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    Benchmark Pizzeria

    4.2 (392 reviews)
    ModeratePizza, Italian
    Open 4:30 pm - 9:00 PM

    Order Benchmark Pizzeria Takeout or Delivery

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    BENCHMARK PIZZERIA ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Benchmark Pizzeria

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    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!

    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.

    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!

    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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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Best pizza I've been to in a while! Great service and atmosphere. Had chocolate chip cookie and sundae!

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    3 years ago

    Really really great pizza. The sauce! The dough! Yummmmm. I get why this place is always so busy!

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    1 year ago

    Very good pizza, salads and service. Food and experience makes us want to go back sooner

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    Page 2 of 10

    Ask the Community - Benchmark Pizzeria

    Are pets allowed in the outdoor seating area?

    Do you offer a gluten free crust option?

    yes they do!

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    Gioia Pizzeria

    Gioia Pizzeria

    4.0
    (1.1k reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    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.

    20-year loyal customer shocked by the increasingly rude front staff…read more We have been coming to Gioia Pizzeria for over 20 years. It's our neighborhood go-to, and we eat here at least once a week because the pizza is truly excellent. For nearly two decades, the staff was always friendly, but over the last couple of years, the front-of-house service has drastically gone downhill. The people taking the orders consistently seem like they don't want to be there. I've been overlooking the cold attitude for a while now because we love the food, but my experience today was the last straw. I ordered a whole pie and politely asked to have it double-sliced. The cashier looked visibly annoyed by a simple, standard request. It got worse when the pizza was ready: after she handed me the box, I kindly asked for a few paper plates. She literally threw the plates at me with a glaring look of unhappiness. I was honestly in shock by her behavior. Stunned, I asked her what her name was, and she flat-out refused to tell me. There is absolutely no reason to treat a regular, polite customer with that level of hostility over plates and a name request. I believe people need to be held accountable for how they treat others, especially in customer service. Looking at other recent reviews, I see that I'm definitely not the only one feeling this way. Gioia has been one of our absolute favorite pizzerias in Berkeley for over 20 years, but it's a shame to see a great neighborhood spot ruined by the attitude of the people taking orders. I am truly hoping management and the owners will read this and take real action. The food is still great, but the toxic energy at the front counter is ruining the experience, and loyal customers shouldn't be treated like an inconvenience. This incident happened today at 1130am.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Gioia Pizzeria
    This is where the magic happens

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    This is where the magic happens
    Pizzeria da Laura

    Pizzeria da Laura

    4.3
    (393 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    I've been wanting to try this place out for forever and it finally happened! Safe to say this is…read morethe best pizza I've ever had in Berkeley. We were a party of three and definitely over ordered- the Sicilian style Ray J, Truly thin and crispy, and arancini, but zero regrets. The Truly thin and crispy really reminded me of the Ciccino at Truly Pizza in Dana Point, which is my favorite pizza spot in the world! As the name suggests, it's very thin and crispy and I loved the texture. Great as an appetizer pizza lol. Thick square focaccia style pizza is definitely my preference, which is why the Ray J Sicilian was my favorite here. The toppings are generous, love the large chunks of cheese and the hot honey on this one. The arancini we got was also amazing, it had a slight lemony tang to it and some veggies inside which balanced out all the fried cheesiness in it. Would super recommend Pizzeria da Laura, and come in a large party if you can! I think my only downside is the bathroom situation as you have to take a key to take the elevator downstairs and it was hard to get a hold of the key, but maybe try to come at a less busy time. That reminds me, for sure make a reservation for weekends! Super easy to do on their website. Service by everyone was very kind and they were helpful explaining the difference between all their pizzas.

