With a minimal Italian population, you’d hardly expect the Seattle area to be world-famous for its pizza. New York has its thin crust and Chicago its deep dish, and even places like Connecticut, St. Louis, and New Jersey have distinctive pizza styles and reputations. It could be argued Seattle doesn’t have a distinct pizza culture, and that’s okay.

Northwest pizza is actually liberated from all the rules. You like it thick and hearty with a ton of fresh ingredients on top? You got it. Prefer an Old World experience? We got that too.

What unifies the Northwest pizza scene are friendly, laid-back atmospheres, a selection of great microbrews, and plenty of innovation. Come find your pizza.

Serious Pie

If Tribunali does gourmet pizza Italian-style, Tom Douglas’ Seattle Kitchen shows that the Old World does not have a monopoly on artisan pizza. Local celeb chef Tom Douglas offers high-falutin pizzas like the Yukon Gold Potato Pizza and Penn Cove Clam Pizza, but the standout is actually the basic homemade Mozzarella and Tomato pizza. The weekday happy hour here is a great deal, offering discounts on half pies and draft beer. In the evening, expect a long wait to get a table.

Location: 316 Virginia Street

Northlake Tavern

Northlake is one of Seattle’s oldest establishments and a staple of North Lake Union. Located on the south edge of the University District, Northlake attracts hungry students. However, it’s not the typical college area pizza that sacrifices quality for low cost and late hours. Northlake is generous with high-quality ingredients—you will not leave hungry. Unfortunately for families, this is a 21-and-up establishment.

Location: 660 Northlake Way (U-District)

The Rock Wood Fired Pizza

The Rock believes there is only one way to do pizza: Wood Fired. Rock Inspired. All their pizzas are made from scratch, topped with the freshest meats, vegetables, and cheeses, then baked to perfection in their custom-designed wood-fired brick oven. You can keep it simple with their Classic Rock, or go big with their best-selling Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy. Moreover, they serve classic burgers, pastas, salads, desserts, specialty Rock Brews, classic Rocktails, and signature Buckets, which include beloved picks mixed with a little bit of Rock N’ Roll.

Locations: Covington, Federal Way, Lacey, Lake Tapps, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Puyallup, Renton, and Tacoma (original venue).

Pagliacci Pizza

Pagliacci is Western Washington’s flagship pizza chain, boasting six dine-in pizzerias and fifteen delivery-only locations, covering most of Seattle and Bellevue. Despite its ubiquity, Pagliacci remains beloved by Seattleites, who often order from them. For delivery, try the simple, classy Margherita or the Salumi Pepperoni (yes, that Salumi). For dine-in, aim for happy hour, where you can snag a free drink with your slice.

Locations: U-District, Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, Bellevue

Stellar Pizza and Ale

With neighborhoods like Ballard rapidly upscaling, Georgetown presents a laid-back treat that hearkens back to Seattle before the high-tech boom of the ’90s. Stellar offers delicious pizza in a casual, funky atmosphere. The pizzas are heavy and loaded with fresh ingredients, making them satisfying. If you’ve got kids, consider The Beanie (lots of pepperoni, extra cheese). For a romantic night out, try The Carleton (goat cheese, mushrooms, garlic). Be aware, the advertised 25-30 minutes wait time for a pie is not an exaggeration, but it’s certainly worth it.

Location: 5513 Airport Way S (Georgetown)

Via Tribunali

On the opposite end of the spectrum is the classy, Neapolitan-style Via Tribunali. Every effort has been made to create an immersive continental dining environment: from all-Italian imported ingredients to a real wood-fired oven, a deep and adventurous all-Italian wine list (no beer, alas), and a menu that spells it pizze.

Locations: Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, Georgetown

Flying Squirrel Pizza

No, there’s no actual squirrel meat pizza on this menu (disappointed? This is probably your kind of place). This hidden gem, situated just a few blocks from Seward Park in residential southeast Seattle, offers perhaps the best all-around pizza in town. Artsy and adventurous pies, served on delicious charred crusts, are prepared using local ingredients from Zoe’s Meats, Salumi, local farms, and Molly Moon’s ice cream. Moreover, they have a unique policy that allows you to bring in your own cassette mix tape, adding to the charm of the experience. If there’s one pizzeria that embodies everything great about Seattle pizza, this is it.

Locations: Seward Park, Georgetown, Maple Leaf