Washington DC is known as a city of stodgy politics. Some may even think that the food scene can also be described along those lines. But did you know that Bloomberg has named it the most exciting food city in America? Come with us on our journey to the best pizza in Washington DC to show you how this city earned that reputation.
Timber Pizza Company
If you like to pair your pizza with a glass of solid red wine, Timber Pizza Co. is the place for you. Their wood-fired oven-baked pizzas are consistently excellent. The Cheese Please pizza is perfect for lovers of traditional-style pizzas.
But if you want to go the off-beaten path with your pies, you must try the Green Monster pizza. It has fresh mozzarella cheese, pesto, zucchini, kale, and feta cheese. You can call in ahead for your orders but expect to wait a long time if you plan on visiting the place. Most of the time, it’s packed.
For those craving a bite of fresh veggies, The O.G. salad is highly recommended. It’s a delightful blend of seasonal greens, carrots, apples, cilantro, jalapeños, and many others. A surprising, but delicious twist to their recipe is their use of hot honey to balance off the spiciness of their pizza sauce.
North Italia
Fans of Italian food will find North Italia a great place to go to for their pizza cravings. It has an attentive staff, a cozy ambiance, and a well-thought-out menu. Aside from their pies, you’re going to love their Italian Meatballs and Crispy Calamari.
Since we’re talking pizzas, The Pig is their must-try menu item. It has Italian sausage, soppressata, and spicy pepperoni. You also might want to look at their impressive wine, beer, and cocktails menu. The Chef’s Board is huge and filled with heavenly flavors from prosciutto di parma, crescenza, marcona almond, castelvetrano olive, grilled bread, and many other fresh ingredients.
Be warned, though, there is no parking available except for the space on the street in front of the restaurant. There are paid parking spaces nearby, which is a good thing. You simply mustn’t miss getting a bite out of one of North Italia’s amazing pizzas.
DC Pizza
The Build Your Own Pie concept is a hit, and with this, DC Pizza won’t disappoint true-blue pizza lovers. The minute you walk in the place, beautiful smells waft through the air with the promise of your idea of the perfect pizza. Their menu lists choices for the crust, the sauce, the cheese, and of course, the toppings.
Their three steps to an amazing pizza are so easy and straightforward. First, you build your pie (we chose the classic tomato sauce, roma tomato, vegan mozzarella, on a gluten-free crust with a drizzling of garlic and rosemary olive oil). Wait for it to bake for two minutes or so, then add your free topping, we chose fresh basil. Enjoy.
Some people find the Protein toppings somewhat lacking in choices, but you have to trust them to know what exactly they’re doing. They made pizzas with pineapples really enjoyable. In addition, they use recycled paper for their takeout boxes, so that’s a big plus for the environment.
All-Purpose Shaw
The rustic interior, the wooden tables, and the comfortable seats make diving into a pizza more gratifying. All-Purpose Shaw has all that and some of the best pizza in Washington DC. Their Sedgewick is a bestseller with its fresh mozzarella, whipped ricotta, parm, truffle honey, taleggio, and chives.
Like North Italia, All-Purpose Shaw also has calamari on their appetizer list. The Calamari Fritto is fried squid with dill, lemon, and Calabrian chili aioli, which is a great start to any meal. To cleanse your palate after a delectable pizza, try the AP Caesar Salad made with little gem lettuces, parm breadcrumbs, and tasty anchovy dressing.
Another notable item on their menu is the Roasted Garlic Knots. A great accompaniment to your pie, it is made with parm fonduta, lemon butter, and chives. They come with garlic ricotta sauce that goes well with the slightly sweet and tangy taste of the honey trifle oil they drizzle on their pizzas.
2 Amys Neapolitan Pizzeria
You know that the pizza will be extra good when you see a long line of customers waiting patiently for a turn to eat at 2 Amys Neapolitan Pizzeria. The Etna 2.0 is worth the 30 to 40-minute wait. This ‘pizze’ has fried eggplant, tomato, smoked mozzarella di bufala, parsley, and pine nuts.
