The parklet area where we were seated is very steep. As a result, our toddler's chair toppled and she hit her head on the sidewalk. No one from the restaurant staff reacted or made sure we were ok, even though they and the rest of the diners silently watched her fall and our frantic efforts to make sure she was ok. We're still in shock. As for the experience up until then: the pizzas are bland. The Caesar salad and spicy carrots are pretty good. The soft serve was not good--skip it. More importantly though, find a restaurant that cares about your safety and well-being. read more

Top 5 pizza spots in the area! Neo-Neapolitan style goodness. Happy to have found this place last year. Highly recommend checking them out for dine in or take away! read more

I think tonight was my family's last night at Benchmark, which is sad because we have been going there since they first opened. The food is really good but the service has just become too... unpleasant. Since they fully reopened from the pandemic there has been a steady decline in service. They staff really just don't seem to give two s**** about helping customers enjoy their meals. Perhaps American Airlines sells online classes in customer service because that is what it feels like at Benchmark now. Until today's we tolerated what other reviewers have called "lack of charm" for the good food. Tonight our young daughters did not want the same pizzas -- one wanted pepperoni and the other only cheese. OK, easy, we asked for pizza with half pepperoni and half cheese. The waiter said sorry, our policy is we don't do half orders on pizzas. I said, I'm confused. Could you just not put pepperoni on half the pizza? That would be really helpful. He replied, no, that's not our policy. I could see how it could be more difficult to manage and perhaps more expensive to the restaurant if everyone ordered different toppings on each side. We were not asking that. We just wanted a side without toppings. We also were not asking for a discount because we asked for less pepperoni. We would pay full price. He then *helpfully* added that we could easily order two pizzas and they would be happy to make those. It just felt like he would flip the middle finger at us if there weren't other patrons around. So we left and are never coming back. Yes, we go out to eat for the food, but we also go out to eat for a moment to relax. If a chance to chill out is why you go out to eat, you won't find that here. read more

The butter sage is the best Neapolitan style pizza I've ever had. Even when this place is full of screaming children and geriatric diners, the butter sage is still the best Neapolitan style pizza I've ever had. read more

We ordered takeout and we have a new favorite pizza place! The crust is chewy, soft and thin, absolute heaven. We had the sausage and eggplant pizza with added mushrooms and it was scrumptious and got devoured even though my spouse doesn't like eggplant. We haven't had a pizza around here that is so perfectly Italian -- even Lucia doesn't come up to this standard for our taste. Side of braised greens was perfectly cooked and craveable, very well seasoned, maybe a little heavier on the added oil than necessary but I still can't wait to eat it again. We also tried the pasta of the day, which I think was strozzapretti, with yummy soft pork meatballs. Not cheap, but worth it. Just such perfect al dente texture and bite. This is the pasta of my dreams. Spouse had the farm lettuces, which were nicely dressed with lemon and oil dressing but otherwise nothing special, and we added a side of pickled onions that gave it a little more excitement. I had the Caesar salad with a fantastically creamy and savory dressing that is nicely garlicky. The final clincher is that the soft serve (which doesn't have eggs, good because we have an allergic person in the house) is absolutely spectacular. We tried the Fior di Latte (plain) with butterscotch added and the chocolate/plain swirl and both were refreshingly light and so yummy. This place doesn't have a lot of surprises or gimmicks, just delivers exactly what it promises. We can't wait to order it again. read more

Fantastic meal with the wonderful folks at Benchmark Pizzeria. I've had the takeout pizzas many time and enjoyed their thin crust and interesting combinations (sage was my favorite) Tonight we dined outside on the very pleasant outdoor seating. No problem getting seating and asked for our beverage orders immediately. First we had the most amazing carrots, chilis and mint appetizer. Subtle, fresh and delightful. Then the amazing cauliflower, green olive and basil pie arrived. DELICIOUS!! So incredibly yummy and flavorful. I cannot wait to return. And big secret: the pie was all plant-based. Run don't walk for fab plant based pizza! read more

Benchmark Pizzeria - Vegan pizza and carrot appetizer - Pizza Near Me - Kensington, California

