Best Pizza Restaurants in Santa Monica
17 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Joe's Pizza
Authentic NY pizza technique with California ingredients
Notable Picks
#1
Joe's Pizza
8.7
Award-winning New York-style thin crust recognized by LA Times and Zagat, serving authentic East Coast slices until midnight on weekends. This is where locals go when they want legitimate NY pizza without the cross-country flight.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic NY Cheese by the Slice, Pepperoni with Garlic Knots, White Pizza with Ricotta
What Makes it Special: Authentic NY pizza technique with California ingredients
#2
Rock 'N Pies
8.4
No-frills classic rock meets artisanal pizza at this late-night staple where wood-fired quality meets dive bar vibes. Six perfectly executed pizzas on the menu prove that sometimes less is more, especially when paired with craft beers and rock anthems.
Must-Try Dishes:
Appetite for Destruction Pizza, Margherita with Garlic Knots, Wood-Fired Wings
What Makes it Special: Rock 'n roll soundtrack meets serious wood-fired pizza technique
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
8.4
Vibes:
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Detroit-style pizza specialists with crispy frico crust and creative toppings, housed inside Santa Monica Brew Works. The NYC-bred concept brings square pies with signature sauce stripes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza, Le Big Matt Burger, Caesar Salad
What Makes it Special: West Coast debut of acclaimed NYC Detroit-style pizza with award-winning burgers
#5
North Italia
8.3
Handcrafted Italian with daily chef's choice pizzas and fresh pasta made from scratch, offering sophisticated late-night dining until 11pm on weekends. The open kitchen and ocean breeze create an energetic atmosphere perfect for Santa Monica nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
White Truffle Pizza, The Pig Pizza, Daily Chef's Special Pizza
What Makes it Special: Daily rotating chef's pizza with seasonal ingredients
#6
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
8.1
Family-owned for over 30 years, this old-school Italian gem serves authentic handmade pizzas and traditional dishes. Red checkered tablecloths and genuine hospitality create a warm home-away-from-home atmosphere just blocks from the pier.
Must-Try Dishes:
NY-Style Pizza, Chicken Parmigiana, Homemade Gnocchi
What Makes it Special: 30+ year local institution with authentic Italian family recipes
8.1
VPN-certified Neapolitan pizzeria established in 2002 offering wood-fired pizzas with imported Italian tomatoes and handmade gelato. The Third Street Promenade location provides authentic Italian fare in the heart of Santa Monica's shopping district.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita Pizza, Quattro Formaggi, Prosciutto e Funghi
What Makes it Special: VPN certification ensuring authentic Neapolitan standards
#9
Vito's Pizza
8.1
East Coast-style pizzeria serving thin-crust New York pies with crispy char and proper fold. The family-owned spot draws locals for its coal-oven taste and communal bench seating.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Cheese Slice, Pesto White Pizza, Pepperoni Pie
What Makes it Special: Authentic New Jersey-style pizza with that distinctive East Coast thin crust
Worthy Picks
7.9
An Argentine-leaning beachside kitchen where empanadas and thin-crust pizzas share the menu with flan, all served from a balcony perched above an Olympic-size pool steps from the Santa Monica sand. The setting does most of the heavy lifting here—casual enough for a post-beach bite, distinctive enough to feel like a find. With only 57 Google reviews but an 88% five-star ratio, early returns are strong though the sample is still small.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margarita Pizza, Empanadas, Shrimp Pesto Pizza
What Makes it Special: Argentine-inflected beachside kitchen with balcony seating overlooking an Olympic-size pool, steps from the sand
7.8
Health-conscious pizzeria focuses on upgraded nutrition with fresh, ethically-sourced ingredients. Extensive dietary options including gluten-free, vegan, and keto make this an ideal choice for families with allergies or special dietary needs.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita Pizza, Triple Pepperoni, Gluten-Free Crust Options
What Makes it Special: Exceptional allergy protocols and dietary alternatives
#12
Classic Pizza
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
7.8
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family-owned since 1983, this old-school pizzeria makes classic and gourmet NY-style pies using imported Italian ingredients and local produce when possible. The long-standing neighborhood presence and consistent execution keep generations of locals returning.
Must-Try Dishes:
Original Cheese Pizza, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Caesar Salad
What Makes it Special: Over 40 years in the same location with multi-generational loyal following
7.8
The original California creativity in pizza form, with hand-tossed crusts and unexpected toppings open until 11pm on weekends. While it's grown into a chain, this location maintains the innovative spirit that started the California pizza revolution.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ Chicken Pizza, Thai Chicken Pizza, Tostada Pizza
What Makes it Special: Original home of California-style fusion pizza
7.7
Corner pizzeria on Third Street Promenade offers New York-style pies and prime people-watching. Quick-service spot delivers reliable slices and whole pies perfect for families exploring the pedestrian shopping district.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita Pizza, Sicilian Thick Crust, BBQ Chicken Pizza
What Makes it Special: Prime location for promenade dining with outdoor patio
#16
Dagwoods
7.6
Neighborhood pizza shop delivers consistent quality at family-friendly prices with exceptional service. Known for generous portions and house-made dressing, this local favorite has anchored the Wilshire corridor for years.
Must-Try Dishes:
House Special Pizza, Turkey Sub, Grilled Chicken Caesar
What Makes it Special: Great prices with consistent quality and friendly service
#17
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