Lil Z's Pizza

A new pizza spot, Lil Z’s Pizza, popped up in the Byward Market earlier this year next door to its sister restaurant, the King Eddy. I noticed it on social media and immediately added it to my list based purely on their drool-worthy photos. When I noticed they were running a promotion for the month of November where you could get one free pizza, the deal was sealed and I made plans for my visit.

We stopped by for an early dinner on a Saturday and were the only diners in there at the start of our meal, before a few more trickled in. My eye was caught by their seemingly flagship pizza - itself called the Lil Z - a white pizza with a ricotta base, zucchini slices, red onion, lemon, garlic, basil, and chili flakes. The crust is finished with hot honey and a dusting of “everything bagel” seasoning.

As it was very quiet in the restaurant, our pizzas came within 15 minutes of being seated, and they were absolutely gorgeous. Despite being fresh from the oven, I couldn’t wait more than a minute or two to dig in, and it was worth any burns to my mouth. Thinly sliced zucchini rounds paired with red onion (which seemed precooked, this is the key!) on a creamy ricotta base sprinkled with a healthy dose of chili flakes is a winning combination. The base of the pizza was super thin but still fantastically crisp with each bite. As I made my way to the outer crust the only thing I could have used was just a sprinkle of salt.

Then I hit the crust. Brushed with hot honey with a generous sprinkling of everything bagel seasoning - garlic, onion, salt, and poppy and sesame seeds - it was an explosion of flavour and the hit of salt I craved. I dipped it in their garlic parm dipping sauce, which seemed to have been free. To be clear, it did not need the garlic parm sauce. I was just riding that garlic high and enjoying every bite. 

Every element of this pizza was done well, and the most important element in my opinion, the crust, was fantastic. Even without the sweet and salty flavour bombs, it was a gorgeous texture with just the right softness and chew. 

My husband ordered the Pineapple of Your Eye pizza; it was their take on a Hawaiian with caramelized pineapple, green olives, and bacon. He too thoroughly enjoyed his pizza (though he kept stealing bites of my everything bagel honey crust) and confirmed this pizza was “up there with the best: Heartbreakers and Pizza Nerds”. While it’ll be difficult to part from the everything bagel honey crust, upon my inevitable return I’ll have to try out one of their red pizzas.

Small pizzas are between $16-20, which is pretty reasonable for the size. They do not skimp on toppings and the pizza was literally overflowing the plate it was served on. 

I’ve rated Lil Z’s seven and a half out of eight slices.

What do you think? Leave a comment with your thoughts or ideas for my next spot.