10 Georgia Pizzerias That Prove Great Pizza Can Be Found Anywhere
Georgia might make you think of peaches, pecans, and Southern cooking. Pizza probably takes a little longer to enter the conversation.
That’s exactly what makes the state’s pizza scene so much fun. Across this state, you’ll find wood-fired Neapolitan pies, crisp New York-style slices, thick Detroit-style creations, and plenty of local twists.
Some arrive beautifully charred from a blazing oven. Others come by the slice, ready for a quick bite and absolutely no ceremony.
Then there are the places that have built such a loyal following, you start wondering why you hadn’t heard about them sooner. Atlanta gets plenty of attention, but the good stuff stretches far beyond the capital.
From college-town favorites to neighborhood institutions, these Georgia pizzerias make a pretty delicious argument. Great pizza really can show up almost anywhere.
1. Antico Pizza Napoletana
Some restaurants play by the rules, and Antico Pizza Napoletana plays by the rules of Naples, Italy. Located at 1093 Hemphill Ave NW in Atlanta, this spot has become something of a pilgrimage site for pizza lovers across the Southeast.
The wood-fired oven burns at over 900 degrees, and you can feel the heat and energy the moment you walk through the door.
Fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, and basil imported straight from Italy are the foundation of every pie. The open kitchen lets you watch the whole process unfold in real time.
Communal tables and exposed brick give the place a lively, social energy that makes every visit feel like a celebration.
The classic Margherita is a masterpiece of restraint and balance. But the San Gennaro, loaded with spicy Italian sausage, sweet red peppers, and creamy bufala mozzarella, is the one that keeps people coming back.
The Vendura with broccoli rabe, mushrooms, and Vesuvian cherry tomatoes is equally unforgettable. Antico earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand award, and Sports Illustrated has called it one of Atlanta’s tastiest destinations.
That kind of recognition does not happen by accident.
2. Varuni Napoli
If Antico is the loud, passionate cousin of the Atlanta pizza world, Varuni Napoli is the sophisticated one with a hidden garden and a koi pond out back. Tucked along 1540 Monroe Dr NE in Atlanta, this pizzeria brings Naples to Georgia with serious intention and even more serious ingredients.
Flour, tomatoes, and mozzarella are imported directly from Italy.
The dough is made with Doppio Zero flour, and all meats come from hormone-free suppliers. Produce is locally sourced whenever possible, which means the menu feels both globally inspired and rooted in Georgia.
The open kitchen hums with energy, and watching dough get tossed into the air is genuinely entertaining.
The “Bastardo” is the crowd favorite, topped with buffalo mozzarella, pepperoni, spicy nduja, pecorino romano, and basil. The “Oro Bianco” with black truffle oil and buffalo ricotta is a luxurious option worth every penny.
Build-your-own cannoli and creamy gelato round out a meal that feels complete from start to finish. The hidden garden patio with its leafy canopy transforms a regular pizza night into something that feels genuinely special.
Varuni Napoli is consistently celebrated as one of Atlanta’s top pizza destinations.
3. Varasano’s Pizzeria
Jeff Varasano became internet-famous for his obsessive quest to recreate the perfect New York-style pizza. Then he opened a restaurant and proved the obsession was worth it.
Varasano’s Pizzeria sits at 2171 Peachtree Rd NE in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood, and it delivers what many consider one of the most technically refined pizza experiences in the entire country.
The crust is thin, airy, and charred in exactly the right spots. Sourdough dough is the secret weapon here.
A Swedish-made Pizza Master oven cranks up to 800 degrees to crisp each pie to perfection. Fresh herbs grown by the owner himself make their way onto the plates.
The pizza bar seating puts you right in the action, which is the best seat in the house. The “Slice of Heaven” tasting lets you sample multiple styles in one sitting.
Quatro pizzas deliver four distinct flavor combinations in a single pie. Unique options like “Burnt Coppa Peppadew” and Sicilian “Grandma Style” keep the menu exciting.