The grilled peppers and Sicilian anchovies salad is so simple but wonderfully tasty. The bruschetta with tomato fondutta is also a great choice. Order a pint of Raised by Wolves beer, and you’re set. And for dessert, don’t leave without getting a taste of their homemade ice creams and sorbets.
Hats off to the friendly staff as they will recommend something meat-free if you’re on a strict vegetarian diet. If you’re a Neapolitan pizza purist, this place is for you as it’s one of the first in the DC area. Even with lots of competition around, 2 Amys really do stand out.
Bacio Pizzeria
For a gluten-free pizza, head on over to Bacio Pizzeria and taste some loving goodness of one of the best pizzas in Washington DC. You can sit outdoors under its covered porch and enjoy your pizza in a relaxed and cozy vibe. Get Bacio’s Margherita with tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and mozzarella cheese on a cornmeal crust.
For the non-meat lovers, there’s the Ledroit Park pizza with anchovies, Bacio shredded mozzarella (super creamy), capers, cherry tomatoes, basil, on a tomato sauce base. Calzone #1 is also a great option. It has the same shredded mozzarella, your choice of sauce, and three other toppings.
If you’re at a loss at what drink to go with your meal, try the Lime Margarita. Pair it with the Eckington’s, and you’ll get an Italian taste with a sip of the tropics. You can enjoy this meal outside or the upstairs dining area that’s got a homey atmosphere.
Wiseguy Pizza
From appetizers to dessert, Wiseguy Pizza has got you covered. They offer plenty of vegetarian specialty pies to choose from. One of which is the new Paneer Tikka that has their house masala sauce, paneer cheese, green and chili peppers, cilantro, and jalapeño sauce. If you aren’t into spicy food, try the Mushroom Truffle Vegetarian pizza. It is made with truffle oil, mushrooms, fresh basil, Fontinella, and so much more.
Their Korean Chicken pizza is also a new offering and a must-try as well as the Garlic Knots, which is one of their fan favorites. Wiseguy has their Build Your Own pizza if the choices on their menu won’t satisfy you. Finish off your meal with some chocolate cookies that they bake fresh daily.
The Grandma square pizza can take a long time to bake, but it’s definitely worth a try. The crust is extra crunchy, and it has fresh marinara sauce, extra virgin olive oil, mozzarella, and basil. The place has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, a refreshing end to a day of touring the National Statuary Hall.
Menomale Pizza Napoletana
From savory to sweet pizzas, Menomale Pizza Napoletana has them all. Try the Brooklandissima with fior di latte mozzarella, roasted zucchini, eggplant, green peppers, gorgonzola, artichokes, and basil. For dessert, there’s La Bomba, which is the Chef’s Special. It’s Menomale’s pizza dough filled with Nutella that’s melting in a warm, delicious goo.
For starters, the Coccio is highly recommended with its Bulgarian feta, garbanzo beans, Fior di latte mozzarella, and olive oil. For those who want to spice things up, there’s the Diavola pizza with San Marzano tomatoes, salami, fresh mozzarella, red peppers, and basil. All their pies are served uncut, and they give you scissors to cut them however you want.
They have outdoor seating if you care to enjoy your meal in full view of the surroundings. But if you want a snug ambiance, the well-decorated indoor setup will do just fine. It’s small, but you’ll have a great view of the beautifully tiled brick oven.
Pupatella
Having a wide range of Neapolitan and other pizza varieties, Pupatella has something for everyone. The roasted Brussel sprouts with green apples and a balsamic dressing is a great way to begin your meal. Follow it with Margherita DOC with basil, olive oil, and Neapolitan buffalo mozzarella. Or you can go for their Tomato Artichoke pizza with garlic-roasted tomatoes, marinated artichokes, and fresh mozzarella.
You can also try their custom pizzas and paninis, which you can add your choice of four types of toppings. The mushroom sautéed in wine is a good choice, while the nut-free pesto sauce is truly delectable. They have an extensive list of wines and drinks to choose from. And when you buy two pizzas, you’ll get $10 off from any bottle of wine, now that’s value for your money.
There’s outdoor seating, but you’ll find the interior warm and cozy. Parking is available, albeit small, there’s also the option for you to park on the street. Customer service is superb with staff that are super friendly and accommodating.
