Stopped by on a Saturday afternoon for lunch after stocking up at Monterey Market. I'm luckily…read morewithin walking distance but parking may be tricky for those driving in. Ordered slices of pepperoni, Julian, and Spinaci Aglio. All were amazing. Thin, crisp crust, tangy pizza sauce, good olive oil, great cheese pull. Simple ingredients coming together for a satisfying and piping hot bite. Pepperoni drips with the golden orange oil, characteristic of a solid pep slice. Spinaci has just enough garlic that works perfectly with the mild spinach. The star of Julian is the near crunchy kale complemented by pops of sausage. Place your order inside and pick up at the window just outside when they call out your order. There's a park a block or so down the road that's a great place to stop by and enjoy your slice if the small bench in front is filled up.

20-year loyal customer shocked by the increasingly rude front staff…read more We have been coming to Gioia Pizzeria for over 20 years. It's our neighborhood go-to, and we eat here at least once a week because the pizza is truly excellent. For nearly two decades, the staff was always friendly, but over the last couple of years, the front-of-house service has drastically gone downhill. The people taking the orders consistently seem like they don't want to be there. I've been overlooking the cold attitude for a while now because we love the food, but my experience today was the last straw. I ordered a whole pie and politely asked to have it double-sliced. The cashier looked visibly annoyed by a simple, standard request. It got worse when the pizza was ready: after she handed me the box, I kindly asked for a few paper plates. She literally threw the plates at me with a glaring look of unhappiness. I was honestly in shock by her behavior. Stunned, I asked her what her name was, and she flat-out refused to tell me. There is absolutely no reason to treat a regular, polite customer with that level of hostility over plates and a name request. I believe people need to be held accountable for how they treat others, especially in customer service. Looking at other recent reviews, I see that I'm definitely not the only one feeling this way. Gioia has been one of our absolute favorite pizzerias in Berkeley for over 20 years, but it's a shame to see a great neighborhood spot ruined by the attitude of the people taking orders. I am truly hoping management and the owners will read this and take real action. The food is still great, but the toxic energy at the front counter is ruining the experience, and loyal customers shouldn't be treated like an inconvenience. This incident happened today at 1130am.

Great setting if you get a table in the back yard/deck. Pizza is crispy and we loved the toppings…read more You can't go wrong with any of the pizzas. Good choice of wine nothing complex mostly easy to drink wins with pizza. Salads are good too. We have enjoyed this addition to Berkeley!

Stopped by Rose Pizzeria for lunch in Berkeley. They have very limited indoor seating (1-2 tables)…read moreand a nice outdoor patio with more seating. Their kitchen is pretty tiny, with maybe 1-2 chefs. I went on a Friday afternoon and there was no wait. I don't think they'd really be able to accommodate a larger party (5+ people). Their menu is kind of limited, and I wasn't really excited about their pizza offerings. They don't allow substitutions or mixing flavors (half and half), and their flavors either had meat and cheese or veggies and cheese (didn't see any that mixed meat and veggies unfortunately). They did have a few unique flavors like one that combined feta with I think it was like apricot or some fruit? We ordered 2 Pepperoni & Basil pizzas for 3 people ($24/pizza). Our waiter was nice and the pizzas came out fairly quickly. The pizza was good, but didn't stand out to me. I did like the texture of the crust (very crunchy). I probably won't be back because I prefer combo-type pizza, but it's a nice lunch or dinner spot.

I've been wanting to try this place out for forever and it finally happened! Safe to say this is…read morethe best pizza I've ever had in Berkeley. We were a party of three and definitely over ordered- the Sicilian style Ray J, Truly thin and crispy, and arancini, but zero regrets. The Truly thin and crispy really reminded me of the Ciccino at Truly Pizza in Dana Point, which is my favorite pizza spot in the world! As the name suggests, it's very thin and crispy and I loved the texture. Great as an appetizer pizza lol. Thick square focaccia style pizza is definitely my preference, which is why the Ray J Sicilian was my favorite here. The toppings are generous, love the large chunks of cheese and the hot honey on this one. The arancini we got was also amazing, it had a slight lemony tang to it and some veggies inside which balanced out all the fried cheesiness in it. Would super recommend Pizzeria da Laura, and come in a large party if you can! I think my only downside is the bathroom situation as you have to take a key to take the elevator downstairs and it was hard to get a hold of the key, but maybe try to come at a less busy time. That reminds me, for sure make a reservation for weekends! Super easy to do on their website. Service by everyone was very kind and they were helpful explaining the difference between all their pizzas.