Absolutely perfect pizza. Tried pistachio on pizza for first time. Brilliant. Spouse always gets the 'basic' Benchmark which is just right for him. . read more

A-A-Amazing! I've been eyeing this place for a time. Finally went and I am glad I did. I ordered the fried sage pizza with garlic, brown butter, and lemon. My, oh my was it GOOD! Dough tastes fresh and is a great texture. I'm eager to try more items from the menu. Oh, and excellent customer seeeervice! read more

My #1 go to pizza and delish food spot in all of the east bay (so much so I'm hesitant to write this review!). The Benchmark pizza is unbelievably delish - nothing beats simply perfect pizza. My best tip is to order extra and then wrap up leftover slices and freeze them - fast to defrost and so so so good when reheated. My absolutely fav spot. Don't go anywhere Benchmark. And always get the Sunday :) ohh and the polenta and meatballs read more

So good. Love their crust. Great Caesar salad dressing as well. Friendly too. Small area to sit.

Great pizza place, friendly wait staff, good food, and fun atmosphere. I would come back here again!

Excellent pizza with creative flavor combos. I liked the sage pizza with the hint of lemon and I can't wait to try the others. Also do not sleep on the house made bread! Service was quick but not pushy. Will be back! read more

I doubt we'll go back after the experience today. I had a hiccup up with a to go order. I went online and got the number; called, went straight to voicemail, vm full. What? Emailed through website's form, got a reply from who I thought must have been a snarky teen employee. It was the owner! She said she didn't "see my order. What time did I come in?" She emailed back and forth, questioning me over and over about the order - as if I wasn't being truthful! When I requested a call rather than emailing me multiple times, her response was "we don't have phone service". Seriously? Overall, bad experience and terrible customer service. They may have decent food but the owner needs to polish up customer service and how she interacts with people. She was a pain. read more

I love everything about benchmark, their outdoors seating that is very spaced out, the amazing pizza (if it's your first time try the sage!!). The sweet range of drinks and lovely salads. It feels like you're walking into a neighborhood hub and enjoying a little pocket of joy! read more

A pizza place I crave. Pizza is so plentiful in this area that it is worth noting the ones who are stand-out. And tucked off of a main street, you gotta know to know that Benchmark is a destination, not just an option. Their salads continue to be the kind that I long for - which really doesn't happen often - and their pizza dough has just a hint of sourness, plenty of structure and fluffiness and the right amount of blisters to really make it a perfect 10. Don't miss out on the ice cream sundae either. The whole meal, from start to finish, is really a catch. read more

Benchmark Pizzeria - My obsession: farm stand salad. So delicious, you'll crave it! - Pizza Near Me - Kensington, California

Fabulous as always! All the dishes are made with high quality ingredients. The servers are very nice and have been there for many years which says a lot. read more

Not entirely sure we would return as repeat customers. 4 for dinner....salad of rocket ordered, fresh....decent portion. Mexican coke sold here...YAY! Pizzas ordered: 3 separate ones. I definitely recall a spicy Spanish pepper lacing the pie, and another one with sausage. The pizza with the sausage was most flavorful. Though their crust is touted as great, not exactly our type. Not enough crisp on the bottom...somewhere between a very chewy and regular crust. Do they use 00 Italian flour? Fresh ingredients, size of pizza is good enough for 1-2 people. Not great bargain, not very expensive. Thing for us: just so incredibly loud inside! So much so we all stopped talking and just ate. Frustrating; bad acoustics. Friendly server and helpful staff. read more

OMFG COVID if it wasn't for you I never would have discovered this place! I have been sheltering in place this whole year no friends, no family super strict. Instacart groceries and Doordash more than I want to admit. I've literally tried every single pizza place from Pinole, San Pablo, El Sobrante down to Berkeley and Oakland. This takes the cake for me. I got the mushroom pizza. Omg it did not disappoint, I..I..am elated!! I will definitely order on DoorDash again. read more

Benchmark Pizzeria - DoorDash Mushroom pizza - Pizza Near Me - Kensington, California

