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The 10 Spots for the Best Pizza in Ottawa Where Every Slice is Local-Approved!
Pizza. It needs no introduction. The crust, the ingredients overload, and the stringy cheese with every bite are so comforting that grabbing another slice is worth all the calories.
There’s a flavour for every palate, as it’s where deliciousness is made with every slice. There are probably hundreds of pizza places in Ottawa (we admit, we aren’t sure about the real numbers here), but not everyone bakes slices of heaven (this, we’re sure of).
Your cravings needn’t worry! We (happily) stuffed our mouths until our tummies couldn’t take it any longer to find spots in the city worth a second serving! Get ready to dig into the best pizzas in Ottawa!
Heartbreakers Pizza
Media credit: heartbreakerspizza
Address: 465 Parkdale Ave
Contact: 613-724-1144
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Sunday: 4 pm – 9:30 pm
There’s a delicious reason why Heartbreakers Pizza is a popular joint in Ottawa. The chewy dough, slightly burnt spots on the crust, and the tasty flavours bake up one hell of a pizza!
Another reason? It’s the place for pizza and wine! The delicate reds and whites complement the rich flavours of the ingredients.
We recommend the Fennel & Sausage for that veggie and pork combo. Another perfect pairing is the Ricotta & Honey as it combines savoury and sweet flavours with every bite—add a drizzle of extra honey to enhance the sweetness even more.
Vegans won’t have trouble here, too, because you can ask for dairy-free cheese! And don’t miss out on ordering their yummy artichoke dip served with chips and gherkins as a starter!
Pro Tip:
Dining in? Book a reservation to guarantee a table since the place is small. For takeaways, order an early dinner because pickups start late, at 4 pm.
Lil Z’s Pizza
Media credit: lilzpizza
Address: 45 Clarence St
Contact: 613-860-3333, [email protected]
Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 11:30 am – 11 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 11:30 am – 12 am
Ottawans know that Lil Z’s Pizza is the real deal, where the cheese, sauce, and toppings are perfectly distributed, and the crust is chewy with crunchy bits of charred spots. Every bite absolutely slaps, especially when paired with a cocktail!
The Pepperoni Pizza is an obvious choice for first-time visitors. But for a nice punch of heat, the Hot Fire brings a zap to the tastebuds, as it’s topped generously with jalapeño, pepperoncini, and chilli flakes. The crust? It’s sprinkled with hot honey sesame!
The Lil Z is a crowd favourite white pie, with a popular crust made with Eddy’s Hot Honey Everything Bagel. The ricotta cheese surprisingly goes really well with the slices of zucchini—it’s interesting, all right, but in a totally good way!
Before leaving, try Z’s Cheesecake for dessert. It’s made in-house, with a drizzle of strawberry coulis and sprinkles of crushed pistachios.
Pro Tip:
Add hot honey drizzle to elevate your meal! It balances the cheesiness of the pizza and is worth the extra dollars.
IL VICOLO
Media credit: ilvicolo_ottawa
Address: 118 Clarence St
Contact: 613-806-6103, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 7 pm – 1 am
- Wednesday & Sunday: 5 pm – 12 am
- Thursday: 5 pm – 1 am
- Friday – Saturday: 5 pm – 2 am
Tucked away in the bustling Byward Market, IL VICOLO is a gem that brings bistro-style dining to Ottawa, where you can enjoy live music while eating pizza in the cozy side patio. And while it’s not solely a pizza place, the offerings are diverse.
It’s the spot for Italian dining with a Canadian twist. Pizza, pasta, and poutine in one place? Add the picture-worthy decorations? It deserves a place on your list of the best pizza spots!
Our best recommendation is The Il Vegétariano, which is flavourful even without the meat. For contrasting flavours, order it with the Carne Pizza, topped with bacon, chicken, and Italian sausage.
Pro Tip:
Don’t forget to check their calendar of events for free karaoke and comedy nights! You can skip these days for a quiet dining experience.
Retro Gusto
Media credit: retrogusto.ottawa
Address: 122 Preston St
Contact: (613-234-5747, [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 5 pm – 11 pm
Pricing: $
Website
Menu
This corner spot makes one of the best pizzas in Ottawa. Retro Gusto is a must-visit for after-work slices, where the vibe is casual, the pizzas are fresh, and the desserts cut through the savoury flavours.
There are lots of options at this Italian place, but the Salamino Pizza is always on our table. The combination of cheese, tomato sauce, salami, and hot honey is a burst of flavours—make it squisito by drizzling some chilli oil!
We recommend pairing your pizza with a glass of red wine for good acidity, which will balance out the rich flavours. Then, order that tiramisu for a perfect finish!
Pro Tip:
Try out their pizza specials, announced on their Instagram. They offer flavours you might not get to taste again!
Pizza Nerds
Media credit: pizza.nerds
Address: 478 Bank St
Contact: 613-422-2489, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 4 pm – 9 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 10 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 9 pm
Pizza Nerds serves up exactly what their audience wants: classic and creative flavours. There’s something for every taste, whether you’re craving a sausage-y slice of heaven or a medley of surprise ingredients!
