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San Francisco's 25 Most Iconic Pizzerias

by Allie Pape Mar 17, 2014, 5:00am PDT

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by Allie Pape Mar 17, 2014, 5:00am PDT

Pizza Week is here, and for our second annual edition, we've rounded up our favorite pizzas in the Eater SF coverage area (that would be San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley). From thin-crust to deep-dish, from takeout windows to upscale establishments, from co-op bakeries to family-owned classics, the Bay Area pizza scene has never been more diverse, and to our mind, these are the spots that have taken our local pie game to the next level. Please note: they are presented in alphabetical order, and were chosen for their diversity of experiences, meaning great drunk slices rated just as highly as high-end $25 pies. Without further ado, here are the 25 iconic pizzerias of the Bay Area.

Rose Garrett contributed to this story.

· 15 Iconic San Francisco Greasy Spoons [~ ESF ~]
· San Francisco's 15 Most Iconic Sandwiches [~ ESF ~]
· All Pizza Week 2014 posts [~ ESF ~]

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. A16

2355 Chestnut St
San Francisco, CA 94123

(415) 771-2216

Visit Website

Way back in the pizza dark ages of 2004 (no, seriously), A16 was one of the first places to serve true Neapolitan pies, gorgeous wood-fired char and all. They're still churning them out a decade later, where they pair quite nicely with Shelley Lindgren's always on-point Italian wine selection. Newish sibling A16 Rockridge has some more inventive takes, including a fried pizza and a rachetta, which comes with its own little handle of dough.

Also Featured in:

2. Arinell Pizza

509 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 255-1303

The undisputed master of the slice game, Arinell is the place to be at 12 pm (for a quick lunch before heading to the park), 12 am (for drunk pizza), and everything in between. No frills, foldable, crisp, accompanied by fruit punch. Little else is required in this life.

Open in Google Maps

3. Arizmendi Bakery

1331 9th Ave
San Francisco, CA 94122

(415) 556-3117

Visit Website

Arizmendi's one-vegetarian-pie-per-day scheme leads to some awesome (if untraditional) pizza experiences, with the seasonal toppings like mushroom-red onion-goat cheese and artichoke-spinach-lemon-rosemary earning their fans. Check the calendar before you go in, and mark yours for the Super Bowl, the only day of the year they serve two different pies.

Also Featured in:

4. The Cheeseboard Collective

1504 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94709

(510) 549-3183

Visit Website

The originator of the one-pizza-a-day style, Cheeseboard is still the master of the form, churning out California-style pies loaded with seasonal produce combos. Pies lack sauce, and toppings like corn, kale, and arugula can get a bit precious for some, but the pies here are always vegetarian, and for our money, always delicious.

Open in Google Maps

5. Del Popolo

Visit Website

This roving pie vendor is unmistakable thanks to its gorgeous glass-encased truck, which offers a full view of the wood-fired Stefano Ferrara oven within. The limited space means Flour + Water alum Jon Darsky can only put out 3-4 pie variations, but they're all seasonal and delicious (and a relative steal).

Open in Google Maps

6. Emilia's Pizzeria

2995 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94705

(510) 704-1794

Visit Website

Emilia's is a bit of a tough ticket (it's only open at certain hours, and a strict pre-ordering system means you could wait five hours or more for a pie), but Keith Freilich definitely has something special for those willing to put in the legwork. His New York-style pies aren't really about seasonality, but they're carefully made and completely delicious.

Open in Google Maps

7. Flour + Water

2401 Harrison St
San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 826-7000

Visit Website

Thin-crusted and wood-fired, the pizzas here are part of the reason why nearly five years in, F+W is one of the city's toughest tables. The Osso, with bone marrow, fontina, and broccoli rabe, is a cult hit, but the margherita will also do you no wrong. And they'll put an egg on top of any pie, which is pretty much always a good decision.