What an amazing addition to the neighborhood. I Have been trying to check this place out for several months and I will continue to come more frequently. Their calzone is a big pizza turned over itself. It's delicious. Great meats. Very fresh pizza and tomato sauce and greens. Tuesday's (I think) they have a great $15bottles of all wines and they have some great bottles. Hope they deliver read more

Benchmark Pizzeria - Their calzone is a big pizza turned over itself - Pizza Near Me - Kensington, California

If you're looking for a good dinner option in Albany, Kensington, Berkeley area, you found it. We love, love, love the Salami pizza and usually pair it with the carrot salad. Unfortunately, they recently changed something in the recipe and/or swapped out almonds for sunflower seeds which imho isn't the same as the OG Carrot salad they used to prepare. Still good, but it used to be great. The Kensington location offers outdoor and indoor seating(w/ proof of vaccination) . Usually pretty packed on busier nights so be sure and use the online toast portal for a seamless Apple pay purchase with face-ID They have some amazing drinks and very nicely curated local beer and wine options. Do your self a favor and get some za' tonight Thank you to the Benchmark staff for providing the best slice in my neighborhood and also taking pre-cautions around indoor safety measures. ..countless nights I eat the benchmark slice... read more

I love their vegan pizza!! It changes with the season but generally comes with cashew cheese, delicious olives, and a seasonal vegetable. I'm not vegan and it remains my favorite item on the menu. Also, their cocktails are really strong and tasty. read more

Best in town! Food is always fresh & delicious. Friendly staff & clean restaurant & restrooms. You can't ask for more! Friendly environment LOVE coming here on date night! read more

Benchmark Pizzeria - Pizza Near Me - Kensington, California

I'm so lucky to live near the best pizza and pasta place. Their namesake pizza is the absolute best. It's fresh, delicious, crispy and chewy at the same time. This is our go to place! read more

Today was my first time trying out this business . When it was my turn to order, taller man working there asked me what I would like . I didn't know what was good so I asked him to recommend something . He gave me his opinion and moved over to the next customer behind me ! I was shocked ! Did he just seriously left me there hanging without ordering ??? It's a one page menu with small choices , what did he thought I would take an hour to read it ?!? When he was asking the next customer what he wants I tried to interupt by saying " I am ready to order " . He ignored me and continued to take order and payment from the guy behind me ! At that point I was furious , but because I was hungry I bit my tongue and waited in disbelief. Then he came back to me asking if I made my decision. I told him I wanted to order his suggested pizza , but he never gave a chance . Again, blanked stare ... I gave up . Once I had my pizza , which by the way was delicious . I left ....even though food was delicious . Customer service was bitter , unprofessional . No thanks read more

Yes, Benchmark pizza IS more expensive, but OmyGAWD their Fired Sage Pizza is SO delicious; I am also a big fan of their house pizza. I can't comment on the service there because I've only ordered takeout, but that takeout is exceptional. And everyone at the counter seemed super nice. Benchmark is definitely " fine dining/to be savored " pizza, not "stuff you face until you pass out/mediocre" pizza. read more

UPDATE: Thanks to the owner's swift response to my review, written the previous day below, I am updating this review to reflect that. The small portion size did turn out to be an oversight that has been corrected, and I appreciate Melissa's offer to issue a refund. I love their dishes, and because I have never had an issue before (this was an anomaly) I will continue to support this gem of a restaurant. Previous review: My family has been ordering pizza and pastas from Benchmark for several years. We feel the prices are a bit steep but considering how good the quality is, we feel it's worth it. However, tonight I ordered the Meyer lemon cappellaci for $18, and to my dismay I received all of 10 little stuffed pastas about the size of a quarter. My husband, who ordered the strozzapreti, enjoyed three times the volume for the same price. At $18 for my dish, each "little hat" was just under $2.00 per piece. Come on, guys, either pay attention to what you're putting in your to-go order (perhaps an oversight?), or give me my money's worth. Still hungry. read more

Amazing food, amazing service. I love that there are vegan options here and the people working here go out of their way to make you feel welcome. For example, we stopped by one night as they were closing and they gave us a menu and a free cookie. Next time we went, it was the same amazing service and kindness on a busy Saturday night. Highly recommend both pizza and accommodations. And try the carrot dish! read more

