14 Texas Pizza Places With Reservations So Tough, Locals Plan Weeks Ahead (For Good Reason)
Texas takes pizza seriously, and the proof is in how hard it is to snag a table at these legendary spots. I learned this the hard way when I showed up at a popular Austin pizzeria on a Saturday night, only to be told they were booked solid for three weeks.
These restaurants have mastered the art of crafting pies so incredible that people mark their calendars and set phone reminders just to secure a reservation.
Trust me, after tasting what these places offer, you’ll understand why the wait is absolutely worth it.
1. Partenope Ristorante – Dallas
Authentic Neapolitan pizza doesn’t get more real than what you’ll find at this Dallas hotspot. The chef imports ingredients straight from Italy, and the wood-fired oven creates that signature leopard-spotted crust that pizza purists dream about.
Reservations disappear faster than free samples at a grocery store because locals know this place delivers an experience that rivals anything you’d find in Naples.
The intimate dining room only seats about 50 people, which means booking ahead is your only shot at scoring a table.
Plan at least two to three weeks in advance, especially for weekend dinners when the restaurant fills up with date nights and celebrations.
2. Pizzana (Knox Street) – Dallas
California-style pizza meets Texas hospitality at this Knox Street location that’s become impossible to get into without advance planning. The neo-Neapolitan style features a super thin, crispy crust that somehow stays light yet satisfying.
I once tried walking in on a Thursday evening, thinking weeknights would be easier, but the host just laughed and showed me their reservation book filled solid for weeks.
Their seasonal menu rotates ingredients based on what’s freshest, giving regulars new reasons to keep coming back.
The open kitchen lets you watch pizza makers work their magic while you wait for your perfectly charred masterpiece to arrive at your table.
3. Cane Rosso – Deep Ellum, Dallas
Deep Ellum’s pizza king has been packing tables since opening, and the reservation situation hasn’t gotten any easier over the years.
This spot earned certification from the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, which is basically the gold standard for authentic Neapolitan pizza.
The dough ferments for days before hitting the 900-degree oven, creating complex flavors that make every bite memorable.
Weekend reservations need to be booked at least two weeks out, though you might get lucky on a Tuesday or Wednesday with shorter notice.
Their dedication to traditional methods means they won’t compromise quality even when the dining room is bursting at the seams.
4. Zoli’s NY Pizza – Fort Worth
Fort Worth finally got the New York-style pizza it deserved when this place opened, and residents haven’t stopped flooding in since.
The slices are massive, the crust has that perfect foldability, and the cheese-to-sauce ratio hits just right every single time.
Unlike some fancy pizza spots, this one keeps things casual, but that doesn’t mean you can skip making a reservation. The small space fills up quickly, especially during lunch rushes when downtown workers descend for their pizza fix.
Calling ahead at least a week gives you the best chance at avoiding a long wait or potential disappointment at the door.
5. Delucca Pizza & Wine – Fort Worth
Upscale pizza in a cozy atmosphere makes this Fort Worth favorite nearly impossible to get into without planning ahead. The menu balances classic Italian preparations with creative Texas twists that surprise and delight even the pickiest eaters.
I brought my parents here last year and watched my dad, a lifelong pizza skeptic, actually ask for seconds. The wood-fired pizzas come out bubbling hot with perfectly charred edges that add a smoky depth to every bite.
The intimate setting means limited seating, so booking two to three weeks ahead for prime dinner slots is pretty much mandatory if you want to experience what makes this place so special.
6. Pie Tap Pizza + Rotisserie + Bar – Henderson Ave, Dallas
Henderson Avenue’s pizza destination combines innovative flavor combinations with a lively neighborhood vibe that keeps people coming back week after week.
The rotating tap selection pairs perfectly with their creative pizza offerings, making this spot popular for both casual dinners and group gatherings.
Their signature pies feature unexpected ingredients that somehow work together in ways you wouldn’t imagine until that first bite hits your taste buds.
The patio seating is especially coveted during pleasant weather months, adding another layer of difficulty to the already challenging reservation situation.
Booking at least 10 days ahead gives you a fighting chance at your preferred time slot.
7. Bufalina Pizza – Austin
Austin’s original Bufalina location sparked a pizza revolution in the city that shows no signs of slowing down.
The tiny space only fits about 30 people, which creates an intimate dining experience but also means reservations are harder to score than concert tickets.
Every pizza showcases simple, high-quality ingredients that let the flavors shine without unnecessary complications.
