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    Bare Knuckle Pizza

    4.5 (247 reviews)
    ModeratePizza
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Order Bare Knuckle Pizza Takeout or Delivery

    Bare Knuckle Pizza Photos

    Business Info

    BARE KNUCKLE PIZZA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Bare Knuckle Pizza

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    Reviews With Photos

    Ann C.

    Ok pizza alone would get a 5 - appreciate what they're dishing out! Just don't dine here if you can help it. They have indoor seating up a precarious set of stairs - great that they offer something since the pizza is best enjoyed immediately out the over - but the ambiance is quite lackluster (and smells oddly...cheesy??). Service was also close to non-existent. So just come for the good food!

    Stephanie W.

    My favs: TKO pizza with sausage, TNT (sans Thai chiles because I'm a wuss--LOL), David Mack, and fresh peach (seasonal). Since dining in has been closed since pandemic, I order half-baked pies ahead of arrival; my wait is minimal and I finish baking at home. Been a satisfied regular since 2017, when they opened.

    Inside dining upstairs.
    Lionel C.

    I had seen the lines at Bare Knuckle and, with curiosity piqued, I knew I had to one day give it a try. I went back but was disappointed after walking up to take a look that I didn't see any seats, and it appeared to be solely a take out joint. I don't like taking a pie home as a first impression because I know time in the box with its inevitable steam will alter the crust and the taste. I walked away disappointed. That was a couple years ago, and since I tried just about every other highly rated pizza haunt in the East Bay, I was seriously thinking of returning to Bare Knuckle and braving the take out route. Maybe hurriedly stealing bites from a slice in my car to make my tasting verdict. As I was being pulled to this last resort, I decided to go through Bare Knuckle's yelp pics. It was then I noticed there were tables with smiling diners! All this time there was seating?? Yes, there was! Upstairs in fact. Thank you my fellow yelpers and your sweet camera work! So I headed over. It's still set up like a mid-pandemic to-go spot with it's ordering table across the door. But after asking, they did indeed have an upstairs dining area, and they let me in to head up there. Reaching it, I saw that it was relatively small, but there were open tables and seats, and I gladly took one. The narrow, spiraling-high staircase to floor two totally gave speak-easy vibes. All that was missing was a fake phone booth in front of it. My order, The Roman, came oven hot. At first, the encompassing mesh of parmesan slivers hid the ingredients and put me off because I like to see what's on my pizza. But it turned out to be a masterful culinary stroke, veiling for surprise the beauty of the enticing ingredients underneath. Usually, the protein on the pizza is the star, but not in this case. There was no one star in this cast of sausage, red sauce, onions and mushrooms, but they were all brilliant support players making the pizza as a whole the star. The crust with its pillowing fluffy edges and a middle evincing a strong hearty chew and a hint of seasoning was the perfect stage. I usually take home a slice but couldn't resist enjoying the rest of this tantalizing performance hot until the curtain call.

    Margherita with pepperoni
    Michael L.

    This was my first time trying Bare Knuckle Pizza. They are open Thursday to Saturday from 5pm to 9pm, so it's a fairly small window in order to try them out. I was thinking, I wish that was how much I could work secularly with the same pay, I think I'd be a pretty happy person. That being said I ordered three pizzas: Margherita: tomato sauce (from locally grown tomatoes), fresh mozz, parm, extra-virgin olive oil. DAVID MACK: sauce, fresh mozz, pepperoni, prosciutto, parm, and fresh basil. Sweet Revenge: sauce, mozz, pepperoni, chili, and honey. All the pizzas were solid. Pizzas were prepared quickly. Very small for close to $20 per pizza but I guess inflation is to blame. Overall a decent pizza but not my favorite.

    Double real pepperoni with vegan cheese! So good!
    M N.

    Delicious! Bubbly crisp crust with the right amount of chew, combined with a robust red sauce. The best part is that they accommodate a wide range of dietary preferences (from vegan, to dairy free, to gluten free). Our go to is their double real pepperoni with vegan cheese. Because they use Butcher's Son vegan moz and know the perfect amount to melt on top, it's literally the closest you'll get to a real cheese pizza! Their vegan TKO is really special too. Plus, super nice owner and staff! An Oakland gem!

    Andrew L.

    First off, they make solid pizzas with a range of toppings/flavors. However, it comes with a caveat: For better or for worse, the pizza isn't greasy and doesn't feel too heavy. But you have to go in knowing this since a lot of us expect a greasy salty indulgence when we try a new pizza place. Small size for the price. Again, still delicious. Street parking only, watch your car closely since it's in downtown Oakland.

