Park, Basic Bar and Pizza is the perfect place to grab a pie after a Padres game (though expect it to be crowded). Their thin-crust pizzas are fired in a brick oven and offer an option to build your own toppings. Though it’s not pizza, they also offer Happy Hour from 3-6 PM, serving a selection of beer, wine, and specialty cocktails. They offer the vibe of a more casual urban space – what they refer to on their website as a “downtown warehouse vibe.” 

4. Bronx Pizza

Located in Hillcrest, Bronx Pizza has been operating since 1997 and in that time has consistently served some of the best New York style thin crust pizza that San Diego has to offer. Bronx is perhaps one of the most genuine pizza experiences one can have in San Diego – a place without frills or finery that stands a cut above the rest when it comes to simply knowing how to make a good pizza. Bronx only takes cash, so be prepared to dish up the dough if you’re buying a slice here. The pizza from this little hidden gem is absolutely worth it.