Best Ottawa Pizza; 10 Tasty Spots to Try Now

There are few foods that are as universally loved as pizza. It’s the go-to food of the hungry traveler, a staple for anyone short on time, and a sure-fire meal for picky kids. Ottawa pizza places come in all shapes and sizes, and you’ll find legendary neighbourhood spots and family-owned businesses in every corner of the city. Whether you’re looking for sophisticated thin crust, a hunger crushing deep dish, or a traditional pepperoni and cheese, Ottawa has a pizza place for you.

Farinella

Known for their metre-long pizzas and tasty gelato, Farinella is an Italian powerhouse serving up some of the best pizzas from Ottawa’s Little Italy. Their Roman-style pizzas are some of the best in town, and come in amazing topping combinations for both vegetarians and meat lovers. While their eye-catching metre-long pizzas are their specialty, you can also order by the half-metre, and slices are available during the lunch hour only. Ordering your pizza in advance is essential to avoid pizza disappointment; Farinella makes their dough daily, so once it runs out, so do the pies.

Anthony’s

Named one the “Top 12 pizzas across Canada” by the Food Network, Anthony’s is the spot to go for wood-fired pizza Napoletana. Using old world dough-making techniques, fresh simple ingredients, and a hand-built stone oven, Anthony’s creates authentic Italian pizzas worth the trip to Ottawa. Choose a red or white pie, add on a fresh salad, side pasta, or wood-fired wings, and enjoy a feast with friends.

Stay Gold Pizza

If Detroit-Style Pizza thick crust is your jam, then Stay Gold Pizza is your spot. Choose from the classic pepperoni and cheese, to cheekily-named pizzas like the Hawaian Shirt, Notorious P.I.G., and Mission ImPESTOble. Stay Gold is also gluten-free friendly, with a gluten-free pizza menu (doughs made with gluten-free flour) and their fryers are only used for gluten-free cooking.

The Grand Pizzeria

Tucked into a historic stone building dating back to 1882, the Grand Pizzeria is a mainstay on Ottawa’s pizza scene. Located in the heart of the ByWard Market, this cozy restaurant serves up authentic wood-fired pizza Napoletana, fresh pastas, salads and desserts. They also have a dedicated kid’s menu (which includes pizza), a healthy-sized drink menu for adults, and a large all-season patio allowing you to people watch with a pie.

Heartbreakers Pizza

A favourite among everyone in Ottawa’s hip Hintonburg community, Heartbreakers pizza and wine is an easygoing neighbourhood pizza shop with flair. With a small, simple, yet tasty menu, their pizza creations can be enjoyed with a glass of vino in their unpretentious pizza parlour, or packed up for a pizza party at home.  

Louis Pizza

Simple, classic and delicious are the words that describe Louis Pizza, one of the best-kept secrets in Ottawa. This family-owned pizzeria in Ottawa’s Vanier neighbourhood serves up traditional, no-nonsense pizzas in all the classic varieties – you won’t find kale on your pizza here. They also offer an extensive menu with soups, sandwiches, subs, pastas, burgers and all-day breakfast. Don’t forget to save room for their irresistible desserts including coconut cream pie, cheesecake and banana splits.

Tennessy Willems

“Good food, good drinks, and good friends”, is the motto at Ottawa pizza hot-spot Tennessy Willems. With its warm sophisticated interior, this suave pizza restaurant in Ottawa’s Hintonburg neighbourhood is perfect for those with a more refined palate. Enjoy a wood-fired creation with well-designed topping combinations like wild boar sausage and caramelized apple, pear and gorgonzola, or baby spinach and goat cheese. Add on a cocktail or local draft to complete the night out.

Pizza Nerds

Born out of the need for online pizza in 2020, Pizza Nerds has become a beloved pizza spot for locals in Ottawa. Their pizzas are named after well-known streets in the city like the Arlington Donair Pizza, Queen Elizabeth Goat Cheese Pizza, and the Albert Kimchi pizza. Pizza Nerds is open for both takeout and delivery from their two locations; the original location in Centretown and a new spot in Old Ottawa South.

Colonnade Pizza

Colonnade Pizza is an Ottawa institution, with its pizza roots dating back to 1967. A totally unique pizza experience, the Colonnade Pizza has a distinct thick and heavy crust, topped high with cheese, hiding toppings in between. As most locals will tell you, you’ll either love it or hate it, however it’s longevity on the local pizza scene proves these tasty pies are here to stay.

Isabella Pizza

With over 50 years of pizza-making expertise, Isabella Pizza is a veteran on the Ottawa pizza scene. Create your own pizza or try a pre-loaded option piled high with fresh toppings in classic and inventive combinations. Located in the neighbourhood of the Glebe just steps from the Rideau Canal, this is the perfect place to pick up a pie for a picnic in the park.