What’s the Best Pizza in Charlottesville?
Looking for the best pizza in Charlottesville? Here’s a list of our 7 favorite neighborhoods in and around Cville to get good pie.
Count on the pizza-loving team at the Charlottesville Guide to create a list of local favorites. Like any self-respecting college town, Charlottesville’s Pizza offerings are plentiful and creative, with a plush list of artisanal, local options.
Maybe America’s original takeout food, a great pizza experience (in our opinion) depends on two qualities, in order: taste and proximity. Taste is in the mouth of the beholder, so we’ll share our favorite options and let you decide. Location is well, location. If it matters, you can pick the best combination for your dream pie experience.
1. The Corner
Mellow Mushroom is located on the first floor of the Graduate Hotel on The Corner. For almost two decades this Georgia-based consortium of Grateful Dead-inspired pie-truckers has been dishing out delicious stone-baked pizza with trippy names like Kosmic Karma and Funky Q Chicken on “mellow crust” made from “Appalachian” spring water. Salads, craft beer and trivia nights complete the allure.
A secondary option on The UVA Corner is Christians, next to Boylan Heights, which is good all day but perhaps best for a late night slice.
2. 5th Street Extended
It can be argued that all Charlottesville pizza in the modern era evolved from Christian’s, when, in the mid-nineties, a non famous (and infamous) man named Christian opened on the downtown mall, barking orders, taking cash and riding herd on an army of workers behind the counter who served up fresh, quick, topping-laden slices to lines of fans pushing out the door. Like a mythical hero riding upon the shoulders of his triumphant fans, Christian has returned to open a new Christian’s Pizza on 5th Street Extended. Three cheers for Christian’s. It’s one-of-a-kind, with the freshest ingredients, the crispest crust, the flavor of legends.
Up above 5th Street in 5th Street Station, pizza aficionados also like Extreme Pizza which serves a beefy-cheesy, quasi-deep dish pizza that scores points with all who require pizza, extremely! Fresh ingredients and hand-crafted technique from a scion of a prominent local restaurant family operation result in a memorable pie, and a memory of that pie, that brings you back.
3. Crozet
Another pizza with a major “Charlottesville” stamp is Crozet Pizza. Originally opened in the hamlet of Crozet in 1977, this pizza gem has received numerous citations from national reviewers — “one of the 50 best pies in the country” said Food Network Magazine. It’s old school and really terrific.
If the restaurant is busy but you need to scratch your pizza itch, head to the wrap around bar where local brews meet fresh, inventive pizza options (like the Meat Me or Feisty Italian). Not in the mood for pizza? We recommend The Union (a delicious Philly Cheesesteak). Make sure to grab a pint of Starr Hill Beer (brewery headquarters located just down the street) to wash everything down with. Keep in mind that Crozet Pizza’s hours an be slightly different than most.
If you’ve missed your Crozet Pizza window, fret not. Do as the locals do and go to Sal’s Pizza instead. Located within walking distance, albeit with plenty of parking, we highly suggest that you partake in this family-owned pizza joint that is truly beloved by its tenured regulars. With a “hole in the wall” feel, this pizza joint never disappoints. Grab a Calzone (the best!) or a Starr Hill (their signature white pizza) and make sure to also order to fried mushrooms and the breaded chicken salad.
4. Belmont
There’s a lot of buzz around Andy McClure’s pizza window near Belle. Ciaccia Pizza and Focaccia. Roman-style pizza are their specialty. Choose your toppings. The pies are sold by weight!
Longtime pizza heavy, Lampo, has long been a draw in Belmont. Their signature is Neapolitan, and the ambiance creates a memory that brings you back!
5. North Garden
Sourcing ingredients from no fewer than 14 local producers, Doctor Ho’s Humble Pie takes the cake for home-made pizza in Charlottesville. They are 100% focused on their hand-craft pizza mission, and the ambiance is full of smiles, blue jeans and trucker caps.
Located 11m south of the corner in North Garden, we highly recommend this pizza satisfaction, no matter where you live. Just don’t forget to order a side of their famous homemade ranch. You’ve never had anything like it!
6. Near UVA Grounds
On the more traditional side of things, decades of Hoos have been sustained by plenty of delicious pizzeria. Near Scott Stadium at the crossroads of JPA and Alderman Road, the vibrant town-gown community of Fry’s Spring has a new entry with the aroma of fresh pie, Pi-Napo, in a bustling former gas station setting with indoor and outdoor seating. Their Neapolitan style pizza is made from the freshest ingredients and recently won recognition as the Best in Cville. While there, check out their Ferrari of a gelato carousel!
And Detroit-style has come to Barracks Road Shopping Center at Emmy Squared Pizza. With high-quality ingredients and deliciously unique toppings, their signature pizza is marked by its square shape, crispy bottom, fluffy dough, cheesy “frico” crust, and signature sauce stripes. One bite and you’ll understand! The menu also includes their famous double-stack burger, the Le Big Matt, which has made Best Burger lists in Nashville and NYC, along with appetizers, salads, and sandwiches served on pretzel buns.
7. Downtown Charlottesville
For classic, select-your slice pizza we like Vita Nova on the Downtown Mall at the corner of 4th Street. Giovanni Sesito is the maestro and often you’ll find him right behind the counter, ready to slide your selection into the oven. If you smile with satisfaction as you take your first bite, he’s likely to be looking! The crust is crispy and fresh. The toppings are fresh and flavorful. Artists who stand behind their work is one of the things we look for a a good pizza immersion, and we recommend Vita Nova to deliver what you’re craving.
In case you’re looking for a beer & pizza & sports vibe, swing around the Mall and head to one of our favorite microbreweries, Random Row, to partake in a delicious Mosaic IPA followed (or in conjunction with) an absurdly good pizza pie from their in-house pizza joint, Billy Pie. The Neapolitan-style mushroom pizza is to.die.for.
8. North of Town on 29-North
Before 2010 it was all the rage to build hotels north of town, and today over 50% of Charlottesville’s hotel inventory remains above Hydraulic Road. Chances are you’re staying out there and need to know where to go to get good Za. Fortunately, you’ve got options! We like Matchbox located in the Shops at Stonefield. A small chain that specializes in Neapolitan Pizza fresh from the massive, open oven behind the counter will satisfy your craving for delicious sauce, a savory char, and fresh toppings. Duck in after a round of shopping or just before seeing a movie next door.
Further north, home-grown Popito’s has become a Charlottesville favorite. Founded by a local couple whose passion for pie is as hot as their wood-fired oven, Popito’s can often be found at area festivals and vineyards, but you can find their freshest pizza at their home base in Rio Hill Center.
If you’re traveling to or from Charlotteville, check out A Squared Pizza in the Hollymead Shopping Center near Target. What started as a micro-venture out of a home kitchen has turned into a sensation. Ann Arbor pizza at its finest – and this is the only place to get it in the area.
9. Pantops is East Charlottesville
If you’re on the east side of town, there’s only one name you need to know in pizza: Fabio’s. Located at the mouth of Free Bridge over the Rivanna River, Fabio’s is New York-style pizza made from scratch, fully delicious and ready to serve. Owned and operated by partners Sal and Mike who grew-up in the family business, Fabio’s is a full-scale pizzeria with a variety of deli sandwiches, wings and salads. Dine in or order for take-out or delivery. These guys are fast, and good.
If you can’t find a pizza experience to meet your needs from this amazing list, have no fear…our list of favorite Charlottesville burgers is here. Happy eating from all of us at the Charlottesville Guide!
