There’s more to Laguna Beach’s food scene than salads and sushi. It might not have the reputation of New York or Chicago, but when you’re in the mood for pizza, Laguna Beach delivers. You won’t be disappointed in the slices from these local establishments.
Gina’s Pizza
When an Italian family runs a pizza place, you know it’s the real deal. Gina Costa launched Gina’s Pizza in 1975. While Gina has since stepped down, her family continues honoring her legacy, cooking authentic Italian pizza and pasta dishes using recipes passed down through the generations. You can get your pizza on Gina’s original base or whole wheat, gluten-free herb, or gluten-free cauliflower crusts. Choose one of the restaurant’s popular pizzas or select your own fresh toppings. You can order by the slice or choose a whole pie ranging from the 9-inch piccolo to the massive 28-inch biggapie.
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Location: 1100 South Coast Highway.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
Slice
While the folks behind Slice pizza restaurant aren’t Italian, their European travels inspired this pizzeria. They naturally loved the pizzas and seeing the community enjoying them. They seek to replicate this vibe here and even import ingredients to make it happen. They make dough using flour from one of Italy’s oldest mills and ferment it for 24 hours for just the right taste. The red sauce, featuring Bianco DiNapoli tomatoes, is like nothing you’ll taste anywhere else. You can choose one of Slice’s meaty or plant-based concoctions or build your own with up to seven toppings.
Location: 477 Forest Ave.
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday.
Neapolitan Pizzeria + Birreria
Neapolitan Pizzeria + Birreria is another local establishment taking cues from the home of pizza. The menu celebrates local produce while paying tribute to Italian authenticity. While the tomatoes for its pomodoro sauce are organically grown in California, they come from a San Marzano seed. Toppings such as burrata, calabrese salami, and veal meatballs will take you right to Italy. While there’s no build-your-own option, the chefs will happily substitute or add ingredients to their pizza selection. Don’t stress about the name; Neapolitan Pizzeria + Birreria also has a wide selection of non-alcoholic beverages, including mocktails and ginger beer.
Location: 31542 Coast Highway.
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Alessa
For more pizzas inspired by Naples, head to Alessa restaurant. This Italian restaurant, helmed by Napoli chef Alessandro Pirozzi, is one of the area’s best. The menu features all manner of Italian cuisine, including risotto, gnocchi, and carpaccio, but the pizza, or pizze as Chef Alessandro calls it, is arguably the star. The chefs prepare the dough and sauces in-house and source the toppings locally wherever possible. There are so many tempting options, but if you’re unsure, the menu insists you must try the meat lover. For something different, consider the calzone, a folded baked pizza filled with classic toppings.
Location: 234 Forest Ave.
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Pizza Bar
Pizza Bar is open later than most local establishments, so it’s a great option for night owls. The crowd-pleasing restaurant aims to cater to all tastes, with classic pies, such as margherita and Hawaiian, next to more unusual offerings, such as chicken artichoke and the Greek. If none of the pies on the extensive menu appeal, you’re free to create your own with up to five fresh toppings. If you love Pizza Bar’s pizzas, join the VIP program for discounts, loyalty rewards, secret menus, and more.
Location: 397 S Coast Highway.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday; and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday.
Zinc Cafe
On the other end of the spectrum, there’s Zinc Cafe. Pizza is part of Zinc’s brunch menu, served from 7 a.m., so it’s never too early to get a slice. Zinc focuses on vegetarian fare, and it does it well, so it’s an excellent option if you don’t eat meat or you’re trying to cut back your consumption. While the pizza menu is small, with just three options, vegetarians agree that’s more choices than they find in many mainstream pizzerias. While the Margherita is a classic, you might prefer the potato arugula or funghi pizzas. Gluten-free bases are also available.
Location: 350 Ocean Ave.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Romeo Cucina
For a more upmarket pizza experience, head to Romeo Cucina. With tables set with linen tablecloths and real silverware, it’s the perfect choice for pizza on date night. The restaurant is the brainchild of the Romeo brothers, who source authentic Italian ingredients to bring food from their homeland to the people of Orange County. The pizza menu is small, with just four classic options, but these thin-crust pies baked in a wood fire oven are always exceptional.
Location: 249 Broadway St.
Hours: 5 p.m. to late daily.
Grazie Grazie Pizzeria
It might seem strange to write about a pizza place that hasn’t opened at the time of writing, but the photos on Grazie Grazie Pizzeria’s social media accounts have us salivating. While Laguna Beach already has a few Neapolitan-style pizzerias, we think there’s always room for one more. The team behind Grazie Grazie will deliver authentic Napoli-style pizza, with just a few fresh toppings applied sparingly and a soupy center. The menu also features fresh salads and decadent desserts, such as cookies with chocolate chips and sea salt. Try it all when Grazie Grazie Pizzeria opens.
Location: 601 N Coast Highway, Suite 106.
Hours: To be confirmed.
Indulging in favorite foods such as pizza can be a great way to distract yourself from cravings for drugs or alcohol. If you need an extra helping hand, the team at California Detox is there for you. Contacting us could be the first step to taking back control of your life.
Pizza on Brown Wooden Tray Photo by Kelvin T is licensed with Unsplash License
