Best Late Night Legends Pizza Restaurants in Santa Monica
5 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Joe's Pizza
Authentic NY pizza technique with California ingredients
Notable Picks
#1
Joe's Pizza
8.7
Award-winning New York-style thin crust recognized by LA Times and Zagat, serving authentic East Coast slices until midnight on weekends. This is where locals go when they want legitimate NY pizza without the cross-country flight.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic NY Cheese by the Slice, Pepperoni with Garlic Knots, White Pizza with Ricotta
What Makes it Special: Authentic NY pizza technique with California ingredients
#2
Rock 'N Pies
8.4
No-frills classic rock meets artisanal pizza at this late-night staple where wood-fired quality meets dive bar vibes. Six perfectly executed pizzas on the menu prove that sometimes less is more, especially when paired with craft beers and rock anthems.
Must-Try Dishes:
Appetite for Destruction Pizza, Margherita with Garlic Knots, Wood-Fired Wings
What Makes it Special: Rock 'n roll soundtrack meets serious wood-fired pizza technique
#3
Vito's Pizza
8.1
East Coast-style pizzeria serving thin-crust New York pies with crispy char and proper fold. The family-owned spot draws locals for its coal-oven taste and communal bench seating.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Cheese Slice, Pesto White Pizza, Pepperoni Pie
What Makes it Special: Authentic New Jersey-style pizza with that distinctive East Coast thin crust
Worthy Picks
7.8
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Late-night neighborhood workhorse serving gourmet pizzas, generous salads, and Italian pastas until 3 AM most nights. In-house dough made daily and creative specialty combinations draw locals seeking quality without pretension, from quick lunches to post-beach dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ Chicken Pizza, Classic Combo Pizza, Chicken Pesto Pizza
What Makes it Special: Open until 3 AM with made-from-scratch dough and surprisingly creative gourmet toppings
#5
SaMo Pizza
7.6
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Brick oven pizzeria serving late-night slices and pies until 4 AM on weekends. Established in 2018, this counter-service spot draws Santa Monica College students and locals with affordable prices, quick service, and specialty options including vegan, gluten-free, and creative toppings like their signature SaMo pizza with egg and jalapeño.
Must-Try Dishes:
SaMo Pizza, Margherita, BBQ Chicken
What Makes it Special: Open until 4 AM on weekends with brick oven quality at student-friendly prices