What were you expecting? A list of places where the crust is just a vehicle for truffle oil and the menu reads like a parody of Italian authenticity? Although tempting, that’s not really Mesa. This is a city where pizza traditions from different neighborhoods T-bone each other to create the beautiful, cheesy traffic jam that is so specifically Mesa. And these 12 spots all represent that in some delicious way.
Pizzicata Pizzeria Ristorante Mesa
$$ | (480) 648-1094 | WEBSITE
For many Italian-Americans in Mesa, Pizzicata feels like home. It’s a place where authentic tradition meets local Arizona life, creating dishes like imported burrata and wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas. This restaurant tells the specific but shared story of those who grew up craving both classic Italian flavors and the relaxed vibe of a golf course sunset. Pizzicata is the place that asked, ‘Why not have the best of both?’ (with a young pizzaiolo from Naples and scenic patio views).
The menu highlights like the Meatballs and daily bread are consistent, so you might not always catch the live music, but you’re guaranteed to enjoy something that feels both deeply familiar and wonderfully fresh: true Italian cuisine.
Master Pizza
$ | (480) 838-2368 | WEBSITE
Master Pizza isn’t on this list just because they make the best pizza in Mesa, the pizza capital of Arizona (despite what Phoenix claims). In fact, we think their calzone is even better. But they’re on this list because Master Pizza imports their own cheese, makes their own tomato sauce, and handcrafts their own dough. This is the quintessential mom-and-pop playbook.
You take something classic or familiar and perfect it until you create something truly memorable that you and your neighborhood can be proud of. It’s the American dream—in the form of a pizza slice.
RedLine Pizzeria
$ | (480) 649-5500 | WEBSITE
Like a lot of locals, the St. Patrick’s pizza wasn’t born in Mesa—but it grew up here. And good luck finding one like RedLine’s outside of this city. Seriously: name one Arizona town with a pizza like this. RedLine makes our favorite version in the area, and it’s also the pizzeria that really introduced Mesa to the St. Patrick’s pizza: a delicious combination of classic toppings that kids absolutely love.
But RedLine took this family favorite and embraced the American tradition of throwing all sorts of sides at it. You can order your meal with wings, salad, mozzarella sticks, or all of the above.
Pacino’s Restaurant
$$ | (480) 985-0114 | WEBSITE
Pacino’s Restaurant isn’t your standard Italian joint. Of the entire menu, only one pasta appears. The rest are homemade dishes featuring classics like lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, and chicken piccata—all paired with lively music that fills the air while your feet tap from live acoustic guitar. Even though the flavors are inspired by Italian cuisine, you won’t find these dishes anywhere in Rome. You won’t find them in New York or Chicago either.
Their bruschetta is made with local produce like heirloom tomatoes. And the peerless comfort on display has evolved in Mesa, from a small family kitchen to the Pacino’s Restaurant of today.
Twisted Pies Pizzeria
$ | (480) 699-8022 | WEBSITE
Twisted Pies Pizzeria feels engineered to trigger core memories for anyone who’s ever shared a pizza while listening to soft jazz in a cozy neighborhood spot. So, just about every family in Mesa’s culinary landscape. This is a welcoming restaurant filtered through a suburban aesthetic, with straightforward pizza craftsmanship.
But Twisted Pies’ location in one of Arizona’s most family-friendly cities does peek through in details like the ability to customize pizzas by selecting toppings for each half. There aren’t many pizzerias left that appeal to several different generations of Mesa residents. But here you’ll see parents on date night next to two teenagers unloading gossip between bites of margherita pizza—and every one of them is grateful to live in a city where this kind of place just makes sense.
Venezia’s Pizzeria
$ | (480) 396-2000 | WEBSITE
Pizza is not unique to Mesa. But finding a family-friendly pizzeria as good as this spot feels pretty special. The commitment to quality is quite literally the outcome of a real family business that has been serving the community for years. Make sure you order the meat pizza, which is generous, made with fresh dough, and topped with premium ingredients. This restaurant is the very definition of a local neighborhood favorite.
There are just a handful of booths and a mix of very happy families enjoying the affordable 2 slices with a drink deal, plus a couple regulars chatting it up with the attentive staff who won’t let you leave without trying their famous chocolate cake.
