Discover The Best Pizza in Northern Virginia
Though Italy invented pizza, Americans love putting their unique spin on it. And though Northern Virginia is not typically known to be adventurous, it is home to a wide variety of delicious and interesting pizza styles. This is a local’s guide to the best pizza in Northern Virginia.
I’m sure you have heard of Neapolitan and Sicilian, New York, and Chicago-styles of pizza. But have you tried Detroit- or Irish-style or Indian-fusion? Have you topped your pizza with Italian caviar or vegan cheese or gorgonzola? All of these and more await you in some of the best pizzerias in Northern Virginia.
Neapolitan-style Pizza in Northern Virginia
Neapolitan is Naples-style pizza, the style that gave rise to New York thin crust Neapolitan has an even thinner crust to New York’s and, thus should be eaten with a knife and fork, you heathens. Neapolitan is arguably the most popular style of pizza in Northern Virginia, and it’s also the simplest. But the simplicity doesn’t mean that just anyone can do it.
Here in Northern Virginia, we love ridiculously high standards. Neapolitan pizza is a Traditionally Specialty Guaranteed (TSG) product in Europe. The following four kitchens are the only ones in Northern Virginia certified as abiding by the strict rules for preparing Neapolitan pizza as per the Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana (The True Neapolitan Pizza Association).
Crust (Pizzeria Napoletana)
Vienna
Mozzarella is always fresh. Char marks and a chewy crust are to be expected. The flour, tomatoes, and oven are imported directly from Naples, as is the chef! Try the “Alla” crust pizza – which is half Margherita and half calzone.
Pizzeria Orso
Falls Church City
In addition to having Naples’ seal of approval, Chef Will Artley studied dough at the Culinary Institute of America. He also offers unique pizza using sourdough instead of yeast in the crust. Further, the crust is blistered (some would call it “burnt”) in a Mount Vesuvius clay and brick oven that reaches 1,000 degrees.
This is a kid-friendly place (well, except for the dangerously hot oven) – come in on Tuesdays where the young-un’s eat for free. Wednesdays draw you in with half-price wine.
Pupatella
Arlington, Reston, DC
Pupatella means “little doll”. Puptella is named after Naples-native Founder Enzo’s grandmother (“La Bella Pupatella”) as a way to honor her – and what an honor the pizzeria has become! A mainstay of Arlington that has branched out in Virginia. A lovable fact about Pupatella’s menu is eight delicious white pizza options – creamy-sauce lovers rejoice!
Ciao Osteria
Centreville
Owner Sal Speziale is a first generation immigrant from Palermo, retired fighter pilot turned restauranteur. He has always given 50% discounts to police officers, firemen, and priests who visit his restaurants. Despite the pandemic’s devastation on small business, Speziale’s generosity has only grown, showing his appreciation for first responders by delivering over 16,000 free meals to Fair Oaks, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Reston Hospital Center and two fire stations.
And if that’s not enough to get you to support this wonderful business, check out the Bresaola pizza – a white pizza with gorgonzola and cured wine beef. The ingredients are intentionally left minimal to let the crust shine.
New York-Style Pizza in Northern Virginia
New York pizza is similar to Neapolitan, but, with the addition of oil to the crust, is sturdy enough to fold in the middle – sometimes called the New York fold.
Tony’s New York Pizza
Fairfax
Family owned and operated since 1994, this perennially celebrated pizzeria served three kinds of pizza – New York style, Sicilian style, and gluten-free crust. Try the four-cheese and artichoke white pizza for some vegetarian deliciousness.
Presto Pizza
Woodbridge
Presto Pizza is all about tradition and family. Owned and operated by three generations of a Sicilian family, the menu at Presto features all-natural, hormone-free chicken, and the sauces and dough are prepared daily from scratch on the premises. The pizzeria also boasts having no fried foods or preservatives. For something a little different, try the Pizza Affumicata – which has a unique smoky flavor from smoked mozzarella and smoked bacon…you’ll be smoked after devouring 3/4s of this pizza on your own.
Flippin’ Pizza
Falls Church
This pizza is flippin’ good! I’ve heard that the water in NYC is part of what makes their food (and their coffee) so great. Flippin’ Pizza believes the same, which is why they use special filters to recreate that NYC water for their pizza dough. Not only that, but Flippin’ Pies are hand-tossed.
Wise Guy Pizza
Arlington
This DC-area chain is already making a splash with its pizza fanaticism. The pizzas are cooked in deck ovens and ingredients are obsessed over. Filtered water, the best imported cheeses and olives oils - these pizza chefs are exacting. Also very interesting - flavors inspired by Korean and Indian food and Nashville Hot Chicken.
