10 Groundbreaking Pizzerias In Texas You’ll Wish You Experienced Sooner
Texas might be famous for barbecue and Tex-Mex, but the Lone Star State is quietly becoming a serious pizza destination. Their innovative pizzerias are pushing boundaries with unexpected flavor combinations and perfected techniques.
Whether you crave New York-style slices, Detroit squares, or Neapolitan masterpieces, these game-changing spots will transform your pizza expectations forever.
1. Cane Rosso (Dallas Metroplex)
Pizza purists, take note! As Texas’ pioneer of certified Neapolitan pies, Cane Rosso doesn’t compromise on authenticity. Their wood-burning ovens, imported from Italy, reach a scorching 900 degrees to create that signature charred-yet-chewy crust in just 90 seconds.
I still remember my first bite of their legendary Honey Bastard—the combination of spicy soppressata, house-made mozzarella, and hot honey changed my pizza worldview forever. Simply unforgettable.
2. SauceBros Pizza (Plano/Dallas area)
Culinary magic happens when New York-style pizza meets Bangladeshi spices at this boundary-breaking pizzeria. Bon Appétit didn’t name them one of America’s most innovative spots for nothing!
The harissa-chicken pie delivers a perfect heat that dances with bright herbs, while the Bengali beef pesto creation marries traditional South Asian flavors with Italian technique.
Weekend lines form early, so plan accordingly.
3. Fortunate Son (Dallas)
North Texas’ first New Haven-style pizzeria delivers thin, crispy perfection with distinctive oblong shapes and char spots that Connecticut natives would approve of. The crust achieves that magical balance—cracker-thin center with puffy, chewy edges.
Their potato and pancetta pie tops the must-try list, featuring thinly sliced potatoes, crispy pancetta, caramelized onions, and rosemary. The white clam pie, another specialty, pays proper homage to New Haven’s famous original.
4. Greenville Ave Pizza Co. (Dallas)
The self-proclaimed “Pizza Slayers” at Greenville Ave Pizza Co. have earned their fierce reputation. Their constantly rotating limited-time offerings showcase the creative genius of their pizza artisans, who aren’t afraid to experiment with unexpected combinations.
Recent hits include a Nashville hot chicken pizza and a breakfast-inspired creation with maple bacon and farm eggs. Their dough, made with a 48-hour fermentation process, provides the perfect canvas for these bold flavor adventures.
5. Louie’s Pizza (Dallas)
Sometimes pizza perfection comes from simplicity. Louie’s has been serving no-nonsense, classic pies since 1987, focusing on quality ingredients rather than trendy toppings.
Thin-crust pizzas feature hand-crushed San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and a perfectly calibrated ratio of sauce to cheese. The neighborhood tavern atmosphere adds to the charm—many regulars have been coming weekly for decades.
No wonder they consistently land on local “best of” lists.
6. Fire Street Pizza (Belton)
Pizza night becomes family adventure night at this Central Texas gem near Temple. While the wood-fired pizzas alone are worth the trip—try the Texas BBQ with smoked brisket—it’s the overall experience that makes Fire Street special.
Kids can explore the on-site treehouse while parents enjoy craft beers. After dinner, challenge the family to cornhole, ski-ball, or one of many outdoor games. We celebrated my son’s birthday here last year, and he still talks about it monthly!
7. Pie Tap (Houston)
Dallas’ darling pizzeria is finally expanding to Houston’s River Oaks in June 2025, bringing its artisanal approach to eager Houston pizza lovers. Their secret weapon? A 72-hour fermented Sicilian sourdough starter that creates a distinctively tangy, airy crust.
The imported rotary ovens ensure perfect cooking at 800 degrees in just minutes. Beyond pizza, their handmade pasta deserves attention too. The mushroom and truffle pie showcases their dedication to simple yet sophisticated flavor combinations.
8. Home Slice Pizza (Austin)
No Austin pizza pilgrimage is complete without Home Slice. This South Congress institution has been slinging authentic New York-style pies since 2005, becoming as much a part of Austin’s identity as live music venues.
The massive, foldable slices feature the perfect balance of chewy-yet-crisp crust, tangy sauce, and quality toppings. During SXSW, I once waited 90 minutes for a slice—and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Their pepperoni-and-ricotta combo remains undefeated.
9. Via 313 (Austin)
Square pizza perfection! These Detroit-style rectangular pies feature a hallmark that drives pizza enthusiasts wild—caramelized cheese edges that form a crispy, lacy border around a fluffy, focaccia-like interior.
The signature move at Via 313 is their “upside-down” layering technique: cheese directly on the dough, toppings in the middle, with sauce ladled on top in perfect racing stripes.
The Detroiter, topped with smoked pepperoni under the sauce and natural casing pepperoni over it, offers textural heaven.
10. Lil’ Nonna’s (Austin)
Vegan pizza that makes even dedicated carnivores do a double-take! This plant-based pizzeria started as a food truck before establishing its permanent East Austin location, where it creates magic without any animal products.
Their cashew-based mozzarella achieves that elusive melt factor missing from many vegan options. The spicy pickle pizza, featuring house-brined jalapeño pickles and cashew ranch, has developed a cult following.
Even my cheese-obsessed uncle admitted he couldn’t tell it wasn’t “real” cheese.