Rose Pizzeria

All around fantastic experience! Had the classic pepperoni. Tomato sauce, crust, cheese, pep, with just a hum of jalapenos, flavors all complimented so well together. Amazing, couldn't believe how good it tasted. Dreamy!

August 2024: This place was written up recently as one of the best pizza places in the area. So I had to try it for myself. We started with the fancy anchovies which came with chips. I enjoy anchovies and these were prepared nicely. Tried the Old Faithful pizza which came with sausage and spicy goat horn peppers. I prefer pizza with red sauce so this was one of the reasons why I ordered this pizza. I thought the pizza was very tasty. Crust had good flavor. Lots of ingredients evenly distributed across the pizza. Would consider getting this again. Service was friendly. Thanks for a delicious lunch.

Edit: went there for a birthday dinner and it was even better than last time. Get the She Wolf, Tangerines and Burrata, and fancy anchovies. Their Slovenian White wine was wonderful too! They even gave us a free chocolate pudding. We had a great dinner here. After doing some research, we ordered the gigante beans, fancy anchovies and the margherita pizza. The ambiance is good, it was cold and we were glad to be put in the corner booth. The fancy anchovies were probably the best anchovies I’ve ever had. I liked the beans, but my date liked them more. The margherita pizza was good, though not my favorite margherita I’ve had in the area- I wished there was a bit more mozzarella. Next time I go (I will be coming back), I’ll skip the beans and go for the margherita pizza with another side of anchovies. The tiramisu was the best I’ve had in the area- I loved the flakey salt on top. Note- I recommend getting a reservation on Resy!

This is real New York style pizza. The good NY pizza, not the crap pizza and yes NY has lots of crappy pizza. From the moment I walked in the aroma made me think of my favorite pizza parlors back home. I pull one star because this is not New York and it is no longer 1980. I am accustomed to having more control of what I eat and would like to be able to add ricotta or mushrooms or prosciutto to my cheese pizza. Also, the crust was a bit soft. Still delicious, still high quality ingredients, still on par with the best pizza in the area but just a star short. Oh hell , five stars it is, but know that the toppings will be limited.

Great pizza in lovely digs. Tiny inside but with a lovely calm patio in the back and some seating in front too. Service was fantastic. Both spicy Cesar salad and sausage pizza were excellent! Tasty chilled red wine too. We went early on a Friday (4.30) and got a table easily. You will need to walk from where you park. It's in a busy, tricky neighborhood for parking.

Absolutely delicious, authentic and unpretentious joint. The pizza is really well cooked with complex tastes. The salad was definitely the best Caesar salad I've ever had. The pudding was better than cake, chocolate and ice cream combined - not too sweet and almost velvety. Great service and friendly staff. Lighting in the restaurant feels a little dim but the ambiance is great.

Jude B

If you’re just looking for a reliably good pizza place, this spot definitely delivers. They’ve got a really nice dough, tasty cheese, and a sauce that pulls everything together into a pretty satisfying personal pizza. They also have some nice drink options and a good range of wines if that’s your thing. Overall, it’s just a really nice place to grab a good pizza.

Justin McClelland

Highlight: Delicious vegan-friendly pizza in a spotless space with a patio you’ll want to linger on. Restaurant: This cozy Berkeley pizza spot takes pride in crafting high-quality pies with fresh ingredients and thoughtful flavor combinations. The atmosphere is relaxed yet well-kept, and the charming patio is the kind of space that makes you want to extend your meal just to soak it all in. Service: Service here is warm, welcoming, and attentive without feeling rushed. Staff members know their menu well and seem genuinely happy to guide you toward great choices. The care they put into the dining experience is evident from start to finish. Food: We enjoyed a vegan pizza topped with sausage and peppers, and it was packed with flavor—savory, well-balanced, and cooked to perfection. The vegan Caesar salad was another standout, with a creamy, flavorful dressing that didn’t feel like a compromise. Every bite spoke to the attention paid to quality and freshness. Recommendations: Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just a pizza lover, this is a must-visit. Grab a spot on the patio if the weather’s nice, and don’t skip the vegan Caesar—it’s a pleasant surprise. The spotless dining area and even cleaner bathroom say a lot about how much the team cares. Highly recommend for anyone seeking top-notch pizza in Berkeley.

Erin Mann

Our pizza aficionado friend had told us about this place. It delivers! Ambiance: The outdoor seating in the back is chill and a great place to hang out and enjoy. Food: We ordered a red sauce pizza and a white sauce pizza. Honestly I normally prefer white sauce but the red sauce at Rose is next level tasty. The crust was superb and the pizza was great with their house red wine. Service: friendly and attentive Price: Bay Area fair price for the best pizza around I’d be happy to go back

Adam

Stopped at this great little pizzeria on my way from SFO to Napa with my wife. It was a Friday night and definitely was one of the spots to be in town because there was a line for tables and for takeout. But it was definitely worth the weight. The pizza was really good small kind of 14 inch size pies. We got the margarita which was really good and the Caesar salad was also good. We would definitely recommend for a casual pizza and salad dinner in Berkeley.