The crust achieves that elusive balance between chewy and crispy that makes you want to savor every last crumb on your plate.
Locals set calendar reminders for exactly when reservations open up because tables get claimed within hours for popular weekend slots throughout the month.
8. Bufalina Due – Austin
The second Bufalina location offers slightly more seating than the original, but that hasn’t made getting a table any easier for eager pizza lovers.
This North Austin spot on Burnet Road maintains the same commitment to quality while adding a few menu items you won’t find at the first location.
I’ve watched people literally refresh the reservation website on their phones, waiting for new time slots to open up like they’re trying to buy playoff tickets.
The airy space features an open kitchen where you can watch the pizza-making process unfold in real time.
They take limited reservations for larger parties, and most tables are first-come, first-served, so plan accordingly for weekend evenings.
9. The Backspace – Downtown Austin
Downtown Austin’s pizza scene got a major upgrade when this spot opened, bringing inventive pies to a neighborhood previously dominated by other food options.
The menu changes seasonally to highlight the best local ingredients available, giving repeat visitors something new to discover each time they return.
The modern industrial space creates an energetic atmosphere that’s perfect for everything from business dinners to catching up with old friends over great food.
Getting a reservation here requires advance planning, especially during South by Southwest and other major Austin events when the city swells with visitors.
Two weeks ahead is the minimum for weekend reservations during busy seasons.
10. Quattro Gatti Ristorante e Pizzeria – Austin
Traditional Italian hospitality meets Austin’s laid-back vibe at this beloved pizzeria that’s been winning hearts for years.
The family-run operation treats every guest like they’re dining in someone’s home, which creates a warmth you don’t find at corporate chain restaurants.
Roman-style pizzas arrive at your table with thin, crispy crusts that crackle when you cut into them. The reservation book fills up fast because regulars know this place delivers consistent quality meal after meal, year after year.
Calling at least two weeks before your desired dining date gives you the best shot at securing a table during peak hours when everyone wants to eat here.
11. Tiny Champions – Houston
Houston’s pizza landscape changed forever when this neighborhood gem opened its doors to instant acclaim and perpetually full tables.
The name isn’t kidding about the tiny part, as the compact space creates an exclusive feel that makes scoring a reservation feel like winning a prize.
Chef-driven pizzas feature unexpected ingredient combinations that somehow make perfect sense once you taste them together on that perfectly blistered crust.
I’ve seen Houston food bloggers camp out on the reservation system just to get a table during prime weekend hours.
The popularity hasn’t died down one bit, so planning three weeks ahead remains the safest bet for actually getting in the door.
12. Coltivare Pizza & Garden – Houston
Farm-to-table pizza reaches new heights at this Houston hotspot that grows many of its own ingredients right on the property.
The garden-to-oven concept means you’re eating vegetables that were picked hours before landing on your pizza, creating a freshness level that’s hard to match.
The sprawling patio offers a relaxed outdoor dining experience that’s especially popular during Houston’s milder months when the weather cooperates beautifully.
Reservations disappear quickly because this place offers something truly unique in the Houston dining scene.
Booking at least two weeks out is necessary if you want to enjoy pizza surrounded by the actual garden that supplied your toppings.
13. Dough Pizzeria Napoletana – San Antonio
San Antonio’s premier Neapolitan pizza destination has locals and tourists alike scrambling for reservations weeks in advance.
The certified pizzaiolos trained in Naples bring authentic techniques to Texas, creating pies that transport you straight to Italy with every bite.
The 900-degree imported oven cooks each pizza in about 90 seconds, producing those characteristic charred bubbles and soft, pillowy crusts that define great Neapolitan pizza.
The intimate dining room creates a cozy atmosphere, but the limited seating means you absolutely cannot show up without a reservation and expect to eat.
Three weeks ahead is standard operating procedure for weekend reservations at this San Antonio treasure.
14. Il Forno – San Antonio
Old-world Italian charm meets San Antonio hospitality at this restaurant that’s been packing tables since opening day.
The wood-fired oven imported from Italy produces pizzas with complex flavors that develop from the high-heat cooking method and quality ingredients.
Every pizza reflects generations of Italian pizza-making tradition, prepared by chefs who take their craft seriously enough to make getting a table here genuinely challenging.
The romantic ambiance makes this a popular spot for special occasions, adding another layer of competition for already scarce reservations.
Planning at least two weeks ahead, possibly longer for Friday and Saturday evenings, is essential if you want to experience what makes this place worth the wait.