5 Local Pizza Spots in the GTA That Deserve More Love

Beyond the Chains

I spend a lot of time on this site reviewing chain pizza — Little Caesars pizza, Pizza Pizza, Domino's — and I think that is important work, because it is what most Canadians eat most often. But every now and then I like to remind everyone, including myself, that when you search pizza near me, the best answer is not always a chain. Independently owned pizza restaurants exist and many of them are making incredible food for prices that are not dramatically higher than what the big chains charge.

The Greater Toronto Area has a pizza scene that does not get nearly enough credit. We are not New York and we are not Naples, but we have our own thing going on, and it is worth exploring. Here are five spots I have eaten at repeatedly and would genuinely recommend.

1. Maker Pizza — Multiple Locations

Maker has been on my radar since they opened their College Street location, and they have only gotten better with time. The dough is made fresh daily — you can actually taste the difference, which is not something I say about most places. Their signature pie uses a sourdough-style crust that has a slight tang and an airy, chewy texture that puts most chain crusts to shame.

What I appreciate about Maker is that they do not try to be everything. The menu is focused, the ingredients are clearly a step above standard, and the atmosphere is casual enough that you do not feel like you need to dress up. A pizza here runs you about $16-20 depending on toppings, which is not budget territory but is reasonable for what you get. They also have a solid online ordering system, which I mention because after reviewing chain apps all month, it is nice to see a local spot that takes the digital side seriously.

2. Blondies Pizza — Etobicoke

If you have never been to Blondies, you are missing out on some of the best New York-style slices in the GTA. The operation is straightforward — they make big pies, they sell them by the slice, and the slices are enormous. We are talking proper foldable, thin crust, slightly charred on the bottom slices that drip just enough grease to make you feel alive.

A single slice and a drink will run you under seven dollars, which is competitive with chain pricing but the quality difference is significant. The cheese pull on their regular slice is legitimately impressive. I have ordered from them probably fifteen times over the past year and the consistency has been excellent every time. They are slightly out of the way if you live downtown, but worth the trip on a weekend.

3. Descendant Detroit Style Pizza — Queen East

Detroit-style pizza is having a moment in Toronto and Descendant is leading the charge. If you have not tried this style before, imagine a thick, rectangular pizza baked in a steel pan so the edges get crispy and almost caramelized while the inside stays soft and pillowy. The cheese goes all the way to the edges — and past them, actually, creating these crunchy cheese crusts that are probably the best single bite of pizza available in this city.

This is not a budget option. A full pan runs $22-28 and feeds two to three people comfortably. But the per-person math works out to around $8-10, which is not outrageous for food this good. They tend to sell out of certain flavours by evening, so ordering earlier in the day is recommended. The Queen East location has limited seating but does takeout well.

4. Fresca Pizza and Pasta — Scarborough

Fresca is the kind of place that every neighbourhood deserves but few actually have. Family-owned, been around for over twenty years, and consistently making solid Italian-style pizza without any pretension. The menu is large — almost too large, if I am being honest — but the pizza section is the star.

Their house special pizza with sausage, mushrooms, peppers, and olives is the one to order. The crust is medium-thick, slightly crispy on the bottom, and the sauce has a homemade quality that chain pizza simply cannot replicate. A large pie is around $15, which is practically a steal considering the portion size. They also deliver through their own service (no UberEats markup), which is increasingly rare.

5. North of Brooklyn — Ossington

I am going to be upfront: this is probably the most divisive pick on the list. North of Brooklyn is a polarizing place. Some people think it is the best pizza in Toronto. Others think it is overrated hipster nonsense. I land somewhere in the middle — it is very good pizza in a neighbourhood that is very good at charging you for the experience of being in that neighbourhood.

The slices are large, the crust has a proper fermented dough flavour, and the pepperoni cups beautifully. A slice runs about $5-6 and a whole pie is $18-24. For the quality, it is fair. The atmosphere is minimal — a few seats, mostly takeout — but the pizza speaks for itself. If you are in the area, it is worth stopping in. If you are making a special trip from the suburbs, manage your expectations accordingly.

Final Thoughts

Supporting local pizza restaurants is not just about getting better food — although you generally will. It is about keeping the kind of businesses that make neighbourhoods interesting alive. Every dollar you spend at a local spot stays in the community in a way that chain spending simply does not.

That said, I am not going to pretend that everyone can afford to eat at independent restaurants every night. Budget chains serve an important function — and if you want the cheapest option, a Little Caesars pizza for six dollars is hard to argue with. I covered that in my Little Caesars review and my guide to ordering pizza online. But when you have a few extra dollars and the time to try something different, these five spots are a great place to start. Next time you are searching pizza closest to me, try looking past the first chain result.