DC is jam-packed with things to see and do (I’ve lived here all my life and I still haven’t done everything!) but with such a huge agenda, it’s easy to find yourself worn out and hungry. As my husband always says, “the best food for you when you’re hungry is pizza; in fact, there’s always room for pizza even when you’re not hungry!” (he thinks he’s funny, bless him!). So, if you’re taking a vacation to Washington, DC this summer and craving a slice or 6, here’s my list of top 10 pizza joints in DC.

Hopefully we were able to activate your taste buds and you are planning to visit on of these great restaurants. DC is a great city and is pretty easy to get around by metro, bikes, walking etc. Also car service in DC is a popular option for getting around town, used by many business travelers, politicians and everyday people alike. If you want to treat yourself to a comfortable and luxury ride around town there are great options as well.

1. &Pizza

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Anyone from DC (like myself) will understand why &Pizza is so good and now has 11 locations in the DC area. From the organic dough to the fresh produce, the pizza always comes out perfectly and is ready in minutes. Not to mention affordable! For under $10 you get one of their personal signature styles or you can make your own. They offer lots of different toppings from the standard pepperoni to the fancy spicy chickpeas. Think artisanal pizza meets Chipotle, but better. If I could make a suggestion, the Farmer’s Daughter pizza is my personal favorite; breakfast pizza!

2. Matchbox-Chinatown

Matchbox is another pizza joint that has multiple locations, but the original is still the most fun to go to!

The interior is urban and showcases exposed brick (nice!) but the biggest draw, by far, is their pizza (it’s ALWAYS about the pizza). You can choose to get a personal size or a large to share. I suggest getting your own, because you won’t want to share. Unless you decide to split 3 larges with everyone, which is even better (options are crucial).

Their spicy meatball pizza is INCREDIBLE and the crunchy, crispy crust is thanks to their scorching hot brick oven. My second suggestion is the Q special pizza. It has grilled chicken, portabella mushrooms, roasted red peppers with tomato sauce and mozzarella. We figured that counts as eating healthy… right?

3. Little Coco’s

A cute little restaurant up in the Petworth area of DC, Little Coco’s is a great pizza spot for anyone who wants to eat in a nice quiet neighborhood. But don’t be fooled, hidden in the unassuming storefront is a great selection of pizza recipes that can cater to the traditionalists and the adventurous. The pizzas are smaller than what most people expect with pizza, but they make up for it with tons of flavors and really interesting (and almost bougie) pizza creations.

My personal recommendation? The ‘Pig Destroyer’ pizza; it’s topped with capicola, pepperoni, porchetta, fontina and tomato. It’s the definition of a guilty pleasure! Or, if you’re looking for a new take on pizza, try their ‘Pizza Frito Classico’. Deep. Fried. Pizza.

4. Bacio Pizzeria

If you happen to be in the Bloomingdale area of DC, and you’re craving a good pizza, look no further than Bacio Pizzeria. Bacio’s is a neighborhood favorite, and has beautiful indoor decor that looks like something straight out of pinterest. The outdoor patio is perfect for a nice lunch out with the whole family (dogs are family too) and very child friendly. With some healthy and standard toppings to choose from and a crispy crust with soft chew center, you won’t regret going out of your way to eat her. The Bloomingdale pizza and Shaw pizza are among my top two picks for this pizzeria. You may want to get both, honestly.

5. District of Pi

Want something unique? District of Pi is the answer to your pizza adventures and is conveniently located in the heart of DC, near tons of hotels and the Chinatown metro.

They offer a regular thin crust pizza that’s good… but I implore you to try the deep dish cornmeal crust. That’s right. Deep dish cornmeal crust. The price may seem high, but you will literally get your money’s worth because it’s enormous! Any topping you add on will be added SUBSTANTIALLY. I don’t think I could buy that much pepperoni at a grocery store for what I paid as a topping.

There are tons of toppings for you to choose, or you can go for my personal favorite: South Side Classico. Filled with mozzarella, Berkshire sausage, mushroom, green peppers and onion. No regrets.

Fun fact: the deep dish is gluten free. For those of you with celiac, you can still enjoy the deep dish too!

6. Wiseguy Pizza

New York pizza can only be found in New York, right? While that’s technically true, you can be sure to get a proper New York style pizza in DC by visiting Wiseguy Pizza. They’re the closest you will get to a proper NY slice with a thin chewy crust, slight char and some of the best cheese you can imagine!

The slices are huge (just like a NY style pizza should be) and don’t even fit on a plate. Their large whole pizzas are also the biggest out of any other DC pizza joint. Even better, they’re located very close to the National Mall where all the museums are; they’re also within blocks of three separate metro stations, making it easy to visit for anyone staying in the DC metro area.

Bonus: on weekends, Wiseguy’s in the Shaw area is open until 5am!

7. il Canale

If you’re in the historic Georgetown neighborhood, don’t even think of leaving before going to il Canale. Practically everything tastes good, but the biggest kicker is their pizza. This pizza may actually be the prettiest and photo-worthy pizza in DC, and the taste is just as impressive. Try out their ‘La Regina’, which features imported buffalo mozzarella (straight from italy), prosciutto, ricotta and basil. They pride their pizza on doing simplicity right, which they’ve achieved with flying colors.

8. M & N’s Pizza

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Say you’re at a hotel in Bethesda and you’re feeling hungry from a long day of working or exploring. You don’t want anything fancy, just some good pizza to relax. Then you’re thinking of M & N’s Pizza. This is a place where you can get two big slices and a soda for $6! The taste goes way beyond the price too. If you do want to be a little adventurous, they have some interesting curry pizzas that are amazing.

Above all, they offer great pizza without the frills or names, just some solid pizza comfort food. A true pizza joint.

9. 2 Amys

Any list that’s featuring DC pizza will always include 2 Amys. Any list that doesn’t is just silly. While it’s not in a central location, 2 Amys boasts some of the most popular pizza in DC. The fluffy crust is like a cloud holding fresh toppings, trying to float into your mouth. Boasting authentic Neapolitan pizza (they’re actually certified!), they’re so authentic some of their pizzas come with anchovy. But, I like to stick to the Norcia Pizza to avoid any anchovy taste.

10. Pupatella

Staying in the Arlington area? Or, maybe just went on a nice walk through Arlington Cemetery? Visit Pupatella, a Virginia favorite for pizza. With Naples ingredients, Naples volcanic-ash oven and a Naples dedicatio to Neapolitan pizza, your taste buds will taste Italy and what I assume is pure joy. The Margherita Doc is a spicy take on the classic Margherita pizza! Really though, anything coming out of that impressive oven will taste good.

About me: I’m Kate Howard, a kindergarten teacher (and part-time travel blogger) from DC. I’m also a mom! I love nothing more than eating out (although admittedly, I don’t like pizza as much as my husband!) and relaxing with a good book.