Chicago Deep Dish Pizza in Northern Virginia
Even though I was born in New York, my true love is Chicago Deep Dish pizza. So many toppings! So much cheese!
Bugsy’s Pizza Restaurant
Alexandria
Nestled in Old Town Alexandria, Bugsy’s has often been compared to the TV-bar Cheers. The atmosphere is cozy and warm, and is the perfect place to watch the game with a beer and a slice of their delicious thin crust or deep-dish pizza! They have all your traditional pies like Margherita, the popular BBQ chicken and Hawaiian, but also have a little bit of the out-there – Shrimp Milanese anyone?
Rocco’s Restaurant
McLean
Rocco’s is an institution, having been established way back in 1977 by John Rocco Juliano. The restaurant is still a family operation that pays homage to the Abruzzi region just northeast of Rome where it is said that St. Rocco watches over the country named after him. Their deep-dish is sublime – melty, hot, with a thick crust, and loads of toppings. Rocco’s offers a Gluten-free and Cauliflower crust. As for their traditional toppings, let’s just say their menu has a sense of humor.
Sicilian Pizza in Northern Virginia
Sicilian pizza has a thick, chewy crust topped with onions, anchovies, tomatoes, herbs and strong cheese, like caciocavallo and toma. The crust is cooked in a square pan liberally coated with olive oil so the bottom of the crust fries deliciously crisp.
Tony’s New York Pizza
Manassas
Tony’s gives you a luscious square deep dish pan pizza in the Sicilian style. You have your typical choice of sauces, toppings. The focaccia style is a round deep dish “white pizza” with garlic-infused olive oil baked with mozzarella on top, and served with a side of tomato sauce for dipping. I’m sorry, my mouth is salivating all over my keyboard.
We The Pizza
Arlington
We, the Pizza is well known as Top Chef-alum Spike Mendelsohn’s pizzeria, but its pizza speaks for itself. The Spicy Sicilian features spicy salami, calabrian peppers, and a Sicilian crust. The Forest Shroomin’ Pie has honest-to-goodness truffles! (Also see below for Italian caviar – also please give me some money).
Irish Pizza in Northern Virginia
Colony Grill
Arlington
An Irish “bar pie” has an extremely thin crust, is smaller than your average pie, and has less cheese and sauce because it is meant to be held in one hand, leaving your other hand free to hold a cold Irish beer. The pizza is served with a signature “hot oil” topping.
Detroit-Style Pizza in Northern Virginia
For those looking for some excitement in their pizza offerings, have you tried the Detroit Style Pan pizza yet? It’s a little bit of a mix between New York and Chicago - half as thick, square, and uses brick cheese.
Piece Out Del Ray
Alexandria
Opening in July of 2020 (an inauspicious time to say the least), Piece Out Del Rey started with optimism and carry-out orders. A Detroit Style Pan Pizza only costs four bucks. According to the owners, the outer crust is loaded with whole milk mozzarella so that when it bakes, the crust folds over and gets really crispy and caramelized in the pan. The thick crispy square slices are quite filling, but if you have room for more, Piece Out also offers New York-style and Sicilian pizza.
Brazilian Pizza in Northern Virginia
Piola
Arlington
Brazilian-style pizza isn’t a special crust or cooking method – rather Brazilian pizza has the most toppings most popular in Brazil – including Brazilian Catupiry cheese. Catupiry chicken pizza is the most famous traditional Brazilian pie. But let’s be honest – that name sounds like caterpillars, which is not something that you want to be reminded of when eating cheese. Fear not! Catupiry is a loose ricotta-like mild-tasting creamy cheese used to make cheese spreads. Also the name derives from the Tupi word meaning “excellent” so that’s a good sign! It’ll be awhile before we can travel again so this is a chance to taste Brazil at home.
Supersize Pizza in Northern Virginia
Benny Vitali’s
Fredericksburg
I like to call this supersize pizza pie the “American Pie”. Benny’s is a Virginia-based chain with pizzerias slinging enormous 28” pizza pies on the East Coast. Each “Benny’s” has a different name reflecting the town it is within. Thus, Benny Vitali’s is named after the San Vitali church in Ravenna, Italy, an important basilica in world history – which the owners thought matched nicely with Fredericksburg’s importance in US history. Let’s be honest – you gotta come here just for the Instagram (#doitforthegram) with a pizza pie bigger than your child.
