Top 10 Pizzerias in Ottawa as Reviewed by a Local
When it comes to the best pizza in Ottawa, there have been two historic competitors Louis Pizza and Colonnade. These giants of the Ottawa pizza scene have dominated public discussion since their inception, setting the standard for an Ottawa Style Pizza. Today the scene is more diverse but still the Ottawa style endures. So who has the best pizza in Ottawa?
Table of Contents
The “Ottawa Style” Pizza
Before starting with the selection, one should know what the Ottawa style pizza is and why it is so dominant in the choice of pizzerias chosen for this list. The classic Ottawa style pizza is a variation of the thick crusted Lebanese Style, defined by its high cheese to dough ratio (yes this is a thing!). Ottawa is home to many Lebanese immigrants to whom the Ottawa style in indebted. Toppings can usually be found buried under the cheese but not necessarily. The Ottawa style can often be hit or miss, with some of the critics preferring thinner pies. While modern eateries are moving away from this style it is still by far my favorite.
Pizza Rankings
1. Louis Pizza
The classics Ottawa pizza experience, Louis has been the darling of Ottawa newspapers since its inception in 1960. It has a cult following, being the best known business in Vanier for a reason. This one of a kind pizzeria is not for the faint of heart. It offers an extremely rich pie, with a sturdy crust, an absurd amount of cheese and lots of toppings. The dough is the most iconic part of the pizza, the sweet yellow bread finds itself caramelized with cheese when it hits the crust. Excess dough is usually turned into a dumpling or bread ball that sits in the center of your pie. The sauce for its part is sweet and well applied! I guarantee you wont leave Louis without a full tummy.
For more info about this Pizzeria, you can read my post here.
Address: 181 McArthur Ave. (Vanier)
2. Colonnade Pizza
The Centertown rival to Louis came into being in 1967. Like Louis, it is a staple of the Ottawa style pizza. One of the primary differences in my mind is that Colonnade Pizza tends to have its cheese more caramelized that the pie offered by Louis. I also find the cheeze to be a tad saltier.You really haven’t lived in Ottawa until you have tied both Colonnade and Louis.
Address: 280 Metcalfe St. (Centertown)
3. Heartbreakers Pizza
While a newer addition to the Ottawa scene, this pizzeria has skyrocketed to to near the top of the charts. Its location in an old brick structure is charming and its pizza to match. Unlike many of the newer trendy pizzerias that are chasing trends, this parlor has gone all in on retro pizza goodness. It is a traditional pie but all the better for it!
Address: 465 Parkdale Ave (Westboro)
4. Farinella
Known for their elongated oval shaped pies, and thinner crusts, Farinella is another one of these newer eateries that is working its way up the pizza chain.
Address: 492 Rochester St. (Little Italy)
5. Tennessy Willems
This is the kind of place to take a date to. Located in the trendy Hintonburg neighborhood in West Ottawa, this eatery offers a more traditional Italian style pizza cooked in a wood over. Don’t let the traditional wood fire experience fool you however, this is a thoroughly modern pie parlor and many of its menu options have some experimental or exotic twist to them (wild boar sausage and caramelized apple anyone?).
Address: 1082 Wellington Street West (Hintonburg)
6. Cumberland Pizza
If you were an Ottawa U student, and had decent taste, you have likely had this pizza (woe be to the starving student who survived exclusively on Pizza Pizza). While the Pizza has a crust similar to the Ottawa style pizza’s on this list, the toppings are on the top. Just a solid choice through and through.
Address: 152 Nelson St (Lowertown)
7. Giovanis Pizza
This Little Italy eatery is focused on smaller, custom pizzas. It is a thinner crust and less greasy pie allows it to stand apart from a lot of the Ottawa style parlors on this list.
Address: 376 Booth St. (Little Italy)
8. Isabella Pizza
I admit, my love for Isabella’s Pizza is one borne from nostalgia. I worked nights in this part of the city and would frequently order from here. This grebe eatery is tucked in near Highway 417, and as such often goes unnoticed. It is another solid Ottawa style staple, with lots of cheese and toppings. Just a solid pizzeria.
Address: 118 Isabella St. (The Glebe)
9. Schoolhouse Pizza
If you enjoy a classic New York / Brooklyn style slice, this is the pizza paradise for you. This New Edinburgh eatery is not only located in a nice neighborhood, but bakes a mean pie. Essentially, this is a traditional pizza experience done extremely well.
The pizzeria gets its name from a beautiful building that sits across the street, that being the historic St. Charles Schoolhouse, built in 1910.
Address: 11 Springfield Road (New Edinburgh)
10. Lil Z’s Pizza
This modern eatery, with a retro twist, is located on the Byward Market. Here you can indulge in an assortment of classic drinks and pizza by the slice! It is one of the few places on this list where you can still do this. Lil Z’s may be a newer eatery on this list but they are no slouches. Crusts are thinner than the Lebanese style, but the pizzas are still rich and filling, especially the pepperoni witch is lathered on top.
Address: 45 Clarence St. (The Market)
Runners Up
Stay Gold Detroit-Style Pizza (Centertown), Anthony’s (Hintenburg), The Grand (Byward Market), Lorenzo’s (Vanier), The House of Pizza (Westboro) and Carlo’s Pizzaria (Westboro)
In Memorandum
R.I.P. House of Georgie Sorento’s Pizza (House of Georgie’s)
What would a drunk night out on Elgin Street be like without a stop at this greasy spoon? Its good pizza, but more importantly its well located. While often passed over by the other Lebanese style offerings it is nevertheless an essential addition to any pizza lovers repertoire. I’m just not sure about their famous gravy pizza, that may be too much even for me.
Address: 211 Gilmour St. (Elgin/Centertown)
Conclusion
This blog post was in part written as a response to the following Ottawa Citizen article. Please check it out if you want a second opinion!
Where to eat pizza in Ottawa? The Ottawa Citizen’s review roundup | Ottawa Citizen
