SLICE YOUR WAY THROUGH LONG BEACH: 6 PIZZA PLACES YOU CAN’T MISS
When it comes to pizza, you’d think there’s no wrong way to do such a beloved food. However, the ongoing debate about whether pineapple truly belongs on pizza says otherwise.
Regardless of whether you like pineapple on your pie, we know you want good pizza, which is why we’ve rounded up a list of the very best pizza joints in Long Beach.
NOTE: You may want to put on some stretch pants for this list.
MICHAEL’S ON NAPLES
Michael’s on Naples is one of the most well-known pizza places in Long Beach. The restaurant uses high-quality ingredients sourced from local farms and make their pizza — and everything else (pasta, sauces, mozzarella, gelato, etc.) — from scratch to give it an authentic taste. Michael’s has won numerous accolades including a handful of top Zagat ratings. Some popular choices are the Prosciutto e Arugula pizza, the Carbonara Pizza, or the Pistacchio e Stracciatella Pizza.
THUNDERBOLT PIZZA
Thunderbolt Pizza offers classic Brooklyn-style pizza made with high quality ingredients and cold fermented dough. They also serve hot wings, wine, and beer and add new items to the menu regularly. Guests have said that the Bixby Butcher, the Sicilian Kiss, the Margherita, and the Garlic Knots are fantastic! We personally love their Sweet + Spicy and BBQ Chicken Pizza and find both pair perfectly with their house made ranch.
LITTLE COYOTE
With “Pizza That Doesn’t Suck” as their motto, you know Little Coyote has to be good. This restaurant offers no fuss New York-style pizza made old school —hand-stretched, thin crust, and foldable. They believe in good quality food and drink at an affordable price (making it the perfect place to bring the entire fam). Grandma Squares, Papa Joe, and the classic Queen Margherita are crowd favorites.
LONG BEACH BEER LAB
Long Beach Beer Lab is a craft brewery and pizza place that offers a unique dining experience. Coming from a “Place of Pure Imagination,” this restaurant produces mouthwatering pizza that will have you coming back for more. Not only do they serve their famous pizza, they also bake their own bread and pastries. Fun fact: LBBL is also known for their uniquely star shaped pizza.
LA PAROLACCIA OSTERIA
La Parolaccia Osteria is a family-owned Italian restaurant that offers a variety of dishes, including pizza (obvi). The name itself means a “down-to-earth establishment” where friends and family gather to enjoy great food and occasionally even let out a “parolaccia” (a bad word). The owners are from Rome, bringing authentic Italian cuisine to LB and treating everyone like family in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
OTTIMO PIZZERIA
Ever since Ottimo Pizzeria quietly opened its doors post pandemic, it has been paying homage to the classic mom and pop pizza parlor. To create their menu, the owners scoured the globe, traveling as far as New York to find the perfect pizzas. They offer 14 or 18-inch Neapolitan-style pizzas on hand-tossed dough with housemade sauces. The Meat Amore, Fungi, Kalua Pork, and Nutella pizza are fan favorites.
