Best Pizza in Ottawa
From authentic Neapolitan to late-night NY slices, Ottawa's pizza scene covers serious ground. Here are 5 pizzerias that deliver across different styles.
Ottawa's pizza scene has evolved dramatically over the past decade. Neapolitan arrived around 2015, creative craft pizza exploded in 2020, and NY-style gained serious momentum. Today the city offers world-class examples of virtually every style. Here are 5 pizzerias worth knowing.
1. Farinella — The Neapolitan One
Farinella is Ottawa's destination for authentic Neapolitan pizza. Run by siblings Nina and Cesare Agostini, the restaurant opened in 2019 and quickly became a local favourite.
The signature move is pizza by the meter — order as much as you want, measured on a long wooden board. The dough is hand-stretched daily, the mozzarella is fresh, and the gelato is made in-house.
What to order: Margherita, pizza al metro, pistachio gelato.
Good to know: Mon-Fri 8am-10pm, Sat 8am-11pm. Closed Sundays. Three locations including Little Italy and Kanata.
Neighbourhood: Little Italy / Rochester Street
2. Heartbreakers — The New York One
Heartbreakers brings authentic New York-style pizza to Ottawa. The crust is thin, foldable, and perfectly charred. They use organic stone-milled flour and fresh local ingredients.
The natural wine list is thoughtfully curated. One of the few spots open until 2am on weekends — late-night pizza done right.
What to order: Classic slice, pepperoni, a bottle of natural wine to go.
Good to know: Phone lines open at 2:30pm for same-day orders. Late nights Fri-Sat. Two locations.
Neighbourhood: Parkdale / Wellington West
3. Pizza Nerds — The Creative One
Pizza Nerds hit the scene in 2020 and built a cult following with creative, globally-influenced toppings and multi-day fermented dough. The pizzas are named after Ottawa streets — Maclaren, Lyon, Arlington.
They take pizza seriously without taking themselves too seriously. Vegan cheese and gluten-free crust available.
What to order: The Maclaren, seasonal specials, whatever's new.
Good to know: Two locations (Centretown and Sunnyside). Delivery available.
Neighbourhood: Centretown (Bank Street)
4. Anthony's Pizza — The Wood-Fired One
Anthony's is Ottawa's original Pizza Napoletana. The pizza is baked in a hand-built stone oven, fired by local hardwoods. Old world techniques, no shortcuts.
Featured on Food Network's Top 12 Pizzerias Across Canada, Anthony's has been a Wellington West institution for years.
What to order: Margherita DOC, Diavola, daily special.
Good to know: Sun-Wed 11:30am-9pm, Thu-Sat until 10pm. Reservations on OpenTable.
Neighbourhood: Wellington West / Hintonburg
5. Colonnade Pizza — The Ottawa Classic
Colonnade Pizza is an institution. Established in 1967, it's the standard-bearer for Ottawa-style pizza — thin crust, diverse toppings, no-frills.
Generations of Ottawa families have grown up with Colonnade. Five locations now serve the city, but downtown Metcalfe Street remains the flagship.
What to order: The Colonnade Special, pepperoni, half & half.
Good to know: Daily 11am-9pm. Delivery from all locations.
Neighbourhood: Downtown (Metcalfe Street)
The Quick Comparison
| Pizzeria | Style | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farinella | Neapolitan | Authentic Italian, gelato | $$ |
| Heartbreakers | New York | Late-night slices, natural wine | $$ |
| Pizza Nerds | Creative | Unique toppings, vegan options | $$ |
| Anthony's Pizza | Wood-Fired | Classic Napoletana, date night | $$ |
| Colonnade Pizza | Ottawa Classic | Family dinner, nostalgia | $$ |
Pizza Styles in Ottawa
- Neapolitan — Soft, charred, minimal toppings. Farinella, Anthony's.
- New York — Thin, foldable, by the slice. Heartbreakers.
- Ottawa-Style — Thin crust, diverse toppings, local classic. Colonnade.
- Creative — Chef-driven, seasonal, interesting combos. Pizza Nerds.
Tips
- For a date night — Anthony's or Farinella. Book ahead.
- For late-night — Heartbreakers is open until 2am on weekends.
- For groups — Pizza Nerds Centretown can accommodate large parties.
- For families — Colonnade has five locations and delivery.
- For something different — Pizza Nerds rotates creative specials regularly.
- For gelato too — Farinella makes it in-house.
🍴Featured Restaurants
Farinella
Authentic Neapolitan pizzeria serving pizza by the meter, fresh pasta, and house-made gelato. Family-run with locations in Little Italy, Kanata, and Trainyards.
Heartbreakers Pizza
New York-style pizzeria with thin, foldable slices, natural wines, and late-night hours. Uses organic stone-milled flour and fresh local ingredients.
Pizza Nerds
Creative wood-fired pizzeria with a cult following. Multi-day fermented dough, Ottawa-inspired toppings, and options for vegan and gluten-free eaters.
Anthony's Pizza
Ottawa's original Pizza Napoletana. Wood-fired in a hand-built stone oven using old world techniques. Featured on Food Network's Top 12 Pizzerias Across Canada.
Colonnade Pizza
The original Ottawa-style pizzeria, established in 1967. Thin-crust pizza with diverse toppings and a loyal local following. Five locations across the city.
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