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Ghisallo
Master Critic Reviews (7 Lists)
Ghisallo
8.3
Ocean Park neighborhood staple serving both New York-style slices by day and Neapolitan-esque whole pies at dinner. Chef Casey Lane works with renowned baker Jyan Horwitz to perfect naturally leavened dough, creating blistered crusts that support creative toppings like nduja sausage with fermented honey.
Must-Try Dishes:
Funghi & Truffle Pizza, Calabrian Sausage, Margherita Slice
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Dual dough approach offering both NY slices and Neapolitan pies from artisan bakers
Who should go: Date nighters and pizza enthusiasts seeking craft execution
When to visit: Dinner for back patio ambiance, lunch for quick slices
What to order: Funghi & truffle with ricotta, nduja sausage, caesar salad
Insider tip: The charming back patio under olive trees is Santa Monica's best-kept dining secret
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only - moderate difficulty. Easier spots on side streets off Main. Free after 6pm on weekdays, metered until 8pm weekends
Dress code: Casual comfortable - this is a neighborhood spot. Jeans and sneakers totally fine, no need to dress up
Noise level: Low to moderate - intimate back patio is quiet and conversation-friendly, front room has slight street noise
Weekend wait: 30-45 min for back patio without reservation (prime spot). Front room usually 15-20 min
Weekday lunch: Walk right in - counter service for slices, no wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Excellent - multiple pizzas including funghi, margherita, and seasonal veggie options. Caesar salad available
Vegan options: Limited but doable - can do marinara-style pizza without cheese, request vegan modifications
Gluten-free options: No - this is all about the naturally leavened dough, no GF crust available
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Perfect for a first date. The back patio under olive trees creates romantic ambiance without being overly formal or expensive. Casual enough to keep things relaxed, special enough to impress. Request patio seating when booking.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Hit or miss for dinner. Front dining room is easier to snag, but the back patio (the real draw) fills up fast on weekends. Weekday dinners you'll likely get seated within 30 minutes. Lunch is walk-in friendly - it's counter service.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for casual family dinners - kids love the pizza, casual vibe works well, and the patio gives them space. Not ideal for toddlers at peak weekend dinner when it's date night central. Lunch service is perfect for families.
Best For
Better for: Neighborhood charm and artisan dough quality without the pretension or price tag of Westside Italian spots. The back patio atmosphere rivals restaurants twice the price. Best for those who value craft ingredients in a relaxed setting over scene or status.
Skip if: You want full-service fine dining (this is casual counter/table service), need gluten-free options, or want flashy scene energy. If you're looking for traditional heavy NY pizza, the Neapolitan style here is lighter and more refined.
Ghisallo
7.8
Chef Casey Lane's neighborhood pizzeria serves both New York-style slices by day and Neapolitan-esque whole pies at dinner, using two distinct doughs perfected with Jyan Isaac Bread's renowned baker. The back patio garden creates an intimate setting for creative topping combinations like spicy nduja sausage with squash blossom, fermented honey, and green olives.
Must-Try Dishes:
Nduja & Squash Blossom Pizza, Porchetta Sandwich, Margherita Slice
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Dual pizza dough program offering both NY and Neapolitan styles with creative seasonal toppings
Who should go: Pizza lovers seeking quality in casual setting
When to visit: Lunch for slices, dinner for whole pies on charming patio
What to order: Any pizza with nduja, porchetta sandwich, seasonal salads
Insider tip: Hidden back patio through restaurant offers romantic garden dining
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Main Street and side streets - easier to find spots before 6pm, moderate difficulty evenings. Paid lot on Main between Ashland and Pier available.
Dress code: Casual neighborhood spot - jeans, tees, sneakers all fine. This is Ocean Park pizza, not fine dining.
Noise level: Moderate inside during busy times, quieter on back patio - easy conversation in both spaces
Weekend wait: 20-30 min for patio tables prime hours (7-8pm), bar seating usually available
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait - grab-and-go slices immediate, table seating 5-10 min max
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - multiple veggie pizzas plus creative seasonal options like squash blossom. Salads rotate with produce.
