By Wilder Shaw.
Of all the untrue stereotypes about L.A.— and there are many—one of the most outrageous is the idea that it’s impossible to find good pizza here. Sure, not every pizza shop measures up to some of New York’s most iconic slices, but the depth of style and flavor you can find in Los Angeles is nothing to be shrugged off. Here are some of our favorite new spots serving some really great pizza.
PIZZANA
Brentwood’s celeb-owned-and-frequented pizzeria is finally serving pizzaiolo Daniele Uditi’s now-legendary neo-Neapolitan pies in West Hollywood, too. It wouldn’t be a stretch to suggest Pizzana is the best pizzeria in L.A.—beloved late food critic Jonathan Gold once compared it to the best pizza in the world (Franco Pepe’s pizzeria in Caiazzo, Italy). The Cacio e Pepe and Neo Margherita pies are tried-and-true favorites, but we’re also excited about the new Salmone—topped with smoked salmon, ricotta crema and herbs, it’s a nod to the signature pizza at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago. 460 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.657.4662, pizzana.com
L’ANTICA PIZZERIA DA MICHELE
The iconic pizzeria featured in Eat Pray Love has landed in Hollywood, attracting a cool crowd. The bright patio and homey design pair perfectly with the impossibly thin-crust pizza. The Margherita is famous for a reason, and an absolute must-order. 1534 N. McCadden Place, L.A., 323.366.2408, damicheleusa.com
PAPERBOY PIZZA
Hailing itself as “maximum quality and minimum BS,” Paperboy is tucked into the second floor of the Gallery Food Hall on Third Street Promenade. Grab some thin-crust pizzas (like spinach and ricotta or mushroom and leeks), pair with some shareables (like baked littlenecks or hot wings), and wash it all down with Paperboy’s draft beers or housemade wine coolers. 1315 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, 310.319.6211, paperboypizza.com
MILO SRO
A recent addition to the already powerful Rustic Canyon Family of restaurants is Milo SRO (a “standing room only” version of Milo & Olive, not too far away), a pizza shop rocking delicious, 48-hour-fermented dough. A much more casual, laid-back spot than its big sister, Milo SRO is bound to be a hit in a neighborhood that can sometimes feel dominated by high-end dining options. 826 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.392.0706, milosro.com
LN2 RESTAURANT
The former Napoleon and Josephine space has come back to life with LN2. Though Fairfax is already bustling with pizza options, LN2 is firing up some creative originals, like duck confit with butternut squash, and caramelized fig with onion jam. There’s a strong lineup of ice cream too, all made with liquid nitrogen (hence the name). 7212 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.917.5178, ln2restaurant.com
GINO’S EAST
Possibly inspired by all the New York culinary transplants in recent years, Chicago has sent one of its most famous deep-dish restaurants our way. Gino’s East will likely come equipped with far too many expats who can’t wait to give you their opinions on pizza, but that shouldn’t stop you from giving Gino’s a look. We could use more deep-dish in L.A. 12924 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks, 818.788.5050, ginoseast.com/los-angeles
SUPERFINE PIZZA
Steve Samson has opened a pizza shop in the same courtyard as his restaurant Rossoblu, just steps away. Superfine is a great addition to a burgeoning section of downtown Los Angeles, and its casual nature truly serves the neighborhood. Don’t leave without some signature chili oil. 1101 S. San Pedro St., Unit F, L.A., 323.698.5677, superfinepizza.com
HAIL MARY PIZZA
Though chef/owner David Wilcox’s Journeymen in Atwater Village didn’t last nearly long enough, he’s kept the space and highlights all the best parts of his cooking at Hail Mary. The small plates and salads here are very tasty, but it’d be a huge mistake to leave without pizza. All of the pies are incredibly creative, covered with toppings made in house and sometimes featuring the homemade sourdough Jonathan Gold loved so much. 3219 Glendale Blvd., L.A., 323.284.8879, hailmarypizzala.com
ROBERTA’S
The acclaimed Brooklyn-based pizzeria now lives in Culver City’s hip Platform complex after a popular pop-up run. You can expect pastas and salads along with pizza, but the real reason to head over is the Bee Sting, topped with sopressata, mozzarella, chili oil and honey. Spicy, salty, sweet and perfect. 8810 Washington Blvd., Culver City, robertaspizza.com
