A Saucy Serenade to Seattle Pizza

Seattle is America’s pizza capital.

There. I said it. Jaws dropped when I brought this up in a recent team meeting. Co-workers guffawed in disbelief. One skeptical colleague even winced.

But it’s true, at least according to a study by Mandomedia.com. Mando analyzed the average rating for all pizza places across online review sites, weighed the percentage of them rated “excellent,” and also included the number of pizza joints in each city along with Google searches for “pizza.”

“Topping our list is a city more commonly associated with coffee and seafood: Seattle,” the report reads. “This Pacific Northwest hub has quietly developed into a paradise for pizza enthusiasts. The city’s culinary scene has influenced its pizzerias, where you’ll find unique topping combinations and well-crafted crusts.”

Italian immigrants opened the country’s first pizza parlors in New York City in the early 1900s, but pizza didn’t really take off until after World War II, when returning soldiers raved about the pizza they enjoyed in Italy.

So, in the spirit of the moment, we asked several team members to weigh in on their favorite pizza places. I’ll go first, at great peril: Round Table. Yes, it’s a chain, and it’s not easy to get to from Seattle (Shoreline and Burien are the closest locations), but it’s good, and reminds me of being a kid. I’ll take it every time. If I’m going local, I’ll take two Belltown staples: Rocco’s and Bambino’s. Finally, check out the pizza counter at PCC Community Markets. It’ll surprise you.

A dimly lit restaurant interior with large Seattle pizzas on a counter. A chef is preparing a saucy serenade of flavors, while patrons are seated and standing in the background.

Rocco’s in Belltown

Photo courtesy of Rocco's Specialty Bar & Pizzeria

Here we go!

Jonathan Sposato: Chuck E. Cheese, because it was ALL the best things that any kid growing up here would want: video games, physical games, music, noise, and those animatronic characters!!! If you’re (still) a kid and not cynical, Chuck E. Cheese is the happy place.

Brandon Ferguson: Sourdough Willy’s offers unbeatable Detroit-style pizza with a unique sourdough crust. The perfectly cooked cheese edges and the spicy sausage pizza drizzled with hot honey are standout favorites. Plus, its scenic location near the Kingston ferry makes it a perfect spot to enjoy great food.

A freshly baked pepperoni pizza sits in front of a tiled, dome-shaped sourdough pizza oven with the text "SourDough W" visible on the oven. A metal pizza peel and stacked plates are nearby, setting the stage for a Saucy Serenade of Seattle pizza delights.

Sourdough Willy’s in Kingston

Photo courtesy of Sourdough Willy's

Emma Smith: Delancey! It is not only delicious but also very close to my house. I enjoy the cozy atmosphere and love going there with friends.

Rhonda Staton: I like Serious Pie. Thin crust. Excellent choices of savory toppings reminiscent of fine dining that takes the experience to the next level. And the coconut cream pie is unforgettable!

A wooden table hosts a delectable Seattle Pizza on a rectangular slate board, accompanied by a mixed salad on a white plate, a cork, and partially visible bottle and glass of red wine—a saucy serenade for the senses.

Serious Pie in Ballard

Photo courtesy of Serious Pie

Lisa Lee: I don’t have “one” favorite pizza place, but love a wood-fired pizza. Depending on the neighborhood, Queen Margherita in Magnolia has a nice mushroom and olive oil pie. Tivoli in Fremont serves a tasty half-mushroom, half-meat pie. Serious Pie and Delancey in Ballard are also in the rotation.

Sarah Stackhouse: Alibi Room is my favorite pizza spot. It’s dark inside. They serve the pizza on a giant can of olives instead of a stand. The crust is blistered and black. The sauce is subtle and perfect. The ingredients are topnotch. Once you’ve had it, you won’t forget it.

Alibi Room at Pike Place Market

Photo courtesy of Alibi Room

Matt Cole: Farrelli’s Pizza in Maple Valley is my fave. Thin crust, crumbled sausage, kids eat free on Mondays, and they give little kids dough balls to play with while you are waiting for your pizza.