San Francisco’s 15 Pizzerias Worth Knowing About
San Francisco has a pizza scene that rivals any city in the country. From wood-fired Neapolitan pies to Detroit-style deep dishes loaded with caramelized cheese, there is something for every kind of pizza lover here.
Whether you grew up on classic slices or love trying bold new flavors, this city delivers. Here are 15 pizzerias in San Francisco that every pizza fan should have on their radar.
1. Tony’s Pizza Napoletana
Thirteen-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani runs this legendary North Beach spot, and the trophy shelf alone tells you this place is serious. Tony’s offers 12 different pizza styles, from Neapolitan to Detroit, using seven distinct ovens built for each style.
The Margherita Napoletana won the Pizza World Cup in Naples back in 2007. In 2025, the restaurant earned a No. 3 ranking in the U.S. on the prestigious 50 Top Pizza list.
This is truly a bucket-list stop.
2. Little Star Pizza
Chicago-style pizza found a cozy home in San Francisco thanks to Little Star, where the cornmeal crust gives every bite a slightly crunchy, buttery finish unlike anything else in the city. Their signature deep-dish, “The Little Star,” is loaded with spinach, mushrooms, and feta.
Gluten-free and Detroit-style options are also on the menu, making this a flexible choice for groups with different preferences. With spots in Divisadero and the Mission, Little Star is easy to find no matter where you are.
3. Golden Boy Pizza
Since 1978, Golden Boy has been feeding hungry North Beach crowds with pan pizza cut into thick, satisfying squares. The garlic clam pizza is the stuff of local legend, a bold and savory combination that keeps regulars coming back week after week.
Late-night cravings? Golden Boy has you covered.
It earned a spot on Yelp’s list of the country’s 100 best pizzerias, which is no small achievement for a no-frills, cash-friendly neighborhood staple that has stood the test of time.
4. Square Pie Guys
When Square Pie Guys opened their SOMA location in 2019, they practically introduced San Francisco to the Detroit-style pizza movement. Their pies feature light, crisp crusts with tall edges ringed in beautifully caramelized cheese that crackles with every bite.
The star of the menu is the “6×8” pie, packed with 48 pepperoni slices and available in a gluten-free dough option. Fun fact: Detroit-style pizza is baked in blue steel pans originally used in automotive factories.
Only in America, right?
5. Del Popolo
Del Popolo started as a food truck rolling through San Francisco streets before growing into a beloved Nob Hill brick-and-mortar restaurant with serious Michelin-approved credentials. What sets it apart is the use of a sourdough starter in the dough, adding a tangy depth of flavor you won’t find at most pizza spots.
The wood-fired Neapolitan pies come out blistered and gorgeous every time. High-quality ingredients are the foundation here, and every pizza feels thoughtfully crafted rather than just assembled.
6. Fiorella
Fiorella brings a polished, upscale energy to Neapolitan pizza without feeling stuffy or over-the-top. The menu leans toward refined, thoughtfully topped pies, and the Salsiccia is widely considered the must-order, even if you skip the sausage entirely.
The Margherita is a reliable classic done exceptionally well here too. Fiorella strikes a balance between neighborhood hangout and special-occasion restaurant, making it a versatile pick whether you’re grabbing a casual weeknight dinner or celebrating something worth toasting.
7. Il Casaro Pizzeria & Mozzarella Bar
“Il Casaro” translates to “the cheesemaker,” and this North Beach gem absolutely lives up to that name. Opened in 2014, the pizzeria uses imported Caputo flour and San Marzano tomatoes to produce thin-crust Neapolitan pies with an authentic Italian soul.
The mozzarella bar is a genuine highlight, offering varieties like fior di latte and creamy burrata that pair beautifully with each pizza. If you love cheese even half as much as most people do, this place will feel like paradise.
8. Pizzeria Delfina
Pizzeria Delfina has earned a loyal following across two San Francisco neighborhoods, the Mission and Pacific Heights, by keeping its menu focused and its ingredients top-notch. California-style pizza here means bold, seasonal toppings paired with a perfectly thin, crisp crust.
The Funghi pizza, made with hen of the woods mushrooms, is earthy and deeply satisfying. The housemade fennel sausage on the Salsiccia pie is another crowd favorite.
Delfina proves that gourmet pizza and a relaxed atmosphere are not mutually exclusive.
9. Capo’s Chicago Pizza & Fine Italian Dinners
Tony Gemignani strikes again with Capo’s, a second San Francisco restaurant dedicated entirely to the glory of Chicago-style pizza. Where Tony’s is a showcase of global pizza styles, Capo’s zeroes in on deep-dish perfection with a fine Italian dining atmosphere wrapped around it.
Hearty, filling, and unapologetically indulgent, a Capo’s pizza is not something you rush through. The vintage-inspired setting adds a fun, old-school charm that makes dinner here feel like a real occasion worth dressing up for.
10. Joyride Pizza
Joyride Pizza is for the adventurous eater who finds a plain Margherita a little too predictable. This spot leans hard into creativity, building pizzas with unexpected ingredient combinations that challenge what you think a pizza is supposed to taste like.
The name says it all, eating here really does feel like a joyride. If you’re someone who loves when a restaurant surprises you, Joyride Pizza delivers that excitement in every slice.
Bring a friend who’s open-minded and hungry.
11. Gioia Pizzeria
Gioia Pizzeria keeps things straightforward and satisfying, which is exactly why locals keep returning. The pizza here is described simply as delicious, and sometimes that is the highest compliment a pizza joint can receive without any extra fanfare needed.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, known for his no-nonsense pizza reviews, rated Gioia a 7.5, which puts it solidly in the respectable category by his notoriously tough standards. Neighborhood energy, honest pizza, and zero pretension make Gioia a reliable go-to for any day of the week.
12. Flour + Water Pizzeria
Flour + Water Pizzeria plays with flavor contrasts in ways that feel exciting rather than gimmicky. The wood-fired Italian-style pies are built on a crust that manages to be both chewy and crisp, which is harder to achieve than it sounds.
The bone marrow pizza is the menu’s most talked-about offering, a rich and unexpected topping that turns a familiar dish into something genuinely memorable. Fresh, high-quality ingredients run through every pie here, making each visit feel like a small culinary adventure worth repeating.
13. Long Bridge Pizza
Tucked into San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood, Long Bridge Pizza blends East Coast, Italian, and San Franciscan pizza traditions into a style that feels completely its own. The thin-crust sourdough base has a tangy quality that reflects the city’s famous bread culture.
Gluten-free options are plentiful here, making it a welcoming spot for diners with dietary restrictions. Monday nights bring something extra fun: Detroit-style square pizzas take over the menu, giving regulars a great reason to make it a weekly tradition.
14. A16
Named after the A16 highway that cuts through Southern Italy, this Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant brings serious Italian pizza tradition to San Francisco with impressive consistency. The thin-crusted Neapolitan-style pies honor old-world technique while leaning on fresh Northern California ingredients for a local twist.
The Funghi and Salsicca pies are standout menu items worth ordering on your first visit. A16 is the kind of place where the attention to detail in every component, from dough to toppings, reminds you why great pizza is an art form.
15. Pizzetta 211
Pizzetta 211 operates on a refreshing philosophy: keep the menu small, keep it seasonal, and change it up every couple of weeks so there is always something new to try. The thin-crust pizzas here are delicate and precisely made, more like edible art than fast food.
The rotating specials keep even longtime regulars curious and coming back. This is a cool, low-key neighborhood spot with a loyal following that appreciates quality over quantity.
If you love discovering what’s new, Pizzetta 211 rewards every return visit.