    Kids ""cheese"
    Y S.

    While visiting from SoCal we got some pizza delivered from here to our hotel. I really liked that they had so many vegan options. The crusts were all a little too done, but the flavors were spot on. My husband liked the mushroom truffle one. We called to see if the margherita pizza could be just regular cheese for the kids but they must have misunderstood bc it was still the fancy mozzarella so the kids didn't want it :( the vegan margherita pizza was fantastic!

    Margherita

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    Business owner information

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    Viet N.

    Thanks for the write up! We still offer indoor dining btw.

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    7 months ago

    Best pizza in Oakland ...... typing more to hit some stupid limit for yelp...... great pizza iykyk

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    3 years ago

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    8 months ago

    The people that run this restaurant is amazing. The pizza is good also. I'm hooked on the mushroom one.

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    5 months ago

    If you are avoiding seed oils and want a good healthy option this is the place as long as u avoid the vegan meats!

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    6 months ago

    Our favorite pizza in Oakland! Great vegan options, nice staff, wish we could eat it every night.

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    9 months ago

    So many vegan options! Three of us got different types of pizza and all were wonderful!

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    2 years ago

    This place is amazing! Best pizza in the bay! Local flavor, all fresh, cool staff. You gotta go.

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    2 years ago

    Delicious! Just mouthwatering good Neapolitan pizza. Lots of selection for vegetarians and d vegans which i appreciate.

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Bare Knuckle Pizza

    Is the vegan cheese also nut free?

    Our vegan cheese is cashew based. We source it locally from The Butcher’s Son in Berkeley.

    What size in inches is the pie?

    About 10-11 inches diameter. They put it in a 12.5-inch box.

    Hey there. Does anyone know if the gluten-free crust is also vegan? Thanks!

    Correct! That crust is vegan and gluten free

    Can some enlighten me on prices?

    Prices range from $14-$19 depending on the type of pizza. There are also a few toppings that cost extra. The prices are listed on the menu on the website.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    June's Pizza - Special: Pepperoni ($36) was just as amazing as the margarita but elevated with thick slices of meaty pepperoni!

    June's Pizza

    4.5(331 reviews)
    1.5 miWest Oakland
    $$

    We found this gem during the height of Covid and have not turned back, back when you would call and…read moreshow up at pick up time. I'd be lying if I say I don't dream about this cheese crusted pizza. Every time I come, I realize I don't come enough and dread the thought of it going away again. The cheese? Fresh AF. The dough? DOUGHY and crunchy and everything you'd want in a pizza dough . The sauce? UHMAZING. I see food outlets highlighting this pizza and I'm conflicted- I want to ensure the success of June's while simultaneously keeping this my little Hidden gem. Until next time, June's.

    Finally had the chance to the June's pizza!…read more Located near a brewery (perfect combo... pizza and beer) June's pizza is a fast pace pizza restaurant where there's not a lot of option to choose from. Margherita, pepperoni or their weekly special. Straight to the point and full of cheese. Service is quick and seamless, you order, you pay and you wait either for takeout or dine in. Though not a lot of tables, I feel as if it's better suited to take to go to maybe eat with beer next door or even to take home! I got the 1/2 margherita and 1/2 pepperoni. It hit the spot and defo satisfied my pizza cravings. Cooked in a wood oven pizza, drizzled with olive oil on the crust- it was beautiful, magnificent and delicious. I was truly in awe watching the process of making the pizza tbh Not quite sure if I'd go back due to the lack of parking but defo worth the wait for pizza! Bay Area staple

    Photos
    June's Pizza - Wood oven

    Wood oven

    June's Pizza - Margherita ($32) was fantastic! Love the fresh basil and shredded cheese. Crust is fluffy like Neapolitan but slices as large as NY!

    Margherita ($32) was fantastic! Love the fresh basil and shredded cheese. Crust is fluffy like Neapolitan but slices as large as NY!

    June's Pizza - Margherita pizza

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    Margherita pizza

    Spinning Dough - Menu (1/2)

    Spinning Dough

    4.6(504 reviews)
    1.3 miWest Oakland
    $$

    So sad that Spinning Dough will be closing their Oakland restaurant on April 20. Had to stop by one…read moremore time for a round of pizzas. Jeff, the owner and pizza maker, is so nice, warmly welcoming us upon arrival and inquired if we'd prefer indoor or outdoor seating. Beautiful day so opted for outdoor on their expansive back patio. Miso mushroom - new to me, savory and bright flavor. Yuzu and lemon acidity cuts into the savory of the mushroom and miso. Might be one of my new favorites. Soppresata - an OG item on the menu and one of my favorites. Simple classic pizza with soppresata topped with scallions and honey. Savory, sweet. The honey is perfect on this pizza. Longanisa - Filipino inspired with longanisa, baked egg, and tomato. Savory and sweet. Heaviest of the three pizzas. Comes with a side of sweet vinegar to drizzle on top. All three of these pizzas easily are favorites for me. They're super large and best to share with 2-3 people. All thin crust. 6 of us had these three pizzas and were able to finish it but were super stuffed. Wishing the best to Jeff and Spinning Dough's next adventure.