A solid choice is the Queen Elizabeth, an absolute fire goat cheese ‘za with tomato sauce poured with spiced honey! The crust is satisfyingly bubbly and soft with some charring, and the ingredients and the dough are perfectly balanced.
The best part about ordering here? You can customize your pizza! Plant-based diets can opt for vegan cheese and mushrooms instead of cheese, while gluten-sensitive individuals can add $5 for cauliflower crust—frankly, this one is still delicious!
Pro Tip:
Order the chili garlic dip for two-fifty and pour it on your pizza! It’s delicious and elevates the taste, no matter the flavours!
Farinella
Media credit: farinella.ottawa
Address: 492 Rochester St
Contact: 613-422-6462
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:30 am – 8 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
Menu
You can never go wrong with pizza and gelato. At Farinella, you can get various kinds of vegetarian and meat pizzas, which are sold per metre, so enjoy those long, rectangular ‘za instead of the usual round servings!
If you love crispy slices with slightly charred edges, this is THE place to go! The ingredients are fresh, the sauce is evenly spread, the toppings are generously layered, and the flavours are bold but not overwhelmingly so.
Our pick? The Pepperoni. A classic, but here it’s made even better as it has an abundant layer of roni cups.
If you want a sweet and spicy boost, go for The Great Neen, a pepperoni pizza with whipped ricotta cheese and drizzled with hot honey!
Pro Tip:
Want an extra fire in your pizza? We suggest adding the chilli oil, made in-house, which is deliciously spicy and complements the cheese!
Cumberland Pizza
Media credit: cumberland_pizza
Address: 152 Nelson St
Contact: 613-789-9999
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 11 am – 9 pm
- Friday: 11 am – 10 pm
- Saturday: 12 pm – 9 pm
- Sunday: Closed
Pricing: $$
Website
A neighbourhood gem, Cumberland Pizza is a family-run joint and a no-frills restaurant in downtown Ottawa that always hits the spot! The venue is nothing fancy, but the food is packed with flavours and toppings!
For those who live for olives on pizza, dig into the Cumberland Special, which is generously served with green olives, pepperoni, mushrooms, and green peppers. For an extra $5.22, you can pile on extra cheese to dial up the gooeyness.
Choose between a thick or thin crust on every flavour, which comes in three sizes—perfect for any kind of appetite! The crispiness of the thin crust is satisfying, while the thicker base is chewier and goes well with extra sauces and cheese.
Pro Tip:
Try the bowl of Greek Salad to add fresh flavours to your savoury meal. We suggest adding chicken to it!
Pub Italia
Media credit: pub_italia
Address: 434 Preston St
Contact: 613-232-2326
Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 11 am – 1 am
- Sunday: 12 pm – 12 am
Nestled in Little Italy, Pub Italia is a delicious hub with church-themed decor that makes pizza dining unique! It’s not your usual Italian spot, which is evident once you glance at the exterior—and even more when you enter.
The style makes this not your average spot. It’s designed with stained glass windows, interesting paintings (nuns drinking beer is definitely attention-grabbing), thorn branches hanging from the ceiling, and a mix of Irish and Italian decorations.
They don’t fumble their thin-crust pizza, which is divine when paired with a cold glass of beer—interestingly, their selection can be found in the Beer Bible. You can’t go wrong with the Funghi, layered with white sauce, mozzarella, mushrooms, red onion, and thyme.
Pro Tip:
Take your time browsing through the Beer Bible. There’s an option from every corner of the world!
Colonnade Pizza
Address: 280 Metcalfe St
Contact: 613-237-3179
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11 am – 9 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
Menu
Colonnade Pizza goes heavy with their toppings without it tasting overwhelming—the dough and ingredient proportions are actually spot on! Every bite of the soft and chewy bread absolutely delivers, as it tastes fresh and of good quality through and through.
One of our recs is the Canadian Pizza, a classic pepperoni with layers of bacon and mushrooms. Every pizza is loaded with sauce and cheese, making every bite comforting and satisfying, whether you’re famished or not!
The Metcalfe location is the original, which opened in 1967. You can find one close to you by visiting the other shops, in the south, the west end, and Nepean, which are all open daily.
Pro Tip:
Get two flavours in one visit by picking the small or medium sizes. This way, you can taste different ingredients without having to purchase a massive order!
Giulia
Media credit: eatgiuliapizza
Address: 350 Elgin St
Contact: 613-422-7492
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 4:30 pm – 10 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 4 pm – 11 pm
- Sunday: 4 pm – 10 pm
We love a great location, where you can sit with your buddies and eat heavenly slices of stone oven-baked pizza. At Giulia, that’s exactly what you’ll get, but enhanced with a fancy yet relaxing space.
Red sauce lovers will enjoy the Margherita, a tried-and-true flavour that brings something fresh to the table. For white pie enthusiasts, our top pick is the Benjamin Button, stacked with different types of cheeses, mushrooms, and truffle cream!
One thing you cannot miss is adding some extra loonies for the garlic sauce, which brings out a zing to the flavours! But if you want a bit of heat, go for the chili sauce, which isn’t too spicy but just right.
Pro Tip:
Around the holidays, it’s best to book a reservation. Slots tend to fill up fast, so check your schedule and run to the booking site!
