There’s nothing like a delicious slice of pizza. Here are 30+ of the best pizza spots in Charlotte — from New York-style to deep-dish.
Enjoy a Neapolitan-style pizza, cooked in 90 seconds. The pies are made with fresh ingredients and dough imported from Italy and cooked in wood-burning ovens.
Order this: The Capri Verdure. It’s a great option for vegetarians and it’s made with shiitake mushrooms, artichoke, caramelized onions, sweet peppers, San Marzano tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella.
Stop by: 500 South Main St., Mooresville, N.C.
Photo: Symphony Webber/Axios
You’ll need two plates and two hands for a slice of Benny’s 28-inch pies. You’ll find these giant slices in NoDa and South End.
Order this: Try the sliced Italian sausage pizza.
Stop by: Benny Ferrovia's 340 W Tremont Ave.
Giant cheese pizza from Benny’s. Photo: Axios archives
One of the newest spots on this list, Bird specializes in gourmet East Coast-style pizza. Plus it's expanding . Its 800-square-foot remodel will include a larger kitchen, an indoor dining room with a bar, and a "secret patio" for additional outdoor seating.
Order this: We recommend trying the white pizza made with fresh mozzarella, ricotta, garlic, olive oil and basil.
Stop by: 510 E 15th St.
Read more: East Coast-style pizzeria now open in Optimist Park
White pizza with fresh mozzarella, ricotta, garlic, olive oil and basil. Photo: Emma Way/Axios
Bisonte pizzas are made using a passed-down family recipe.
Order this: Customize your own pizza.
Stop by: 1381 Chestnut Lane, Matthews, N.C.
Photo: Axios archives
The fast-casual Italian restaurant has locations outside of Uptown and in SouthPark. There are nine Neapolitan-style pizzas with red and white sauce options.
Order this: Go with the San Lorenzo. It’s a red pizza with bufala mozzarella, sweet piquante, cipollini onion, Italian sausage, fresh garlic and extra virgin olive oil.
Stop by: 500 East Morehead St.
San Lorenzo pizza from Capishe. Photo: Axios archives
DeSano specializes in authentic Neapolitan-style pizza. What makes this pizza chain unique is that the pizzas are cooked in wood-burning ovens for 90 seconds — ideal for those who are eager to chow down.
Order this: The Verdura pizza. It has broccoli rabe, mushrooms, Vesuvian cherry tomatoes, garlic, scamorza, mozzarella di bufala and pecorino romano.
Stop by: 7315 Waverly Walk Ave.
Photo: Axios archives
If you’re looking for authentic New York-style pizza, Due Amici is the place to go. There are plenty of fresh toppings for you to customize your pizza exactly how you like it.
Order this: Build your own pizza.
Stop by: 5346 Docia Crossing Road
New York-originated pizza joint known for its square-shaped, crispy-bottomed pizza and signature burgers.
Order this: Unequivicolly, the Colony pizza. It combines the heat from jalapeños and sweetness from drizzled honey to create an unsuspecting paring that you didn’t know you needed.
Stop by: 1508 Central Ave .
Emmy Squared’s Colony pizza. Photo: Symphony Webber/Axios
Go big or go home with Hawthorne’s 18×18-inch thick crust, square pie. It’s gigantic so bring a few partners-in-pizza.
Order this: They have traditional New York-style pizza too, but you need to give the Hawthorne's Sicilian or the Hawthorne's pepperoni and sausage Sicilian a go.
Stop by: 1701 E. 7th St.
Photo: Axios archives
This family-owned pizza spot has been in the Charlotte community for more than 43 years. In addition to serving authentic Italian fare, House of Pizza also serves cheesesteaks and wings.
Order this: Try the house special pizza, it has mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, ground beef, ham, mushroom, onions and peppers.
Stop by: 3640 Central Ave.
Owner Grant Arons is so obsessed with replicating authentic Neapolitan pizza, he makes his crust using water imported from Italy for its exact pH balance and mineral content. He also imports Polselli type “OO” flour, San Marzano tomatoes and real buffalo mozzarella. It doesn’t get much closer to the real deal than that.
