Pizza may not be the city’s signature snack like it is in NYC, but LA does dish out some serious pies. Scroll on for primo pizza picks from some of LA’s best chefs, bloggers and Citizine’s very own 'za experts:
Pizzeria Mozza
Hancock Park, $$$
Chef Michael Cimarusti (Providence; Connie & Ted’s): Mozza is the queen of the LA restaurant scene and deservedly so. My new favorite at the pizzeria is the slow-cooked broccoli pizza. It is as delicious as anything I have ever put in my mouth. And no, I'm not sharing. [Ed. note: Broccoli and Chilies Pizza only available seasonally]
Chef Michael Cimarusti (Providence; Connie & Ted’s): Mozza is the queen of the LA restaurant scene and deservedly so. My new favorite at the pizzeria is the slow-cooked broccoli pizza. It is as delicious as anything I have ever put in my mouth. And no, I'm not sharing. [Ed. note: Broccoli and Chilies Pizza only available seasonally]
Broccoli Pizza (bottom right corner) at Mozza. Image courtesy of @pizzeriamozza
Mulberry Street Pizza
Multiple Locations, $
Citizine Staff: A Mulberry slice is the closest thing to a NY pie slice in LA. The sauce-to-cheese-to-bread ratio is about as even as an Olympic gymnast's temperament, and it shows. Don't be afraid to flirt with the white pizza or pasta slice. If you're a true champion getting carry out or delivery, try heating up your slice in a toaster oven for maximum flavor.
Citizine Staff: A Mulberry slice is the closest thing to a NY pie slice in LA. The sauce-to-cheese-to-bread ratio is about as even as an Olympic gymnast's temperament, and it shows. Don't be afraid to flirt with the white pizza or pasta slice. If you're a true champion getting carry out or delivery, try heating up your slice in a toaster oven for maximum flavor.
The perfect couple. Image courtesy of @cdegaetano3
Sotto
Beverlywood, $$
Chef Michael Fiorelli (Love & Salt): You don't need to look any further than the simple Margherita pie to see that chef Steve Samson crushes it in the pizza department. The char on the crust is the real kicker.
Chef Michael Fiorelli (Love & Salt): You don't need to look any further than the simple Margherita pie to see that chef Steve Samson crushes it in the pizza department. The char on the crust is the real kicker.
Go ahead, try them all. Image courtesy of @sottola
Mohawk Bend
Echo Park, $$@VeganFatKid: If pizza is your after work go-to, then I've got you covered. Not only does Mohawk Bend boast a great vegan Happy Hour menu, but a Late Night menu, too! For all you insomniacs and party animals, this is your spot! Pizza, beer, garlic twists and dessert ... plus they even have TVs to catch the big game.
The Echo Park Pride Pizza at Mohawk Bend. Image courtesy of @mohawkla
Terroni
WeHo & DTLA, $$Chef Mirko Paderno (Officine BRERA): Here you’ll find an authentic, Italian atmosphere with a large selection of really good pizza and lovely negronis.
Terroni's breakfast pizza. Image courtesy of @terronila
Pizza Romana
Fairfax, $$Citizine Staff: A new kid on the block to that hazy part of La Brea where Mid-City meets Hollywood, Pizza Romana is a new, reasonably priced neighborhood gem. Chef Alex Palermo ferments his dough for 24 - 48 hours before piling on farmer's market produce and tossing his pies into the wood-fired oven. Every Thursday, the pizzeria opens up its private wine room for free (yes, free!) nibbles of pizza and wine tastings. All bottles are 20% off. This is called Enoteca night and it is the best thing that's happened in LA since the Kardashians weren't famous.
Basil Pesto Pizza. Image courtesy of @pizza_romana
Milo & Olive
Santa Monica, $20Chef Michael Fiorelli (Love & Salt): What happens when a bread baker decides to make pizza? You get a crust that is almost focaccia-like, of course. Try the Mixed Mushroom Pizza with fontina val d'aosta, thyme, lemon zest and parmesan. And don't forget to start with the garlic knot.
Mixed Mushroom Pizza at Milo and Olive. Image courtesy of @infatuation_la
Crossroads Kitchen
Beverly Grove, $$$Chef Tal Ronnen (Crossroads): One of my favorites off of our summer menu here at Crossroads includes the Smoked Sweet Corn Pizza which allows the summer corn we have at the market to truly shine.
Smoked Sweet Corn Pizza from Crossroads Kitchen. Image courtesy of @apr.ll
Love & Salt
Manhattan Beach, $$Chef Michael Fiorelli (Love & Salt): The Duck Egg Pizza could be considered the archetype of my approach to the menu at Love & Salt. On the surface it seems a bit out of the box and for some people, even a bit foreign. But when you take a closer look, or even better, a taste, you come to realize that the flavors are actually classic combinations just reworked and presented in a more modern, fun and exciting way. And when it comes down to it, if you don't like a pizza with an egg yolk on it, I’m not sure I can trust you.
Fiorelli's Duck Egg Pizza. Image courtesy of @loveandsaltla
Mr. K's Pizza
Glendale, $
Citizine Staff: Mr. K's is a Greek approach to casual pizz, and it's Mom ‘n pop-ran for over 35 years. This is what we looked forward to on Friday nights when we were kids. Throw in Boy Meets World and the rest of theTGIF line-up, and Friday night was fire.
A Glendale classic. Image courtesy of @knal3000
Bestia
DTLA, $$$
Mirko Paderno (Officine BRERA): Ori, the chef/owner is a really good friend of mine and was my sous chef a few years ago. Now at Bestia, he makes amazing charcuterie, pizza and pasta. They have a fantastic cocktail program too. I always go there to get a good Negroni before dinner!
Mirko Paderno (Officine BRERA): Ori, the chef/owner is a really good friend of mine and was my sous chef a few years ago. Now at Bestia, he makes amazing charcuterie, pizza and pasta. They have a fantastic cocktail program too. I always go there to get a good Negroni before dinner!
Bestia's Margherita Pizza. Image courtesy of @bestiadtla
Gjelina
Venice, $16Michael Fiorelli (Love & Salt): This place is an Abbot Kinney icon, and the pizza here is largely why it's remained so relevant and popular. My favorite is the Lamb Sausage pizza with confit tomato, rapini, pecorino and asiago. All pizzas are served with a plate of fresh oregano (still on the stem), red pepper flakes and parm, so you can dress it up to your taste. It's a nice touch.
Lamb Sausage Pizza from Gjelina. Image courtesy of @alicen
Pizzanista!
DTLA, $Citizine Staff: On the not-so-high-end of the Italian dining spectrum is Pizzanista. Here, you can grab a slice and chill for a halftime break while you barcrawl, or stop by on a Sunday for the mac and cheese pizza (there’s a vegan option, oh la la).
Pepperoni pizza and garlic knots. Image courtesy of @caxshe
Jon & Vinny's
Fairfax, $$Michael Fiorelli (Love & Salt): Everyone talks about the LA Woman pizza here, and while it's great (and makes for a solid Instagram photo), I like the Ham & Yeezy. It's a cross between a white/red sauce pie with vodka sauce, ham, red onion, caciocavallo, smoked mozza, and pickled fresno chilies to cut through the richness.
Would Kanye approve? Image by @jonandvinnydelivery
Header image courtesy of Pizza Romana