For dessert, Italian doughnuts, cannoli, and Nutella pizzette are all waiting. Varasano’s has been called one of the highest-rated pizza experiences in the country, and one visit makes it very clear why that reputation is earned.
4. Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria
Coal-fired pizza is a whole different universe, and Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria brought that universe to Georgia for the very first time. Sitting at 300 Marietta St NW in Atlanta, Max’s houses the first genuine coal-burning oven in the entire state.
That oven reaches 1000 degrees, which is the kind of heat that creates a crust you simply cannot replicate any other way.
The result is a thin, crispy New York-style pie with a smoky depth of flavor that hits differently. Dough is made in-house daily.
A secret recipe red sauce and fresh mozzarella do the heavy lifting, while quality meats like pepperoni, ham, and sausage pile on with generosity.
The coal oven itself is the centerpiece of the restaurant, and it commands attention the way a fireplace does in a cozy living room. Signature coal oven wings, including lemon pepper with garlic yogurt sauce, are a must-order before the pizza even arrives.
The Fontina and Wild Mushroom Pizza with caramelized onions and fresh oregano is a sophisticated choice. Classic salads, Italian pastas, and freshly made desserts round out a menu that covers all the bases.
Max’s is proof that when you commit to the craft, the results speak for themselves.
5. Vinnie Van GoGo’s
Savannah is a city that knows how to do charm, and Vinnie Van GoGo’s fits right into that personality. Found at 317 W Bryan St near City Market, this beloved spot has been feeding hungry visitors and longtime Savannah fans with some of the most satisfying New York-style pizza slices in the South.
The slices are generously oversized, which is exactly the kind of commitment we all deserve.
Fresh dough is made every single night, and the brick oven does the rest. Freshly grated mozzarella and parmesan go on every pie.
The rich, flavorful sauce is the kind that inspires loyalty, though pesto and white sauce alternatives give you options when you want to mix things up.
The casual, nostalgic vibe makes Vinnie’s feel like a neighborhood classic even if you are visiting for the first time. Patio seating outside is perfect for soaking in the Savannah atmosphere.
Cheese-stuffed calzones are worth ordering alongside a slice. Spinach salads keep things balanced.
Vinnie’s even delivers downtown by bicycle, which is the most Savannah way to receive a pizza imaginable. Half red and half white sauce combinations let you experience two worlds in one glorious pie.
This place has an easy, unpretentious energy that makes it hard to leave.
6. Screamin Mimi’s
There is something wonderfully rebellious about a pizza place that calls itself Screamin Mimi’s. Located at 513 E Oglethorpe Ave in Savannah, this cozy spot is a little off the main tourist trail, which is honestly part of its appeal.
The kind of people who find Screamin Mimi’s are the kind of people who know how to find the good stuff.
Jersey-style thin crust pizza is the specialty here, and the slices are enormous and perfectly foldable. Dough is made fresh daily, and everything is cooked to order in brick ovens.
The result is a pie with a satisfying crunch that still manages to feel light and fresh.
The Meat Lover’s pizza is a bold, unapologetic celebration of toppings. The White Ricotta Pizza is creamy, indulgent, and surprisingly addictive.
Margherita with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil is a clean and classic option. Generous 11-inch subs like eggplant parmesan are worth exploring when you want something different.
Homemade pasta dishes with Mimi’s famous meatballs and baked ziti are comfort food at its most honest. The garlic cheese bread alone could justify a visit.
Screamin Mimi’s has an award-winning reputation that feels completely genuine once you taste what they are doing in that kitchen.
7. Automatic Pizza
Picture a vintage gas station converted into a pizza joint, complete with antique pumps out front and toy plastic animals handed out to match your order. That is Automatic Pizza in Athens, Georgia, and it is exactly as fun as it sounds.
Parked at 1397 Prince Ave, this spot has built a loyal following on the strength of its extra large, extra crispy 20-inch pies.
NY Thin Crust is the name of the game, and Automatic does it with confidence. A diverse lineup of toppings means you can go classic or get creative.
