The lore of June’s Pizza begins at the onset of the pandemic. Owner Craig Murli first began his pizza operation in 2020, baking pies inside a shipping container at O2 Artisans Aggregate in Oakland. A former chef at Michelin-starred Atelier Crenn, Murli’s pies quickly gained notoriety during the pandemic. That is, until it was unceremoniously shut down in October 2021 due to a lack of proper health permits. Three years later, June’s Pizza reopened in its own space on Mandela Parkway in West Oakland with two yellow-tiled ovens firing all the pizzas. The crowds have followed, making this a favorite stop among pizza enthusiasts who don’t mind June’s limited offerings.
The open, airy warehouse makes for an excellent space to eat with huge windows letting light in during the day. The kitchen and oven take up the back half of the restaurant, where it’s fun to watch pizzaiolos slide pies in and out of the oven, dousing each pizza with its required Parm shower before it lands at the table. June’s unique ordering system feels hypnotic as guest checks fly across the dining room via zipline, moving from the cashier to the pizza prep station. Outside, the parking lot is relatively small, so be prepared to search for street parking at peak dining time.
June’s Pizza now offers slices after 9 p.m. and it’s become its own after-hours scene for locals and hospitality workers. Exactly which slice is offered varies each night, but most diners don’t mind since it’s the only way to snag one without committing to a full pizza.