Best Pizza Restaurants in Santa Monica (90405)
5 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Notable Picks
8.4
James Beard Award-winning chefs Nancy Silverton and Matt Molina bring Roman-style pizza with creative seasonal toppings to Santa Monica's Main Street. Rectangular slices feature inventive combinations like pastrami pickle with calabrian chiles or roasted corn esquite with cotija and tajín, plus traditional, vegan, and gluten-free options.
Must-Try Dishes:
Acorn Squash Pizza, Roasted Corn Esquite, Pepperoni
What makes it special: James Beard pedigree meets Roman technique with California seasonal ingredients
#2
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
What makes it special: Dual dough approach offering both NY slices and Neapolitan pies from artisan bakers
Worthy Picks
7.8
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Late-night neighborhood workhorse serving gourmet pizzas, generous salads, and Italian pastas until 3 AM most nights. In-house dough made daily and creative specialty combinations draw locals seeking quality without pretension, from quick lunches to post-beach dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ Chicken Pizza, Classic Combo Pizza, Chicken Pesto Pizza
What makes it special: Open until 3 AM with made-from-scratch dough and surprisingly creative gourmet toppings
#4
SaMo Pizza
7.6
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Brick oven pizzeria serving late-night slices and pies until 4 AM on weekends. Established in 2018, this counter-service spot draws Santa Monica College students and locals with affordable prices, quick service, and specialty options including vegan, gluten-free, and creative toppings like their signature SaMo pizza with egg and jalapeño.
Must-Try Dishes:
SaMo Pizza, Margherita, BBQ Chicken
What makes it special: Open until 4 AM on weekends with brick oven quality at student-friendly prices
7.5
Vibes:
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Hidden Gems Heaven
Family Friendly Favorites
Birthday & Celebration Central
Small beach-adjacent cafe overlooking an Olympic pool, offering gourmet pizzas alongside fresh salads and comfort food. Steps from the sand with both indoor seating and balcony dining, this venue doubles as an event space with catering services for gatherings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheese Pizza, Pepperoni Pizza, Mushroom Truffle
What makes it special: Poolside dining steps from the beach with surprising gourmet quality in casual setting