We visit every pizzeria at least twice, ordering a range of items from classic pepperoni to specialty pies. Each review evaluates crust quality, cheese blend, sauce, toppings, value, and overall experience. All meals are paid for by our editorial team.
Tony's Deep Dish
Kensington Market, Toronto · $$ · Dine-in & Takeout
Tony's Deep Dish has been a Kensington Market staple since 2014, and it's easy to see why the lineup often stretches down the block. Their signature deep dish features a thick, buttery crust that's baked to a perfect golden brown in cast-iron pans. The generous layer of whole-milk mozzarella melts into a stretchy, gooey blanket that covers chunky pieces of Italian sausage and house-sliced pepperoni.
The tomato sauce is where Tony's truly shines — it's made from San Marzano tomatoes simmered with garlic and fresh basil, applied on top of the cheese in true Chicago fashion. We ordered the Classic Meat Lover and the Margherita Deep Dish on both visits. The crust held up beautifully during takeout, arriving hot and ready with no soggy bottom. The cheese blend is rich without being greasy, and every bite delivers a satisfying crunch from the caramelized edges.
The Verdict: If you're craving a serious deep dish experience without boarding a flight to Chicago, Tony's is your answer. The portions are generous, the ingredients are clearly fresh, and the value is excellent for downtown Toronto.
Northern Crust
Highway 11, Barrie · $$$ · Dine-in Only
Northern Crust is the kind of place that makes you rethink everything you know about pizza in small-town Ontario. Chef Laura Beaulieu ferments her sourdough base for 72 hours, yielding a crust that's tangy, chewy, and impossibly light. Each pie is topped with ingredients sourced from farms within a 100-kilometre radius, and you can taste the difference.
The standout is their Pepperoni & Honey — a combination that sounds odd but works brilliantly. The spicy, slightly smoky pepperoni from a local butcher is balanced by a drizzle of wildflower honey from a Simcoe County apiary. The cheese blend of fior di latte and aged provolone adds depth. We also tried the Wild Mushroom pie, featuring foraged chanterelles and a truffle cream base. Both were exceptional.
The Verdict: Northern Crust is worth the drive from Toronto. The commitment to local sourcing, the artisan craftsmanship, and the warm, rustic dining room make this one of the best pizza experiences in Ontario. Our only caution: they don't take reservations and close when the dough runs out.
Maple Leaf Pizza Co
ByWard Market, Ottawa · $$ · Dine-in, Takeout & Delivery
Maple Leaf Pizza Co wears its Canadian identity proudly — from the red-and-white decor to a menu that reads like a cross-country food tour. The "Coast to Coast" pie tops a thin, crispy crust with Alberta beef pepperoni, Quebec cheese curds, PEI potato slices, and a sprinkle of Manitoba wild rice. It sounds ambitious, and it mostly works.
The crust is consistently thin and crisp, holding up well under the weight of generous toppings. The cheese blend — a mix of Ontario cheddar and mozzarella — provides good melt and flavour. Their classic pepperoni is a reliable choice for takeout: it arrives hot and ready, the cheese still bubbling. Where they lose a point is in the sauce, which can taste slightly too sweet for our liking, particularly on the BBQ Chicken variation.
The Verdict: A solid, crowd-pleasing pizzeria that delivers on its patriotic promise. The Canadian-themed toppings are more than a gimmick — they're genuinely tasty. Best for takeout and casual dine-in. The Parliament Hill location offers great views from the patio in summer.
Fireside Pies
Gastown, Vancouver · $$$ · Dine-in & Takeout
Fireside Pies brings authentic Neapolitan pizza to the cobblestoned streets of Gastown. Owner Marco Di Palma trained in Naples for two years before opening this cozy, 30-seat spot in 2019. The centrepiece is a hand-built wood-fired oven imported from Italy, which reaches 900°F and cooks each pie in just 90 seconds.
The Margherita DOP is the benchmark here — San Marzano tomato sauce, imported buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil on a blistered, pillowy crust with beautiful leopard-spotted charring. The Diavola adds spicy Calabrian 'nduja and Sicilian chili flakes for a fiery kick. We loved the simplicity of their Bianca — ricotta, garlic, lemon zest, and arugula.
The Verdict: If you appreciate authentic Neapolitan pizza, Fireside Pies is a must-visit. The attention to tradition is evident in every element. Note that pies are intentionally soft in the centre — that's the Neapolitan way. Pair with one of their curated Italian wines for the full experience.
Prairie Pie Company
Kensington, Calgary · $ · Takeout & Delivery
Prairie Pie Company is a no-frills, family-run takeout joint in Calgary's Kensington neighbourhood. Don't come here expecting artisan sourdough or imported Italian flour — what you'll get is an honest, hearty, and incredibly affordable pie that hits the spot after a long day on the ski slopes or at the Stampede.
Their large pepperoni is just $14.99 and feeds three adults easily. The crust is a medium thickness with a slight chew, and it holds up well during delivery. The pepperoni cups and crisps nicely, pooling with flavourful oil. The cheese blend is heavy on the mozzarella, providing the classic stretch you want. Their "Prairie Special" — beef, green peppers, onion, and mushroom — is the local favourite and comes hot and ready within 20 minutes for pickup.
The Verdict: Prairie Pie Company won't win any awards for innovation, but it delivers exactly what it promises: generous, tasty pizza at working-class prices. Perfect for game nights, family dinners, and anyone who believes the best pizza is the one you don't have to overthink.
La Belle Pizza
Plateau Mont-Royal, Montréal · $$ · Dine-in, Takeout & Delivery
La Belle Pizza serves Montreal-style pizza — a category that's having a well-deserved moment in Canada's food scene. The hallmark of their pies is the crust: thicker than New York, thinner than deep dish, with a soft, almost cake-like texture that comes from their use of a slower rising process with high-moisture dough.
The "All-Dressed" is the quintessential Montreal order: pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, and their house cheese blend of mozzarella and cheddar. The toppings are loaded edge to edge — no skimping here. The sauce strikes a good balance between sweet and tangy, with visible herbs throughout. We also recommend the Smoked Meat pizza, which uses genuine Montreal smoked meat, Swiss cheese, and a mustard-infused sauce. It's polarizing, but we found it brilliant.
The Verdict: La Belle Pizza is a love letter to Montreal's unique pizza tradition. The portions are enormous, the prices are fair, and the late-night hours (open until 3 AM on weekends) make it a favourite for post-show crowds from the nearby comedy clubs. Delivery via their own drivers means your pie arrives fast and in great shape.