North Carolina’s Pizza Scene Is Full Of Surprises, And These 9 Spots Deserve A Closer Look
A pizza place with a train circling above the dining room? That’s not exactly your usual dinner experience.
And North Carolina has more surprises where that came from.
Some spots get creative with their toppings, others rethink the entire pizza experience. I love finding restaurants that aren’t afraid to do things a little differently, especially when the results sound this tempting.
From unexpected flavor combinations to pies that put a fresh spin on familiar favorites, these places prove there’s more to North Carolina’s pizza scene than meets the eye.
A few of these spots might even make you reconsider your usual order. So, how adventurous are you feeling?
Because the next slice could be a little different from what you’re used to.
1. Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co
A pizza called the Magic Dragon sounds like something from a fantasy novel, but it’s a real menu star on Merrimon Avenue. With a coconut crust, curry chicken or tofu, and a sweet-spicy glaze, it fits the funky, upbeat mood here.
Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co keeps things relaxed with counter service instead of table service. You order, grab a seat, and let the specialty pies do the talking.
Plant-based eaters get real attention here, with a full vegan menu and a full vegetarian menu. That means nobody at your table has to settle for a sad side salad.
The crust earns plenty of praise, and some pies come with a light parmesan touch on the edge. A classic pepperoni pie with herbs shows the kitchen cares about balancing cheese and sauce.
Starters round out the menu, so you can snack before the main event arrives. Families will appreciate the kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables.
Got a four-legged buddy? Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area, which makes a mountain-town lunch feel even easier.
This spot fits right into the creative streak running through Asheville’s food scene. Free lot and street parking make the stop even simpler.
Reservations aren’t accepted, so plan around the evening rush on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. daily, which makes an early lunch a smart move.
Address: 675 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
2. Pizzeria Don Luca
Herbs baked right into the dough? That small twist gives the thin crust at Pizzeria Don Luca a flavor head start before a single topping lands.
Crispy, light, and seasoned with bold spices, these pies come out of a small spot on North 4th Street in Wilmington. The Italian-style pizzeria also takes its wings seriously, so you get two reasons to show up hungry.
Start with the Hot Honey Pepperoni if you like a little sweet with your heat. That sweet-and-spicy pairing is a menu highlight for good reason.
Plant-based diners can relax, because full vegan and vegetarian menus are available. The ingredients lean fresh, and the cheese-and-sauce combo gets a lot of love.
Weekday service starts at 4 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday open at noon. Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest stretch, so an early dinner can help you beat the crowd.
Delivery is available, including no-contact drop-off. Takeout and catering cover lazy nights and bigger gatherings alike.
Outdoor seating welcomes dogs, so your pup can join the pizza party. Counter service keeps things casual and quick.
Reservations aren’t part of the plan here, which suits the easygoing setup. Just walk up, order, and grab a seat.
Street parking is free and usually easy to find. That alone feels like a win near downtown Wilmington.
Address: 1215 N 4th St, Wilmington, NC 28401
3. Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria
A train chugs along tracks near the ceiling at this mountain pizzeria, and honestly, that’s just the opening act. Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria sits in Beech Mountain, a town perched at 5,506 feet above sea level.
That makes it one of the highest-altitude pizza stops you’ll find in North Carolina. Your slice comes with a side of thin mountain air.
The crust is the star, twisted with garlic and big enough to make your eyes widen. Brick-oven baking gives each pie its name and its backbone.
Can’t decide between a sandwich and a pizza? The Pizza Cheese Steak solves that problem in one cheesy, satisfying go.
Pastas and sandwiches fill out the menu, and vegan onion rings make a fun side. Full vegan and vegetarian menus keep options open for everyone.
Entertainment is part of the deal here. Games, weekly live music, and an outdoor movie screen turn dinner into a whole evening.
Kids fit right in, with a kids’ menu, high chairs, and a setup that works for birthday parties. After a day on the slopes or trails, it’s an easy place to refuel.
Dogs can hang out with you in the outdoor seating. Reservations aren’t taken, so just show up ready to eat.
Check the calendar before you go, because the doors stay closed Monday through Wednesday. Thursday runs 4 to 8 p.m., and Friday through Sunday stretch from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Address: 402 Beech Mountain Pkwy, Beech Mountain, NC 28604
4. Dare Devil’s Pizzeria
Few pizza joints can claim a name this fun, and Dare Devil’s Pizzeria backs it up with dough and sauces made in house. This longtime Outer Banks spot sits right on South Virginia Dare Trail.
Expect a medium-thick crust with a light crisp on the bottom and a pleasant chew. The well-spiced sauce and generous toppings make it a classic, homemade-style pie.
Stromboli is the other big draw, rolled with the same house dough. Wings are on the menu too, if you want something saucy on the side.
Families get plenty to love here. There are games for kids, high chairs, and a kids’ menu to keep little beach bums happy.
The homey setting feels like a break from sun and sand. Sports fans can catch a game while they eat, too.
Hours run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day of the week. Lunch after a morning on the beach is an easy win.
North Carolina’s coast is famous for seafood, but this spot proves pizza belongs on the beach menu too. One slice in, and the ocean can wait.
Address: 1112 S Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
5. Trophy Brewing & Pizza
The Local Celebrity pizza puts a creative spin on locally inspired ingredients, with combinations that change seasonally. Its rotating toppings give regular visitors something new to try.
Trophy Brewing & Pizza on West Morgan Street calls itself a pizza parlor, and the rustic, low-key room fits that label. Creativity runs through the menu, with locally sourced ingredients leading the way.