Vegan options: Limited - can do marinara pizza with veggies (no cheese). Best to call ahead for current options.
Gluten-free options: No - pizza-focused concept built around two proprietary doughs. Not the spot for GF diners.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially the back patio garden - intimate, casual vibe takes pressure off while still feeling special. Share a whole pie at dinner for natural conversation flow.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday lunch and early dinners (before 6:30pm) usually fine. Weekend prime time (7-9pm) expect a wait or grab bar seats. Slices always available to-go.
Is it kid-friendly? Very - casual pizzeria atmosphere, patio has space for kids to move around, and what kid doesn't like pizza? Best for ages 5+ who can handle sitting through a meal.
Best For
Better for: Dual pizza experience (NY slices lunch, Neapolitan dinner), creative seasonal toppings, charming hidden patio, quality-to-casualness ratio. Better value than Santa Monica's higher-end pizza spots.
Skip if: You want classic Italian red-sauce joint atmosphere, need gluten-free options, seeking white-tablecloth pizza experience, or prefer strictly traditional toppings without experimentation.
Ghisallo
8.1
Chef Casey Lane's neighborhood pizza kitchen offers dual-style pizzas from naturally leavened doughs baked in wood-fired ovens. The charming back patio serves both Neapolitan-style dinner pies and NY-style slices by day, with pasta and salads completing the Italian-focused menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Funghi & Truffle Pizza, Rigatoni alla Bolognese, Margherita Slice
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Two distinct pizza styles from fermented crusts in cozy setting
Who should go: Pizza purists, families, casual dinner groups
When to visit: Lunch for NY slices, dinner for full Neapolitan experience
What to order: Funghi & truffle pizza, rigatoni Bolognese, Caesar salad
Insider tip: Shares space with Jyan Isaac Bread for exceptional sandwiches
Ghisallo
8.1
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Business Lunch Power Players
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Ocean Park pizza destination serves dual-format pizzas from wood-fired ovens—grab NY-style slices at counter or sit for Neapolitan pies on the string-lit patio. Chef Casey Lane and baker Jyan Horwitz perfected two distinct doughs for versatile lunch options.
Must-Try Dishes:
Funghi & truffle pizza with parmigiano crema, NY-style pepperoni slice, Arancini with Bolognese
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Two pizza styles in one location with bread from renowned Jyan Isaac
Who should go: Efficient lunch seekers, pizza purists, patio diners
When to visit: Noon to 4pm for slice service, dinner for full pies
What to order: Margherita slice for speed, truffle pizza for leisurely lunch
Insider tip: Back patio offers quieter seating away from Ocean Park Boulevard traffic
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Ocean Park Blvd and side streets - generally available but can be tight during peak lunch. Meter rates $1.50/hour, 2-hour limit
Dress code: Casual lunch attire - business casual works perfectly, jeans and nice shirt standard
Noise level: Low to moderate - front counter area has ambient bustle, back patio is conversation-friendly
Weekend wait: 15-30 min for patio tables, counter slices available immediately
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait - slices ready at counter, seated service typically under 10 min
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - Margherita, mushroom, and seasonal vegetable pizzas available in both formats
Vegan options: Limited - can accommodate with dairy-free cheese substitution on request
Gluten-free options: No - specializes in artisan doughs, no GF crust option
Good to Know
Is this good for a business lunch? Excellent choice - back patio provides quiet conversation space, service is efficient (lunch done in 45 min), and the $$ price point is appropriate without being stuffy. Neapolitan pies share well for table discussions.
Can I grab lunch quickly here? Yes - counter slice service is designed for speed. Order NY-style slice at front, eat at counter or take away. In and out in under 15 minutes during lunch rush.
Is the patio always open? Weather permitting - covered with string lights so functional most days. Evening service prioritizes patio seating. Arrive before 12:30pm for best lunch patio availability.
Best For
Better for: Dual-format flexibility - get quick slices when rushed or sit for Neapolitan when you have time. Jyan Isaac bread program elevates quality above typical slice joints. Patio ambiance superior to most casual pizza spots in Santa Monica.