    I've been looking forward to visiting Pizzeria da Laura ever since I heard about Chef Laura Meyer's…read moresuccess in world pizza competitions. It definitely lived up to the hype. The location is excellent. It's within walking distance of UC Berkeley, just a minute from Downtown Berkeley BART, and there's a public parking garage a block away. Another nice touch is the market next door. They sell pizza by the slice, snacks, and drinks. I would've been there 100% during my college days. The customer service was outstanding. Everyone was genuinely friendly, welcoming, and happy to answer questions. The atmosphere was warm, clean, and inviting. You can watch the pizzas being made, and there's also a TV if you want to catch a game while you eat. It had a relaxed neighborhood feel that made us want to stay a little longer. Having delivered for Round Table back in the '90s, I have an appreciation for the flow of a pizza operation. Everything felt organized and efficient. We started with the Chicories & Beets salad. It was fresh, crisp, and a perfect way to start the meal. We ordered the 18" NY Ray J and Detroit The Standard. Detroit The Standard was my favorite. The crispy, caramelized cheese edges were incredible, while the inside stayed light and airy. The mushrooms were perfectly cooked, not soggy at all. Every topping tasted fresh, and the balance of pepperoni, sausage, onions, olives, and sauce was spot on. The NY Ray J was just as impressive. The crust had the perfect balance of crispiness and chew, making it easy to fold. The combination of thin and thick pepperoni, creamy burrata, fresh basil, fermented honey, and Parmigiano Reggiano was outstanding. Every slice came with a great cheese pull. Both pizzas had crispy crusts, fresh toppings, quality ingredients, and just the right amount of sauce. We left feeling satisfied, not heavy or bloated. We visited on a Wednesday, and by dinner time the restaurant was full. That's always a good sign. One of the highlights of the visit was chatting with Chef Laura about dough, ingredients, and technique. It gave me an even greater appreciation for the attention to detail that goes into every pizza, and I picked up a few ideas that will definitely improve my homemade pizza game. I'm actually eating the leftovers as I write this review. They reheat beautifully. The crust stays crispy, the toppings still taste fresh, and they're just as satisfying the next day. We'll definitely be back to try more of the menu. Whether you're a Berkeley local or just passing through, Pizzeria da Laura is absolutely worth the trip.

    Photos
    One of many awards that reflect Chef Laura Meyer's passion for the craft.
    One of many awards that reflect Chef Laura Meyer's passion for the craft.
    Detroit The Standard. Those crispy cheese edges were every bit as good as they look.
    Detroit The Standard. Those crispy cheese edges were every bit as good as they look.
    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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    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.
    Sliver Pizzeria

    Sliver Pizzeria

    4.3
    (1.7k reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $

    San Francisco has great places to eat pizza. There is a pizza parlor for each neighborhood. Having…read moretried the majority of the pizza spots in San Francisco I decided to go to Berkeley. The city of Berkeley has brought good pizza recently to San Francisco like Rose Pizzeria. Going to Berkeley I have experienced great pizza places which are not located in SF. Berkeley has some great pizza places such as the Cheeseboard , Pizzeria da Laura and for the best Chicago style pizza at Zachary's Pizza ( actual fresher ingredients than most of Chicago )which both have no locations in SF. There a different pizza spot in Berkeley which serves fresh pizza with local ingredients and there is no spot in SF and it's called Sliver pizza. On a Summer day stroll in the sun in Berkeley I landed at the Telegraph Avenue. Inside there are plenty of seating and they do not accept cash. I ordered their POD also known as Pizza Of the Day. It had the Mushroom, red onions, green scallions , and it had a lemon zest which was sour like some in SF. It was a little cheesy and the sourdough crust was soft. It was tasty and you can taste the field to table ingredients in the pizza. They also have interesting pizza like the Cherry Corn Pizza like I saw on my social media feed. When in Berkeley you must try Sliver Pizzeria. Go to Berkeley for this is a "must" because they have a sourdough "crust" is a "plus" it's not too cheesy and very delicious and leaves some pizza places in SF in the "dust" This pizza place is to eat inside , pick up, and they do "deliver" I rate it more on gold standard side than "silver" fresh ingredients from the "Salinas River" at a pizza place in Berkeley on Telegraph called "Sliver"

    I used to come to sliver all the time in undergrad 5 years ago and it was amazing, but I recently…read moremoved back and the quality is terrible now. The pizza here is so greasy and has way too much cheese that it makes the pizza soggy. They used to have a nice crispy thin crust. Bring back the thin crust and stop adding so much cheese you can't taste the other flavors! Also they don't do the pizza of the day anymore which honestly is a negative not a positive thing because now the ingredients don't taste fresh.

    Photos
    Sliver Pizzeria
    Pizza of the Day (8/15/25): Potato pizza
    Pizza of the Day (8/15/25): Potato pizza
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    Benchmark Pizzeria - pizza - Updated August 2026

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