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Benchmark Pizzeria

4.2 (391 reviews)
ModeratePizza, Italian
Closed 4:30 pm - 9:00 PM

Order Benchmark Pizzeria Takeout or Delivery

Benchmark Pizzeria Photos

Business Info

BENCHMARK PIZZERIA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for groups
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Benchmark Pizzeria

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Reviews With Photos

Salami Pizza
Eric R.

2025 Pizza Reviews continue... this pizza is very good, 4.6 stars in my book if it means anything to you. Like most people I've heard of Kensington as the land past the Gourmet Ghetto but never ventured that far. Living in Oakland it's a decent trek to that part of Berkley and going to and North of Solano Ave. is its own venture. I've been searching for great pizza this year after going to Japan and having the best the world has to offer, I've been striving to find it ever since.. pizza is very good here, not quite as fluffy a dough as I would like, but this is "Neo Neopolitan " and it's own unique variety, as it should be. The amount of char ("leoparding") on here is phenomenal, it's all around and the flavor of the entire pizza benefits from it. We opted for a caesar salad to go with our Benchmark Pizza and Salami pie. For the Benchmark, you can really taste the ingredients here and the olive oil in particular, their commitment to fresh produce and top notch ingredients is strong and apparent. It was a work of art with all the ingredients working together. Likewise the salad was heavily "cheesed" as I think all caesar salads should be, seasoned well with cold, crisp lettuce that works together.

Fried Sage Pizza With Meatballs
Lynn N.

I have been meaning to try Benchmark Pizza for a while after hearing it was one of the best rated in the Bay Area! We came here and were immediately seated. The place is cozy, but there is enough room inside and outside. I also noticed there were a lot of children, so this is definitely a family-friendly restaurant! We ordered two pizzas based off our servers recommendation, the new mushroom one and the fried sage. The mushroom pizza had a nice earthy flavor, and the sauce was oily without being heavy. It was very soft in the center because of the sauce, but it had a nice outer crust. The fried sage had a thick layer of cheese and the meatball complimented well with the fried sage itself. Overall, I do like the outer crusts, but I feel the bottom could be crispier, and the sauces themselves were more on the heavy side. I'm glad I was able to come and try their well-rated pizzas though!

Benchmark Pizza
 Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil, Extra Virgin Olive O
Matt W.

My first time here. Thinking about this amazing pizza makes me want to belt out my favorite song from my favorite band... while driving of course. I am the egg man They are the egg men I am the walrus Goo goo g'joob Last week a friend and I shared a Benchmark Pizza with Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Meatball Pizza with Tomato, Mozzarella, Grana, Meatballs, Parsley. Perfect is the only way to describe the crust. Crunchy, chewy, smoky and flavorful. It stood up just fine to the sauce and toppings. The Meatball Pizza was my favorite. Super tasty meatballs that complimented the sauce and cheese. I'll take two next time. The place is popular so Matt suggests you go early. I can hardly wait to go back.

Spicy margarita. Very good.
Theresa S.

I can see why locals come here. The food is good. The pasta was fresh with a nice bite and a light lemony sauce. We enjoyed the pizza. It had a chewy crust and really yummy cheese and a light tomato sauce. However the center was a bit soggy. The meatball put it over the top. Made me wish I had ordered the meatballs and polenta entree instead. Loved the spicy margarita. I could tell it was made with fresh squeezed lime juice, none of that sickly sweet and sour mix. The best part of the meal was the huge chopped salad. It came lightly dressed in a tangy vinaigrette. Perfectly boiled eggs. Fresh crunch greens. Just enough cheese and almonds. Superb! The room could use something to deaden the sound. We could hear every utensil on every plate and the conversations of the other guests. I'm sure that's fun for the regulars. Not so much for us. But that's what you get in a tiny room with tall ceilings. It's also quite pricey for a pizzeria with self-serve silverware in a cup on the table no white tablecloths. Our server was very nice and quite attentive. Parking was easy and free. I might go back.

Gina G.

