A treasure trove of gourmet pizzas around San Diego

When classic pies just don’t cut it, pile your plate high with pizza that packs a punch of creativity and food flair. With ingredients such as lavender honey, smoked beet puree, smoked almond, and even “clam chowder,” there is a veritable flavor fest waiting for discerning pizza fans around San Diego.

So that you don’t have to go on a treasure hunt for unique and delectable ‘zas, PACIFIC rounded up a mouthwatering list of gourmet pies to challenge and delight the tastebuds around the city.

Tribute Pizza

Feel like a health-conscious caped hero with the Super Vegan VII: “Censored,” which is crafted with wood-roasted beet puree, housemade almond and hazelnut ricotta, shaved red onion, pickled peppers, Castelvetrano green olives, marinated artichoke hearts and fresh basil.

3077 North Park Way, North Park, 619.450.4505, tributepizza.com

Amici’s Ristobar

Forget the French fries and flavored potato chips and go for the real deal with the Truffle Potato pizza crafted with mushrooms, smoked bacon, fresh mozzarella, thyme, garlic crème fraiche and truffle oil.

5980 Village Way #B106, Carmel Valley, 858.847.2740, amicisristobar.com

Barbusa

Try a little sweet with your spice with the Dolce E Piccante, which incorporates sopressata, Calabrian chiles, Mikolich lavender honey, Bermuda onions, mozzarella, Grana Padano, and basil on one pie.

1917 India St., Little Italy, 619.238.1917, barbusa.com

BIGA

In the realm of gourmet pizzas, BIGA has a variety of mouthwatering choices to tempt the discerning palate. Try the Giulia with figs, local honey, housemade fior di latte mozzarella, burrata, pecorino, prosciutto di parma, saba (an Italian syrup from grape must), and fennel pollen.

950 Sixth Ave., downtown, 619.794.0444, bigasandiego.com

Blind Lady Ale House

No need to go foraging for exotic fungi with the Mountain Meadow Mushroom pizza topped with maitake, beech and cremini mushrooms, along with ooey gooey (and pungent) Italian taleggio, fontina, thyme, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and orange zest. Or for a Mexican twist, try the House Chorizo with poblano chile, fontina, epazote, and cotija cheese. The House Soyrizo is the perfect substitute for vegetarians and Meatless Mondays.

3416 Adams Ave., Normal Heights, 619.255.2491, blindladyalehouse.com

Herb & Wood

Swap out the soup for a slice of pie with Brian Malarkey’s perfectly winterized Clam Chowder Pizza, which has pancetta, celery, onion, garlic and parmesan.

2210 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy, 619.955.8495, herbandwood.com

Cucina Urbana & Cucina Enoteca

This local favorite keeps it upscale and unique with the Date+Ricotta+Bacon pizza, adorned with smoked almond, arugula, parmesan and balsamic. Feel like sprucing it up even more? Gourmet add-ons include fennel sausage, farm egg, white anchovy, and prosciutto.

505 Laurel St., Bankers Hill, 619.239.2222, urbankitchengroup.com

Napizza

For vegetarians, the Veggy Festa pizza is top of the line with locally sourced, non-GMO, seasonally ripe vegetables, topped with parsley and a special twist of homemade tahini drizzle.

Little Italy: 1702 India St., 619.696.0802; La Jolla: 4301 La Jolla Village Dr., Suite 2033, 858.230.7533; 4S Ranch: 10550 Craftsman Way #186, 858.312.1036; Encinitas: 615 S. Coast Hwy. 101, 760.452.2340; na-pizza.com

Farmer & the Seahorse

Head here after a weekend morning hike or round of golf in Torrey Pines for brunch and a savory Breakfast Pizza with sunny-up eggs, arugula, bacon, Spring onion and gruyere cheese.

10996 Torreyana Rd., Ste 240, Torrey Pines, 858.260.5400, thealexandria.com/farmer-the-seahorse

Limited pizza

Don’t just wear your heat on your sleeve this Valentine’s Day, shape it in the form of a pizza, too. Through the entire month of February, Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza is offering a Gourmet To-Go Heart-Shaped Pizza Kit to take home. In honor of American Heart Month, $1 from each kit sold will be donated to the American heart Association.

Various locations around San Diego County, sammyspizza.com