Skip if: You need gluten-free options, want full Italian menu beyond pizza, or prefer indoor air-conditioned dining (limited inside seating). Also skip if you're seeking traditional LA-style thick crust.
Ghisallo
8.0
Dual-format pizzeria serving NY-style slices by day and Neapolitan whole pies at dinner with creative topping combinations. Fermented-crust pizzas with nduja sausage and fermented honey showcase chef David Rodriguez's Pizzana pedigree alongside charming back patio.
Must-Try Dishes:
Nduja & Squash Blossom Pizza, Margherita Slices, Cacio e Pepe Pasta
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Pizzana alum chef creating fermented-crust pies with inventive toppings
Who should go: Pizza enthusiasts seeking upscale casual with patio charm
When to visit: Lunch for $4.50 slices or dinner for full pies
What to order: Nduja pizza, NY-style slices, Jyan Isaac sandwiches
Insider tip: Shares space with acclaimed Jyan Isaac Bread bakery
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Main Street and surrounding blocks - moderately challenging during peak dinner hours but easier at lunch
Dress code: Casual neighborhood spot - jeans and t-shirt perfect, athleisure common at lunch
Noise level: Lively but conversational - counter service format keeps decibels reasonable, patio quieter than inside
Weekend wait: 15-25 min during prime dinner hours (pies made to order), quicker at off-peak times
Weekday lunch: Counter service with minimal wait - grab slices and go in under 10 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - multiple veggie-forward pizzas including seasonal vegetable options
Vegan options: Limited - can request cheese-less pies with vegetable toppings, best to call ahead
Gluten-free options: No - fermented wheat crust is signature element, no GF alternative available
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent choice - the back patio offers romantic ambiance without stuffiness, conversation-friendly noise level, and compelling food at approachable price point ($18-22 per pie). Order a whole Neapolitan pizza to share.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations taken - it's counter service with patio seating first-come-first-served. Arrive before 6:30pm on weekends for best patio table availability, or come for lunch when it's wide open.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes - casual counter format works well with kids, NY-style slices at lunch are budget-friendly and familiar, outdoor seating provides space for restless little ones. No high chairs but plenty of room for strollers on patio.
What's the difference between lunch and dinner service? Lunch focuses on $4.50 NY-style slices (quicker, grab-and-go vibe). Dinner shifts to whole Neapolitan pies with more sophisticated toppings like nduja and fermented honey - different crusts, different experience entirely.
How does it compare to Pizzana? Chef David Rodriguez worked at Pizzana, so quality echoes that pedigree but in a more casual, affordable format. You're trading white tablecloths for counter service and saving $10-15 per pizza while still getting fermented-crust excellence.
Best For
Better for: Dual-format flexibility (lunch slices vs. dinner pies), outdoor dining experience, chef-driven quality without the formality or price tag of fine dining pizzerias, proximity to Jyan Isaac bakery for sandwich/bread add-ons
Skip if: You need gluten-free options, want full table service with reservations, prefer traditional Italian-style pizza without experimental toppings, or need guaranteed seating for large groups (limited patio capacity)
Ghisallo
7.9
Chef Casey Lane's neighborhood pizza kitchen serving both NY-style slices by day and Neapolitan-style pies at dinner, with fermented-crust pizzas showing serious craft. The casual back patio creates a relaxed setting for families and groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Funghi & Truffle Pizza, Margherita Slice, Calabrian Sausage Pizza
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Dual pizza program with grab-and-go slices plus elevated fermented-crust dinner pies
Who should go: Families wanting quality pizza without formal dining constraints
When to visit: Daytime for quick slices, dinner for full pizza experience
What to order: Funghi & Truffle pizza, rigatoni bolognese, NY-style margherita slice
Insider tip: Back patio is ideal for families with kids who need space
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking available on Main Street and surrounding blocks, typically easier before 6pm. Lot parking at nearby businesses during off-hours.