Order this: Go with the pistachio pizza.
Stop by: 10620 Providence Road
Inizio’s famous pistachio pizza. Photo: Axios archives
Serving both Italian and Serbian cuisine, Intermezzo has everything from pizza to schnitzel.
Order this: The Garden Fresh pizza. It’s topped with broccoli, mushrooms, onion, tomatoes, spinach and smoked gouda.
Stop by: 1427 East 10th St.
“Garden Fresh” pizza from Intermezzo. Photo: Axios archives
Dive into Neapolitan pizza from classics to originals inside Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts.
Order this: Il fungo, which has a slight kick from the chili oil. This vegan pizza also includes smoke-cured portobellos, San Marzano pomodoro, vegan cheese, cartelized onions and garlic and baby spinach.
Stop by: 1030 Woodward Ave .
Go deeper: 10 vegan pizza options in Charlotte
Il fungo. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Luisa’s uses a brick oven imported straight from Italy to cook its pies.
Order this: You can’t go wrong with building your own pizza.
Stop by: 1730 Abbey Place
Pepperoni pizza from Luisa’s Pizza. Photo: Symphony Webber/Axios
The Charlotte classic has been serving up authentic Italian food for nearly three decades. Their pizza is New Haven-style with a thin, bubbly crust cooked in a wood-fired oven.
Order this: Go with the tomato and mozzarella pizza.
Stop by: 601 S. Kings Dr.
Go deeper: Mama Ricotta's celebrates 30 years. This is what owner Frank Scibelli would order there
Photo: Axios archives
This pizza shop is technically located in Pineville, but it’s worth the short drive. The pizzas are St. Louis-style, so they’re thin and crispy.
Order this: The St. Louis-Style Cheese Pizza ($12).
Stop by: 316 Main St. Pineville, N.C.
Photo: Symphony Webber/Axios
PIE.ZAA, a popular Asheville pizzeria, opened in South End next to Vinyl and Wooden Robot.
Order this: Sweet Caroline with fresh mozz, marinara, tomatoes, ricotta, basil, pesto and a drizzle of honey.
Stop by: 1440 S. Tryon St.
Go deeper: Popular Asheville pizza joint to offer huge slices late night in South End
Sweet Caroline with fresh mozz, marinara, tomatoes, ricotta, basil, pesto and a drizzle of honey. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
Chef Trey Wilson, who also owns Flour Shop in Park Road Shopping Center, is serving up New York-style pizzas at his third restaurant at Pizza Baby in Wesley Heights and pizza on focaccia bread at Pizza Baby East in Elizabeth.
Order this: Rosemary pizza with pistachio pesto, shaved red onion, hot honey and pecorino at Pizza Baby in Wesley Heights.
- Order a slice of sausage, mushroom and red onion pizza at Pizza Baby East for lunch.
Stop by: 2135 Thrift Road
Go deeper: Queen City Nerve trashed Pizza Baby and the Charlotte internet lost its mind
Pizza Baby in Wesley Heights rosemary pizza with pistachio pesto, shaved red onion, hot honey and pecorino. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Pesto, burrata and tomato pizza (left) Sausage, mushroom and red onion pizza (front). Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Omaggio’s thin-crust pizzas make it so you can eat the entire pie in one go. Their seasonal pizzas are the stand-out on the menu, though.
Order this: Try the Country pizza. It’s a seasonal pizza made with tomato sauce, whole milk mozzarella, roasted potatoes, caramelized onions, smoked pancetta and Italian parsley.
Stop by: 1055 Metropolitan Ave.,
Regina Margherita from Pizzeria Omaggio with mozzarella di bufala. Photo: Axios archives
Portofino’s has your classic “foldable” NY slice. The pizzas are made with Grande cheese, Italian whole peeled tomatoes, homemade sauce, and fresh-made dough. Pick up a slice at any of its four Charlotte locations.
Order this: For an outside-the-box option, go with the Arrabbiata pizza. It’s made with spicy marinara, prosciutto, mushrooms, tomatoes, kalamata olives, mozzarella and basil.
