The Best Pizza Restaurants in Los Angeles

Gjelina Take Away sits on Venice’s Abbot Kinney Boulevard, sometimes called one of America’s coolest streets, and has a relaxed vibe with stylish decor. It’s a convenient spot for both breakfast and dinner, offering a range of creative menu options in a casual setting. The same team behind Gjusta runs it, keeping the atmosphere laid-back and inviting.

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David P. Leja

@thegastrojourney

Even though it says Gjelina Take Away (or GTA), we will refer mainly to Gjelina. Gjelina is one of our favorite breakfast spots in Venice, probably only beaten by Gjusta (and they are the same owners anyway). We love the vibe of this place, the decoration, and the location in the middle of America's coolest street, Abbot Kinney Boulevard! Whenever we come for breakfast we always order their yogurt with granola and some fancy unique fruit (as mentioned with Gjusta, these guys manage to make of this almost boring dish something really exciting) and the soft scramble with smoked trout and mushrooms! The place is also great for dinner, offering wood-oven pizzas and many other creative dishes.

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Mother Wolf is Chef Evan Funke’s homage to Rome, set in the historic Citizen News Building in Hollywood. Its glamorous Art Deco interior and lively atmosphere offer a glimpse of old Hollywood charm while focusing on authentic Italian traditions. You’ll find a balance of classic influences and contemporary energy in this bustling Los Angeles destination.

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David P. Leja

@thegastrojourney

Evan Funke’s latest project offering Italian food, specifically focused on the city of Rome. While in LA, this was one of the hotspots many people were talking about, so we knew we had to check it out. First of all, you can see right away there has been invested a lot of money in this place, with all the glamorous decoration and the interior design. The place can be a little too loud sometimes. Now, focusing on the dishes we ordered, we had the following: * Ricatoncini all vaccinara. * Tonnarelli cacio e pepe. * Spaghetti all’amatriciana. * Gamberi in salsa verde. * Pizza margherita. * Pizza diavola. * Torta della nonna. * Torta di olio d’oliva. The food was overall pretty good. The prawns were nice, the pizzas were good, (but we personally prefer pizzas napolitanas compared to the pizza romana). The cacio e pepe was our favorite pasta and dish of the meal, it had a nice texture and nice flavor and the desserts also were good.

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Bacetti is a relaxed Italian spot in Echo Park with a cool interior and friendly service. They specialize in natural Italian wines, creating an easygoing atmosphere for enjoying a meal. Prices feel reasonable for the quality, making it a welcoming place to spend an evening in Los Angeles.

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David P. Leja

@thegastrojourney

Italian restaurant with natural wines in Echo Park. This was our favorite Italian restaurant of this last trip to Los Angeles. First of all, the whole vibe and the interior is super cool here, and service as in most places in LA, is very very good. The wines are pretty much only Italian and all of them natural or low intervention. Now, focusing on the food, we had the following: * Strozzapreti cacio e pepe. * Blistered sunchoke, labneh, dates & sunflower seeds. * Focaccia Ebraica & honey butter. * Campanelle with portobello, shimeji, oyster mushrooms, thyme & ricotta salata. * Caramelized nut tart with rosemary, salt & pecorino. Also, a part from this, but not pictured (as we came back on a different occasion without a camera) we tried the pizzas. All of the dishes were very nice, but the favorite was definitely the focaccia. The pasta also had a great texture and nice flavor. Overall one of the better restaurants we’ve been to this last trip and also fairly priced for what it is in our opinion.

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Hail Mary Pizza in Los Angeles is a laid-back spot that draws people in with its focus on local, organic ingredients and friendly vibe. The staff is warm and welcoming, making it a favorite gathering place in the neighborhood. Even if the menu changes, their commitment to quality stays the same.

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Brian McGinn

Director and Producer

Great pizzas with organic local ingredients, amazing brunch and bread (maybe best in LA). My local. I eat here more than almost anywhere. Great pizzas with organic local ingredients, amazing brunch and bread (maybe best in LA), the best people, and a good vibe. Salads are all awesome, pancakes too. Love this place and these folks. UPDATE: sold to new ownership.

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L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele is a relaxed spot in Hollywood that blends old-school Neapolitan roots with a modern Californian vibe. It has an airy layout, cozy fireplaces, and a welcoming atmosphere that feels ideal for both casual get-togethers and special occasions. The open, inviting space makes it easy to enjoy a taste of Italy right in Los Angeles.

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Carsten Schmidt

Culinary Explorer

Might just be LA’s best pizza. On the one side knowing a great pizza place in a city is important (pizza can fill all kinds of needs — from quick snack, to comfort food, to a fun time with friends, even to a romantic dinner). At the same time, I think there is little as contentious as a pizza place — I think it’s rare for even two foodies to agree on the best pizza joint in a city. So let me start by saying that for me a great pizza is an Italian style pizza, not the cheese and gluten monstrosities they serve in Chicago (if this last sentence offended you, no need to read further 🙂). Thin crust, crispiness on the edges of the crust, a little burn, nice acidity in the sauce, and overall simplicity, that is what I am looking for in a great pizza. LA might not be a traditional pizza country, with the more famous slices being those strange creations at places like Spago that add salmon and caviar. Nice but way too over the top for me (at least when it comes to pizza.) L’Antica is a special place, on the other hand, a place where I have driven from Santa Monica because I wanted some pizza. It is traditional, old school Neapolitan style pizza, served in a side street of touristy Hollywood, in a place that is modern Californian (with lots of open space) yet cozy and romantic with its several fireplaces. I usually have a Marinara and a salad or pasta on the side. The tomato sauce on the marinara is divine, mouthwatering. I won’t go into the whole connection between this LA restaurant and its Neapolitanian namesake (think more franchise than the second restaurant), but the pizza will transport you to Italy.

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Bestia in Los Angeles stands out in a city full of dining choices by offering consistently good food that keeps people coming back. Even with limited time in town, many make a point to return because they crave what Bestia has to offer. Its straightforward approach focuses on quality cooking that remains a favorite for locals and visitors alike.

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Mimi Lan

Chef/ Consultant/ Foodie

It’s so many great restaurants in SoCal, why should I go back to any restaurant, when I travel there with limited time? Yet I made a point of visiting Bestia every time bc it’s THAT good- just solid good food that you crave for more. Their roasted bone marrow with homemade gnocchi is addictive. You have to check it out when you’re in LA.

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