Dress code: Casual - jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers perfectly fine. It's a neighborhood pizza spot.
Noise level: Moderate to lively - front counter area has kitchen energy, back patio is quieter and more conversational
Weekend wait: 20-30 min for tables during peak hours (6-8pm), slices available immediately at counter
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait - grab-and-go slice service is quick, tables usually available
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - multiple pizza options including Funghi & Truffle, Margherita, and vegetable-forward specials
Vegan options: Limited - can accommodate with cheese substitutions on select pizzas, best to call ahead
Gluten-free options: Not available - focus is on fermented wheat crusts which are central to their concept
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual second or third dates. The back patio offers relaxed ambiance, but counter-service format and family-friendly vibe lack the romance factor for a first impression.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially if you're flexible about patio vs. indoor seating. Weekday evenings and lunch are easiest. Weekend dinner may require a short wait, but you can grab a slice at the counter while you wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely - one of Ocean Park's best family options. Back patio gives kids room to move, NY slices satisfy picky eaters, and the casual vibe means you won't stress about noise. High chairs available.
Do they deliver? Available through major delivery apps, though fermented-crust pizzas are best enjoyed fresh in-house. NY slices travel better if you're ordering to-go.
Can I just grab a quick slice? Absolutely - that's the whole point of the daytime program. Walk up to the counter, order NY-style slices by the piece, and you're out in 5 minutes.
Best For
Better for: Families wanting chef-driven pizza without stuffy atmosphere, quick quality lunch near the beach, casual groups who want both slice options and sit-down dining flexibility
Skip if: You want romantic ambiance, need gluten-free options, prefer deep-dish or thick-crust styles, or want a full-service white-tablecloth Italian experience
Ghisallo
8.3
Wood-fired pizzeria serving both NY-style slices by day and Neapolitan pies at dinner, with Chef Casey Lane crafting two distinct doughs in partnership with adjacent Jyan Isaac Bread. The hidden back patio under olive trees creates an unexpectedly charming dining atmosphere that locals treasure.
Must-Try Dishes:
Calabrian Sausage Pizza, Funghi & Truffle Pizza, Margherita Slice
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Dual pizza programs with wood-fired ovens and an enchanting secret patio
Who should go: Date night seekers and pizza purists
When to visit: Weekday evenings for the back patio ambiance
What to order: Calabrian sausage pizza, meatball slice, Caesar salad with whole anchovies
Insider tip: The back patio is invisible from the street—walk through the restaurant to find it
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only - metered spots on Main St and nearby residential streets, easier to find before 5pm
Dress code: Casual neighborhood spot - jeans and nice tops work perfectly, though the patio attracts some dressy date-night attire
Noise level: Intimate and conversation-friendly - the back patio is especially quiet and romantic
Weekend wait: 30-45 min for back patio tables without reservation, counter seating usually available
Weekday lunch: Walk-in friendly - minimal wait for NY-style slices
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - multiple veggie pizzas including seasonal options, plus excellent Caesar salad
Vegan options: Limited - margherita without cheese possible, but pizzas are the focus here
Gluten-free options: No - the bread partnership with Jyan Isaac means they're all-in on their craft dough
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Absolutely - the hidden back patio is one of Ocean Park's most romantic settings, with olive trees and twinkling lights creating natural conversation starters. Relaxed enough to feel comfortable, special enough to impress.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Counter seating is first-come, first-served and usually available. For the coveted back patio, weeknights are your best bet for walk-ins - weekends book up fast. Call ahead if the patio is non-negotiable.
Is it kid-friendly? Very - the daytime NY-slice program is perfect for families, and kids love the casual counter vibe. The back patio works for well-behaved children at dinner, though it skews more date-night after 7pm.
Best For
Better for: Dual pizza experiences in one spot, intimate outdoor ambiance that feels like a secret, and legitimacy from Chef Casey Lane's pedigree and the Jyan Isaac Bread partnership
Skip if: You need guaranteed immediate seating on weekends, require extensive gluten-free options, or prefer modern industrial pizza spots over charming neighborhood hideaways