Whenever we’re feeling saucy, we like to dig into a slice of local pizza. Charlotte’s pizza scene is bubbling with options — and we keep finding ways to top ourselves. If you’re on the quest for the perfect slice, we’ve pie-oneered a list of 15+ places to grab pizza that are definitely worth the dough.
Local legends
Bird Pizzeria, 510 E. 15th St.
Forbes recognized this beloved pizza spot as one the best new restaurants in Charlotte. Savor delicious toppings and an airy crust. Husband and wife duo Kerrel and Nkem Thompson opened Bird in 2021 — the biz is expanding to Optimist Park in May 2024.
The Pizza Peel, 1600 Central Ave. + 4422 Colwick Rd.
High-quality pizza is served with an unpretentious atmosphere. The “Peel” prides itself on a crunchy yet soft crust prepared with the best ingredients — olive oil, molasses, wheat, + white flour.
Mama Ricotta’s Italian Restaurant, 601 S. Kings Dr.
A staple in Charlotte for over 30 years, this kitchen serves one of a kind New England-style pizza.
Pure Pizza, 1911 Central Ave.
True to its name, this farmhouse-style pizza is prepared with local farm-to-table ingredients and seasonal offerings. Guests can enjoy 10 to 16-inch pies. Try the Lil’ Weezy Five Cheezy with mozzarella, smoked mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, goat cheese, and a house special secret sauce.
Geno D’s Pizza, 224 E. 7th St.
Billing itself as a “Jersey-style, old school pizza shop,” Geno D’s dishes up 10 and 16-inch pies as well as salads, sandwiches, calzones, and garlic or cinnamon knots.
Margaux’s Wine, Pizza & Market was one of the Charlotte locations featured in season six of the Netflix dating series, “Love Is Blind.”
Photo by CLTtoday
Margaux’s Wine, Pizza & Market, 316 Main St., Pineville
Fans of the traditional St. Louis-style creamy Provel cheese and cracker-thin crust will be thrilled to have this gem in Charlotte.
New York Style
Hawthorne’s New York Pizza and Bar, 1701 E. 7th St.
Serving New York-style and tavern-style pies since 2004, this pizzeria prides itself on being family-friendly in each of its eight restaurants. The Elizabeth neighborhood is home to the biz’s original location.
Johnny Brusco’s New York Style Pizza, 9515 Riverbend Village Dr.
This spot serves authentic, great-tasting New York-style pizza. The dough is made fresh daily, hand-tossed, and topped with ingredients like premium mozzarella + parmesan cheeses, fresh-packed tomatoes, hand-cut veggies, and Italian sausage and beef.
Pie in the Sky, 124 Brevard Ct.
This Queen City staple is a favorite of the grab-and-go lunch crowd. Thin-crust pizza is served up by the slice in true NYC fashion. Pro tip: Grab some napkins and enjoy your lunch outside with a view of the Uptown skyline.
Bisonte, 710 W. Trade St., 8133 Ardrey Kell Rd., 1381 Chestnut Ln., Matthews
Bisonte, meaning “buffalo” in Italian, is owned by two brothers who grew up in Buffalo, NY., so it makes sense that this pizzeria offers the “best of Buffalo,” including award-winning Buffalo-style pizza. A nice touch here is the free specialty crusts, like cajun, garlic, and sesame — pick and pair your choice with your favorite toppings.
Italian origins
Inizio Pizza Napoletana Dilworth, 2230 Park Rd., Ste. #101
Consistently lauded as the best pizza in North Carolina, Inizio is dedicated to the art and craft of true Neapolitan-style pizza. 90 seconds and 900 degrees later, the naturally risen dough transforms into a leopard-skinned pizza crust of dreams.
Pizzeria Omaggio, 1055 Metropolitan Ave., Ste. #130
This pizzeria takes the art of pizza making so seriously that its name, “Omaggio,” literally means “pay tribute.” Editor’s note: skip the to-go box. The thin crust and fresh ingredients make it completely reasonable to single-handedly devour a pie.
Capishe Real Italian Kitchen, 500 E. Morehead St. Ste. 100,
This site is the perfect location for hungry business professionals in Uptown to grab lunch or a casual dinner.
Osteria LuCa, 4127 Park Rd.
Found in the bustle of Park Road Shopping Center, this eatery’s signature pizza recipe is inspired by the neighborhood ristorantes that are prevalent across Italy.
Brick oven
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza + Craft Bar, Foxcraft, Dilworth, Blakeney, Birkdale
This pizza must be good to be an official partner of the Charlotte Hornets. Enjoy a social atmosphere while savoring wood-fired pizza, plus buffalo wings + 24 craft beers on tap.
800° Carolinas, 6815 Phillips Place Ct.
Located in the heart of SouthPark, guests will enjoy woodfired proteins on their acclaimed craft pizza + a diverse menu offering flavorful options for everyone.
Luisa’s Brick Oven Pizzeria, 1730 Abbey Pl.
A not-so-secret ingredient to this spot is the brick oven imported from Milan in the late 1980s. This restaurant boasts that the oven has cooked over a million pizzas. The signature pizza is the Luisa pizza with sliced tomatoes, pesto, ricotta cheese, and garlic.
Harper’s Restaurant, 6518 Fairview Rd.
The menu’s top highlight at this comfortable, neighborhood hangout is the wood-fired brick oven pizzas + wine in a relaxed, stylish setting. Editor’s note: try the barbecue-chicken pizza.
We know, this is just a piece of the pie. If your favorite pizza spot wasn’t mentioned, let us know so we can show it some love in the future.