Also Featured in:

8. Gaspare's Pizza

5546 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94121

(415) 387-5025

Visit Website

For those looking to rekindle some memories of the old-school pizzerias they'd hit after sports practice growing up, Gaspare's is it. The Richmond favorite (which cameoed in Blue Jasmine is a time warp when it comes to atmosphere, pies, and prices, and wine from a straw flask and tiramisu await alongside the cracker-crusted Bruce's Special, heaped with mushrooms, sausage, salami, and garlic.

Open in Google Maps

9. Gialina Pizzeria

2842 Diamond St
San Francisco, CA 94131

(415) 239-8500

Visit Website

Sharon Ardiana's Glen Park favorite is the quintessential neighborhood pizzeria, dressed up for the modern era. The super-spicy, super-tasty Amatriciana (with pancetta, chilies, pecorino, and an egg) and Atomica (tomato, mushrooms, chili, mozzarella, red onion) are perennial contenders for its crown, and Divisadero sibling Ragazza has nailed Gialina's vibe across town.

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10. Gioia Pizzeria

2240 Polk St
San Francisco, CA 94109

(415) 359-0971

Visit Website

Now straddling both sides of the Bay, Berkeley-born Gioia is a reliable option for a pie or a slice, boasting inventive topping combos like radicchio and gorgonzola; spinach, ricotta, brown butter, and hazelnuts; or salami, Castelvetrano olives, and provolone.

Open in Google Maps

11. Golden Boy Pizza

542 Green St
San Francisco, CA 94133

(415) 982-9738

Visit Website

No one's going to be submitting Golden Boy for VPN certification, but when it comes to drunk slices, these guys do it right. The Sicilian slices will abate even the most dangerous of oncoming hangovers, the clam and garlic pizza is delicious, and the hours (until 2:30 am on weekends) are right.

Open in Google Maps

12. Little Star Pizza

846 Divisadero St
San Francisco, CA 94117

(415) 441-1118

Visit Website

Little Star's signature deep-dish is so good that they've licensed the recipe-- to a pizzeria in St. Louis that President Obama calls his all-time favorite. Winning the deep-dish devotion of a Chicagoan is no mean feat, but Little Star's signature cornmeal crusts, super-fresh tomatoes, and delicious fillings (the Brass Monkey is a must) are up to the task.

Also Featured in:

13. Marcello's Pizza

420 Castro St
San Francisco, CA 94114

(415) 863-3900

Visit Website

The Castro's favorite slice joint, Marcello's also earns snaps for being one of the few decent pizza places that delivers. They offer a gazillion toppings, not all of which are good, but the pesto, pepperoni, and meatball pies are reliable. And they're open until 1 am on weekdays and 2 am on weekends for your drunk-pizza needs.

Open in Google Maps

14. Pauline's Pizza & Wine Bar

260 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 552-2050

Visit Website

One of the original artisan pizzerias (it turned 25 last year), Pauline's still gets top marks for growing much of its own produce, which gets incorporated into popular pies like the housemade pesto pie sprinkled with parmesan and pine nuts. They even sell their own house brand of wine.

Open in Google Maps

15. Piccino Cafe

1001 Minnesota St.
San Francisco, CA 94107

(415) 824-4224

Visit Website

This Dogpatch charmer now occupies a bigger space than it used to, but it still offers the same warm service and great pizza, like the funghi pie with roasted mushrooms and stracchino cheese or the salsiccia pizza with housemade sausage. Their meatballs are also off the chain.

Also Featured in:

Where to Eat and Drink in Dogpatch

16. PizzaHacker

3299 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 874-5585

Visit Website

While his brick-and-mortar may be new, Jeff Krupman earns iconic status for having toted his Frankenweber all over the Bay for five years before scoring his own location, making great pizzas without anything even approaching a real kitchen. If you haven't tried his permanent home yet, you'll be thrilled to know that the pies are even better than you remember, from the margherita to the delicious brussels sprout pie with bacon and chili paste.