The sauce is good, and the salad is good, but the pizza is not, which isn't great for a pizzeria, especially one as pricey as this one. The pizza, although made with decent enough ingredients, is underbaked; but the oven is too hot, leading to a chewy, doughy crust scorched on the top. This might function well as a bread stick for dipping in sauce at the kind of place you'd expect to find such a thing, but not when pies will cost you $30 or more. Basically, this place gives you the expectation that you are going to be getting some really good pizza (as you can get about a mile away on Hopkins St. or in Point Richmond), but it ultimately succumbs to the overpriced, overwhelming mediocrity of the Berkeley/El Cerrito dining experience. read more

The pizza is the perfect size and so delicious. The butter sage pizza . Also the pasta is delectable. Salads are also amazing.

Quick, artisan, high quality ingredients pizza local to Albany and Kensington. Yes, please Anything Salami is delicioso and the carrot salad is fuego Order Online. Get some beers too or some wine. Benchmark :Thank you so much for supporting the neighborhood and communities during COVID. You have been a guiding light in this grim dinner takeout landscape. read more

Carrot salad was great. Pizza so so. Service could have been much better. Nice ambience, like that its open 7 days a week. Other better vegan options not far from this location read more

Great place all around. Never had a bad meal! Pizza. Pasta. Salad. Sit outside with kids and dogs.

I've been going here for the past year or so. The food is excellent (5 stars) but the price is not. I noticed that the prices kept creeping up in the past 6 months and the portions are tiny. My daughter loves the bolognese. She's only 2 years old and she can eat the entire portion just by herself (that's how small it is). In July it was $18 and now it's $22. That's a 22% increase in 6 months. Also the cookies were $3 and now they're $4. That's a 33% increase. I didn't know the price of flour, sugar, eggs, chocolate chips, and butter was going up by that much. read more

Fantastic place. Not too bad of a wait for a Friday night to get a table. The atmosphere outside was super friendly as you waited and the outdoor seating area is great with heat lamps and well spaced tables. We got a caesar salad which was great. A few very interesting cocktails and the salami and olive pizza. The pizza is outstanding. Extremely well made with light crispy crust not overly doughy. The salami and olives were plenty and gave the pizza some texture and some salty taste. The service was great and the soft serve ice cream for dessert was a nice touch too. The only disappointment was that they ran out of homemade bread which we were looking forward to. But i guess that means we will have to return to try it next time. read more

I rarely write reviews but feel compelled to do so after reading the laughable review about "medical segregation." Ha! You can still eat outdoors or get takeout without being vaccinated. Requiring proof of vaccination in order to eat indoors is just the right thing to do to keep their staff safe. And please stop sharing medical misinformation, Kristi. Benchmark's pizza is delicious!! The best Neapolitan-style pizza I've found in the Bay Area! My family orders takeout or dines outdoors there almost weekly. We love you, Benchmark! read more

Horrible service. Asked for curbside pickup, gave the name and what car we were in and she never delivered. We waited and finally I had to go in only for her to say "Oh sorry, must have forgot!" Wished we didn't order online or tipped in advance. Pizza was mediocre considering it was sitting at the counter for 30 mins. Thanks but NO THANKS! read more

Fantastic Margherita pizza and Caesar salad!

The weight was shorter than expected. The service was incredibly kind and pleasant. The maple bourbon cocktail was delicious as was the butternut squash soup and the bread pudding. The pizza itself was good and I got a side of extra marinara. Definitely recommend. read more

I rarely write reviews and I thought I hadn't written one for Benchmark before, but it looks like I did over 6 years ago! Well, 6 years later, I still give it 5 stars. We are so lucky to have this gem in our neighborhood. The pizzas, the meatballs, the salads, the soft serve, the Lambrusco...all so good. Great job, neighbors! read more

Ambience and foods great! I've enjoyed the pizza tremendously, and I recently branched out and had the Bolognese. Being Italian myself, I can sometimes be a customer Italian food. I can say it was delicious. read more