13 Best Pizza Spots In Washington DC To Consider
Finding the perfect slice in our nation’s capital can be a delicious adventure. Washington DC offers a surprising variety of pizza styles, from authentic Neapolitan to creative modern takes.
No matter if you’re a longtime local or just visiting the monuments, these 13 pizza spots represent the very best that DC has to offer pizza lovers.
1. 2Amys Neapolitan Pizzeria
Pizza purists flock to this Cleveland Park institution for authentic Neapolitan-style pies. The wood-fired oven produces that perfect char on thin, chewy crusts.
My first visit to 2Amys changed my understanding of what pizza could be – simple ingredients transformed through tradition and fire.
Their Margherita remains the benchmark against which I judge all other pizzas in the city.
2. Timber Pizza
Born as a mobile wood-fired oven at farmers markets, Timber Pizza now occupies a brick-and-mortar spot in Petworth that maintains its community-focused charm. The Green Monster pizza with pesto and fresh vegetables has become legendary among locals.
Timber balances traditional techniques with creative toppings sourced from local farms. The casual, energetic atmosphere makes this spot perfect for both date nights and family outings.
3. Stellina Pizzeria
Stellina brings the spirit of Italian street food to DC with pizzas inspired by the southern coastal regions. Their Neo-Neapolitan style features a crust that’s somehow both airy and substantial.
The Cacio e Pepe pizza brilliantly translates the famous pasta dish into pizza form. During my cousin’s visit last summer, we ordered one to share and ended up getting a second because it disappeared so quickly from our table.
4. Pizzeria Paradiso
A DC pizza pioneer since 1991, Pizzeria Paradiso continues to draw crowds at all its locations. Their Neapolitan-inspired pies emerge from wood-burning ovens with perfect leopard-spotted crusts.
The Atomica with spicy salami, hot pepper flakes, and sweet red peppers creates a perfect flavor balance.
What truly sets Paradiso apart is their exceptional beer program, featuring one of the best craft selections in the city to pair with your pizza.
5. Wiseguy Pizza
New York-style pizza fans need look no further than Wiseguy. Their massive, foldable slices with the perfect ratio of sauce to cheese bring authentic NYC vibes to multiple DC locations.
Back in 2018, I stumbled into their original location after a late night out. That 2am slice, eaten while standing at their counter, remains one of my most cherished DC food memories.
The dough ferments, creating exceptional flavor depth.
6. Andy’s Pizza
Andy Brown studied pizza-making obsessively before launching his acclaimed New York-style pizzeria. The attention to detail shows in every aspect – from the 72-hour fermented dough to the carefully calibrated sauce.
What makes Andy’s special is consistency. Whether ordering a whole pie or grabbing a slice, the quality never wavers.
The cheese pizza, deceptively simple, showcases how perfecting fundamentals creates something extraordinary.
7. All-Purpose Pizzeria
Bridging the gap between Italian tradition and American pizza parlors, All-Purpose creates deck-oven pizzas with distinctly crisp yet chewy crusts. The Capitol Riverfront/Navy Yard location offers gorgeous riverfront views.
The Buona, topped with pepperoni, basil, and hot honey, represents everything wonderful about modern American pizza.
Starters like the garlic knots shouldn’t be skipped, and their brunch pizza with eggs and pancetta has saved me from many a Sunday morning headache.
8. We, The Pizza
Celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn brings playful creativity to this Capitol Hill pizzeria. The menu features classic options alongside inventive combinations that somehow always work.
Their Forest Shroomin’ pizza elevates mushroom pizza with a blend of wild varieties and truffle oil. The homemade sodas make perfect companions to any slice.
What truly stands out is how they balance gourmet ingredients with the casual, accessible vibe of a neighborhood pizza joint.
9. Il Canale
Georgetown’s Il Canale holds the rare official certification from Naples, Italy, for authentic Neapolitan pizza. Their imported wood-burning oven creates the signature leopard-spotted crust in just 90 seconds.
During a family reunion last year, my Italian grandmother declared their Margherita “almost as good as Naples” – high praise indeed.
Beyond pizza, their full Italian menu offers excellent pasta and antipasti, making this a complete dining experience rather than just a pizza stop.
10. Comet Ping Pong
Pizza and ping pong create an unexpectedly perfect pairing at this upper Northwest favorite. The wood-fired pies feature creative topping combinations on a distinctively chewy, charred crust.
The Yalie with clams, melted onions, and thyme offers a sophisticated nod to New Haven-style pizza. Between slices, grab a paddle and work up an appetite at one of the free ping pong tables.
The space doubles as a music venue, hosting indie bands that complement the quirky atmosphere.
11. Vace Italian Delicatessen
This no-frills Cleveland Park institution has been serving rectangular slices since 1976. Their distinctive approach places sauce on top of cheese, creating a unique texture and preventing the crust from getting soggy.
Vace operates primarily as a deli and Italian market, making their exceptional pizza almost feel like a delicious secret. The simplicity of their approach – quality ingredients without pretension – keeps locals coming back for generations.
Nothing beats grabbing a slice and eating it on a nearby park bench.
12. Menomale
Tucked away in Brookland, Menomale serves certified Neapolitan pizzas that transport you straight to Naples. The owners trained extensively in Italy, and that authenticity shows in every bite of their pillowy-edged, thin-centered pies.
Their wood-burning oven, imported from Italy, reaches the crucial 900-degree temperature needed for proper Neapolitan cooking.
I still remember my first visit during a snowstorm – the contrast between the frigid DC weather and the warm, fragrant pizzeria created a memory as lasting as the pizza was delicious.
13. Grazie Nonna
The newest star in DC’s pizza constellation, Grazie Nonna, combines Italian-American nostalgia with modern technique. Their square pan pizzas feature perfectly crisp bottoms and edges with a satisfyingly chewy interior.
The vodka sauce pizza topped with fresh basil has quickly become one of the most Instagram-worthy dishes in the city. Beyond pizza, don’t miss their homemade pasta and the vintage-inspired cocktail menu.
The warm, grandmother-inspired decor makes every visit feel like Sunday dinner at Nonna’s house.