Pizza is the quintessential family meal; it’s filling, relatively inexpensive, and you can feed a lot of people all at once. It’s also a crowd-pleaser – I dare you to find a kid who doesn’t like pizza at all. But as we know, not all pizza shops are created equal, and while the big chains are great for pizza on a budget (think events and birthday parties), they don’t offer the creativity, quality, and personality that comes with pizza made in small shops. Plus, many places use fresh, local ingredients so you know you’re getting a quality culinary creation.
Fortunately, Metro Vancouver is teeming with incredible boutique pizzerias to try for your next family pizza night. These shops have such a great vibe that they’re worth eating in, but also offer takeout for those who prefer the comfort and convenience of home.
Bufala
I dare you to click on their website and not become instantly hungry. With traditional Neapolitan-style crust, fresh, luxurious toppings, and family-style meals, no one leaves hungry, and not a morsel is left untouched on the plate! Try the Bufalina pizza – it’s spectacular!
Address:
Kerrisdale: 5395 West Boulevard, Vancouver
Edgemont: 3280 Edgemont Boulevard, North Vancouver
River District: 3489 E. Sawmill Cres., Vancouver
Website: www.bufala.ca
Mama Said Pizza
Who knew Port Moody would become such a hotbed of great pizza? This tiny shop (and I mean the size of the dining area, not the quality of pizza) opened along the Brewer’s Row stretch and has been packed since the day the doors opened. The Brooklyn-style pizza is all made from scratch with tons of fresh toppings. The Pine and Swine takes top spot for my kids, while Pesto Pollo has my heart. Eat in (if you can find a spot!) or grab takeout and head across the street for a park picnic.
Address: 3135 Murray Street, Port Moody
Website: www.mamasaidpizza.com
Mama Said Pierogie Pizza
Nat’s New York Pizzeria:
A favourite of famous former Vancouverite Ryan Reynolds, Nat’s New York Pizzeria is about as authentic as they come. Using a recipe that originated in their great-great-grandmother’s kitchen in Calabria, Italy, circa the 1900s, it then became a hit in Yonkers, New York. When Nat and his cousin Franco wanted to open an authentic pizzeria in Kitsilano in the 1990s, they knew the family recipe would be a hit with residents. This award-winning pizzeria feels like stepping into 1990s New York when you step inside.
Address: 2685 West Broadway, Vancouver
Website: www.natspizza.com
Nat’s New York Pizzeria. Photo from their website.
Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company
Pizza so fresh that the ingredients and offerings can change based on what’s in season and what the chef can pick up from the local shop that morning! In addition to spectacular pizzas and flatbreads, their salads, pastas, and desserts are also out of this world. The Main Street location has an area for kids to play and a full kids’ menu highlighting the flavours kids love best without skimping on quality and freshness. On Sundays, they have Pizza Making for kids to roll out their own dough, choose their flavours, and be a part of the pizza-making process. Throughout the year, their signature events sell out quicker than you can say “Mamma Mia!”
Address: 4186 Main Street, Vancouver
Website: www.rockymountainflatbread.ca
Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company. Kids’ Pizza Making Workshop
Spacca Napoli
The *only* Canadian pizzeria to win the prestigious Italian Tres Spicchi designation from Gambero Rosso. What does this mean? Simply put, this is the equivalent of the Michelin Award for pizza, so Spacca Napoli makes really good pizza. In addition to uncompromising freshness and high-quality ingredients, Spacca Napoli pizza is served traditionally – with a whole pizza and a pair of European-made scissors – making it a whole experience for the family.
Address: 2801 St. John’s Street, Port Moody
Website: www.pizzeriaspaccanapoli.com
Did we miss your favourite boutique pizzeria?
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