Toronto’s pizza scene has officially reached a level that rivals major food destinations like New York, Chicago, and Naples itself. The diversity, craftsmanship, and regional influences have created a uniquely Toronto experience; one where every neighbourhood offers a different love letter to dough, sauce, and cheese.
Pizza in Toronto isn’t just about “best slices.” It’s about artistry.
Slow-fermented doughs. Charred Neapolitan crusts. Caramelized Detroit-style edges. Korean cheese-burst crusts. Bone-marrow drizzled pies. Traditional double-decker creations. And everything in between.
This blog highlights the top 10 pizza shops in Toronto, each with 4.5 stars or higher, beloved by locals, and offering a pizza experience worth crossing the city for.
Whether you live in Toronto or you're dreaming of moving here (and eating your way through each neighbourhood), this is your definitive, up-to-date list.
1. Pizzeria Badiali
📍 181 Dovercourt Rd, Toronto, ON M6J 3C6
Pizzeria Badiali is Toronto’s gold standard for New York-style slices: massive, foldable, beautifully blistered, and layered with flavour. Located on Dovercourt just off Queen West, this unassuming storefront has become the city’s most iconic destination for slices.
The crust is ultra-thin yet sturdy, with the perfect crisp-to-chew ratio. The tomato sauce is tangy and bright, not watery, not sweet, just perfectly balanced. The cheese layer melts into every corner of the slice without overwhelming the dough. Badiali’s success is simple: they execute fundamentals at an elite level.
At any given time, you’ll find a line of both locals and tourists eagerly waiting. The shop has minimal seating, giving it that classic “NY slice joint” vibe.
Must Try:
Vodka Pie – The creamy vodka sauce pizza that became a Toronto cult favourite. Rich, punchy, indulgent, and unforgettable.
2. Descendant Detroit Style Pizza
📍 1168 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1L4
Descendant brings Detroit-style pizza, a thick, airy, cheese-to-the-edge square, to life with Toronto swagger. And Toronto responded in a big way: Descendant is consistently ranked as one of the best pizza spots in the city, year after year.
The dough is buttery and crisp on the edges, fluffy inside, and finished with racing stripes of tomato sauce dolloped on top of the cheese (true Detroit style). The caramelized cheese border is unreal.
Their toppings go big: jerk chicken, pineapple chutney, jalapeños, roasted mushrooms, Ezzo pepperoni, and more. It’s Detroit pizza with bold, Toronto multicultural flavour brokering.
Must Try:
The “No Name” – A masterpiece of Ezzo pepperoni, Italian sausage, mozzarella, and hot honey (depending on rotation) atop the perfect Detroit-style block.
3. Slowhand Sourdough Pizza
📍 99 Pape Ave, Toronto, ON M4M 2V7
Slowhand takes Detroit-style pizza and elevates it using long-fermented sourdough, resulting in a crust that’s deeply flavourful, tangy, airy, and beautifully structured. It’s Detroit-style, reimagined by a bakery-level dough expert.
Every bite has that satisfying crisp on the outside and a pillowy, open-crumb interior. The sourdough adds complexity you don’t get in standard Detroit-style crusts.
If Descendant is bold and indulgent, Slowhand is artisan and elevated. Torontonians love both, but for very different reasons.
Must Try:
Hot Honey Pepperoni Sourdough Square – A sweet-heat dream: cup & char pepperoni, hot honey drizzle, and the most flavourful crust in the city.
4. Napoli Centrale
📍 964 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5R 3G5
Napoli Centrale is one of the most beloved Neapolitan pizzerias in Toronto; soft, chewy, leopard-spotted crusts baked in a true wood-fired oven. If you want classic Neapolitan pizza that honours tradition, this is the place.
The Annex location adds warmth and atmosphere, surrounded by university energy and old Toronto architecture. The dough is beautifully hydrated, the sauce tastes like fresh crushed tomatoes kissed with basil, and the cheese melts into creamy pockets over each fold.
Must Try:
Margherita D.O.C. – Simplicity done flawlessly. A perfect balance of fresh basil, tomato, fior di latte, and olive oil.