    I have been wanting to try this place for a while, but it took the news of them closing to get me…read morethere. At least I got to go a couple times before they closed and was able to try all the unique flavors that I wanted to try. The first time I went was with my family. We got a whole Ube pizza. The taste was good, and love the uniqueness of it. Even the dough is purple! There weren't that many people there when we went, so the service was quick. My second visit was closing weekend with a group of friends. I got to try two more flavors recommended by the server during my first visit - blackberry and longanisa. Both were very good in different ways. I think I preferred the blackberry slightly over longanisa. They had a lot of take out orders that day, and we got the last white dough (there were still Ube). Good thing we got what we got. Even though they were super busy, the service was still quick and pizza came out fast. I heard they opened up again in San Francisco but for take out only. So glad they reopened because after having the amazing pizzas right before they closed on Oakland, my friends and I were sad that we didn't go sooner. Can't wait to try again in the future.

    Photos
    Spinning Dough - Menu (2/2)

    Menu (2/2)

    Spinning Dough - Soppressata pizza

    Soppressata pizza

    Spinning Dough

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    Pizzeria Violetta

    Pizzeria Violetta

    4.3(35 reviews)
    1.5 miWest Oakland

    Pizzeria Violetta in the Prescott Market is such a great addition. They're doing a really…read moreincredible Oakland Restaurant Week (3/12-22) deal for $35 including one 18-inch specialty pizza, one entrée salad, and FOUR chocolate chip sea salt cookies (on weekdays only) during dinner hours around 4p-9p. We came, we saw, we ate, we conquered. Awesome deal, and those cookies...a huge win and crowd-pleaser. We did the Classic Caesar Salad and the Sweet Little Pig Pizza (pepperoni, brown sugar candied bacon, house made tomato sauce, cheese, basil). Loved the inclusion of the brown sugar candied bacon! I noticed they have a Hot Hawaiian Pizza with brown sugar cured pineapple that also looks divine. Also to note, they have hearty sandwiches like Chicken Parmesan on the menu, shareable appetizers like Jumbo Chicken Wings, and cocktails! Pro tip, make sure to order a side of the Buttermilk Basil Ranch..yum! I noticed kiddo options and did I also see a S'more pizza on the menu? Interior seating available, but can also sit in main dining hall or outside with your order too. We will be back. Thank you for the sweet note on our pizza box :)

    Pizzeria Violetta in Oakland is firing on all cylinders right now, especially with their current…read moreRestaurant Week special. Their pizzas are already reliably delicious, but this deal is genuinely outstanding value since you get a large 18" pizza, your choice of a Caesar or dinner salad, and four very large sea salt chocolate chip cookies, all for $35. We grabbed two of these specials for a group of six and still had leftovers, so I'd say one combo easily feeds three people and could probably stretch to four as long as no one is absolutely starving. The pizzas themselves are ultra thin but still hold up structurally since you can lift and fold each slice without everything collapsing, which is exactly how I like to inhale my pizza. I personally wish the crust were just a touch more burnt and crackly on the edges, but even without that extra char, the flavor and bouncy chew of the dough were spot on. We ordered the Hot Italian and the Sausage & Roasted Garlic pies and absolutely loved both, especially the housemade sweet Italian sausage that appears on each, which is savory, slightly sweet, and super satisfying in every bite. Their house tomato sauce deserves its own shout out because it hits that ideal balance of sweetness and acidity and ties everything together perfectly. On the Sausage & Roasted Garlic it plays beautifully with the rich roasted garlic purée, and on the Hot Italian it stands up nicely to the Calabrian chilis and chili oil without getting lost. The sea salt chocolate chip cookies that come with the special are huge and packed with chocolate chips, and that little hit of salt really enhanced the flavors but the something about the texture was a bit off for me as it wasn't quite chewy or crumbly but rather something in between, which left me a little confused. Another big plus is that Violetta has a full bar so you can pair your meal with a beer, a glass of wine, or a cocktail to match whatever pie you are in the mood for. Between the quality of the ingredients, the thoughtfulness of the flavor combinations, and the generosity of the Restaurant Week deal, Pizzeria Violetta is an easy recommend and a spot I would happily return to with a group (or by myself with plenty of leftovers!).

