The 25 Best Pizzas in Toronto
Because the current options are vast and fabulous, we went through thick and thin to rank the city’s top slices
25. Masseria’s Boscaiolo
The vegetable carbon-infused crust is mostly for looks, but it frames an umami-rich combo of caramelized onions, portobello and oyster mushrooms, pecorino and truffle oil. $18. 577 King St. W., 416-263-9999.
24. Double D’s Chicago Classic
Pepperoni and sausage are buried under a blanket of sauce and cheese on this Chicago-style behemoth that’s worth the food coma. $12–$34. 1020 Gerrard St. E., 416-727-5411; 1256 Dundas St. W., 416-901-5499.
23. Bene’s Nonnadina
Lunchers swarm this subterranean takeout counter for a quick slice smothered in cacciatore salami, spicy sopressata, fior di latte, artichokes and pecorino. $7; $28 for a full tray. 176 Yonge St., 416-365-3130.
22. Za’s Oh Canada
This patriotic pie is decked out in a salty-sweet combo of mozzarella, bacon, potato chips and a splash of maple syrup. $15. 402 Bloor St. W., 647-345-9292.
21. Werewolf Pizza’s Personal Pan Margherita
Pizza guy Dennis Chow’s monthly pop-up is worth tracking down for pies like this one, which is taken to the next level by a swipe of pungent garlic sauce. $10. Follow @werewolfpizza on Instagram for locations.
20. Salt and Tobacco’s Brussels Sprout
A powerful blend of bacon, gooey caramelized onions, brussels sprouts and gorgonzola with a hit of maple syrup is the standout at this Cabbagetown source for Roman-style pizza. $17–$24. 521 Parliament St., 647-348-2993.
19. Pizzeria Defina’s Pumba
The wood-fired pies at this Roncey family joint get the haute treatment. This one has wild boar meatballs, mozzarella, caramelized shallots, cremini mushrooms and garlic confit. $17. 321 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-534-4414.
18. Bitondo’s Pepperoni and Cheese
This old-school Toronto favourite sports a chewy crust swathed in gooey mozzarella and salty pepperoni for a greasy slice of heaven. $10.90–$20. 11 Clinton St., 416-533-4101.
17. Vesuvio’s Vulcano
The spicy mix of hot capicollo, hot Italian sausage and hot peppers is a fully loaded must-try from a Toronto institution that’s been slinging pizzas for 60 years. $18–$32. 3010 Dundas St. W., 416-763-4191.
16. Village Pizza’s Thanks, Obama
Hawaii’s beloved barbecued Spam sits alongside grilled pineapple, mozzarella and parm on this nod to POTUS 44’s birthplace. $18–$26. 759 Dovercourt Rd., 647-748-7737; 761 Dundas St. W., 416-551-9939.
15. Sud Forno’s Occhio di Bue
Terroni’s sister bakery tops this hunk with sun-dried tomato, rapini, mozzarella, parmesan and poached eggs. $25–$45; $6 for a slice. 716 Queen St. W., 416-504-7667; 132 Yonge St., 416-955-1100.
14. Annette Food Market’s Sun-Dried Tomato and Sausage
The Junction’s cozy Italian spot turns out a wood-fired, indulgently meaty mix of sausage, sopressata, spicy ’nduja and sun-dried tomato pesto with a layer of fior di latte. $19. 240 Annette St., no phone.
13. Superpoint’s New York Classic
Each foldable slice is minimally topped with sweet tomato sauce and mozzarella, and finished with a dusting of parm and oregano. $16–$25. 184 Ossington Ave., 416-519-6996; 269 Dunn Ave., 416-901-4080.
12. Fresca’s Margherita With Pesto
The College Street standby makes a sturdy thin crust with the perfect amount of vibrant tomato sauce and melty mozzarella, brushed with addictive pesto, and sprinkled with fresh basil. $12–$19. 302 College St., 416-922-9555.
11. Buca Yorkville’s Salsiccia di Agnello
Luxe flavours abound on this crisp rectangular crust cradling mozzarella and lamb sausage, and seasoned with rosemary, mint and pecorino. $28. 53 Scollard St., 416-982-2822.
10. Mattachioni’s Bonati di Bergamo
Terroni alum David Mattachioni bakes blistered-to-perfection pies, like this one layered with smoky speck, fresh mozzarella, fontina, parm and peppery arugula. $18. 1617 Dupont St., 416-519-1010.
9. La Palma’s Zucchini and Mushroom
Flavourful flatbread from a wood-burning oven is dressed with Ontario ricotta cheese, chanterelles, and zucchini perfumed with garlic confit, thyme and a hint of lemon. $15. 849 Dundas St. W., 416-368-4567.
8. North of Brooklyn’s Kale and Bacon
Double-smoked bacon is a superb foil for the singed layers of kale on this brilliantly simple thin-crust round, with garlic oil, pecorino and melty mozzarella. $16–$24. Multiple locations.
7. Queen Margherita Pizza’s Classic Margherita
The Queen never disappoints with its namesake pizza: thin, chewy, soft-centred crust simply dressed with zingy tomato sauce, fior di latte and fresh basil. $15. Multiple locations.
6. Pizzeria Libretto’s Duck Confit
One of the city’s traditional Neapolitan go-tos is also a standout for its more off-piste creations, like this white pizza dotted with tender bits of rosemary-flecked duck confit, bosc pear and mozzarella. $18. Multiple locations.
5. Maker Pizza’s Return of the Mac
This off-menu tribute to the Big Mac features a chewy, sesame-flecked crust loaded with everything you’d find on one of Mickey D’s classics: ground beef, cheddar, pickles, iceberg lettuce, onions and house-made special sauce. $17–$32. 59 Cameron St., 416-782-2000.
4. Forno Cultura’s Funghi
This is the next best thing to the real Roman stuff, with an exquisitely savoury mix of cremini, porcini and portobello mushrooms, and punchy gorgonzola all topping a crispy cut-to-order base. $4.50–$9. 609 King St. W., 416-603-8305.
3. Conspiracy Pizza’s Bay of Pigs
This place is a side project of the amazing Adamson Barbecue next door. Their insanely good riff on a Cubano sandwich is slathered in white sauce, and topped with bacon, pulled pork and pickles. An artful squiggle of mustard sauce finishes it off. $25. 176 Wicksteed Ave., 647-694-3327.
2. Piano Piano’s Bitters
Chef Victor Barry’s wood-burning oven churns out an assortment of beautifully blistered pizzas, but the pièce de resistance is a fire-kissed sourdough crust topped with charred kale and dandelion greens, creamy fior di latte, parmesan, chilies, garlic, and a refreshing spritz of lemon. $22. 88 Harbord St., 416-929-7788.
1. Descendant Pizza’s Jaffna
Yes, a deep-dish pie is our pick for the No. 1 pizza. We fully expect thin-crusters to take issue. We know you feel strongly. But so do we: the Leslieville hot spot’s Detroit-style pizzas make its two-dimensional rivals seem shallow. This one sports a Sri Lankan patchwork of chopped kothu roti, mango chutney, green onions, cilantro cream, coconut sambol and Calabrian chilies. $20–$32. 1168 Queen St. E., 647-347-1168.
NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY
Sign up for The Vault, our free newsletter with unforgettable long reads from our archives.