Catherine Heal

Had a fantastic pepperoni and jalepeno pizza. Top notch! Made a reservation prior as there isn’t much seating. This is a must try! We also liked the spicy ceaser salad and fancy anchovies.

Tee Ponsukcharoen

This place is praised as one of the best pizza places in the US. While I think pizza is reasonably praiseworthy, I am actually impressed by the service accommodation and the appetizer. The burrata cheese with cherries and herb salad is bright and refreshing. The pizza is on the lighter side so you can enjoy it quite well. Most importantly, the staffs are friendly and flexible enough for us to celebrate our family occasion beyond the table's capacity. I feel that the part of hospitality I appreciate. Oh the tiramisu is legit and of course large enough to share for 2 or even more!

Katy

I ate three pieces in the parking lot because I couldn’t wait. It was worth the hype. I frequent Italy and I am often disappointed by American pizza but this was a really great change from my usual forgettable US experiences. Thin crust too so you can eat more and feel less like you just ate a brick. Didn’t make me bloated either. The She Wolf was by far my favorite. Will be back soon!!

Tiffany Sun

Tried the old faithful pizza, wonderful spicy pepper and sausage. It didn’t need the hot honey on the side at all. It was perfect size for two people. Had the spicy Cesar salad, and it was really great, good textures, sauce and parm. Would recommend this as a starter if you like a salad. Had the olive oil cake and it was good, but found the strawberry preserves to be too sweet for my preference. Excited to come back and try other pies!

Ted Henson

Excellent food. Caesar salad had a unique texture. They crumbled the croutons. Pizza had an excellent crust. Unique combinations of toppings as well. Large pizza for the prize. Definitely recommend!

Bill Folden

All around fantastic experience! Had the classic pepperoni. Tomato sauce, crust, cheese, pep, with just a hum of jalapenos, flavors all complimented so well together. Amazing, couldn't believe how good it tasted. Dreamy!

Alethea D

Edit: went there for a birthday dinner and it was even better than last time. Get the She Wolf, Tangerines and Burrata, and fancy anchovies. Their Slovenian White wine was wonderful too! They even gave us a free chocolate pudding. We had a great dinner here. After doing some research, we ordered the gigante beans, fancy anchovies and the margherita pizza. The ambiance is good, it was cold and we were glad to be put in the corner booth. The fancy anchovies were probably the best anchovies I’ve ever had. I liked the beans, but my date liked them more. The margherita pizza was good, though not my favorite margherita I’ve had in the area- I wished there was a bit more mozzarella. Next time I go (I will be coming back), I’ll skip the beans and go for the margherita pizza with another side of anchovies. The tiramisu was the best I’ve had in the area- I loved the flakey salt on top. Note- I recommend getting a reservation on Resy!

eric kullmann

This is real New York style pizza. The good NY pizza, not the crap pizza and yes NY has lots of crappy pizza. From the moment I walked in the aroma made me think of my favorite pizza parlors back home. I pull one star because this is not New York and it is no longer 1980. I am accustomed to having more control of what I eat and would like to be able to add ricotta or mushrooms or prosciutto to my cheese pizza. Also, the crust was a bit soft. Still delicious, still high quality ingredients, still on par with the best pizza in the area but just a star short. Oh hell , five stars it is, but know that the toppings will be limited.

James Wang

Quality pizza with many different flavors. They are 14" and can easily be shared with another person. Their crust is exceptional and light. Highly recommend their Old Faithful, but their Caesar Salad is also great. There is a nice interior and a lovely back patio for dining

Ken Wong

August 2024: This place was written up recently as one of the best pizza places in the area. So I had to try it for myself. We started with the fancy anchovies which came with chips. I enjoy anchovies and these were prepared nicely. Tried the Old Faithful pizza which came with sausage and spicy goat horn peppers. I prefer pizza with red sauce so this was one of the reasons why I ordered this pizza. I thought the pizza was very tasty. Crust had good flavor. Lots of ingredients evenly distributed across the pizza. Would consider getting this again. Service was friendly. Thanks for a delicious lunch.

Hector

Rose by far has the best pizza I’ve tried in the area. I like my pizzas simple; they have nailed the margherita, classic pep, and the pepp & basil. The spicy caesar salad is tasty and so are the olives with crackers. They do seem to change one or two items on the menu every so often. A patio reservation is a must for the best vibes. Wait times without a reservation tend to be an hour long, so plan ahead. Oh and the way to pay does feel a little awkward since the server would just be standing there patiently holding the device.