I've been looking forward to visiting Pizzeria da Laura ever since I heard about Chef Laura Meyer's…read moresuccess in world pizza competitions. It definitely lived up to the hype. The location is excellent. It's within walking distance of UC Berkeley, just a minute from Downtown Berkeley BART, and there's a public parking garage a block away. Another nice touch is the market next door. They sell pizza by the slice, snacks, and drinks. I would've been there 100% during my college days. The customer service was outstanding. Everyone was genuinely friendly, welcoming, and happy to answer questions. The atmosphere was warm, clean, and inviting. You can watch the pizzas being made, and there's also a TV if you want to catch a game while you eat. It had a relaxed neighborhood feel that made us want to stay a little longer. Having delivered for Round Table back in the '90s, I have an appreciation for the flow of a pizza operation. Everything felt organized and efficient. We started with the Chicories & Beets salad. It was fresh, crisp, and a perfect way to start the meal. We ordered the 18" NY Ray J and Detroit The Standard. Detroit The Standard was my favorite. The crispy, caramelized cheese edges were incredible, while the inside stayed light and airy. The mushrooms were perfectly cooked, not soggy at all. Every topping tasted fresh, and the balance of pepperoni, sausage, onions, olives, and sauce was spot on. The NY Ray J was just as impressive. The crust had the perfect balance of crispiness and chew, making it easy to fold. The combination of thin and thick pepperoni, creamy burrata, fresh basil, fermented honey, and Parmigiano Reggiano was outstanding. Every slice came with a great cheese pull. Both pizzas had crispy crusts, fresh toppings, quality ingredients, and just the right amount of sauce. We left feeling satisfied, not heavy or bloated. We visited on a Wednesday, and by dinner time the restaurant was full. That's always a good sign. One of the highlights of the visit was chatting with Chef Laura about dough, ingredients, and technique. It gave me an even greater appreciation for the attention to detail that goes into every pizza, and I picked up a few ideas that will definitely improve my homemade pizza game. I'm actually eating the leftovers as I write this review. They reheat beautifully. The crust stays crispy, the toppings still taste fresh, and they're just as satisfying the next day. We'll definitely be back to try more of the menu. Whether you're a Berkeley local or just passing through, Pizzeria da Laura is absolutely worth the trip.

Massive slice of pizza by the slice…read more Had the supreme with everything on it Ingredients were pretty good, nice sauce and cheese distribution Came out to 9.50 a giant slice If you want a snack, it's not for you because this is a whole meal. Pizza is reheated in less than 3 mins, very quick. They do have other smaller items like 6 or 9 inch hotdogs if that's up your alley

Massive slices. I thought it was far more than I needed but then...I finished…read more Above average on the picky pizza scale! 3.5 star rounded up. We had one cheese one pepperoni. Come in the late afternoon and they were close to selling out of things!

We stopped here for the 1st time ever for dinner after a concert in Berkeley…read more The food, service and ambiance were swanky and smooth. We ordered whiskey and a margarita with blanco tequila. We split the Brussel sprouts and an East Bay pizza pie. Everything was really tasty! If you're looking for good food and a good vibes come and eat here! I look forward to coming back the next time I'm in the area, hopefully to check out their happy hour menu! Support Black Business check out Three One Four pizzeria.

Street parking, in a residential-ish area. They have…read moreoutdoor seating too, not a long wait on a Sunday evening. Its more of an adult, for drinks type of vibe & if you don't have a big appetite. Only giving stars for the great service. Food didn't take long, quality of the food was ok, portion was not filling at all, especially for the price. More of a bougie, place. The pizzas we ordered were super thin, not a lot of toppings & toppings seemed like they were just thrown on in the middle. Restroom, only 1, pretty spacious & clean

Fast service. Fresh ingredients. Always satisfied. The pizza of the day changes daily and can be…read morefound on their website. A few steps from Downtown Berkeley Bart station is Sliver Pizzeria. With two slices, you usually get a free half of a slice (sliver). Perfect for brunch, lunch, dinner or breakfast leftovers. Crust is thin with an airy crispness. Toppings are abundant, fresh and so incredibly satisfying. The green sauce puts it over the top, elevating the toppings flavor that much more. I have never gone wrong stopping in and enjoying a slice or two, unlikely you will either. You can stay and eat or take it to go. Either way you have it you will most certainly enjoy!

