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Best Pizza in Carmel By The Sea (Updated Fall 2023)

Edward Brock

02/08/2024

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Sure, I’ve been to Rome where pizza was invented. And yes, Chicago is great for deep dish. But can a small California coastal town offer up some tasty pies?

I’m here to give you the answer! So strap in and grab your napkins – I’ve gone around Carmel By The Sea and tried 12 different pizzas. Together, we’ll find out which place has the best pizza in town!

If you don’t find the best pizza here, check out the best pizza in the whole state of California

#1 Dametra Cafe

From the moment I walked in, I could tell that this place was something special. The wood-fired ovens, the smell of freshly baked cheese, and the sound of bubbling tomato sauce had me salivating. The staff were all very friendly and accommodating, and they had a great selection of artisanal pizzas to choose from.

The pizza was simply outstanding. Each one was prepared with only the freshest ingredients, hand-tossed crusts cooked to perfection in their wood-fired ovens. I tried several different varieties and each one was delicious! The Margherita pizza with its bright tomatoes and creamy mozzarella was sublime, while the Bianco Bianco with roasted mushrooms and garlic was divine.

Overall my experience at Dametra Cafe was fantastic! Their dedication to creating the best pizza in Carmel By The Sea is obvious in their artfully crafted pizzas. If you’re ever in the area, make sure to stop by and give it a try — you won’t regret it!

If you’re willing to go an extra 3 miles, you can get to 28 more pizza places in Monterey!

#2 Iolis’ Pizzeria

The crust of the pizza is always perfectly cooked – not too hard, not too soggy. The sauce is just the right balance of sweet and tangy, and the toppings are always fresh and flavorful.

But what really makes Iolis’ Pizzeria stand out is the atmosphere. Not only is it one of the better looking restaurants in town, but the staff is warm and inviting. Every time I’ve been there, I’m greeted with a smile, offered a complimentary drink and given a generous portion of pizza with each order.

In short, if you’re looking for some of the best pizza in Carmel By The Sea, then head over to Iolis’ Pizzeria! You won’t be disappointed!

#3 Heirloom Pizza Co.

Their crust has a perfect combination of crispiness and chewiness and their sauce is as flavorful as any I’ve tasted around the globe. From classic toppings like pepperoni and mushrooms to some truly unique artisan pies, there’s something for everyone at Heirloom Pizza Co.

The atmosphere is truly inviting – cozy booths, dark lighting, and a friendly staff make it a great spot for date night or family dinner. The best part? Even though you’re getting some of the best pizza in Carmel By The Sea, it won’t break your budget.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable pizzeria experience in Carmel By The Sea, look no further than Heirloom Pizza Co.!

#4 Cantinetta Luca

The restaurant is a great tourist spot, giving you beautiful views of the ocean while you take in the delicious pizza. Not to mention, it also serves alcohol (and hard liquor!). That alone calls for a five-star review!

But let’s talk about what really matters – their pizza. It has insane flavors that I didn’t think were possible to make out of dough and tomato sauce! The crust is light and fluffy, yet still crispy enough to give it that perfect bite. In my opinion, they have achieved perfection in pizza making with their selection.

However, there is one downside – they don’t offer delivery. You’d be better off just coming by the restaurant so you can enjoy the atmosphere as well as the best pizza in Carmel By The Sea!

The desserts here are also insanely good – definitely worth trying if you have some room after all the pizza! All in all, Cantinetta Luca deserves more than five stars – but unfortunately I’m only allowed to rate it with five stars because that’s all this review website allows me to do 🙂

#5 Mountain Mike’s Pizza

My experience at Mountain Mike’s Pizza was nothing short of incredible. Their crust was perfectly crunchy yet soft, their sauce was loaded with flavor and their toppings were perfectly cooked. And best of all, they had a great selection of specialty pizzas that are sure to please even the pickiest eater!

The decor inside Mountain Mike’s Pizza is definitely worth mentioning too. With its warm, inviting atmosphere and cozy booths, this place really feels like home. Plus, the staff is super friendly and always quick to answer any questions you might have about their menu.

Overall, if you’re looking for the best pizza in Carmel By The Sea, you won’t be disappointed with Mountain Mike’s Pizza. I guarantee it’ll become your new favorite spot in town!

If you’re willing to go an extra 18 miles, you can get to 27 more pizza places in Salinas!

#6 Il Tegamino

The pizza is so fresh and authentic, you’d think you had just stepped off the plane in Italy. The crust is crunchy, the cheese is delicious and the toppings are plentiful. And they even serve alcohol if you want to add a little something extra to your meal.

When it comes to dessert, Il Tegamino takes it up a notch with insanely good treats like gelato, cannolis and tiramisu. Add a glass of wine or beer and you’ve got yourself an unforgettable treat!

But here’s where I have to put my foot down – there’s no delivery service at Il Tegamino! I know it’s going to take some convincing to get me out of my house for this incredible pizza, but it’ll be worth the effort in the end.