5. Pizzeria Via Mercanti
📍 188 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2L4
Why It Stands Out
Via Mercanti feels like stepping into a family-run Italian trattoria tucked inside the colourful heart of Kensington Market. Locals adore it for its unfussy, homestyle charm and consistently flavourful Neapolitan pies.
Its famous double-decker pizza, a pizza literally stacked on top of another pizza, is something you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a crowd-pleaser and a Kensington Market rite of passage.
Must Try:
The Double-Deck Via Mercanti – A layered, gooey, cheesy creation that Toronto pizza lovers rave about.
6. Fourth Man in the Fire Pizzeria
📍 832 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1V3
Why It Stands Out
Fourth Man in the Fire is the fun-loud-crowded version of a classic American pizzeria, with oversized pies, crunchy square slices, and legendary apple fritter donuts. This is where you go big: big dough, big cheese, big flavour.
The space feels retro-diner-meets-modern-pizza-joint. Great for birthdays, post-bar hangs, or group dinners.
Must Try:
Brooklyn Pepperoni Square + Apple Fritter Donut – Order both. You will not regret it.
7. Pizza Maru (Downtown Toronto)
📍 66 Gerrard St E Unit 100, Toronto, ON M5B 2M2
📍 6050 Yonge St, North York
Why It Stands Out
Pizza Maru is the Korean pizza sensation that exploded into Toronto, bringing with it the famous cheese-burst crust, Korean fried chicken toppings, bulgogi, and Chicago-style golden pies packed with molten cheese.
This is not traditional pizza; it’s unapologetically over the top, incredibly fun, and shockingly delicious.
Must Try:
Cheese Burst Golden Pizza – A decadent, cheese-pulling, one-of-a-kind pizza event.
8. Beast Pizza
📍 96 Tecumseth St., Toronto, ON M6J 2H1
Why It Stands Out
Beast Pizza is where creativity meets comfort. This is the kind of place where bone marrow, whole-animal charcuterie, and rich house-cured meats end up on pizzas.
Everything here is intense, bold, and chef-executed. If you’re bored with traditional toppings, Beast Pizza will wake you up.
9. Fresca Pizza & Pasta
Why It Stands Out
Fresca is the ultimate old-school Toronto slice experience. It has no trendy façade, no neon signs, no hip branding. What it does have is one of Toronto’s highest-rated classic slices for the price; crispy, saucy, cheesy, and dependable.
It’s the place students, locals, and late-night wanderers rely on.
Must Try:
Pizza Margherita is one of their best sellers!
10. North of Brooklyn
📍 1180 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 1R5
📍 650 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1E4
📍 1728 Avenue Rd, North York, ON M5M 3Y6
Why It Stands Out
North of Brooklyn helped define Toronto’s modern slice scene. Beautifully blistered crust, thoughtful toppings, tangy sauce, and perfect cheese layering make it a top choice for many.
It’s the cleanest, simplest version of a great New York slice, with a Toronto twist.
Must Try:
Kale & Bacon Pizza – A cult favourite that balances salty bacon, crispy kale, creamy cheese, and garlic oil.
Whether you’re a pizza purist, a culinary explorer, or someone who just wants a really good slice at midnight, Toronto has become one of the best places in North America to eat pizza.
Thinking of Moving to One of These Pizza Neighbourhoods? Talk to Fred Renna.
If reading about Toronto’s best pizza spots has you imagining life near them—walking to Badiali after work, grabbing Detroit squares in Leslieville on weekends, or living close to the downtown core for Pizza Maru—then it may be time to explore neighbourhoods that match your lifestyle.
Toronto real estate broker Fred Renna knows these communities intimately—from their restaurant scenes to their investment potential to their day-to-day rhythms.
Whether you’re:
✔ Buying your first Toronto condo
✔ Looking to move closer to your favourite pizzeria
✔ Selling your home and want top-dollar with expert guidance
✔ Trying to understand which neighbourhood fits your lifestyle best
👉Reach out to Toronto real estate broker Fred Renna.
He’ll help you find the perfect neighbourhood, and the perfect home, right here in the city.
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