Let’s settle one of the most important debates in Toronto:

Who has the best pizza?

Not the fanciest pizza. Not the pizza with the most ridiculous toppings. We’re talking about the kind of slice you grab after class, split with your roommates, inhale after a night out, or make a completely unnecessary TTC trip across the city to try because someone said, “Trust me. This place is insane.”

Toronto has A LOT of pizza.

And every pizza person has an opinion.

So instead of pretending there’s one scientifically perfect slice, we’re breaking down some of the city’s most talked-about spots by crust, cheese, sauce, toppings, value and, most importantly, how badly you’re going to want another slice five minutes later.

🍕 First: What Makes a Great Slice?

Everyone has their own pizza personality.

Maybe you want a giant New York-style slice that folds perfectly in half.

Maybe you’re into thick, crispy Detroit-style pizza with cheese caramelized around the edges.

Maybe you want something straight out of an Italian bakery.

Or maybe your only requirement is:

“It’s 1 a.m. and I need pizza immediately.”

Honestly? All are valid.

Here are some Toronto spots worth putting on your pizza bucket list.

🥇 Pizzeria Badiali — The Instagram-Approved Classic

If you’ve spent any amount of time looking at Toronto food content, chances are you’ve seen Badiali.

The Ossington-area favourite has become one of those places where the line itself feels like part of the experience.

But the hype isn’t just for the photo.

The slices are thin without feeling flimsy, crispy without turning into crackers, and loaded with enough cheese and sauce to make every bite count.

And then there are the specialty slices.

Vodka? Yep.

Mushroom? Absolutely.

Cacio e pepe? Now we’re getting serious.

The move: Grab a couple of different slices and split them with friends. You’re going to want to compare.

Student rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best for: The “I saw this on TikTok and now I have to try it” pizza mission.

🗽 North of Brooklyn — When You Want That New York Energy

Big slice.

Thin crust.

A little char.

Just enough grease.

And that glorious moment when you fold the whole thing in half because there is absolutely no practical way to eat it normally.

North of Brooklyn has built its reputation around a style that feels very New York without simply trying to copy it.

It’s the kind of pizza that works equally well for lunch, dinner or the increasingly common student meal known as:

“I forgot to eat today.”

The move: Get a classic slice first. Don’t overthink it.

Student rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best for: Serious slice behaviour.

🧱 Descendant Detroit Style — Pizza, But Make It THICK

Think regular pizza.

Now imagine someone said:

“What if we made it approximately 47% more exciting?”

That’s Detroit-style.

Descendant is known for thick, airy pizza with crispy, caramelized edges and seriously creative toppings.

This isn’t the slice you grab when you want something light.

This is the slice you order when you’re hungry.

Very hungry.

The kind of hungry where your friend says, “Should we get another?” and you answer, “Obviously.”

The move: Go with friends and order different flavours. This is a sharing situation.

Student rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best for: When regular pizza feels too regular.

🍕 Danny’s Pizza Tavern — The Late-Night MVP

There are pizzas you eat because you’re a food expert.

And there are pizzas you eat because it’s late, you’re with your friends, and someone says:

“Danny’s?”

And suddenly everyone agrees.

Danny’s has become a Toronto favourite for its tavern-style pizza and fun neighbourhood-bar atmosphere.

The pizza is thin, crispy and cut into smaller squares rather than giant triangular slices.

Translation:

You can convince yourself you’re only having one piece.

You will not only have one piece.

The move: Pizza + sides + friends. Don’t make this complicated.

Student rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Best for: Group hangs and late-night food runs.

🇮🇹 Ciao Roma — The One for the Pizza Nerds

Want to get seriously nerdy about pizza?

This is your spot.

Roman-style pizza al taglio is sold by weight, meaning you can basically point at whatever looks amazing, get it cut, and pay according to how much you chose.

It’s crispy, airy and completely different from the giant New York slice most people picture when they hear “pizza.”

Think combinations like potato and sausage, prosciutto and mozzarella, and other toppings that take you far beyond basic pepperoni.

The move: Don’t just order the safest-looking slice. Pick something you’ve never tried.

Student rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Best for: Impressing your friends with your suddenly extensive pizza knowledge.

🍕 Penelope Social — Worth the Road Trip?

Okay, technically it’s outside Toronto.

But if your definition of a pizza adventure includes hopping in a car, heading north and making an afternoon of it, Penelope Social deserves a look.

The sourdough-based pizza has a lighter, airy crust with a crisp finish, putting it somewhere between traditional Italian pizza and the more American styles dominating the Toronto scene.

And yes, there are some pretty creative topping combinations.

The move: Go with a group so you can order several pizzas.

Student rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Best for: The GTA pizza road trip.

🏆 So… Which Pizza Should You Actually Try?

Honestly?

Don’t pick just one.

Toronto’s pizza scene is way too diverse.

Instead, turn it into a challenge.

The Toronto Pizza Challenge 🍕

Grab three friends.

Pick four different pizza styles.

Try them all.

Then argue about which one wins.

Your mission:

🍕 New York-style
Find a giant, foldable slice.

🍕 Detroit-style
Go thick, crispy and cheesy.

🍕 Roman-style
Try pizza al taglio.

🍕 Toronto classic
Find the neighbourhood slice everyone swears is the best.

Then create your own ranking.

Because the only truly correct Toronto pizza ranking is:

Yours.

And if someone tells you their favourite is the only good pizza in Toronto?

They’re probably wrong.

But definitely ask them where it is.

You can never have too many pizza recommendations.