Best Pizza in Phoenix: Neapolitan, Wood Fired and Slices

The best pizza in Phoenix owes a lot to one downtown pizzeria whose Neapolitan pies put the city on the national map. Since then the valley has grown a full pizza scene, with wood-fired ovens, patios and slice shops from downtown to Scottsdale and Tempe.

What is the best pizza in Phoenix?

Start downtown, where the Neapolitan pizzeria that started the scene draws a line before it opens. North Central Phoenix has pizzerias in converted historic buildings, and restored houses with patios turn dinner into an evening. The valley is large, so decide which part of town suits you before choosing.

What makes Phoenix wood fired pizza different?

Phoenix wood fired pizza starts in an oven that can reach very high temperatures. The pie cooks in one to two minutes and comes out with a soft, blistered crust and a char that adds bitterness and smoke. In the desert, a wood-fired oven also adds an unmistakable aroma to the dining room.

Neapolitan pizza uses a short list of ingredients: flour, water, salt and yeast for the dough, plus tomato, mozzarella and basil. Simple pies are the best test. A good margherita should be wet in the center, with a puffed edge and no heavy toppings.

Where do you find Phoenix pizza by the slice?

Phoenix pizza by the slice is a smaller part of the scene than whole pies, but slice shops exist, especially near downtown and in college areas. They serve a few styles in a hurry, which suits a quick lunch or an evening out.

Order a plain cheese slice to judge the dough and the sauce. If the shop reheats slices, ask for yours to be well done so the crust crisps. A fold is the polite way to eat a slice, and a paper plate is all you need.

Is Scottsdale pizza worth the drive?

Scottsdale pizza has its own following. The city is known for resort dining and patios, and several pizzerias there offer a more relaxed pace than the downtown places. A drive from central Phoenix takes less time than many visitors expect, and it can be a pleasant way to see another part of the valley.

Check before you travel, since hours and menus change. If you are staying in Old Town, a short ride can reach several restaurants, and a stroll after dinner makes a good evening.

Where is the best Phoenix pizza near downtown?

Phoenix pizza near downtown is a strong area to begin, because it includes the most famous names and some of the newer places. Downtown also has museums, ball games and concerts, which makes it easy to pair a meal with an event.

Try to go at an off-peak time. A late lunch or an early dinner is easier than a Friday night. If a line is long, put your name on the list and walk a block or two.

How do you beat the heat and the waits?

Phoenix summers can be punishing, and a long wait outside is no fun. If the pizzeria has a patio with misters, take it. If not, go inside and ask for a seat at the bar. Summer midday is the hottest time, so aim for early evening, and bring water.

In the cooler months, patios are lovely and often the most popular tables. Reservations help where they are offered, and a weekday visit is usually easier than a weekend.

What should you order for a group?

Share two or three pies. Start with a margherita, add a pie with sausage or mushrooms and finish with a pie with greens or a seasonal topping. A salad and a plate of antipasti balance the table. Ask for the crust to be well done if you like it crisp. Pizza is a sharing food, so a table of four with three pies and a salad covers a lot of ground without anyone feeling stuffed.

Take leftovers home if you have them. Cold pizza has its fans, and a slice reheated in a hot pan with a lid gets the crust crisp again and the cheese soft. Wrap it in foil in the cooler, because the desert heat is unkind to a box left in a car.

If someone in the group avoids gluten or dairy, ask the server in advance. Some kitchens offer alternatives, and others cannot avoid cross contact in a wood oven.

What else should you eat in the Southwest?

For a romantic evening, read the date night restaurants in Phoenix and Scottsdale guide, and for dishes beyond pizza, try the Southwest regional foods guide. A longer trip can start with New Mexico food worth a drive. The US guides page lists more.

How do you decide which Phoenix pizzeria deserves a second trip?

A pizza opinion is hard to hold from memory, especially after a hot day and a long wait. In the Mosey app you rate each pie by the dish: crust, sauce, char. The margherita that was wet in the middle in Tempe and the one with the perfect blistered edge downtown both keep their scores.

Keep a Phoenix pizza list with a line on each crust, share it with the friend who owes you a dinner and see which pies the people you follow rate highest. Next time a margherita lands on the table, open the Mosey app and score it while the cheese is still hot.