    Photos
    Pizzeria Violetta - Order counter

    Order counter

    Pizzeria Violetta - Underside of cheese and pepper shakers.

    Underside of cheese and pepper shakers.

    Pizzeria Violetta - Seating

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    Seating

    Dimond Slice Pizza - Artichoke/crimini,feta today! Spectacular

    Dimond Slice Pizza

    4.7(820 reviews)
    2.9 miDimond District, Lower Hills
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    Vegetarian friendly

    I love coming to this place! The pizzas are fantastic and they always have a gluten-free option. I…read morealso like it because it's priced right. I feel like I'm not being punished because I cannot eat wheat and the pizza is very, very, very good. I usually don't have the way more than five minutes once I get to the pizzeria. Because my pizza is ready. Contrast that to another place where I would go, have to go to the front and order my pizza, and then get in a very very very very very very very very, very, very very long line and ask for my pizza. I pity the person who doesn't read the directions telling them to do this and weights for up to an hour in a line and find out that they have the weight even longer for their pizza to be ready. This place is fast and efficient. The inside is fine. It is nice and clean and while there aren't a lot of people there, it seems well taken care of. I think the reason why there aren't so many people there because most of the pieces are taken to go. But that's just a guess. This is a spot with a very good pizza and it comes at a decent price. I'd recommend it to anyone.!

    My husband wanted to stop by since he had this spot bookmarked. Their vegetarian pizza menu changes…read moredaily, which is a similar concept to Sliver and Cheeseboard. We were able to park across the street in a free parking lot since street parking is null in the area. There were only a few customers when we arrived at 1:30pm on a Saturday. The pizza of the day was a mushroom pie, without the mushroom since my husband dislikes it. The cheese was thick and the crust could've been cooked longer so that it would be crispier. Not sure if the pizza didn't taste as good since it was customized, but I would like to give it another try if I'm ever in the area again. The cost of a whole pizza is $25, which is on the steeper side given that there is no protein.

    Photos
    Dimond Slice Pizza
    Dimond Slice Pizza - Vegetarian pizza with tomatoes. Spinach, red onion, peppers, artichoke and mushrooms.

    Vegetarian pizza with tomatoes. Spinach, red onion, peppers, artichoke and mushrooms.

    Dimond Slice Pizza - Personal giant slice of pepperoni pizza

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    Hesher's Pizza - Corner slice, Hesh Law

    Hesher's Pizza

    4.6(108 reviews)
    0.5 miJack London Square
    $$

    Ordered a pizza to go from Hesher's and it definitely delivered!…read more First off, the theme here is unapologetically metal. The decor, the attitude, and the music all lean into it--they were blasting metal while I was there, which gives the place a fun, high-energy vibe that feels a little different from your typical pizza spot. If you're into that scene, you'll probably love it. The setup is super casual. You order at the counter and can hang out while you wait. They've got a great beer selection, and there's even an arcade area where you can play some games while your food is being made. It feels like the kind of place where you could easily kick back with friends for a while. I went with the Mortian, their all-meat pizza, and it was absolutely packed with toppings--pepperoni, sausage, and bacon, all garnished with prosciutto. If you're a meat lover, this one delivers. Every slice was loaded and really flavorful. The crust deserves a shout-out too. It's not thin crust, but it's also not deep dish. It lands right in that perfect middle zone--crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Really satisfying and a great base for all those toppings. Even though I ordered it to go, the pizza held up great and was seriously delicious. I'd absolutely order their pizza again and look forward to trying more of the menu next time.

    Pizza itself was good and I like the different variety they offer on their menu. We ordered the…read moreelote pizza (forgot the actual name) and the pineapple pizza one (also forgot the name). The elote pizza came with a slice of lime and we really loved the creativity and flavors. It took almost an hour for our 1 pizza to come out- that being said, it seemed like they had a lot of online orders and a lot of the folks who ordered in also had to wait a very long time. I'd recommend ordering to-go from here vs. waiting in person.

    Photos
    Hesher's Pizza - Dining area

    Dining area

    Hesher's Pizza - Hesh Law Pizza

    Hesh Law Pizza

    Hesher's Pizza - Hesher's Law quite spicy

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    Hesher's Law quite spicy

    Bare Knuckle Pizza - pizza - Updated May 2026

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