With the holidays quickly approaching, if you're looking to cozy up for date night or an evening with friends/family in town, Benchmark Pizzeria is calling your name. Nestled in the equally as cozy community of Kensington, you'll find other gems here as well like the Sunday farmer's market, the charming Semifreddi's Bakery (opened in 1984!) and another local fan favorite, the Kensington Pub. Benchmark is well known for their delicious pizzas, comforting pastas, hearty salads/soups and yes, their organic soft serve to round out the menu! Highlights when ordering are always a pizza & pasta to split, with seasonal pasta favorites including the Strozzapreti Bolognese and Cacio e Pepe. Pizza wise, one really can't go wrong with traditional options and also fall/winter options like the Delicata Squash and Sage Pizza, all served "Neo-Neopolitan in style, 11-12 inches". My latest order was the Benchmark (Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $20) with a side of their homemade Caesar dressing to dip the crust in..amazing pro tip from the awesome servers! The pizzas are perfect for sharing or like me last Friday, simply just for one. The Caesar in general is also always a must, brimming top of bowl with fresh grated Grana. We typically always like to order a side of their house made bread & salted butter to start, which compliments any Antipasti quite nicely. Benchmark now has house & specialty cocktails to accompany their awesome selection of beer/wine. I love a good Spritz or Lambrusco, a sparkling red I only enjoy ordering here! Going down the sweet train, you have to make an express stop to try their Buffalo Milk soft serve with (any topping of choice) and Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookie on the side to dip in. We usually get the caramel sauce because we're huge fans, but truly anything atop buffalo's milk is a win in my book! Fun fact: Benchmark has now opened a grab-and-go down the street! If you make it to the Sunday Kensington Farmer's Market, they offer morning quarter pizza slices to go and other fun breakfast treats/sandwiches, frozen pizzas, boxed items from their restaurant, and even sides of that super yummy Caesar dressing! Don't sleep on Benchmark this season ~ you're in for a big win!

Soft Serve
Tracy D.

Finally had a chance to eat here. Nice neighborhood eatery we can walk to. We ate outside in a Sunday evening which got busier as the evening progressed. It was nice sitting outside enjoying the good weather. We had pasta, salad and two pizzas - margherita with wine and beer. All tasted really good. Bonus was the soft serve ice cream and sundae. Service was attentive and friendly. Food came out quickly. We'll be back!

Benchmark pizza has the best chewy crust!
Theresa R.

Learned of this place as one of the "best pizzerias" and had to check it out and support local. We had their chopped salad, spicy carrot salad, a Benchmark and a Delegata pizza with sausage added. We also had to try their chocolate chip cookies, for dessert. The carrot salad was fun and fresh with just a little bite to it, not too spicy. The chopped salad was a meal in itself and an absolute rainbow of lettuces, radicchio, apples and pomegranate seeds with blue cheese bites. It was a bowl of happiness and good will! Oh and it had a just barely hard cooked egg that had the creamiest yolk, and felt like a delicacy to eat. Pizzas were thin crust and blistered, with toppings that complimented each other beautifully. The Benchmark was a margarite pizza with fresh mozzarella and the Delicata had squash and fennel with other types of cheeses which combined with the added sausage were crave worthy. We will definitely be back to this place. I can hardly wait to try the pasta dishes. The waitress was great. Efficient, friendly and helpful. We had one cookies to-go that slipped out of it's packaging onto the floor and she was kind enough to replace it for us, which I appreciated. If you love pizza, you need to check this one off as a favorite. It's worth the drive if you're not a local, honestly.

Fried Sage Pizza
Peg S.

Great family and neighborhood spot with both indoor/outdoor seating for delicious, tasty pizza, with some interesting flavors (fried sage!) on a nice, slightly charred crust. Top it of off with yummy gelato and soft serve or chocolate chip cookie for the kids!

Margherita Pizza

I'm born and raised in Napoli, birthplace of pizza, and I can assure you that this pizzeria is superb! Easily in the best 3 pizzerias I've had in the Bay Area! Keep it up!

Chopped Salad
paula c.