Best pizza place in the east bay, I would wager. The she wolf is a culinary masterpiece. The spicy Caesar is a must as well. The place is small, but has lots of character. The staff is always friendly and accommodating. My only change would be to add a few more drinks on their menu. A few more cocktail and beer options would be welcomed

Phillip Meylan

Best pizza place in the east bay, I would wager. The she wolf is a culinary masterpiece. The spicy Caesar is a must as well. The place is small, but has lots of character. The staff is always friendly and accommodating. My only change would be to add a few more drinks on their menu. A few more cocktail and beer options would be welcomed

Rose Pizzeria is a cozy neighborhood pizzeria with amazing pizza and food. There is a covered patio in the back that has more seating. We ordered the Classic Pep, Fancy Anchovies, and the Tangerine and Burrata Salad. The fancy anchovies were tasty and fun! The tangerine and burrata was the best starter we ordered. Great meld of flavors and textures. It also came with warm focaccia. The classic pep was cooked to perfection with a great crust that held its shape. It was a bit on the greasy side, but that's due to the large amounts of pepperoni cups! The pizza came with jalapenos. At the table they had pepper flakes and hot honey. Those additions help elevate the pizza! This was a great meal and I would recommend this local spot!

Heard about them in the news being best pizza in US! Well that's debatable but they can stay in top. Good selection and variety of wines and beers and desserts. Salads are great! Tomato salad was fresh and refreshing. Pizza was fine but I had better. Dough was crunchy and real pizza bread. Fresh basil in top rather than baking with pizza was a serious touch. Indoor and cute outside patio in the back. Ambience is casual relax set. No harm to make a reservation! Staff are welcoming and warm. Good for small group, meetup and kids.

Today was the day of finally making it to the Rose Pizzeria, after all this time this place has been marked as “to go to” on my maps. The atmosphere was simple, perfect for a casual lunch. The menu offered a wide variety of options, including some unique specialty pizzas that caught my eye. We were short on time, so ordered Old Faithful to-go. It came out deliciously soft, flavorful and just outstanding! The crust was perfectly crisp, and the toppings were fresh and generously applied. The service was prompt and friendly form the second we came up, without even ordering. From the expected 30 minutes wait time, it was cut to 15, which was presently surprising. Overall, Rose Pizzeria is a wonderful spot for pizza lovers at downtown Berkeley. I highly recommend it and will definitely be returning to try more of their delicious offerings. Four stars and from what I saw the interior was in need of renovation.

Max Kay

Heard about them in the news being best pizza in US! Well that's debatable but they can stay in top. Good selection and variety of wines and beers and desserts. Salads are great! Tomato salad was fresh and refreshing. Pizza was fine but I had better. Dough was crunchy and real pizza bread. Fresh basil in top rather than baking with pizza was a serious touch. Indoor and cute outside patio in the back. Ambience is casual relax set. No harm to make a reservation! Staff are welcoming and warm. Good for small group, meetup and kids.

Sam

Rose Pizzeria is a cozy neighborhood pizzeria with amazing pizza and food. There is a covered patio in the back that has more seating. We ordered the Classic Pep, Fancy Anchovies, and the Tangerine and Burrata Salad. The fancy anchovies were tasty and fun! The tangerine and burrata was the best starter we ordered. Great meld of flavors and textures. It also came with warm focaccia. The classic pep was cooked to perfection with a great crust that held its shape. It was a bit on the greasy side, but that's due to the large amounts of pepperoni cups! The pizza came with jalapenos. At the table they had pepper flakes and hot honey. Those additions help elevate the pizza! This was a great meal and I would recommend this local spot!

Yari

The pizza was very yummy. I prefer a softer/lighter crust. That's just my preference. The pizza was still yummy. The salad was amazing. Spicy Caesar. Yum.

Gabe Will

Pizza was fine! Was it one of the best 22 in the country, as the NYT claimed? Don’t think so. I’d take Cheeseboard or Arizmendi over Rose for a more flavorful pizza. Before arriving, I received a text message saying: “Be respectful of your dining window. 1.5h for 2-3 people, 1h 45m for 4 people, 2h for 5-6 people.” I guess that’s the formula used to calculate if your business is worth their time. After arriving for a 6:30 indoor reservation, we were seated within 10 minutes at the outdoor patio. Not a big deal, but the patio lacks the coziness of the interior. The menu announces: “No half and half, no make your own.” Keep that in mind if you were thinking a pizza place would be flexible on their pizza options. Tiramisu was good, and I’m happy to say we were in and out in under 1.5 hours.