The Absolute Best Pizza Shops in DC

Sure, DC may not have a style of pizza to call its own, per se, but that just means we gets the best of everywhere else. And isn’t that the most democratic way to enjoy pizza anyway? What that also means is pizza lovers can afford to be picky when it comes to their preferred pie. Those in search of loaded toppings might be partial to Timber Pizza Company while those who just want something thin and crispy could opt for Menomale. But for James Beard-nominated chef Tony Conte of Inferno Pizzeria, it’s all about the dough.

Conte tells Thrillist that holy grail dough is something he and his team are always chasing, and he knows the mark has been hit when the crust turns out “light, airy, and with just a little bit of crisp.” It’s this daily pursuit of perfection that has Conte making every batch of dough himself, rolling out every dough ball.

When it comes to toppings, though, he’s somewhat of a minimalist—with reason. The argument? When you strip away the fancy meats and the truffle oil and the globs of ricotta, the true test of quality arrives. No longer able to hide behind niceties, the bare bones of the pizza are then revealed to the customer: dough, sauce, cheese, maybe a little basil here and there.“If we’re going someplace and want to judge whether we believe they’re doing something at a high level, and want to taste the key ingredients, we’d usually get a marinara. It’s basically just what it’s supposed to be,” says Conte. “Show us who you are. The dough is going to tell me who you are, and if I get that and fall in love with it then that’s a home run.”

The other great thing about a simple, delicious pizza—it’s still going to taste pretty good even if you have to warm it back up. Indeed, Conte tells us that in spite of the pandemic, Inferno has somehow managed to thrive. Some might attribute it to consistency, and the fact that people turn to tried and true dishes like pizza when everything else around them seems a little mad.So, whether you’re seeking your next at-home comfort pie or a classier date spot to split one, these are the best pizza joints throughout the DMV, ensuring your next great slice is never too far away.