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Whether you’re a fan of the classics or want to try something genuinely unique, Davis is a cool place to do it. It’s a town with quite a bit to offer, from bakeries and Greek joints to full-blown pizzerias, and that’s something I can get behind. So today, we’re breaking down the best pizza in Davis, CA — and you’d be surprised who made the list.
So, let’s dive into the depths of cheesy deliciousness and find a slice for the night, yeah?
Symposium Pizza is a spot that’s known for tasty pizza in a laid-back, quiet joint. Their pies stick to the Greek style — pan-baked, crispy, and loaded with toppings — in a way that many spots in the area don’t. While this style is certainly not for everyone, fans of Sicilian or Detroit-style pies will likely enjoy the textural similarities here.
Their pies are often inundated with toppings, only able to stand due to the crisp nature of their crust, and that’s something I can respect. They also experiment with some… less-than-standard toppings, such as shrimp, allowing my more adventurous readers to explore the world of what, exactly, belongs on a pizza.
As for reputation, Symposium has been visited by former Governor Schwarzenegger and former President Bill Clinton, leading to an expectation for quality. Their menu isn’t all pizza, either, allowing family and friends to pick and choose what they want. While I would argue that they’re one of the best Greek spots in town, too, this is a pizza article — so we’ll leave with a note to try the pies.
Village Pizza & Pints is a family-owned joint known for two things — pizza and craft brews. They stick to a classic Neapolitan-style pie, slight char and all, and they do it quite well. The building is charming, the kitchen impressive, and the menu spot-on, and I (for one) couldn’t ask for more.
If you’re in the mood for a quick brew (pizza or not), Village is one of the best spots in town, featuring over thirty taps with both local and national rotating taps for a solid selection. As for the pies, they’re exactly what you’d expect from a Neapolitan joint — an airy crust, minimal toppings, and a bit of chew to every bite.
As for the selection of pies, each has its own place. The classic Neapolitan staples, such as a Margherita, are all present — but it’s their own house creations that earned my love. From the Speck (smoked prosciutto, gorgonzola, radicchio) to the Truffled Mushroom (Bufala mozz, radicchio, grilled onion, mushroom), there’s a bit of creativity on display here that I love to see.
The last on our list of the best pizza in Davis is Paesano’s, a local neighborhood-style Italian joint with a few locations throughout the SacMet area. They boast a surprisingly diverse menu, complete with pasta and sandwiches, and (of course) pizza. While it’s all topped by a delightfully adorable storefront and interior, the reality is that we’re here to learn about pies.
Paesano’s knows that, and they deliver damn good pizza in spades. These pies aren’t even close to traditional (gasp!), but they are incredibly well-executed nonetheless. They stick to a California-meets-Neapolitan style, with minimal topping held together by a slightly thinner (yet still airy) crust. And perhaps most intriguing, they offer a Bring Your Own Chees (BYOC) pie, allowing customers to adjust any pie to their own personal tastes.
But what truly stands out is their apple and gorgonzola pie. Topped with local honey, gorgonzola, baby kale, and (obviously) ripe apples, it’s something truly special. Before you start, yes. Apples belong on pizza. If you don’t believe me, I dare you — no, double dog dare you — to put your mouth where your money is. You’d be surprised what a good chef can do with pizza.
As is tradition, I’m highlighting two joints that deserve a bit of recognition, despite not beating out their competition for the best pizza in Davis. Below are two bakeries (yes, bakeries) that offer pizza during specific hours that’s earned a large following from locals, and for good reason.
Their pies are masterfully crafted and, seeing as they’re bakeries first, the rest of their offerings can make for a nice little date night with dessert!
Upper Crust Baking is a bakery that does pizza nights once a week. It’s a first-come, first-serve setup with a limited menu and availability, but this allows them to focus on quality over quantity. This isn’t really surprising, frankly, as they’re the area’s only second-generation bakery. If that weren’t enough, the bakers are both French and American-trained, leading to top-notch French baked goods that you simply can’t get anywhere else in the region.
Should you miss out on your favorites, the good news is that Upper Crust offers more than their weekly rotating pizza menu — they have desserts, fantastic bread, and more — so give them a try (pizza night or not).
Village Bakery is an incredibly small operation that also offers a handful of baked goods alongside pizza. While their joint is quite limited on space, that hasn’t stopped them from building something special with a selection of heavily-topped West Coast-style pizzas. (Not California-style, mind you).
If you’re in the mood for a thick slice of cheesy goodness, Village Bakery is a great local option to support.
