Comfort food is in high demand these days and it doesn't get much better than a really good pizza. Lucky for us, Hamilton is serving up some seriously delicious pies across the city.
Flora Hamilton
4 Young St, Hamilton
This Roman-style pizzeria will have you coming back for more with their selection of sourdough pizza served by the slice or full pie. Staying true to the Roman-style, the end result is a light but crispy crust that gives you the best crunch with every bite.
Must-try:The Capriciosa is loaded with locally sourced ingredients and flavours including prosciutto, mushrooms, fresh mozzarella, olives, and artichokes.
Shorty’s Pizza
1099 Cannon St. E. Hamilton
When you’re craving a New York slice, head to this east-end pizza parlour for an authentic experience. The classic décor (black and white checkered floors, vintage photos on the walls) will transport you to pizzeria heaven.
Must-try: While you wait for the cheese on your slice to melt in the oven, tuck into an order of hot, fresh Nodini (pizza dough balls, slathered in olive oil, served hot with a side of marinara sauce for dipping).
Chicago Style Pizza
534 Upper Sherman Ave. Hamilton
The original owner began making pizza in the Windy City itself, so there’s no doubt they do deep dish right. Choose between the crispy regular crust, thick crust, or the deep dish stuffed pizza the place was named for. It takes 30 minutes to bake, but it’s worth the wait.
Must-try: The famous Stuffed Pizza is made in a deep dish pan, loaded with cheese and sauce, and sealed off with another layer of dough. The Chicago Special is stuffed with Italian sausage, green pepper and mushroom.
Born & Raised
224 James St. N. Hamilton
Vittorio Colacitti, the chef behind Toronto’s The Good Son restaurant and Top Chef alum, knows a thing or two about wood fired pizza. His oven from Bologna paired with olive oil from Abruzzo makes for a great tasting, authentic pie. The restaurant is also known for its raw bar (think sea bream and steak tartare).
Must-try: For something a little sweet and spicy, try the Monte Pollino. The crispy pork cheek, roasted pineapple, and pickled habaneros is a beloved combo. Ask for chili oil for extra heat.
Valentino’s Restaurant
835 Paramount Drive and 824 King Street West, Hamilton
Valentino’s has been whipping up pizzas since 1978 (and their own craft beer since 2012). They were the first in the city to offer panzerottis and now serve up personal-sized pizzas, a Valentino’s salad that will knock your socks off, and a menu of other homemade Italian dishes.
Must-try: Bring your appetite and order the panzerotti: homemade dough filled with sauce, cheese and toppings, deep-fried or baked, served with a delicious side of sauce.
Sasso
1595 Upper James Street, Hamilton
Sasso encourages you to “mangia” – and pizza is the dish of choice. The seasonal menu includes out-of-the-box combos like the San Frandisco (cured trout, fennel, roasted red peppers, capers, olives) and The Nutty Pig (maple bacon, leeks, mozzarella, and walnuts).
Must-try: Nothing beats the cold like the PePeR-G’S, one of Sasso’s signature ‘zas, topped with pepperoncini, pecorino, rapini, garlic, and sausage. Pair it with one of five house-made dips.
Bardo
258 Locke Street South and 14 James St N, Hamilton
The menu here is varied but the stone-baked pizzas are the star. Like everything on the menu, pizzas are hand-crafted using the finest ingredients. The pizza menu changes (pierogi pizza and umami pizzas are some of the unique options) but you can always build your own.
Must-try: The Vampire Slayer is a crowd pleaser, topped with white sauce, mozza, brie, garlic, lemon and arugula.
CIMA Enoteca
190 Locke Street South, hamilton
Traditional Neapolitan style wood-oven pizza done right is what you can expect at CIMA Enoteca, Locke Street’s Italian restaurant specializing in pizzas and fresh-made pasta. The gorgeous, modern interior makes it a nice date night spot – plus there’s an open view to the kitchen.
Must-try: Dig into a slice of La Cima: mascarpone, fior di latte, roasted garlic, coppa di parma, pecorino romano, arugula, chili flake and lemon-olive oil. Bellissimo!
Bronzie’s Place
201 James Street South, Hamilton
You’ll feel like you’re eating pizza straight from a Nonna’s kitchen here. The pizza is authentically delicious and the weekly specials offer great value.
Must-try: Bronzie’s homemade pesto with ripe tomatoes, feta cheese and fresh spinach are the ingredients in Under the Tuscan Sun, their version of the Margherita with oomph.