Stop by: 5126 Park Road
NY-style pepperoni pizza from Portofino’s. Photo: Axios archives
You’re going to want to bring a pizza partner (or several) because these pizzas start at 16 inches and go up to 28 inches.
Order this: The Peter Parker. It’s got spinach, tomato, black olives, bell peppers and mushrooms
Stop by: 227 Southside Dr.
Photo: Emma Way/Axios
Farm-to-table meets pizza. All ingredients are locally sourced — plus: they have gluten-free crust options, vegan cheese and plenty of meat-free toppings. Who said pizzas couldn’t be healthy?
Order this: Pure Pizza’s chorizo pizza with red onions, sliced radishes, cilantro and fresh lime wedges.
Stop by: 1911 Central Ave.
Pure Pizza’s chorizo pizza. Photo: Axios archives
Sal’s crispy, Jersey-style pizza comes by the slice and in whole pizza pies. It’s thin, yet sturdy and doesn’t need to be folded.
Order this: The meat lover’s pizza. It has pepperoni, sausage, meatball, bacon and ham.
Stop by: 3723 Monroe Road
The Meatlover’s Pizza from Sal’s. Photo: Axios archives
In addition to its extensive beer selection, Salud also serves up a host of fun, fusion pizzas.
Order this: It's a toss-up between the Latin Lingo pizza and the "Liberation" potato pizza.
Stop by: 3306 N Davidson St.
Go deeper: Hispanic heritage is celebrated every day at Salud, a Dominican-owned brewery in NoDa
Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
Choose a pizza from their menu , or make one yourself. Stagioni sells a take-home pizza kit that serves two and comes with pizza dough, sauce, cheese and sausage and pepperoni.
Order this: The pepperoni and sausage pizza.
Stop by: 715 Providence Road
Go deeper: 25 best restaurants in Charlotte, right now
Photo: Axios archives
This family-casual pizza joint has a wide selection of specialty pizzas (meat & veggie), or you can build your own pie.
Order this: "Sorry for Partying Supreme" pizza. It has pepperoni, sausage, ground beef, mozzarella cheese, green peppers, roasted red peppers, banana peppers, onions and mushrooms.
Stop by: 4422 Colwick Road
Photo: Axios archives
Wilmington's popular Wheelz Pizza opened at Kings Court Plaza in Midtown and shortly after opened another location in South End.
Order this: One of their gluten-free pizza options.
Stop by: 901 S. Kings Dr.
Go deeper: Popular Wilmington Pizza joint Wheelz Pizza opens in Charlotte
Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
Zämbies opened in the heart of NoDa in the former Ruby's Gift Shop spot.
Order this: Keep it simple with a slice of pepperoni and garlic knots.
Stop by: 3204 N Davidson St.
Go deeper: Get late-night slices out of a window at Zämbies Pizza in NoDa
Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
Zio's offers classic New York-style pizza as well as grilled pies that are cooked over an open flame and cut into squares.
Order this: The sweet Italian sausage pizza. It's made with rich tomato sauce, cheese blend, sweet Italian sausage, roasted red peppers and fresh herbs.
Stop by: 116 Middleton Dr.
If you’re craving pizza first thing in the morning, 300 East has the pie for you.
Order this: The breakfast pizza. It’s made with local chorizo, red sauce, cheddar-jack cheese, scallions, queso fresco and fried eggs.
Stop by: 300 East Blvd.
Breakfast pizza at 300 East. Photo: Ted Williams/Axios
This upscale pizza spot cooks its pies using a rotating, 800º oven that is specifically manufactured for each 800º location. A new location is coming to Uptown at The Alley at Latta Arcade.
Order this: The double pepperoni pizza.
Stop by: 6815 Phillips Place Court
Go deeper: Upscale pizza restaurant with a rotating oven opens in SouthPark
Photo: Symphony Webber/Axios
Looking for more Charlotte food and drink guides? Here’s our complete list of Axios Charlotte food & drink guides including best burgers , best bars , best new restaurants , best weekly specials , best cocktail bars and best brunch .
Editor's note: This guide was first published in 2017 and was updated in May 2024.
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