Open in Google Maps

17. Pizzaiolo

5008 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA 94609

(510) 652-4888

Visit Website

Charlie Hallowell made his name putting out masterful California pies at this Temescal favorite, with a wood-burning oven that produces a beautifully spotted crust and excellent local produce on top (try the white potato pie with pancetta and fontina or the tomato pie with housemade sausage and cream). Sister joint Boot & Shoe Service is also a winner.

Open in Google Maps

18. Pizzeria Delfina

3611 18th St
San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 437-6800

Visit Website

Craig and Annie Stoll's Delfina spinoff is quickly becoming an empire, with three locations and counting. That's probably because it's one of the best the city has to offer, with a puffy crust that has nice char and delicious seasonal toppings. The "magic pie" with sausage and cream is a perennial, and when in season, the "cherry pie" heaped with marinated cherry tomatoes and ricotta salata is pure delight.

Also Featured in:

19. Pizzetta 211

211 23rd Ave
San Francisco, CA 94121

(415) 379-9880

Visit Website

Adorably petite Pizzetta 211 exemplifies the seasonality trend, with pizzas that change by the nanosecond to incorporate the best of what's growing. The lines are omnipresent and it's cash-only, but the cute 12-inch pies, like the white pie with rosemary and fiore sardo, are great. Be sure to get anything with a farm egg cracked on it.

Also Featured in:

20. Tommaso's Restaurant

1042 Kearny St
San Francisco, CA 94133

(415) 398-9696

Visit Website

Tommaso's deserves credit for being one of the city's first (and easily its most influential) wood-fired pizzerias, and while its pies are more solid than life-changing, its old-school North Beach atmosphere is still a charmer. Order a mushroom with Molinari's Italian sausage, drink some cheap house red, and you'll get why Francis Ford Coppola loves this place.

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21. Tony’s Pizza Napoletana

1570 Stockton St
San Francisco, CA 94133

(415) 835-9888

Visit Website

Tony's (and sister spot Capo's) is commendable not only for its quality, but for its breadth. Though he's taken home umpteen Neapolitan pie-making prizes, Tony Gemignani is no purist: he's equally interested in Sicilian, Detroit-style, Chicago deep-dish, and coal-fired pies, and in wild toppings like the Honey Pie. The man is a pizza polymath, and his combinations are delicious.

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22. Una Pizza Napoletana

210 11th St
San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 861-3444

Visit Website

Anthony Mangieri isn't known for his flexibility (good luck getting a salad or making any alterations to your pie), but he makes up for his curmudgeonliness with sheer margherita mastery that's evident in every inch of his beautifully soft, perfectly charred crust and pristine toppings. Pizza acolytes come from across the globe for his pies.

23. Zachary's Chicago Pizza

5801 College Ave
Oakland, CA 94618

(510) 655-6385

Visit Website

Now that Little Star has made inroads in its 'hood, this longtime East Bay favorite gets its share of comparisons, but we see no need to choose sides. Zachary's is more of a stuffed pie, with an extra layer of dough, but the buttery crust, sweet tomatoes, and filling are every bit as fabulous. Can't we all just get along?

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24. Zante Pizza and Indian Cuisine

3489 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 821-3949

Visit Website

It's about as far from DOP Neapolitan pizza as you can get, but any iconic SF pizza list without Zante's Indian pizza (topped with lamb, tandoori chicken, ginger, cauliflower, spinach, cilantro, onions, and about 30 other things) is a sham. Their regular pizza and their Indian food aren't all that great, but somehow, the two put together add up to more than the sum of their parts.

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25. Zero Zero

826 Folsom St
San Francisco, CA 94107

(415) 348-8800

Visit Website

Bruce Hill's Pizzeria Picco (which is outside of our coverage area) was one of the original artisan pizzerias, and thanks to Zero Zero, locals are now able to enjoy his mastery cityside. The Fillmore, loaded with mushrooms and fontina, is a favorite, as is the zippy Geary, with clams and Calabrian chile. The pastas, cocktails, and soft-serve are also great, for those who don't feel like a pie.