Specialty pizzas cover a wide range of flavor profiles that keep the menu feeling fresh every visit.
“The Thunderbird” with white sauce, roasted chicken, and artichoke is the kind of combination that sounds unexpected but tastes completely right. “The Chieftain” piles on pepperoni, bacon, and sausage for maximum satisfaction. “F-100” brings BBQ sauce, bacon, chicken, and jalapenos together in one smoky, spicy adventure. Sandwiches, calzones, and salads round out the menu for anyone who needs a break from pizza, though that seems unlikely here.
Cannoli for dessert is a smart move. Saucy Sunday specials give regulars something to look forward to every week.
Automatic Pizza turns a meal into a full-on experience.
8. Ted’s Most Best
An old tire garage sounds like an unlikely setting for great pizza, but Ted’s Most Best in Athens makes it work beautifully. The address is 254 W Washington St, right in the heart of downtown Athens, and the renovated industrial space gives the restaurant a character that feels completely its own.
Garage doors open when the weather cooperates, blending the indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly.
Hand-tossed, thin crust artisan pizzas are fired in a brick oven, and the results are layered with complex, satisfying flavors. The Margherita with fresh mozzarella and basil is a reliable classic.
House-made sausage meatballs bring a savory depth that elevates any pie they touch.
The Perellea pizza is worth exploring for something a little outside the usual. The bacon, egg, and cheese pizza is the kind of unexpected option that reminds you how versatile pizza actually is as a format.
A large outdoor patio with a bocce ball court makes Ted’s feel like a neighborhood gathering place rather than just a restaurant. Paninis and fresh salads are solid supporting players on the menu.
9. Ingleside Village Pizza
Over three decades of making pizza in the same neighborhood earns you a certain kind of trust, and Ingleside Village Pizza has earned every bit of it. Sitting at 2395 Ingleside Ave in Macon, this spot is often called the city’s living room, which tells you everything you need to know about how people feel about it.
No reservations, no pretense, just great pizza made with care.
The hand-tossed “Macon style” pies hit a satisfying medium thickness that manages to feel both substantial and light. New York-style dough is made fresh in-house daily, and nothing on the menu is ever frozen.
Generous toppings are a hallmark of every order.
Olives, ham, pepperoni, and yes, even pineapple are all available for those who want to customize freely. The beloved sloppy breadsticks with extra garlic and melted butter are a side dish that people talk about with genuine enthusiasm.
Fresh salads, pasta, and hearty subs round out a menu that has something for everyone at the table. Eclectic decor, bright string lights, and unique art give the dining room a warm, welcoming personality.
Ingleside Village Pizza has earned numerous local awards and has been recognized as one of Georgia’s best pizza destinations, a title it continues to hold with ease.
10. Fatty’s Pizza
The name alone tells you this place has a sense of humor, and Fatty’s Pizza in Macon absolutely delivers on that promise. Located at 587 Cherry St right in the center of downtown Macon, Fatty’s has carved out a reputation for great thin-crust pies with a personality that matches the city’s creative, unpretentious spirit.
Pizza boxes come with silly jokes printed inside, because why not make the whole experience a little brighter.
Fresh, quality ingredients are piled on generously, and the cheese situation is serious in the best possible way. The outdoor seating area gives the spot a relaxed, neighborhood-hangout feel.
An old-school, nostalgic ambiance makes it easy to settle in and stay a while.
“The Mother Clucker” with chicken, bacon, and a ranch swirl is a crowd-pleasing combination that hits every comfort food note at once. “The Carnivore” stacks pepperoni, beef, and bacon for the truly committed. “The Big Kahuna” brings pineapple and ham together unapologetically. Vegetarians have “The Lousy Hunter” to explore, loaded with colorful vegetables.
White pizzas like “The Farm” and “Veggie Jack” add variety to an already eclectic menu. Calzones, wings, salads, and garlic knots round things out.
Fatty’s made Georgia’s 25 best pizza list, and every single topping combination explains exactly why. What Georgia pizza spot are you adding to your must-visit list first?