Vegan/Lactose/Gluten-Free/ Pizza in Northern Virginia
Are you tired of choosing between your friend with gluten intolerance and your favorite pizza? Well, fret no more! Northern Virginia pizzerias have adapted to suit all number of diets.
Rustico
Arlington and Alexandria
An institution in Ballston, Rustico is known for its draft beer selection, but this neighborhood pub also caters to its diners. Its special chickpea crust is unique in the Northern Virginia pizza world. The Ballston flagship is half upscale sports bar, half date-night dining room. The Alexandria location is a little more casual.
Note: many of the pizzerias on this list offer gluten-free options. Just remember to ask!
Indian Fusion Pizza in Northern Virginia
Chicago’s Pizza with a Twist
Arlington and Ashburn
The “twist” here is that it’s an Indian-fusion. Try the Desi-style lamb kebab special with creamy tandoor sauce, succulent lamb kabob, fresh pineapples, and ginger and jalapeno. Or just have your normal takeout order to-go with a palak paneer pie. There’s also naan pizza (why not) and achari pizzas, which I’ve learned is a Northern Indian specialty involving pickling spices. The restaurant also boasts a gluten-free crust, vegan cheese and halal options.
Unique Pizza Toppings in Northern Virginia
Extreme Pizza
Arlington
With a name like “Extreme,” it’d be nothing short of libelous if the toppings were banal. Extreme Pizza lives up to its name with toppings including Portuguese Linguica, Ghost Pepper cheese, and hummus (not on the same pie, but you could try it if you like). Try the Holy Cow – Swiss, fontina, gorgonzola, mozzarella, roasted walnuts, and fresh sage (You will see gorgonzola pop up a lot on this list –I’m slightly obsessed). Or get some extra Vitamin C with your sacrilegious Hawaiian pie with pineapple AND Mandarin oranges. Extreme Pizza also offers vegan gluten free or cauliflower crusts so the mix-and-match choices really can be endless.
Bottarga Pizza in Northern Virginia
Pizzeria Paradiso
Alexandria and DC
If you eat your pizza with a knife and fork, then of course you should consider putting some caviar on your pie. Pizzeria Paradiso lets you do just that with a bottarga pie. What’s bottarga? Cured (dried and salted) eggs from either tuna or swordfish, of course. And that’s not even all the eggs on this pizza. A soft runny egg gives the pie a rich and decadent finish.
Fried Kale Pizza in Northern Virginia
Lena’s Wood Fire & Tap
Alexandria
You can tell your mom you ate your vegetables. Just don’t tell her that it was in the form of fried kale doused in calabrese pepper hot honey fro mLean’s Wood Fire and Tap.
Lena’s is a great outdoor dining option, even in the winter, with a huge patio and beer garden, perfect for social distancing. Who wants to be near anyone else – they might want you to share your pizza??
Gorgonzola Pizza in Northern Virginia
Rai’s Pizza
Sterling
If I’m being honest, the back story of Rai’s to be pandering to those of us who love cuteness (Rai’s is named after the owner’s adorable daughter, whose cartoon picture is Rai’s logo).
But I love cuteness and I can deal with a little bit of pandering. Particularly when they’s offering me CHZ, CHZ, CHZ! – their four cheese pizza with mozzarella, gorgonzola, parmesan and ricotta.
I LOVE gorgonzola in pizza, but I understand smelly cheeses are an acquired taste. For those who love spicy foods, may I suggest El Diablo – with a mix of Spicy sausage, jalapenos, and Sriracha? Also if you’re feeling particularly patriotic, try the ‘Merican Dream – also known as a Cheeseburger Pizza.
Nutella Pizza in Northern Virginia
Osteria Marzano
Alexandria
Another family-owned pizzeria in the area – this time a father-daughter duo. What sets this restaurant apart from the others is the sleek modern look of the restaurant. Oh and nutella pizza. Yep, you heard that right. And if that weren’t enough, the pizza comes with pistachios, sea salt, whipped mascarpone, and baby marshmallows.
Also, if you’re adamant about eating outside in the cold, Osteria Marzano has you covered with winter gloves on their patio with personal heaters. Each globe is sanitized after each reservation with a fogger that kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. It’ll be wonderful when we can all dine in like in the olden days again, but until then, this is a fantastic upscale option for having your pizza while it’s still piping hot.
Best Pizza in Northern Virginia
While these pizzerias range in styles, location, their commitment to pizza joins them together. Also many of them are family operations. It’s tough out there with a pandemic going on, but we can all help out local businesses by ordering a pizza to-go or to dine-in at one of the best pizzerias in Northern Virginia.
