Best Pizza in Edmonton: Neapolitan, Slice and Delivery

The best pizza in Edmonton ranges from wood-fired Neapolitan pies to late-night slices and the pizza-and-donair shops that are a Prairie habit. Choose one kind, such as a margherita, and eat it at several places to compare. Reserve for weekend evenings, and allow extra time for delivery in winter.

What kinds of pizza does Edmonton have?

Edmonton has three main kinds. Neapolitan pizza is baked for about a minute in a very hot wood-fired oven, with a soft, blistered crust and simple toppings. Pizza by the slice is a quick counter meal, with large pies cut into wedges. Pizza-and-donair shops, common in the Prairies and the Maritimes, sell pizza alongside a spiced meat wrap, and many also offer pasta and wings.

Each has its place. A Neapolitan pie suits a sit-down dinner, a slice suits a lunch break, and a combination box suits a hockey night at home.

Where to find the best pizza in Edmonton: Neapolitan pies

Edmonton's wood-fired pizzerias bake in the traditional style, and you will find them from Windermere in the southwest to downtown near Rogers Place. Some pair Neapolitan pies with newer styles and house-made pasta. Read a restaurant's own menu before you go, and judge the pie by the crust, which tells you more than any ranking. Reservations are sensible on weekend evenings.

Pizza by the slice Edmonton: a quick lunch

Slice shops are found downtown, near the university and along Whyte Avenue. A slice is a fast, cheap lunch and a late-night snack, and many shops stay open past midnight on weekends. Look for a counter with several pies on display, and ask for a slice to be reheated so the cheese is hot.

If you are with a group, buy a whole pie, which costs less per slice than individual pieces.

Edmonton pizza and donair: a local combination

In Edmonton, as elsewhere in Alberta and the Maritimes, a donair is a wrap of spiced meat with a sweet sauce, and many shops sell it with pizza. The combination is a convenience-food tradition, and it is especially popular for late-night eating. Shops that sell both are easy to find in every part of the city.

If you want to try the pairing, order a small pizza and a donair and share. Check opening hours, since many close earlier than you might expect.

Edmonton pizza delivery: what to know

Delivery is widely available, from local pizzerias, chains and apps. Compare menus and delivery fees, which can vary. Many local shops have their own delivery drivers, which can mean better service than a third-party app. Tipping the driver is customary, and a tip of ten to fifteen percent is common.

In winter, allow extra time. Snow and cold slow deliveries, and a pizza that arrives lukewarm is better reheated in a hot oven than in a microwave.

What is the best way to compare Edmonton pizzas?

Choose one kind of pizza and eat it at several places. A margherita is the simplest comparison for wood-fired pies, and a plain cheese slice for slice shops. Note the crust, the sauce and the cheese, in that order, and keep your notes short. Eat the pizza within ten minutes of leaving the oven, because the crust changes quickly.

If you are comparing delivery pizza, order the same size and the same toppings, and note how long it took to arrive and how hot it was. A good pizza should survive the trip with a crisp bottom.

Are there gluten-free or vegan pizzas in Edmonton?

Yes. Most Neapolitan restaurants offer a gluten-free base and vegan cheese on request, and some shops have a dedicated gluten-free menu. If you have celiac disease, ask how the kitchen prevents cross-contact, since a shared oven and shared surfaces can be a problem. Vegetarian pizzas with mushrooms, peppers, olives and artichokes are on nearly every menu.

How should you order a good pizza?

Look at the dough first. It should have flavour of its own, a crisp bottom and a chewy edge. Toppings should be fresh and not too heavy. A margherita, with tomato, mozzarella and basil, is the best test of a Neapolitan kitchen, and a plain cheese slice is the test of a slice shop.

Ask about the oven. A wood-fired or very hot oven produces a pizza that cooks quickly and blisters, which is the hallmark of the style.

What goes with pizza in Edmonton?

A green salad with a sharp dressing, a plate of antipasti, local beer or a glass of red wine. Edmonton has a strong craft beer scene, and many pizzerias pour local beer on tap. For a family night, soft drinks, garlic bread and dessert round it out.

Where should you go next?

For another Prairie city's comfort food, read the best perogies in Winnipeg guide and the Saskatchewan food guide. For noodles in the west, see the Vancouver ramen guide. Every city is on the Canada guides page.

Pizza opinions are strong, and a scorecard helps. Get the Mosey app, rate each Edmonton pizza by dish, and keep a list of the ovens you would recommend to a friend.