Upper Crusts: Beijing Pizzas that are a cut above

Who doesn’t like a good pizza? If you’ve been in Beijing for a few years, you’ve probably got your favorite spot, but there have been some quality new arrivals over the past year. These are our picks for the best pizzas around.

Agrilandia Pizzeria
[Editor's Update: This shop's been closed!] Pies (RMB 38-55) come in seven classic Italian varieties with a generous amount of cheese and a thin crust chewy and crunchy in equal parts. Daily 11am-11pm. 1/F, Bldg B3, Viva Mall, Shuangjing, Chaoyang District (5876 4758) 意大利农场比萨店. 朝阳区双井富力城B3栋1层多利速拿超市

Annie’s
Love it or hate it, there’s no denying Annie’s still reigns as Beijing’s most popular Italian restaurant. They also do a brisk trade in deliveries for their thin-crust pizzas. 1) Daily 11am-11pm. 2-3-93 Ritan Highlife (across from north gate of Ritan Park), Chaoyang District. (8569 3031); 2) Daily 11am-11pm. 1A Nongzhan Nanlu (near the west gate of Chaoyang Park), Chaoyang District. (6591 1931) 1) 朝阳区神路街39号日坛上街2-3-93; 2) 朝阳区农展南路甲1号 (朝阳公园西门南侧)

The Den
The Den is full of surprises. Among those are the quality thin-crust pizzas, which are half-price during the daily 5-10pm happy hour. The breakfasts are none too bad either. Daily 24hrs. 4 Gongti Donglu (next to City Hotel's main entrance), Chaoyang District. (6592 6290) 朝阳区工体东路4号城市宾馆正门旁边

Hutong Pizza
Not as consistent as some of its rivals on this list, but on a good day Hutong Pizza is up there with the best. The hutong setting creates a pleasant, rustic-Chinese ambiance for enjoying rectangular pizzas with lashings of toppings. Daily 11am-11pm. 9 Yindingqiao Hutong, Xicheng District. (8322 8916) 西城区银锭桥胡同9号

Kro’s Nest
The first choice of pizza lovers who equate biggest with best. The medium pizzas are enough for two, and hang together better than the larger sizes, which can be a little soggy. The meatiest, cheesiest Chicago-style pizzas in town – try the “Garbage Pail” if you dare. 1) Mon-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sun 10am-11pm. Inside Workers’ Stadium North Gate (next to Vics), Chaoyang District. (6553 5253); 2) Mon-Fri 10am-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-midnight. 1 Fuyuanmen (400 meters north of Beijing University West Gate, on the northwest corner of the intersection), Haidian District. (6252 8057) 1) 朝阳区工体北门内; 2) 海淀区福缘门1号 (从北大西门往北走400米，在路口的西北角)

La Pizza
Steadily earning acclaim for its Italian pizzas, baked in the restaurant’s brick oven. Daily 10.30am-3pm, 6-11pm. SA-48, Bldg 3, Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6106) 朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区3号楼SA-48

Meeting Point
The new Landgent location serves excellent pies – choose from the Abruzzese-style Rucola (with parma ham, arugula, fresh tomatoes and mozzarella cheese), salame e pepperoni and the solid margherita, among others. Prices range from RMB 42 to 59. Daily 11am-10pm. B103, Landgent Center, 20 Dongsanhuan Donglu, Chaoyang District (6775 8063) 朝阳区东三环中路20号（双井桥）乐成中心美食广场B103

Piazza Italia [Editor's Update: This shop's been closed!] Lunch on pizzas sold by the slice at the first-floor delicatessen, or dine in the restaurants upstairs. Daily 8am-10pm (grocery), 11am-10pm (cafe and deli). Shop L02, Bldg 18, China Central Place, 89 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District. (5200 8080) 朝阳区建国路89号华贸中心18号楼LO2

Pizza Buona
The dark horse among the pack, Pizza Buona deserves more recognition for its thin-crust pies with traditional toppings. Fans swear by it. Delivery all the way to Xidan and East Fourth Ring. Daily 10.30am-midnight. 7 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District. (6551 3518) 朝阳区工体西路7号

Pyro Pizza
Pyro’s offerings aren’t the most refined, but paired up with pitchers of beer and pints of Stella and Guinness, they make for one of Beijing’s most fun pizza experiences. Ideal, given Pyro’s location in Beijing’s main student district. Daily 11am-3am. B1/F, Bldg 12, Huaqing Jiayuan, Wudaokou (5 min from Wudaokou subway station), Haidian District. (8286 6240) 海淀区五道口华清嘉园12号楼地下1层

The Tree
This cozy restaurant serves thin-crust pizza alongside offering one of the best selections of Belgian beer around. The four cheese option is a favorite. The staff tend to be run off their feet, so keep an eye on the check – extra items have been known to be added. Daily noon-2am. 43 Sanlitun Beijie (100m west of Sanlitun North Bar street, Youyi Youth Hostel, behind Poachers Inn), Chaoyang District. (6415 1954) 朝阳区三里屯北街以西100米Poachers后面三里屯医院旁

Gung Ho! Gourmet Pizza Factory
From the brains behind Lush and Pyro, Gung Ho! Pizza offers ten signature gourmet pizzas with your choice of plain or wholewheat bases, fresh pasta and generously portioned salads. Gung Ho! is a delivery-based service, though you can eat at the counter of their China View HQ or outside on the picnic tables if the weather's nice. Daily 11am-midnight. Bldg. 3, China View, (rear side, opposite City Hotel), Gongti Donglu, Chaoyang District. (8587 1404/1370) 叫板披萨,朝阳区工体东路中国红街3号楼