Popular Toronto pizzeria finally opening second location

Three years after making a splash with its original location, a Toronto pizzeria beloved for its New York-style slices is finally expanding its footprint.

The debate over which pizzeria serves the best slice in the city is one that can never reach a definitive conclusion. While I have my own favourites, as everyone does, I'm more inclined to play the game of "which pizzeria within 15 minutes of my current location is the best?" when the craving hits.

It doesn't narrow the field down completely, but it certainly helps.

Since the summer of 2023, one of the top contenders in the battle for the best slice in Regent Park has been Liberty Pizzeria.

Built on the simple goal of bringing an "authentic" New York-style pizza experience to Toronto, the Dundas East pizzeria built a cult following in record time, with more than a few locals lavishing in the tradition of carrying a pie to Riverdale Park in sunny months.

It was only a matter of time, the Liberty Pizzeria team tells blogTO, before they introduced the restaurant to more of the city — and that day is coming soon.

"Expansion became a natural next step as demand continued to grow and customers from across the city began regularly making the trip to visit us," they explain, but finding the right area to expand to was of utmost importance.

Before long, they settled on Queen West, an admittedly far cry from the community-oriented digs the restaurant cut its teeth in. Still, the team explains, the neighbourhood feels like a perfect fit.

"Queen West has a vibe that definitely matches Liberty's core. It attracts people who appreciate quality food, unique brands, and independent businesses, making it a natural fit for Liberty's next chapter," they tell blogTO.

At the pizzeria, which is expected to open sometime in the summer of 2026, with no exact date claimed just yet, diners can expect the same calibre of thin, crispy-crusted pizzas, but "with an updated design and customer experience that reflects the growth of the brand."

What, exactly, that means remains to be seen.

When it does open, Liberty Pizzeria's second location will be at 247 Queen St. W.