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1. A16

2355 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Way back in the pizza dark ages of 2004 (no, seriously), A16 was one of the first places to serve true Neapolitan pies, gorgeous wood-fired char and all. They're still churning them out a decade later, where they pair quite nicely with Shelley Lindgren's always on-point Italian wine selection. Newish sibling A16 Rockridge has some more inventive takes, including a fried pizza and a rachetta, which comes with its own little handle of dough.

2355 Chestnut St
San Francisco, CA 94123

Visit Website

2. Arinell Pizza

509 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94110

The undisputed master of the slice game, Arinell is the place to be at 12 pm (for a quick lunch before heading to the park), 12 am (for drunk pizza), and everything in between. No frills, foldable, crisp, accompanied by fruit punch. Little else is required in this life.

509 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94110

Open in Google Maps

3. Arizmendi Bakery

1331 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122

Arizmendi's one-vegetarian-pie-per-day scheme leads to some awesome (if untraditional) pizza experiences, with the seasonal toppings like mushroom-red onion-goat cheese and artichoke-spinach-lemon-rosemary earning their fans. Check the calendar before you go in, and mark yours for the Super Bowl, the only day of the year they serve two different pies.

1331 9th Ave
San Francisco, CA 94122

Visit Website

4. The Cheeseboard Collective

1504 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709

The originator of the one-pizza-a-day style, Cheeseboard is still the master of the form, churning out California-style pies loaded with seasonal produce combos. Pies lack sauce, and toppings like corn, kale, and arugula can get a bit precious for some, but the pies here are always vegetarian, and for our money, always delicious.

1504 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94709

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

5. Del Popolo

San Francisco, CA 94111

This roving pie vendor is unmistakable thanks to its gorgeous glass-encased truck, which offers a full view of the wood-fired Stefano Ferrara oven within. The limited space means Flour + Water alum Jon Darsky can only put out 3-4 pie variations, but they're all seasonal and delicious (and a relative steal).

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

6. Emilia's Pizzeria

2995 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705

Emilia's is a bit of a tough ticket (it's only open at certain hours, and a strict pre-ordering system means you could wait five hours or more for a pie), but Keith Freilich definitely has something special for those willing to put in the legwork. His New York-style pies aren't really about seasonality, but they're carefully made and completely delicious.

2995 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94705

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

7. Flour + Water

2401 Harrison St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Thin-crusted and wood-fired, the pizzas here are part of the reason why nearly five years in, F+W is one of the city's toughest tables. The Osso, with bone marrow, fontina, and broccoli rabe, is a cult hit, but the margherita will also do you no wrong. And they'll put an egg on top of any pie, which is pretty much always a good decision.

2401 Harrison St
San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

8. Gaspare's Pizza

5546 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94121

For those looking to rekindle some memories of the old-school pizzerias they'd hit after sports practice growing up, Gaspare's is it. The Richmond favorite (which cameoed in Blue Jasmine is a time warp when it comes to atmosphere, pies, and prices, and wine from a straw flask and tiramisu await alongside the cracker-crusted Bruce's Special, heaped with mushrooms, sausage, salami, and garlic.

5546 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94121

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

9. Gialina Pizzeria

2842 Diamond St, San Francisco, CA 94131

Sharon Ardiana's Glen Park favorite is the quintessential neighborhood pizzeria, dressed up for the modern era. The super-spicy, super-tasty Amatriciana (with pancetta, chilies, pecorino, and an egg) and Atomica (tomato, mushrooms, chili, mozzarella, red onion) are perennial contenders for its crown, and Divisadero sibling Ragazza has nailed Gialina's vibe across town.