All in all, Il Tegamino has some of the best pizza in Carmel By The Sea and an atmosphere that will make anyone feel like they’re on vacation – even when they’re still at home! That’s why I’m giving this place 5 stars.

#7 Carmel’s Bistro Giovanni

The restaurant offers a wide selection of gourmet pizzas, with something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. The thin crust is baked in a brick oven and has the perfect texture and flavor. Toppings are plentiful and always fresh, giving the pizza an especially delicious flavor.

I was lucky enough to sample some of their specialty pies: The Mediterranean Pizza, topped with roasted peppers, spinach, feta cheese and olives; The Garlic Shrimp Pizza with garlic butter sauce and tender pieces of shrimp; and finally, my favorite – the Godfather Pizza with pepperoni, sausage, bacon bits and four cheeses. These were definitely crowd pleasers!

The atmosphere at Carmel’s Bistro Giovanni is laid-back yet sophisticated. The staff is friendly and attentive, making sure that everyone’s needs are taken care of. And the prices are reasonable for such high-quality food – definitely worth it in my opinion!

If you’re looking for the best pizza in Carmel By The Sea, look no further than Carmel’s Bistro Giovanni! You won’t be disappointed!

#8 La Bicyclette Restaurant

I’ve had pizza from all sorts of places, from New York to Naples and everything in between. La Bicyclette’s pizza trumps them all! Not only is the food incredibly delicious, it’s also served with a selection of hard liquor that can’t be beat. Perfect for a night out or just relaxing after a big meal.

Their vegetarian options are really impressive too – I can honestly say that it’s the best veggie pizza I’ve ever had! And don’t even get me started on the desserts. The tiramisu was insanely good – so good, in fact, that I went back for seconds!

The only downside is that they don’t have delivery – but if you’re looking for an amazing spot to eat while visiting Carmel By The Sea, look no further than La Bicyclette Restaurant. They have some of the best pizza around and an atmosphere that can’t be beat!

#9 Treehouse Café

The pizza here is a step above the rest. The crust has that perfect combination of crunch and chewiness. The toppings are always fresh and flavorful, making each bite incredibly tasty.

The atmosphere is charming and cozy, with a treehouse-like feel to it. It’s not too loud – just the perfect volume for enjoying both conversation and good food.

On top of the delicious pizza, they offer a wide variety of appetizers, salads, and sandwiches – all of which are worth trying! You can also choose to sit outside on their outdoor patio area to enjoy your meal with a romantic view of the sun setting in Carmel By The Sea.

I have no doubt that I will be visiting Treehouse Café again soon for my next pizza fix! Highly recommended for anyone looking for the best pizza in Carmel By The Sea!

If you’re willing to go an extra 30 miles, you can get to 26 more pizza places in Santa Cruz!

#10 Vesuvio Restaurant

For starters, the atmosphere of Vesuvio was outstanding. Most pizza places seem to be a bit drab and boring, but at Vesuvio I felt as if I were in an old-world Italian pizzeria. The decor was spot on and gave me a feeling of being transported back to Italy.

The pizza itself? Dragging my finger across the freshly made crust before taking a bite was bliss; it was light and airy with just the right amount of chewiness. The sauce was full of flavor and had just enough sweetness to really bring out all the other ingredients. The cheese tasted like it had been freshly grated, giving the finished product a creamy texture that completely melted in my mouth!

Overall, the experience at Vesuvio Restaurant was everything I could have hoped for. If you’re looking for some of the best pizza in Carmel By The Sea then look no further than Vesuvio!

#11 Portabella

I was drawn in by the rustic Italian decor and the warm welcome from the staff. The menu had plenty of options, but I just had to try their classic Margherita Pizza. Wow! What a flavor explosion! The chewy crust, beautiful herbed tomato sauce, and generous helping of mozzarella provided an incredible taste that I’ve been searching for during all my travels.

The star of the show was definitely the pepperoni on top. Not only did it look like a work of art laid out so perfectly, but it also added an extra layer of saltiness that made this dish even more special.

On top of all that great food, Portabella supplied some amazing service. Everyone there was friendly and helpful, which is a rare find these days! It just goes to show how much they care about their customers’ experience.

I’m not sure what else can be said about Portabella – it’s easily the best pizza in Carmel By The Sea. If you ever have the chance to visit Portabella, make sure to stop by and have a slice (or three!).

#12 The Star Bar at Vesuvio

The restaurant itself is cozy and intimate, the perfect place to spend an evening with friends. The staff was exceptionally friendly and helpful, providing excellent service throughout our meal.

The pizza was out of this world! I ordered the classic Margherita—the tomatoes were fresh and vibrant, and the dough was thin yet crispy. The cheese melted perfectly and the basil added a great aromatic flavor. Every bite was delicious!

I sampled some other pizzas from my friends’ plates too—a Prosciutto & Arugula delight as well a White Clam Pie that had so much flavor it was unbelievable. They were all incredible!

Overall, I would highly recommend The Star Bar at Vesuvio to anyone looking for an amazing pizza experience in Carmel By The Sea. It’s definitely one of the best pizza spots around!