In the heart of Seattle’s bustling downtown scene, Serious Pie has been serving up wood-fired pizza magic since 2006. 🍕
Created by James Beard Award-winning chef Tom Douglas, this pizzeria was built with a bread baker’s soul and an obsession for perfectly blistered crusts.
The restaurant has earned national recognition, ranking as the 12th-best pizza spot in the entire United States according to a Business Insider survey.
How Serious Pie won Seattle’s hearts
Serious Pie captured Seattle’s heart by doing something revolutionary—treating pizza like an artisan bread project. 💪
Chef Tom Douglas brought his renowned culinary expertise to the pizza world when he opened the original location on Virginia Street in 2006.
The secret weapon? A 600-degree stone-encased apple wood-burning oven that transforms every pie into a masterpiece.
Douglas understood that great pizza starts with great crust, using a highly hydrated, fermented dough that develops incredible character and complexity. The restaurant quickly became a local sensation, with diners peering through the subterranean windows at all hours, hoping to snag a table. ✨
Unlike typical pizzerias that blast pies at scorching temperatures, Serious Pie cooks at a lower temperature to achieve a firmer, more structured crust with the perfect balance of crispy exterior and chewy interior.
Douglas’s reputation as a James Beard Award winner gave the pizzeria instant credibility, but it was the consistently exceptional food that turned first-time visitors into devoted regulars.
The downtown location became a destination for both tourists and locals seeking an elevated pizza experience that honors traditional techniques while embracing Pacific Northwest ingredients.
Food Highlights
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Sweet Fennel Sausage Pizza: Topped with roasted peppers and provolone, this fan-favorite has earned over 631 positive reviews on Yelp, making it the most popular dish on the menu with customers praising its perfect balance of savory sausage and sweet peppers 🌶️
- Golden Chanterelle Mushrooms Pizza: This seasonal specialty combines crimini mushrooms with truffle cheese, celebrating the Pacific Northwest’s renowned mushroom foraging culture.
- Coro Pepperoni Pizza: Made with tomato sauce and provolone, this premium pepperoni pie showcases high-quality coro pepperoni that elevates a classic favorite
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Yukon Gold Potato Pizza: Featuring pecorino romano and rosemary, this unconventional pie has captured hearts with over 231 reviews, offering a comforting combination that transforms simple potatoes into something extraordinary
- Spicy Coppa Pizza: Featuring shaved brussels sprouts, cipollini onion, and gorgonzola, this bold option delivers layers of flavor that meat lovers can’t resist
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Penn Cove Clams Pizza: Loaded with chili flakes, house-made pancetta, lemon thyme, and parmigiano reggiano, reviewers describe this innovative creation as “like a terrific bowl of clam chowder, except you have an entire pizza for dipping.”
Atmosphere
The downtown location exudes a warm, modern vibe that feels both upscale and welcoming. 🔥
Diners can watch pizzas emerge from the dramatic wood-burning oven while seated in comfortable chairs throughout the attractively designed space.
The restaurant features a gorgeous full bar and lively dining room that creates an energetic buzz, though peak hours can get quite loud with the din of happy diners and throbbing music bouncing off reflective surfaces.
Despite occasional waits during busy periods, the friendly and attentive staff consistently deliver excellent service that enhances the overall experience.
Bottom Line
Visit Serious Pie for artisan wood-fired pizzas with perfectly blistered crusts, house-made charcuterie and imported cheeses, a James Beard Award-winning pedigree, recognition as one of America’s best pizzerias, and that unforgettable triple coconut cream pie. 🎉
Address:
2001 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121
📞 (206) 838-7388
🕔 Open Mon-Thu 11:30 AM–9 PM, Fri-Sat 11:30 AM–10 PM, Sun 11:30 AM–9 PM