New York and Chicago aren’t the only places in the world to grab a mouthwatering and unforgettable slice of pizza — Little Italy is home to some of the best pizza in downtown San Diego … and all of California. Whether you want a slice or an entire pie (we’re not judging over here either way…), Little Italy has some must-try slices. To make your job a little easier, we’ve rounded up our top 6 pizza restaurants in Little Italy worth adding to your food tours in San Diego. 

#1. Landini’s Pizzeria | by the slice

Landini’s is family-owned by Leo Landini, a Florence, Italy native, and his wife, Christine Landini, a San Diego native. That means you will get the best of both worlds when it comes to your New York–style pizza by the slice. 

Landini’s Pizzeria has a wide selection of pizzas to pick from, especially from their Vegetarian, Vegan, and Speciality menu. The restaurant’s mouthwatering hot and fresh pizzas are made from the freshest produce and hand-selected meat from trusted butchers. 

Perhaps one of the most fun parts about Landini’s is that you stand in line to get a slice just like a New Yorker. And, they are open until 1am Thursday – Sunday, so you can finish your night on the town by eating at one of Little Italy’s best pizza places.

#2. Mr. Moto Pizza

Mr. Moto Pizza, the New York style-pizza house,is ready to reveal its finesse and know-how and finesse and prepare for you the most incredible pies — a fusion of the old and new world to invent a brand-new way of looking at pizza. And, if you don’t want to sit for a long time waiting for a pie, you can grab a slice of pizza or their famous garlic knots on the go. They also have 6 other locations across San Diego, which is proof that Mr. Moto Pizza is a neighborhood staple all over town. 

What sets Mr. Moto’s slices apart from the rest is his authentic New York–style pizza recipe with a twist. Mr. Moto’s characteristically thin-crust pizza slices and pies feature a fluffy outer edge — or dubbed a handle. This secret, one-of-a-kind recipe is one of the best pizzas in Little Italy and San Diego at large with their hand-tossed gourmet dough. 

Critics agree with us that these slices of pizza rock! Mr. Moto Pizza has earned the award for “San Diego’s Best Gourmet Pizza” since 2016. Ready to try this secret recipe? Join us on our Pizza, Pastas, and Piazzas walking tour – Mr. Moto is one of the slices you will get to try!

#3. Isola Pizza

Two words make Isola stand out as one of the best pizza places in Little Italy San Diego: WOOD-FIRED GOODNESS. In addition to this, you will feel authentic Roma vibes – the modern Italian pizzeria transports you to Rome with each and every bite of their incredible dishes. When it comes to pizza, they do not play! With their Italian pizzaiolo and a wood–burning pizza oven imported straight from Napoli, guests can relish in the flavors of Italia. 

Chef Massimo Tenino says his pizza recipes are inspired by his Nonna, “My Nonna, Isola, was a wonderful cook who inspired my passion for food and fresh, simple ingredients… 30 years later, I still remember every meal and moment.” We promise that your experience will live up to Tenino’s wish for all his guests. “I hope you enjoy every bite, plucked from my family tree for your table.”

A few of their most popular pizzas are the classic Margherita, Fennel Sausage Spicy Salame, and the Prosciutto e Arugula Pizza.

#4. Solunto

Everything we love about Italian food can be found at this restaurant, from their traditional pizza to their handmade pasta, house-baked breads and cookies, and house-made gelato. Enjoy the epitome of everything we love about Italian cuisine in a relaxed environment. It’s not the best pizza in Little Italy San Diego without a pizza oven — Solunto cooks their own Neapolitan pizzas in an oven straight from Italy. You are really getting a taste of Old World Italy in the heart of Little Italy, San Diego’s shops and nightlife. 

A few of their must-try slices of pizza are the Napoeltana (Sam Parzano tomatoes, fior di latte mozzarella, fresh basil, anchovies, grana cheese), Piccante (San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte mozzarella, spicy salami, spicy ‘nduja, crushed red pepper), and Quatro Stagioni (San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte mozzarella, ham, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, olives).

This too, is one of the amazing stops on our Pizza, Pastas, and Piazzas walking tour. We’d love to share a slice of delicious pizza with you as we share our favorite pizza joints in the city!

#5. Nonna

There is no place like home…and Nonna’s. For Nonna Little Italy Restaurant, their amazingly executed efforts to pay homage to true Italian food. Enjoy authentic Sicilian comfort cuisine with a view of bustling Little Italy at Nonna’s patio. 

You can’t go wrong with any of the stove oven pizzas at Nonna’s, but a few classics are the Margherita pizza (San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella, basil), Caprese (pesto, mozzarella, tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic reduction. 

To top off your incredible, authentic dishes, you can also enjoy live entertainment and delicious drinks. We recommend their famous lasagne – made with fresh pasta sheets layered with bolognese and Bechamel! And, top it off with a delightful Sicilian Paloma cocktail (Casamigos Repo, San Pellegrino Pompelmo, and Grapefruit Bitters). 

#6. Fillipi’s Pizza Grotto

Last but certainly not least is a restaurant that is known for being a family affair.  Fillipi’s Pizza Grotto serves large pizza pies perfect to fit a family (especially one with hungry, growing teenagers!).. Founded over 60 years ago by the DePhilippis family, Filippi’s Pizza Grotto started off with this flagship location in Little Italy San Diego and has later become a very successful line of family–owned restaurants that are owned and operated by original family members of the founders. 

You take a jaunt into yesteryear when you walk into Filippi’s … waiting to be seated in a tiny grocery store area that has been there from the beginning. Once seated, you are enveloped in proper Italian restaurant vibes … no gimmicks, no ultra-modern pretense homage to history and family.

A few classic Filippi specials are “The Special” pizza with cheese, sausage, pepperoni, mushroom, bell pepper, black olives, onion and meatball, “The Works”, which is Papa’s favorite — cheese, sausage, pepperoni, mushroom, and your choice of anchovies or onions, and their Ham and Pineapple Pizza. 

You also can’t ever go wrong with a basic pepperoni pizza — the original thing about a slice at Filippi’s is that the pepperoni is layered before the cheese, so it stays on with every delicious bite. 

When it comes to touring the best of San Diego, pizza is a hidden gem ready to be uncovered! We’d love to help you expand your palette to include the experience of San Diego Little Italy pizza. If you want to join us on either our Pizza, Pastas, and Piazzas tour, or sip wine with us as you tour Little Italy, give us a ring! 

SoDiego Nugget of Wisdom: “Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy pizza and that’s almost the same thing.”

Written by: Melissa

Melissa hails from San Jose, CA, and has been a San Diego local for five years now after a 10-year long pit stop in Los Angeles. In L.A., she began her writing career crafting digital content for a wide range of clients, including The Real Talk Show, Sharon Osbourne, Hank Azaria, Time Life, and Cardinal Financial. She’s excited to be able to use her passion for writing to introduce people to some of the best spots in San Diego, many of which she has already frequented or has on her ever-expanding list of things to do …  In her spare time, she enjoys taking her puppy Milo to all of the best dog beaches in SD, grabbing a glass of wine or a cup of joe at new places, and hosting watch parties for The Bachelor/ette TV show.