Truly Pizza
Pizza restaurant · Dana Point ·
Artisan pizzas with airy crusts, fresh toppings, and soft serve
Artisan pizzas with airy crusts, fresh toppings, and soft serve
"Ask chef Chris Decker if he needs another type of pizza on the menu, and he’ll respond with, “Of course,” which might’ve been the genesis of this cracker-thin pizza Romana that isn’t on the menu yet at his Dana Point restaurant, Truly Pizza. Worried that this might fill us up too early, Decker said the pie only has five ounces of dough and is stretched super-thin, giving it an almost lahmajune-like shape. What makes Truly Pizza shine is the deeply sweet tomato sauce it uses, dusted with feather-like curls of pecorino cheese and a gentle perfume of dried oregano. The crust is crispy underneath but remains a bit pliable, with smudges of blistering on its outer edges. Though this is just my second visit to Truly Pizza, I am more convinced than ever that it might be the single most remarkable pizzeria in Southern California. — Matthew Kang, correspondent, Eater" - Matthew Kang
"Known for perfectly crispy crusts and creative toppings—like cubes of roasted butternut squash, spiced chicken sausage, and swirls of herby ricotta—this local standout has earned major recognition, including the grand prize for best cheese pizza at the 2024 International Pizza Expo and a No. 9 U.S. ranking on the 50 Top Pizza USA 2025 list; I recommend reserving ahead or ordering takeout since waits can get long." - Cu Fleshman Cu Fleshman Cu is a freelance writer and editor with more than five years of experience. She has written for a variety of publications, including Afar, Matador Network, and Editoire. No matter where she is in the world, you can find her hunting for local eats and hiking trails. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Ask chef Chris Decker if he needs another type of pizza on the menu, and he’ll respond with, “of course,” which might’ve been the genesis of this cracker-thin pizza Romana that isn’t on the menu yet. Worried it might fill us up too early, he noted the pie only has five ounces of dough and is stretched super-thin, giving it an almost lahmajune-like shape. What makes this pizza shine is the ridiculously deep and sweet tomato sauce on top, dusted with feather-like curls of pecorino and a gentle perfume of dried oregano. The crust is crispy underneath but remains a bit pliable, with smidges of blistering on the outer edges. Though this is just my second visit, I am more convinced than ever that it might be the single remarkable pizzeria in Southern California." - Eater Staff
"An Orange County pizzeria celebrated for airy-crusted pies that prioritize a light, open crumb and texture, contributing to the county’s distinctive pizza scene." - Becky Duffett
"Dana Point’s Truly Pizza, which just announced plans to expand to Laguna Beach, was named one of the best 50 pizzerias in the U.S. in 2024 and won a competition at the World Pizza Championship in Italy. Operated in part by John Arena, Chris Decker, and Michael Vakneen, who all hail from Las Vegas, the wood-fired round- and square-pizza specialists make exemplary pies worthy of a trek to Orange County." - Eater Staff
