Neapolitan, Chicago deep-dish, New York-style, Sicilian, Detroit-style. Everyone has their favorite take on this universally loved food. Order it with thin crust, extra cheese, vegetarian toppings, or gluten-free. In no particular order, here’s where you can find each of these options across Charlotte.
Pizza Baby
2135 Thrift Road, Ste. 101
980-207-1320
Pizza Baby was born in Charlotte, but its 18-inch New York-style pies might have you believe otherwise. Co-owners Trey Wilson and Steven De Falco took bread-making courses with pizzaiolos in Long Island and tested 29 dough recipes before they opened Pizza Baby in Wesley Heights.
Osteria LuCa
4127 Park Road
704-910-0142
The Classic Cheese gets everything right, with crispy edges, bubbling cheese, and smoky flavor. For something a little more complex, try the Prosciutto di Parma with arugula, shaved Parmesan, fig spread, and balsamic glaze.
Sal’s Pizza Factory
3723 Monroe Road
980-219-7108
Sal’s has made believers of those New Yorkers who can’t stop complaining about the city’s lack of “good pizza.”
Benny Pennello’s
2909 N. Davidson St., Ste. 100
980-949-8398
Benny’s, known for its 28-inch Virginia-style pizzas with slices so big they’re served on two paper plates, has a sister location called Benny Ferrovia’s in South End.
Luisa’s Brick Oven Pizzeria
1730 Abbey Place
704-522-8782
Order the pizza named for founder Luisa Land, stacked with sliced tomatoes, garlic, ricotta, and pesto.
The Pizza Peel & Tap Room
Multiple locations
Find inspired pies like The Godfather, a white pizza with a garlic oil base topped with three meats—salami, prosciutto, and pepperoni—plus spinach and roasted red peppers.
Photo by Peter Taylor.
Stagioni
715 Providence Road
704-372-8110
Cut into this wood-fired pie with pizza shears and savor that first warm, cheesy bite.
Portofino’s Italian Restaurant
Multiple locations
The house-made dough and sauce is the way you’d have it on the coast of northern Italy.
Hawthorne’s New York Pizza and Bar
Multiple locations
Hawthorne’s made national headlines when nearly 70 visitors reported that the restaurant’s buffalo chicken pizza—nicknamed “The Inducer”—sent pregnant Charlotteans straight into labor.
Aliño Pizzeria
500 S Main St., Ste. 401, Mooresville
The wood-fired pies at this spacious Mooresville spot are thin as can be, making it acceptable for a single person to indulge in a full 16-inch pizza (the smallest size).
Zio
116 Middleton Drive
704-344-0100
The pizza crust is crisp, the tomato sauce is homemade, and herbs come from the patio garden.
Emmy Squared Pizza
Multiple locations
The Detroit-style pizza menu is split between Reds (topped with sauce and mozzarella) and Whites (topped with just mozzarella). The Hot Chicken pie is a White, and a major hit.
The Jimmy
2839 Selwyn Ave., Ste. X
704-979-4242
You can get a traditional Margherita, but for something a bit more adventurous, try the Funghi, aka “Jimmy’s Pie,” topped with roasted mushrooms, taleggio cheese, and balsamic reduction.
Inizio Pizza Napoletana
Multiple locations
This family-friendly spot serves Neapolitan pizzas that include traditional Margherita pie and the just-quirky-enough Pistachio Pesto pie.
Salud Cerveceria
3306 N. Davidson St., Ste. C
980-495-6612
Salud’s 12-inch, wood-fired pies match the quality of its stellar beer.
A rectangular Grandma Pie from Geno D’s Pizza. Photo by Peter Taylor.
Geno D’s Pizza
224 E. Seventh St.
704-900-5202
The “Jersey Shore-style” pizza joint comes from father-and-daughter team Geno and Gena DiPaolo, and options include a rectangle, sauce-on-top, Grandma-style ’za.
Capishe: Real Italian Kitchen
500 East Morehead Street
980-819-9494
This fast-casual joint slings fresh, handmade Neapolitan pizzas that typically cook within two minutes.
Bird Pizzeria
510 E. 15th St.
Described by its owners as “East Coast-style” pizza, this Optimist Park spot prepares three kinds of pie—plain, vegan, and white—with your choice of nine toppings on charred crust.
Mama Ricotta’s
601 S. King’s Dr., Ste. AA
704-343-0148
Classic Italian entrées like lasagna and penne alla vodka tend to be the main attraction here, but don’t miss out on Mama Ricotta’s Neapolitan-style pizza.
Libretto’s Pizzeria
15205 John J Delaney Dr
704-714-1442
After operating Libretto’s in Manhattan for years, the owner moved his family and his pizzeria down South. You’ll find authentic NYC pizza, traditional Italian plates, deli sandwiches and wings.
House of Pizza
3640 Central Ave
704-459-1161
A Charlotte staple since 1978, their staple is their pie, but loyal customers also rave about the famous Philly Sub.
Pizzeria Omaggio
1055 Metropolitan Ave, Suite 130
704-370-0777
They call themselves passionate pizza makers – a claim you can taste in their seasonal pizza menu. On the regular menu, try the Emilia.
Charlotte Magazine Staff
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