Life of Pie: Top 15 Downtown Phoenix Pizza Spots
by Lauren Potter
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Pizza. It’s everyone’s favorite vegetable. I mean, how can you go wrong with red sauce, cheese and carbs?
Pizza is the one food I never seem to get tired of, so it’s a good thing I live in Downtown Phoenix because there’s no better place in the Valley to find the perfect pie.
On the hunt for a slice of life? Here are the top 15 knead-to-know pizza spots.
Half Biancoverde and half Margherita pizza at the award-winning Pizzeria Bianco. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
Pizzeria Bianco is a quintessential Phoenix food experience. The award-winning restaurant serves authentic Italian thin crust pizza, baked in a wood-burning brick oven. Eat inside the historic 1913 building, or enjoy the leafy green patio. I chose to order my pizza half-and-half, with the Biancoverde (mozzarella, parmigiano reggiano, ricotta and arugula) and the Margherita.
Hours: Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday from 12-8 p.m.
Address: 623 E. Adams Street
Phone: 602-258-8300
The all-day special at Boogie Down features two huge slices and a drink for $8.50. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
They’re currently closed in anticipation of their grand opening, but Boogie Down Pizzeria brings some crazy good New York-style slices to the historic Roosevelt neighborhood. The all-day special is hard to beat: two huge slices and a drink for $8.50.
Hours: Grand Opening Soon
Address: 1001 N. Third Avenue
Phone: 602-354-8905
The Margherita at Cibo features San Marzano tomatoes, fresh basil, house-made mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil and sea salt on artisan dough. (Photo: Fara Illich)
There’s a reason Cibo’s been around since 2009: The pizza is amazing. With its perfectly chewy yet crunchy wood-fired crust and range of toppings, Cibo will steal a pizza your heart.
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday from 5-10 p.m.; Sunday from 5-9 p.m.
Address: 603 N. Fifth Avenue
Phone: 602-441-2697
Margherita pizza at Dino’s Napoletana. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
Tucked away in a cozy courtyard at The Pemberton, Dino’s Napoletana makes the perfect personal-size pie. Dine amongst the green gardens and lively music, with the murals of Roosevelt Row as your backdrop. Try the Margherita — simple and delicious.
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday from 6-11 p.m.
Address: 1121 N. Second Street
Phone: 623-606-5800
One can’t talk about pizza in greater Downtown Phoenix without including this little gem. Located at The Muse apartments, Forno 301 is a great spot not just for pizza, but also for wine. I love to sit on the shady, flower-filled patio while watching the hustle and bustle of the city.
Hours: Friday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Address: 1616 N. Central Avenue, Suite 104
Phone: 480-787-5654
The Buffalo BBQ at Freak Brothers Pizza is the perfect blend of spicy, savory and creamy. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
Freak Brothers has a good selection of pizzas, with great vegan and vegetarian options. My favorite is the Buffalo BBQ with grilled chicken, red onions, ranch drizzle, buffalo swirl, fresh cilantro and mozzarella.
Hours: Monday from 5-9 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-12:30 a.m.; Sunday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Address: 901 N. First Street, Suite 103
Phone: 602-354-7723
The Local at Grand Avenue Pizza Company features house-made basil pesto, cheddar, mozzarella, Schreiner’s sausage, Crooked Sky Farm summer squash, caramelized onions, and an heirloom tomato coulis. (Photo: Grand Avenue Pizza Company)
The award for most creative menu goes to… OK, there’s no award, but Grand Avenue Pizza Company sure has some wild combinations. Be sure to check out the chef specials for the latest creations. This old-school pizza parlor is as charming as it is delicious, and it’s got all the quirk you’d expect from a business on Grand Avenue.
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday from 1 p.m.-2 a.m.
Address: 1031 N.W. Grand Avenue
Phone: 602-258-8300
The kale, sausage, artichoke and ricotta pizza at Hanny’s. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
Hanny’s is a cocktail bar well-known for its flatbread pizzas. I tried the kale, sausage, artichoke and ricotta pizza. The rich toppings jazzed up the cracker-thin crust. Other topping options include sausage, mushroom and onion; and pepperoni and honey; and others. Pro tip: Pair your pie Hanny’s signature $7 martini.
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday from 11:30 a.m.-12 a.m.; Friday from 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m.; Saturday from 5 p.m.-1 a.m.; Sunday-Monday from 5 p.m.-12 a.m.
Address: 40 N. First Street
Phone: 602-252-2285
Corny Baby Elote Pie at Hot Daisy. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
Quick and delicious, this cute shop by Tammie Coe sells whole pies and pizza by the slice. Choose from the many meat and veg-friendly options. I tried the elote pie with roasted corn, mozzarella, cotija, chipotle and cilantro.
Hours: Friday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Address: 610 E. Roosevelt Street, Suite 145
Phone: 602-840-3644
The Valentina at IL Bosco Pizza. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
IL Bosco is the perfect place to people watch as you enjoy wood-fired pizza. If you’re a sweet and spicy fan like me, get the Valentina complete with red sauce, spicy pepperoni, Calabrian chili sauce and honey drizzle.
Hours: Monday-Thursday from 4:30-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday from 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Address: 918 N. Fifth Street
Phone: 602-612-2470
It’s the crust for me. This pizza from Pa’La features roasted shiitake mushrooms, mozzarella and thick-cut Fra’ Mani salame coins. The menu is seasonal, and the pizzas are always changing. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
The newest restaurant to open downtown, Pa’La brings an outstanding menu of tapas, seafood and wood-fired pizzas. I tried the pizza with roasted shiitake mushrooms, mozzarella and thick-cut Fra’ Mani salame coins. The toppings were divine, but it was the crust for me. In-cre-i-ble.
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Closed Sunday-Monday.
Address: 132 E. Washington Street
Phone: 602-368-3052
The sausage, pepperoni and basil pizza at Pizza People Pub. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
Pizza People Pub is a solid choice for delicious pizza and a beer. The contemporary space has ample cozy seating, and the sausage, pepperoni and basil pizza will make your mouth water. Wash it down with a cold brew.
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday from 4-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday from 12-10 p.m.; Sunday from 12-9 p.m.; Closed Monday
Address: 1326 N. Central Avenue
Phone: 602-795-7954
The Bufala Verace at Pomo features imported mozzarella di bufala, tomato sauce and basil on a crispy, wood-fired crust. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
The best things in life are cheese. That’s why I love going to Pomo Pizzeria for the Bufala Verace pie. The buffalo milk mozzarella is rich and creamy, the sauce is light and tangy, and the crust is soft yet crisp. Pro-tip: Try the house-made gelato for dessert.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Address: 705 N. First Street, Suite 120
Phone: 602-795-2555
Sausage and mushroom pizza at The Strand Urban Italian. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
Head to The Strand for pizza before watching the Suns play at their snazzy renovated stadium. This Italian restaurant has a vast menu of pastas, entrees and several pizzas too. I tried the mushroom and sausage, adding some red chili flakes for an extra kick. Got a sweet tooth? Try the tiramisu for dessert.
Hours: Monday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Address: 2 E. Jefferson Street
What kind of person doesn’t like pineapple on a pizza? A weirdough. This is the Maui Waui at Ziggy’s. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
This David Bowie-inspired pizza shop sells New York-style pies by the slice as well as whole pies. It’s cheap, tasty, and a solid choice for those late-night munchies. Sneak through a secret door to enter the hidden pinball lounge.
Hours: Monday-Thursday from 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday 10:30 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday
Address: 401 W. Van Buren Street, Suite B
Phone: 602-354-3004