Three Southern California pizzerias — two in Los Angeles and one in Orange County — have been named among the top 100 in the world, according to the 2025 Best Pizza Awards announced this month in Milan, Italy.
The annual list, now in its third year, celebrates not just restaurants but the chefs behind them. The awards were created to spotlight culinary craftsmanship and transparency in the evaluation process. Founded in 2015 by a Polish neuroscientist and an Italian gastronomist, the organization emphasizes a “chef-led” selection system to determine its rankings.
Pizzeria Sei
Ranked No. 44 is Pizzeria Sei, a minimalist West L.A. pizzeria known for its Tokyo-style take on traditional Neapolitan pizza. Opened in 2022 by husband-and-wife duo William Joo and Jennifer So, the restaurant has gained a dedicated following for its airy, charred crusts and fresh ingredients. Located at 8781 W. Pico Blvd., the shop is often sold out by midday, and customers are encouraged to preorder.
The recognition isn’t new for Pizzeria Sei, which was also recently added to the 2025 Michelin Guide.
“Pizzeria Sei did not disappoint. The ingredients were fresh and brilliantly layered… but the dough was the real star. The crust was puffy and soft, with the right amount of char underneath,” wrote a reviewer on Yelp.
Apollonia’s Pizza
Coming in at No. 58 is Apollonia’s Pizza, located at 5176 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles. Helmed by chef Justin De Leon, the pizzeria is best known for its bold, thick-crust slices with crispy edges. This marks Apollonia’s second consecutive year on the global list, after placing 51st in 2024.
The restaurant offers both signature pies and a build-your-own option. One Yelp reviewer described it as: “Not just any pizza—we’re talking thick, hot, crispy-on-the-edges, soft-in-the-middle, flavor-packed magic.”
Truly Pizza
Orange County’s Truly Pizza, located in Dana Point, landed at No. 42 on the global list. Founded by a collaborative team that includes Las Vegas hospitality veteran Donna Baldwin and World Pizza Champion teammates Chris Decker and Michael Vakneen, the restaurant has earned praise for its craftsmanship and focus on local ingredients. Decker, a decorated pizza maker and educator, leads the kitchen.
Located at 24402 Del Prado Ave., Truly Pizza emphasizes high-quality, locally sourced ingredients and artisanal dough preparation. As one Yelp reviewer put it: “The star of the show here is really the dough… it has a thick, chewy texture, yet comes off very light on the palette. The ingredients they use are all or mostly local which is something I can support and come across as very premium.”
