When friends visit me in San Francisco, they usually come with a checklist: ride a cable car, see the Golden Gate Bridge, and eat a Mission burrito. I always happily oblige, but by their second night, I pull out my own agenda. I take them out for pizza.

San Francisco has a long, obsessive history with dough and fermentation—this is the sourdough capital of the country, after all. Over the last decade, that baking pedigree has bled into the local pizza scene, transforming the city into an absolute powerhouse for phenomenal pies. Whether you are craving a blistered Neapolitan crust, a cloud-like Roman pinsa, or a late-night square slice wrapped in paper, the streets here are packed with world-class options.

Here are the spots I constantly return to when I need the absolute best pizza in the city.

Tony's Pizza Napoletana You simply cannot talk about San Francisco pizza without bowing to Tony Gemignani. Anchoring the corner of Stockton Street in North Beach, this legendary restaurant boasts nearly 10,000 glowing reviews for a reason. Tony’s isn't just a pizzeria; it is a masterclass in regional styles. They run multiple different ovens at specific temperatures to perfectly execute everything from coal-fired New Haven-style to classic Detroit squares. I always insist my table starts with his award-winning classic Margherita, baked in a 900-degree wood-fired oven. It is simple, flawless, and highlights the incredible quality of their ingredients.

Golden Boy Pizza Just a couple of blocks away on Green Street is the antidote to a formal sit-down dinner. Golden Boy has been serving up thick, focaccia-style square slices since 1978. There is almost always a line spilling out onto the sidewalk, but do not let that deter you—it moves quickly. Walking up to the window and ordering a clam and garlic square is a true San Francisco rite of passage. The crust has a deeply satisfying, olive-oil-crisped bottom with a pillowy interior that soaks up the foggy night chill. It is unapologetic, unpretentious comfort food at its absolute peak.

Montesacro SoMa Tucked away in a moody, industrial alley on Stevenson Street, Montesacro feels like a secret you are lucky to stumble upon. This was the first place in the United States to serve Roman pinsa—an ancient style of flatbread made from a blend of soy, rice, and wheat flour. The result is an oval-shaped pie with a crust that is impossibly airy, shattering with a satisfying crunch while remaining light as a feather. The rustic, dimly lit interior makes it one of my favorite date-night spots in the city. Grab a glass of Italian red, order the Centocelle pie with artichokes and prosciutto, and settle in for a fantastic evening.

Outta Sight Pizza If you want a masterfully executed, New York-style thin crust without the white-tablecloth atmosphere, you need to head to Larkin Street. Outta Sight started as a pop-up and quickly earned a fiercely loyal following before opening this brick-and-mortar location. It has a great, energetic street aesthetic, hip-hop bumping on the speakers, and slices that fold perfectly down the middle. The undercarriage is consistently crisp, the cheese-to-sauce ratio is dialed in perfectly, and they aren't afraid to get creative with their seasonal toppings.

Navigating the Scene: A Few Local Tips

If you are planning your own pizza crawl through the city, keep a few logistical details in mind. Timing is everything. Places in North Beach, especially Tony’s, get swamped during prime dinner hours (6:00 PM to 8:00 PM) on weekends. If you want to avoid a two-hour wait, I highly recommend going for a late lunch or arriving right when doors open.

When it comes to reservations, approach each spot differently. Golden Boy and Outta Sight are casual, walk-up counter operations where you grab a slice and go. Montesacro SoMa takes reservations, making it the most reliable option if you need a guaranteed table for a group. As for prices, this is San Francisco, so expect to pay a bit of a premium. Slices generally run between $5 and $8, while whole pies at the sit-down establishments will set you back anywhere from $25 to $40, depending on your toppings.

Whether you grab a quick slice to eat on a park bench in Washington Square or sit down for a multi-course dinner paired with Italian wines, the pizza in this city holds its own against anywhere else in the country. Grab a few friends, pick a neighborhood, and go find your perfect slice.