2842 Diamond St
San Francisco, CA 94131

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

10. Gioia Pizzeria

2240 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Now straddling both sides of the Bay, Berkeley-born Gioia is a reliable option for a pie or a slice, boasting inventive topping combos like radicchio and gorgonzola; spinach, ricotta, brown butter, and hazelnuts; or salami, Castelvetrano olives, and provolone.

2240 Polk St
San Francisco, CA 94109

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

11. Golden Boy Pizza

542 Green St, San Francisco, CA 94133

No one's going to be submitting Golden Boy for VPN certification, but when it comes to drunk slices, these guys do it right. The Sicilian slices will abate even the most dangerous of oncoming hangovers, the clam and garlic pizza is delicious, and the hours (until 2:30 am on weekends) are right.

542 Green St
San Francisco, CA 94133

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

12. Little Star Pizza

846 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Little Star's signature deep-dish is so good that they've licensed the recipe-- to a pizzeria in St. Louis that President Obama calls his all-time favorite. Winning the deep-dish devotion of a Chicagoan is no mean feat, but Little Star's signature cornmeal crusts, super-fresh tomatoes, and delicious fillings (the Brass Monkey is a must) are up to the task.

846 Divisadero St
San Francisco, CA 94117

Visit Website

13. Marcello's Pizza

420 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114

The Castro's favorite slice joint, Marcello's also earns snaps for being one of the few decent pizza places that delivers. They offer a gazillion toppings, not all of which are good, but the pesto, pepperoni, and meatball pies are reliable. And they're open until 1 am on weekdays and 2 am on weekends for your drunk-pizza needs.

420 Castro St
San Francisco, CA 94114

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

14. Pauline's Pizza & Wine Bar

260 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103

One of the original artisan pizzerias (it turned 25 last year), Pauline's still gets top marks for growing much of its own produce, which gets incorporated into popular pies like the housemade pesto pie sprinkled with parmesan and pine nuts. They even sell their own house brand of wine.

260 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA 94103

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

15. Piccino Cafe

1001 Minnesota St., San Francisco, CA 94107

This Dogpatch charmer now occupies a bigger space than it used to, but it still offers the same warm service and great pizza, like the funghi pie with roasted mushrooms and stracchino cheese or the salsiccia pizza with housemade sausage. Their meatballs are also off the chain.

1001 Minnesota St.
San Francisco, CA 94107

Visit Website

Related Maps

16. PizzaHacker

3299 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

While his brick-and-mortar may be new, Jeff Krupman earns iconic status for having toted his Frankenweber all over the Bay for five years before scoring his own location, making great pizzas without anything even approaching a real kitchen. If you haven't tried his permanent home yet, you'll be thrilled to know that the pies are even better than you remember, from the margherita to the delicious brussels sprout pie with bacon and chili paste.

3299 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

17. Pizzaiolo

5008 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609

Charlie Hallowell made his name putting out masterful California pies at this Temescal favorite, with a wood-burning oven that produces a beautifully spotted crust and excellent local produce on top (try the white potato pie with pancetta and fontina or the tomato pie with housemade sausage and cream). Sister joint Boot & Shoe Service is also a winner.

5008 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA 94609

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

18. Pizzeria Delfina

3611 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Craig and Annie Stoll's Delfina spinoff is quickly becoming an empire, with three locations and counting. That's probably because it's one of the best the city has to offer, with a puffy crust that has nice char and delicious seasonal toppings. The "magic pie" with sausage and cream is a perennial, and when in season, the "cherry pie" heaped with marinated cherry tomatoes and ricotta salata is pure delight.

3611 18th St
San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

19. Pizzetta 211

211 23rd Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121

Adorably petite Pizzetta 211 exemplifies the seasonality trend, with pizzas that change by the nanosecond to incorporate the best of what's growing. The lines are omnipresent and it's cash-only, but the cute 12-inch pies, like the white pie with rosemary and fiore sardo, are great. Be sure to get anything with a farm egg cracked on it.

211 23rd Ave
San Francisco, CA 94121

Visit Website

20. Tommaso's Restaurant

1042 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94133