A true neighborhood gem, Benchmark is a gathering place for local Italians and Italian-food appreciators who come for their simple menu of high quality food and great drinks. Driving by on any given evening you'll see clusters of diners sitting at the outside tables, regardless of temperature but especially on a balmy evening. The inside dining area is small but feels equally suited for a date night or a couple families meeting up for dinner. Staff have always been efficient and friendly with service. But the food...that's what really matters. And that's why I keep returning and craving a Benchmark dinner. The fried brown butter sage pizza is something that must be ordered. It won't disappoint and you will be thinking about it days later! Other menu items on our regular order include: Strozzapretti Bolognese (priest-strangler pasta), Chopped salad which has the perfect balance of ingredients (large enough to share with the table), meatballs, sausage and pepperoni pizzas, marinated olives, and housemade bread. My recent conversation to plant-based diet has left me still dreaming of the sage pizza but feeling very satisfied with their vegan pizza, loaded with green olives, spinach and cashew-based cheese. On a hot day, add an Aperol spritz and it almost feels like I'm back it Italy

Benchmark Pizza  and Fried Sage Pizza

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13 days ago

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5 months ago

A good neighborhood pizzeria. Fried sage, goat cheese and pepperoni, and shredded fennel - all good choices

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7 months ago

I love this place great food. Great service great place to eat and over all a great environment.

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8 months ago

Love the pizza and chopped salad. I have it delivered, so it often isn't hot, but still worth it.

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2 years ago

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5 months ago

Service is poor and the owner is extremely rude. Don't support this business, spend your money where it's appreciated.

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10 months ago

Kid friendly, with great service and good food. Reliable choice for dinner. Seasonal specials are worth trying!

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Ask the Community - Benchmark Pizzeria

Are pets allowed in the outdoor seating area?

Do you offer a gluten free crust option?

yes they do!

View All 4 Questions

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4.0(1.1k reviews)
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I've been to The Star on Park before, so when my wife and I were craving pizza, Little Star Pizza…read morewas an easy choice--especially since they have deep dish around and gluten-free options for her. We stopped in early on a Friday evening and were seated right away. The space has a great, casual vibe with plenty of indoor seating and some outdoor tables for nicer weather. Our server was friendly and checked in to see if we had any questions (we didn't), and we got drinks started right away--a local beer from Faction and a Black Basil cocktail. Both came out quickly and were solid. For food, I went with one of their signature pies--the All-Star deep dish. It's loaded with bacon, meatballs, sausage, pepperoni, and cheese... and it's massive. I always go for the 12" because it easily turns into 4-5 meals (no regrets there). My wife built her own gluten-free pizza with a thin crust and really enjoyed it. One thing I appreciated: even though deep dish takes longer to cook, both pizzas came out at the same time, which isn't always easy to do. They also offer a good variety of salads, starters, and sandwiches, which all sounded great--but I was here for the pizza. Overall, great service, excellent food, and a relaxed atmosphere. Definitely a go-to spot for a casual pizza night.

I was visiting family out by Albany and was planning on getting sandwiches from Zara. Sadly Zara's…read moreclosed after a car drive into the Delicatessen. I was in a mood for a sandwich and by brother-in-law suggested Little Star Pizza. He recommended the East Coast Sandwich (combination). My sister and brother-in-law ordered the East Coast Sandwich which they both loved. I ordered a Meatball sandwich which was pretty good. It tasted liked meatballs in a grilled garlic roll. The meatball is sliced so the sandwich is on the thin side. Overall, the nice gooey cheese, grilled garlic roll and meatball created a pretty good sandwich. They have a good menu with pizzas, sandwiches and salads. I plan to drop in again but will try the pizza and see if it is as good as the sandwiches. If you order take-out, you need to walk down the side of the building to the take-out sign and enter that door. The take-out counter is right inside the side door.

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Gioia Pizzeria - One slice of yummy goodness.  $5.85

Gioia Pizzeria

4.0(1.1k reviews)
1.3 miBerkeley Hills
$$

The pizzas are great. The service needs improvement for sure. I don't know why they had such an…read moreattitude especially they are expecting us to tip for picking up the orders. The signage for "Pick Up" should be clearer if the window is only for Website/Online order. There was no need to give me an attitude to inform me to go inside for the phone order pick up. Plus, she gave me such narrow window to enter the phone number for award points. If you can't enter the phone number fast enough to get the points, there should be a way to do it afterwards.

Stopped by on a Saturday afternoon for lunch after stocking up at Monterey Market. I'm luckily…read morewithin walking distance but parking may be tricky for those driving in. Ordered slices of pepperoni, Julian, and Spinaci Aglio. All were amazing. Thin, crisp crust, tangy pizza sauce, good olive oil, great cheese pull. Simple ingredients coming together for a satisfying and piping hot bite. Pepperoni drips with the golden orange oil, characteristic of a solid pep slice. Spinaci has just enough garlic that works perfectly with the mild spinach. The star of Julian is the near crunchy kale complemented by pops of sausage. Place your order inside and pick up at the window just outside when they call out your order. There's a park a block or so down the road that's a great place to stop by and enjoy your slice if the small bench in front is filled up.

