Boston's Best Pizza

The Daily Meal Staff|Sept. 17, 2014 5:00 am EST

Pizza has become a staple in American diets, including here in Boston. There are so many delicious spots but these stand out from the rest with their affordable pricing, delicious toppings and signature combinations. Whether it is a slice to-go you are after or to sit down and savor a meal of appetizers, pizza, drinks and even dessert, you are sure to find a favorite out of these five Boston staples.

Pizza from Benevento's (Credit: Michelle Levine)

Benevento's
111 Salem St.
Boston, MA 02113
(617) 523-4111
www.beneventosboston.com

A North End favorite on Salem Street, Benevento's offers affordable salad, pizza, pasta and more. You can see the chefs expertly preparing the cuisine since there is an open kitchen, where the pizzas are cooked in the brick oven. You can choose your own toppings from the long list of selections which includes ricotta cheese, prosciutto, sweet sausage, roasted peppers and caramelized onions. Try one of the specialty pizzas like the Victoria for $13.95. Featuring sautéed shrimp scampi, diced tomatoes, garlic, white wine, basil and light mozzarella cheese, it is a flavorful pizza that won't disappoint.

Galleria Umberto
289 Hanover St.
Boston, MA 02113
(617) 227-5709

Also in the North End is Galleria Umberto. There is a reason there is a line weaving throughout the restaurant and sometimes even out the doors. This spot has mastered making perfect baking sheets of pizza. The sauce is sweet, the crust chewy and the cheese melted to perfection with just the right amount of golden brown spots. Galleria Umberto keeps its menu simple with just slices of cheese or pepperoni plus other options like rice balls and calzones. It is only open during lunch time, until the food runs out, so get there fast.

This tiny pizza shop puts out authentic Neapolitan style pizza every day. (Image: Phantom Gourmet)

This tiny pizza shop puts out authentic Neapolitan style pizza. (Image: Phantom Gourmet)

Picco
513 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 927-0066
www.piccorestaurant.com

Picco, in the South End, has become a very popular spot to sit down for pizza alongside beer or wine. Start off with meatballs, ravioli or bruschetta as an appetizer. Then dig into one of the pizzas with creative combos including fig, bacon and gorgonzola or corn and roasted poblano peppers featuring onions, tomatoes, cilantro and goat cheese. Don't skip dessert here since it has a variety of ice creams like the PB chip, dark chocolate or honey.

Viga
304 Stuart St.
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 542-7200
www.vigaeatery.com

New locations of Viga have popped up all throughout Boston since locals and visitors are loving the selection of salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes and pizza. It's a convenient place to get lunch during your work break with locations in Back Bay, the Financial District and Downtown Crossing, to name a few. Pizza slices include buffalo chicken, BBQ chicken, chicken parmesan, veggie and many more. Viga also caters, so consider it for your next event or lunch meeting.

(Photo from Santarpios)

Santarpio's Pizza
111 Chelsea St.
Boston, MA 02128
(617) 567-9871
www.santarpiospizza.com

Award-winning pizza can be found at Santarpio's in East Boston. You can create your own perfect pie from the many toppings or go for one of the signature selections. Favorites include Italian cheese and mushrooms for $11.50, Italian cheese with pepperoni, garlic and hot peppers for $15 or The Works with mushrooms, onions, peppers, garlic, sausage, pepperoni, extra cheese and anchovies for $19.50. It also has white pizzas sans sauce like shrimp scampi or chicken with broccoli and garlic as well.

Michelle Levine is a creative energetic, young professional that is passionate about everything Boston has to offer. She loves to attend local events, dine out, and cook and wants to share her findings with you. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.