Hungry Howie’s Pizza
$ | (480) 380-0500 | WEBSITE
It’s a Mesa pizza joint serving American classics with flavored crusts and stuffed edges, managed by a dedicated leader. This is the kind of straightforward value that produces the satisfying meals you’ll find at Hungry Howie’s. The deals rotate regularly, but there’s always some cheesy throughline with pies featuring the Howie Special and an antipasto salad with Blue Cheese dressing for starters. Howie’s is the first of its kind in this neighborhood.
And yet, it works here because if we can appreciate a manager like Ms. Cyndi for her hard work, who are we to question a medium pizza with fresh ingredients at a great price?
Streets of New York
$ | (480) 986-6175 | WEBSITE
Streets of New York is one of those restaurants we struggle to describe, because language does not yet exist to do the job. But it tastes like Mesa. They rely heavily on classic comfort foods and do entirely satisfying things with them. They turn garlic crispy fries—a side most of us only get as an afterthought—into an exceptional appetizer. Generous seasonal salads are covered in fresh mozzarella, and thin-crust pizzas become once-in-a-lifetime meal moments.
A dinner here might include an alfredo sauce with sausage, a dressed-up version of the manager’s favorite Greek salad, and toppings straight from their quality-focused kitchen.
Red White and Brew
$$ | (480) 807-9393 | WEBSITE
Red White and Brew is a delightful pizza restaurant in Mesa. But what makes it stand out in this city isn’t just its commitment to serving hot, fresh food in a clean space, even during recent construction. It’s the way this place makes a meal feel uniquely ours. Sometimes, this is literally because we’re treated like family. On a birthday visit, the manager brought over a complimentary slice of brownie ice cream cake, just because.
But this is also the only pizza spot we know that’s serving a great French onion soup alongside their calzones and decent wings. And instead of sticking to predictable pies, they offer a nice arugula salad that pairs perfectly with everything. The patio with water misters makes it ideal for a date night or catching a game with friends, and the attentive staff keeps drinks filled without asking.
For around $15-25 per person, you get good portion sizes in a well-lit space that never feels overly salty or rushed. It’s definitely worth a visit for a quality meal that feels both special and familiar.
Sourdough Pizza Italian Restaurant
$ | (480) 985-6658 | WEBSITE
Sourdough Pizza Italian Restaurant is where Mesa’s pizza scene meets San Francisco’s. It’s a place where the crust has a crispy bottom and pillowy end, and the mini pizzas are served with a wide variety of toppings to suit every taste. But this spot goes beyond just great pizza. It sources its signature sourdough crust straight from San Francisco. That’s what makes it feel so authentic. Eating here means you’re actually tasting that distinct sourdough character through every bite.
It’s the restaurant equivalent to pulling a perfect, golden loaf from your own oven, tearing off that first warm piece, and savoring that comforting chew. The friendly staff creates a warm atmosphere where conversation flows easily, even with hearing aids. While one order might miss the cheese, that’s a rare slip in what’s otherwise the best pizza I’ve ever eaten.
Organ Stop Pizza
$ | (480) 813-5700 | WEBSITE
We’ve spent considerable time debating how to categorize Organ Stop Pizza. The reason this Mesa family spot feels slightly unclassifiable is because it’s offering something completely singular to Arizona. The experience here is a puzzle. It’s elaborate yet straightforward, innovative and distinctive, but welcoming and recognizable to regulars. It captures all the elements that make this place so exceptional.
How else could you imagine a casual pizza restaurant that features a live organist performing requests, kids dancing freely in the aisles, or a perfect crust with fresh ingredients—all while classic tunes and contemporary hits fill the air? In many respects, Organ Stop Pizza is the quintessential example for this entire list.
L J’s Pizza Patio
$ | (480) 834-9164 | WEBSITE
Growing up in Mesa means Friday nights at the local pizza joint, sharing a large pepperoni pie with extra cheese, and dipping the crusts in ranch dressing until they’re gone. Maybe a parent even sneaks an extra slice onto your plate when you’re not looking. You can find professional versions of all these classics at L J’s Pizza Patio. They’ve got a barbecue pizza that mixes smoky sauce, pulled chicken, and red onions into a crispy crust.
But the pizza shop doesn’t just stick to the traditional stuff. There’s also a taco pizza with seasoned beef, lettuce, tomatoes, and a drizzle of sour cream.