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Gioia Pizzeria - Inside

Inside

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Pizzeria da Laura - Detroit Ray J

Pizzeria da Laura

4.3(383 reviews)
2.2 miDowntown Berkeley
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Pizzeria da Laura in Berkeley is a fantastic spot for Italian food right in the heart of downtown,…read morejust steps from the university. The location gives it a lively downtown vibe with lots of energy from the surrounding area and nearby students. The reservation and check-in process was very smooth. The staff were incredibly courteous, welcoming, and helpful throughout the visit. I actually arrived about 30 minutes earlier than my reservation time, and they were kind enough to seat us early, which was a really nice touch. One thing I really like about this place is that they update their dishes a few times a year, so every visit can feel a little different and exciting. The menu has great variety, especially when it comes to pizza styles as you can choose from New York, Sicilian, Detroit, and Grandma-style pizzas, and the pricing is very straightforward for all the sizes they serve. The pizza was perfectly cooked and tasted great. They also allow you to customize your pizza by adding or removing ingredients, which makes it very convenient for everyone to choose based on their liking. And they add toppings with open-heart. The pasta was also excellent. We ordered the Peperoncino pasta, and it tasted amazing. The garlic flavor and breadcrumbs were really the highlight and brought out the authentic character of the spaghetti. Another big plus is that they have plenty of vegetarian options, making it easy for different dietary preferences. The portions are generous and the prices are very reasonable for what they serve. Food arrived quickly, and the service from the servers and staff was great throughout the visit. The restaurant also has plenty of space and handles reservations well. The atmosphere is lively with lots of people around and students from the nearby university, which adds to the downtown Berkeley energy. A little more upbeat music could add even more charm to the place. Overall, this is a place I would definitely recommend to anyone visiting Berkeley. It's the kind of restaurant I'd happily come back to again and again.

A really solid pizza place, definitely one of the best Sicilian pizzas I've ever had in the Bay…read morearea. The service was fast and the ambiance seemed really nice but we took it to go. I definitely want to come back and try the pesto pizza, but the red sauce was really good! 4.25/5

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Pizzeria da Laura - Sicilian Ray J ($38) - subbed pepperoni for olives on 1/2. It's tasty! The crust is airy, bread-like, a bit crispy on the bottom.

Sicilian Ray J ($38) - subbed pepperoni for olives on 1/2. It's tasty! The crust is airy, bread-like, a bit crispy on the bottom.

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Cheese Board Pizza - Whole Pizza

Cheese Board Pizza

4.6(6.2k reviews)
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Can't believe I haven't written a review for Cheeseboard yet. Arguable the best pizza in the East…read moreBay. They offer 1 daily flavor, vegetarian only, but don't let that deter you! Each pizza is made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and I've never been disappointed by a single combination they've created. If you're lucky enough to be there when they have their corn pizza..... Definitely ask for their signature green sauce on the side. On weekends, you can vibe with the live music and enjoy your meal on their outdoor patio or indoor seating. If you're in a rush, takeout is always an option, and they also have frozen pies for you to bake at home. Reasonably priced, consistently fresh, great hospitality, and always so, so satisfying.

My daughter is in town from college & I wanted to take her out for pizza…read more Last minute we yelped & picked Cheeseboard because we wanted to be able to bring our dog. Pizza flavor the day I went: Crushed Tomato, Red Onion, Mozzarella, Garlic, Olive Oil, Basil-Pine nut Parmesan Unexpectedly... which was fine, I learned: 1. they serve a different flavor pizza every day so check online for the flavor of the day 2. Some days have live music 3. No DoorDash or Togo orders (unless you're ordering a big order like 6 whole pizzas) 4. Everyone has to stand in line to order Pros: -pizza is delicious & everyone seemed to love their food -vegan , gluten free & half baked options -music -the line was long , to me that means the food is good -people get up constantly, so finding a seat was not hard -pet friendly Cons: -the line wraps down the street, didn't really want to stand in a long line -mostly outdoor seating options

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Benchmark Pizzeria - pizza - Updated June 2026

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