This was my first time here. At the same time, quite a few choices and ways that you could order…read morePizza. I didn't really see any of the old school, regular kinds like pepperoni or combination. The pizza hustle selections were very creative. I ordered the Mushroom Pizza -2 slices. It came with 2 slices and what they call a sliver. It was a pretty good amount of food for $8. My Pizza was pretty tasty. I would definitely go again and try something else off of the menu.

LOVE. Intimidated by the line that forms around the corner down Vine? Don't worry - the line…read moremoves quickly because it's a well oiled machine, and the line is there for a reason. These pies are fire! The unique flavors they put together on a daily are unreal. And the green sauce! We recently had this pie with taziki sauce, eggplant, and mint (with other yummies) and OMG - it was like eating a shwarma or something. But the true indicator of a good pizza is its crust/dough. And damn does Cheese Board have an amazing crust. I've been a Berkeley resident for over 14 years and the Cheese Board is the best pizza (of its style) in the East Bay. We're SO lucky we're close enough that we can consistently keep this in our rotation. Oh and their social activism is chef's kiss.

Cheese Board Pizza, you never do me wrong. I used to go to Cal and would try to make the bus trip…read moreto Cheese Board when I needed a treat, and they alwayssss pulled through. Now that I live elsewhere, I still make sure to swing by Cheese Board if it's a pizza day because I know their pies will always be solid and satisfying. Service is always really friendly too, and while the line is always long, it's so worth it to brave. I love the live music they always have too, it makes the restaurant so much livelier, and the bands are always so talented! YOU'LL ALWAYS HAVE MY HEART, CHEESE BOARD!

Benchmark continues to be one of my favorite spots when a serious pizza craving hits. Last night, I…read morestopped in specifically hoping to try the eggplant pizza, but unfortunately they were sold out. Since the only other pie I'd previously had there was the brown butter sage -- delicious, though I've learned lemon on pizza simply isn't my thing -- I decided to go with their classic Benchmark margherita instead. It absolutely delivered. This is Neo-Neapolitan pizza done right: bright, fresh tomato sauce, creamy mozzarella, torn basil, and a beautifully balanced crust with a perfectly thin base, nicely charred underside, and those airy, leopard-spotted edges that make wood-fired pizza so satisfying. Simple, restrained, and incredibly well executed. It was an unusually warm evening, so I opted to sit outside. My only real complaint is that the tables closest to the street sit noticeably on a slant, making it a bit of a challenge to keep plates and glasses from slowly sliding downhill throughout the meal. A small detail, but worth noting. That said, the staff were genuinely lovely and welcoming, and the overall experience was exactly what I was hoping for. One final recommendation: do yourself a favor and ask for a side of olive oil for dipping the crusts. It's the perfect finishing touch. I'll absolutely be back the next time the craving strikes.

Benchmark's menu may not be extensive, but everything I've had there is good. The pizza crust is…read morethe right mix of chewy and crispy: the best I've had lately in the Bay area. Fried sage pizza with a chopped salad is a family favorite. Add a choc chip sea salted cookie for dessert. The dine-in experience is great: outdoor seating with a nice view that goes great with a beer or cocktail on a sunny afternoon. The waitstaff are friendly and skilled. The takeout experience is mostly good, but a few things could be better. I'd like the option to remove onions from my takeout pizza. And: Lately the chopped salad has been presented in a plastic takeout box with the ingredients separated into other plastic containers. This leaves the customer to basically create the salad from the ingredients, then deal with a bunch of plastic waste. Better to go back to the old method: compostable box with the ingredients tossed by Benchmark, giving the customer the option to have Benchmark toss the dressing or do it themselves. When I order an expensive salad, I expect a salad, not a collection of separate ingredients for me to mix myself. And the plastic detracts from the experience and adds waste to the environment.