10 best pizza restaurants in Vancouver
Culinary-minded Vancouverites are no longer content with a reheated slice of ‘za. The plethora of authentic Italian pizzerias dotting the city’s neighbourhoods means that your favourite take-out meal is now a splurge-worthy event. Roman-style or Neapolitan, thick crust or thin, this is still casual eating but now served with an unprecedented pizza passion. [Pizzeria Farina photo credit: Tracey Ayton]
Via Tevere Pizzeria Napoletana
1190 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 4G5This enticingly lit, packed-to-the-gills restaurant tucked away in a quiet neighbourhood on Victoria Drive has certainly earned its stripes in pizza-savvy Vancouver. Cooked in the Neapolitan style, their pizzas spend a scant 90 seconds in the beautiful blue and white stone oven before arriving at your intimate table for sharing. Can’t get in the door? Look for their food truck around town for equally delicious slices to go.
Nicli Antica Pizzeria
62 Cordova St E, Vancouver, BC V6A 1K2Bursting onto the pizzeria scene in 2008 and blazing the trail for what would become the city’s intense love affair with pizza napoletana, Nicli’s in Gastown boasted the first authentic oven to produce pies accredited by the Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana. Whatever its official credentials, it’s just darn good pizza, served in a slick, modern dining room. For something a bit more low-key, try Nicli’s Next Door for an equally tasty menu, if fewer pizzas to choose from.
Nook
781 Denman St, Vancouver, BC V6G 2L6When your “kitchen” can barely fit one pizza chef, you make your salads and antipasti at the bar. Such is the case at Nook, where West Enders have been happily chalking their names on the waiting list since 2008. Sidle up near the deadly meat slicer, have the bartender pour you generous tumblers of Italian red and fix you a plate of anchovy and white bean crostini while you peruse the small but excellent menu of pizzas.
Pizzeria Barbarella
654 Broadway E, Vancouver, BC V5T 1X6When this pared-down pizzeria opened, the owners were definitely taking a risk. Housed on East Broadway near Fraser, this strip wasn’t exactly known for its welcoming vibe. But the sketchy neighbourhood was just the thing to attract the Mount Pleasant hipsters looking for an off-the-beaten-path joint that happens to turn out perfectly blistered pizzas and offers value-priced wine. That’s the clientele you’ll find here, along with anyone who appreciates a good pie.
Pizzeria Farina
915 Main St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2V8“Sorry, we’re out of dough” says the sign that often greets you at this unassuming pizza joint at Main and Prior. Pizza chefs here only make so much dough per day, but if you’re lucky enough to get it, this is some of the best pizza in the city. Follow them on Twitter for up-to-the-minute dough-status reports. Mostly intended for take out, you can also perch at the window bar and take in the neighbourhood shenanigans.
Campagnolo Restaurant
1020 Main St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2W1The beauty of this inconspicuous restaurant just north of Main Street Station is that it appeals to both the fine dining crowd and relaxed pub-goer. With two very separate vibes in front and back, one thing remains consistent – delicious whole pizzas with perfectly chewy crusts and additional toppers including spiced olive oil you could drink by the glassful. Arrive after 9 pm and a pint and pizza is an astoundingly good deal at $10.
Marcellos
1404 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3X9Known for its massive stone oven in the shape of a sun god, a gaping maw where the pizza goes, this thin-crust-style pizzeria on the Drive remains a neighbourhood favourite despite the increasing competition. Popular with families and larger parties, with an extensive menu to appease all pizza preferences, expect a nicely blistered crust, fresh mozzarella and any manner of toppings.
Virtuous Pie
583 Main St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2V1Swap classic cheese and pepperoni for cashew mozzarella and braised jackfruit at this alternative pizzeria in Chinatown. Specializing in plant-based pizzas and dairy-free ice cream, Virtuous Pie is a must-try destination for Vancouver vegans (and meat-eaters, in fact). Wild mushrooms, Dijon Brussels sprouts, crispy Buffalo-style cauliflower, tempeh bacon and scalloped potatoes are just some of the gourmet ingredients you can expect to find atop these handcrafted pies (with regular or gluten-free crust). Our favourite? A Mediterranean-inspired ’za topped with smokey baba ganoush, house-made falafel, nut-based feta cheese, kalamata olives and harissa chutney.
Sciue Italian Bakery Caffe
126 Davie St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2V4You’re the boss at this counter-service lunch spot. Peruse an enticing selection of long, narrow Roman-style pizzas lined up on the marble counter and choose how big a portion you’d like. Whether classic margherita, Italian sausage with rapini or BC-influenced smoked salmon (served cold), all slices are priced by weight. Mix and match or commit to your favourite. Hit up the Yaletown location for its sunny patio and beautifully accented Italian servers.
Pizzeria Bufala
5395 W Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6M 3W4Located in the tony Kerrisdale neighbourhood, Bufala is the latest on the pizzeria-as-fine-dining-experience scene. But don’t expect white tablecloths here; just gorgeous ingredients artfully arranged on a unique wheat and sourdough crust. Much like the food, the space is beautiful but not fussy, with bright windows and an open kitchen. Pizzas of unusual but successful flavour combinations come on wooden mini peels and are best shared among many friends. Note to Eastsiders: it’s worth the trip.
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