Lamb sausage shows up on one pie, and another pairs pulled pork with shaved brussels sprouts. It’s the kind of menu that makes you rethink your usual pepperoni order.
The crust holds up to those big toppings with a crisp, crunchy bite. It stays sturdy without stealing the spotlight.
Vegan and vegetarian diners get full menus of their own. Small plates and desserts help round out a meal.
Dinner reservations are recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. A private dining room is available if you’re planning a group celebration.
Weekday doors open at 4 p.m., while Friday through Sunday start at 11 a.m. Late-night food makes it a solid choice after a downtown Raleigh event.
Dogs are allowed, so your furry friend can come along. Outdoor seating gives everyone a little extra room.
Raleigh has plenty of pizza, but few menus feel this rooted in North Carolina ingredients. That local spin is what makes the trip worth it.
Address: 827 W Morgan St, Raleigh, NC 27603
6. Pizzeria Toro
A cured country ham from North Carolina, Lady Edison, earns a spot on the menu here. That one ingredient tells you how seriously this kitchen takes local sourcing.
Pizzeria Toro sits on East Chapel Hill Street in downtown Durham, with a modern, buzzing dining room. An open kitchen lets you watch pies head in and out of the wood-fired oven.
The thin crust is handmade, and a drizzle of good olive oil gives it extra character. Toppings lean local and farm-fresh.
Don’t skip the starters. A dumpling appetizer sits on the menu, a fun twist you might not expect at a pizza parlor.
Music plays a part in the mood, and the bar keeps the room lively. Desserts are worth saving a little room for, too.
Reservations aren’t accepted, and there’s usually a wait. Plan ahead or aim for a late lunch on a weekday.
Parking downtown can be tricky, so give yourself extra time. Street spots and paid lots are both nearby.
Full vegan and vegetarian menus mean everyone at the table gets a real choice. Delivery and takeout work for nights when the couch wins.
Hours run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, which gives you plenty of chances to stop by.
Address: 105 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
7. Geno D’s Pizza
Jersey-style pizza in the middle of a Charlotte food market feels like a delicious plot twist. Geno D’s Pizza is a family-owned spot inside 7th Street Public Market uptown.
The crust comes out crispy, light, and airy, with stretchy cheese and well-seasoned sauce. If you grew up near the Jersey Shore, this style should feel familiar.
Start with the Grandma Pizza, a vegetarian pie that sits at the top of the menu highlights. Pepperoni is a strong classic, and hot honey pepperoni adds a subtle spicy drizzle.
The veggie pie gets a boost from fresh produce from the farmers market. Garlic knots are a must on the side.
Ordering is counter service, so things move quickly and casually. Seating is available indoors and out.
Full vegan and vegetarian menus make it easy for mixed groups. Brunch is on the table too, if you show up earlier in the day.
Mind the schedule, since the doors stay closed on Mondays. Tuesday through Thursday runs until 7:45 p.m., and Sunday wraps up at 5:45 p.m.
Friday and Saturday hours stretch to 8:45 p.m. That makes it a handy pick before a night out uptown.
Curbside pickup and delivery make lunch breaks easier. Plenty of parking options nearby, including garages, take the stress out of an uptown stop.
Address: 224 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
8. Mission Pizza Napoletana
Ever heard of a pizza tasting menu? Mission Pizza Napoletana offers one called the Pizzakase, a multi-course ride through pies served one after another.
The name nods to omakase, the Japanese chef’s-choice style of dining. Here, the chef’s choice just happens to come out of a wood-burning oven.
This Trade Street spot in downtown Winston-Salem focuses on authentic Napoletana pizza. The crust is light and full of flavor, and the sauce gets plenty of praise.
Ingredients are locally sourced, and toppings lean fresh and creative. The pizza list stays focused, which lets the kitchen zero in on quality.
Beyond pizza, a lineup of Italian dishes and small plates fills out the meal. Save room for dessert, which is part of the menu as well.
The mood is chill, and you can eat at the bar if you’re flying solo. Vegan and vegetarian diners get full menus of their own.
Timing matters here, since the restaurant serves dinner only from Wednesday through Saturday. Wednesday and Thursday run 5 to 8:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday go until 9.
Reservations are accepted, so book ahead for a weekend visit. Parking is usually easy, with a free lot and street spots nearby.
For a special-occasion pizza night, this is the North Carolina spot to circle on the map. Bring someone who likes surprises.
Address: 707 Trade St NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
9. Pizzeria Mercato
Vegetables might steal the show at a pizzeria, and here that’s a compliment. Pizzeria Mercato serves seasonal vegetable dishes that hold their own next to the pies.
The pizzas follow a Neapolitan style with a locavore focus, using fresh, top-notch ingredients. Crusts come out super thin and crisp, with a pleasant chew.
The Margherita is the menu highlight, and it shows how much simple can deliver. Fresh tomato sauce and cheese do the heavy lifting.
The dining room has an industrial-chic look and a lively energy. Knowledgeable staff can help you match a pie with the right side dish.
Plan your visit carefully, because the restaurant closes Monday through Wednesday. Thursday through Sunday, lunch runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner runs 5 to 8:30 p.m.
Dinner reservations are recommended, especially on weekend evenings. Lunch tends to be calmer, making it a smart pick for a relaxed meal.
Parking can be tough to find, so arrive a few minutes early. Free lot and street spots exist, but they go fast.
A full vegetarian menu and healthy options make it easy to eat well. Small plates and dessert keep the meal going.
Carrboro’s small-town charm makes it a fun place to wander after lunch. It’s a fitting final stop on a pizza road trip across North Carolina.
Address: 408 W Weaver St, Carrboro, NC 27510