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ZipPicks Awards
Best Pizza in Santa Monica
Best Trendy Restaurants in Santa Monica
Best Hidden Gem Restaurants in Santa Monica
Best Business Lunch Restaurants in Santa Monica
Best Cheap Eats in Santa Monica
Best Family Friendly Italian in Santa Monica
Best Family Friendly Pizza in Santa Monica
Master Critic Review
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.
Consider Alternatives 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.
Hours
Monday5pm - 9:30pm
Tuesday5pm - 9:30pm
Wednesday5pm - 9:30pm
Thursday5pm - 9:30pm
Friday5pm - 10pm
Saturday5pm - 10pm
Sunday5pm - 9pm