The Best Pizza Places in and Near Washington D.C

New residents might not realize it, but there is an abundance of great pizza places in the Washington D.C. metro area. From classic, fold-em-up slices, to flatbreads, gourmet ingredients and Chicago deep dish, it's all available in and around Washington D.C. Here are just a few of the best pizza places in Washington D.C., even though there's surely another four or five that could be thrown in for good measure.

2 Amys: 3715 Macomb Street Northwest; Washington, DC 20016-3868; (202) 885-5700

2 Amys will always have a special place in my heart, and my stomach, no matter how many other great Washington D.C. pizza places start opening. The authentic, brick oven pizza, featuring fantastic ingredients, and thin, perfectly cooked crusts, are simply hard to beat. The Norcia with salami and grilled peppers is a personal must-have, and don't leave without an appetizer plate of the "Suppli a telefono", the delicious fried rice balls that are so cheesy they look the part of their namesake telephone cords as you take a bite!

Pizzeria Paradiso: Georgetown, Dupont and Alexandria locations

Authentic pizza and great ingredients are the name of the game at Pizzeria Paradiso, which actually helped to spawn 2 Amys. Stop in for the Genovese, with potato, pesto and parmesan, or the Atomica, with salami, black olives and hot pepper flakes. If you're visiting the Georgetown location, don't forget to have a microbew at Birreria Paradiso, located in the basement of the restaurant.

American Flatbread: Ashburn, VA and Clarendon, VA locations

The Vermont import now has two area locations, in Ashburn and Clarendon. They focus on super thin "flatbreads", and put together a wonderful assortment of unique topping combinations. All of the ingredients are locally obtained and an emphasis is placed on organic and seasonal choices above all else. All of the flatbreads come with recommended wine or beer combinations, and the changing menu and inviting atmosphere that allows you to peek in and see the wood-fired earthen oven at work keep you coming back over and over again.

Mamma Lucia: 9 area locations in Maryland and Virginia

Mamma Luccia is a local Italian restaurant chain offering pizzas, pastas and all other kinds of great tasting food, in heaping portions. But it's really all about the pizza, which is in the mold of the classic New York, fold it up and get greasy style of pizza. In other words, it's pizza the way it should be, and when you're not looking for something "new" and want to satisfy your craving for real pizza, this is a great bet.

Armand's: 6 area locations in D.C and Maryland

Armand's Pizza is a Chicago style pizzeria. So if you're in the mood for some good, hearty, deep dish pizza, then this is the place for you to go. Originally created over 30 years ago, Armand's continues to make something that you can't really find much else of D.C. There are plenty of healthy, "gourmet" options around today... but nobody else that does deep dish like Armand's.