Roma Bakery
233 Barton Street, Stoney Creek and various grocery stores across the city
This is strictly a take-out spot, but if you’re looking for an iconic only-in-Hamilton experience, grab one of these famous slabs to go. The bakery distributes its signature cheese-less slab pizzas in white boxes throughout the city, but there’s also baked goods and hot foods at their Stoney-Creek deli.
Must-try: Quintessentially Hamilton, Roma’s slab pizza is made with just bread and sauce (no cheese!).
Baci Ristorante
1530 Stone Church Road East, Hamilton
This Hamilton mountain restaurant on the ground floor of C Hotel by Carmen’s serves up wood-fired Neapolitan pizza in an open kitchen. Try any pizza as a calzone and pair it with house-made dips like truffle aioli, Baci hot dip, and lime sriracha aioli.
Must-try: Baci’s perfectly made Margherita (mozzarella, fior di latte and fresh basil on a tomato base) showcases the beauty and simplicity of a good pizza.
The Attic
89 King Street East, Stoney Creek
This pizza parlour and sports bar is popular for take-out and a casual spot to eat in. Create your own master pie on thin or regular crust or try the Man vs Pizza challenge (eat a 16-inch Attic Special in under 45 minutes and it’s on the house. Apparently, only 45 people have done it since 2003.)
Must-try: For spice-lovers, Devil’s Punch Bowl pizza – a nod to our local waterfall on the nearby escarpment – is topped with pepperoni, hot peppers, bacon, jalapenos, mushrooms, and Frank’s hot sauce.
MaiPai
631 Barton St E, Hamilton
This Barton Street favourite is a first for Hamilton (and anywhere). Detroit style pizza (think thick rectangular dough with cheese right to the edge for a crispy crust, with imaginative toppings like pickles and bacon ranch) paired with Tiki bar inspired Hawaiian cocktails. Together at last!
Must Try: The sides and fries here are worth a special callout. Try their finger-licking good Korean inspired wings and parm or ketchup waffle fries.
Cowabunga Pizzeria
536 Upper Wellington St
30 Vine St
This mighty pizzeria cranks out some of the best pies in the city – out of its flagship takeout counter on the Mountain and its newer dine-in downtown location. They’ve got the classics covered and do them very well (pepperoni and Margherita) and a couple of dreamy new inventions like their popular GG (Garlicky Greens) pizza. They often sell out so make sure to order early to avoid disappointment.
Must Try: Their namesake Cowabunga pizza is topped with pineapple, popcorn chicken, roasted peanuts and has a spicy kick. It works!
Rise Above
274 James St N
Vegans rejoice. Hamilton now has a 100% vegan pizzeria that uses plant-based ingredients and vegan substitutes for meat and cheese toppings and cranks out pies like Pesto Ricotta and Spicy Taco. They've even got vegan (seitan) wings and plenty of inventive subs and wraps.
Must Try: Pick a pie you can feel good about with their Plant Power Pizza, topped with grilled tofu steaks, broccoli, chickpeas, mushrooms, and roasted red pepper.
CARO
4 Ottawa St N and 229 James St.
Expect the same delicious, modern twist on Italian cuisine at both their Ottawa and James Street North locations, including really really good pizzas and lots of them, all available in regular and family sized.
Must Try: A standout here is Caro's mushroom pizza, with truffle butter, woodland mushroom, pickled onion, and cheese on a honey crust.
Martello
298 James St N
Their authentic wood fired pizzas go great with sides like eggplant polenta cakes and fried artichoke.
Must Try: How about a bit of honey drizzled on top of your pizza? If that sounds heavenly, order Martello's Soppressata and Hot Honey pizza.
Tony G’s
30 John St N
Brooklyn-style pizza fans fall hard for these cheesy, gooey slices. Find them right downtown on the corner of John and King William Streets.
Must Try: Their classic pepperoni is a classic for a reason. Find out why friends in Brooklyn call these 'Little Peps' their New York bacon.
Power Pizza
134 Ottawa St N
This comic-inspired east-end spot is a superhero for pizza lovers. Choose from fun pizza flavour combos, crispy wings, hearty salads, and deep-fried sides on this creative menu.
Must Try: The sides are worth a special mention here. Try the garlic parm knots and fried 'shrooms.
Red Door Cucina
21 King St W (rear door)
Find out why locals in the know flock to this small but popular hidden gem in the heart of Dundas for authentic, artisanal wood-fired pizzas.
Must Try: The star here is actually the 'double zero' or very finely milled flour, imported from Italy and used in their gourmet pizza's hand-rolled dough.