Pizzakaya serves up some of Tokyo’s best pizza–easily Tokyo’s best California-style gourmet pizza–and offers top-notch American craft brews to pair with it. It’s the “ultimate combination,” as owner Derek Thomas accurately describes it. Fun, family-friendly, affordable, delicious. Pizzakaya definitely deserves more notice than it gets from its hideaway not far from Roppongi.

Kick-off with some beer while your food is cooking. The half-dozen selections of beers come by the pint and usually cost about 1100 or 1200 yen, which is reasonable for excellent American craft beer in Tokyo. Excellent? Actually, you could say some of America’s, and the world’s, best craft beer: Bear Republic, Rogue, Maui and more.

Pizza, though, is the main attraction. Come with an appetite. Sizes come in medium and large, with mediums big enough for one hungry individual, larges large enough to share. But wait! Definitely check out the appetizer menu. “(Eye) Openers” as they call them start from less than ¥700 and include unique items like garlic marbles (garlic dipped & baked bread balls), chicken wings, frickin’ hot meatballs, chips & dip and some great Babaganouche. The various salads starting from just over ¥1000 come with quite a bit of volume and Pizzakaya’s original dressings. Now to the pizzas… how to even describe them? They are like the best craft beer: complex and balanced, with a rich variety of flavor and character. The pepperoni, starting from ¥2100, is a classic, but beyond that, Pizzakaya mostly serves original pizzas you’ve probably never seen. Japan’s first Sante Fe pizza with caramelized onions and guacamole, the super-meaty “Big Russell” with their spicy home-made sausage, and the Bacon Cheeseburger pizza are but a few of the selections. In general, think hearty and spicy flavors.

The interior features bright wooden tables and booths and an open kitchen, lending a kind of community feeling to Pizzakaya. The atmosphere is decidedly cheerful. Popular movies play on a big screen against one wall and there is quite a warm buzz when customers are packed in. Definitely look out for special parties where Derek offers all-you-can-eat pizza deals and craft beer drink specials.