11 Hidden Pizza Spots In Maryland That Locals Can’t Resist
Maryland might be famous for crab cakes, but pizza lovers know there’s a secret side to the state’s food scene that’s worth chasing down.
Tucked away in unexpected corners, these hidden pizza spots serve up pies with crusts that snap, sauces that sing, and toppings piled high enough to make your mouth water.
Locals guard these treasures like gold, and once you taste one slice, you’ll understand why they keep coming back for more — no matter how many other options are on the menu.
1. Grotto Pizza (Columbia)
The legendary beach pizza has made its way inland! Columbia’s outpost of this Delaware-born institution serves up those signature swirls of sauce that dance across each perfectly chewy slice.
Weekend warriors line up for their famous “baker’s choice” topped with everything but the kitchen sink.
The retro beach-themed decor transports you straight to the boardwalk, even when you’re miles from the shore.
2. Zella’s Pizzeria (Baltimore)
Tucked away in Baltimore’s historic Hollins Market neighborhood, Zella’s has been slinging artisanal pies since before “artisanal” was even a buzzword.
The sourdough crust—a closely guarded family recipe—develops for three days before meeting the oven.
Local artists’ work adorns the walls, making your pizza feast double as a mini gallery tour. Their Thai chicken pizza with peanut sauce has converted even the most traditional pizza purists.
3. OBO Pizza (Waldorf & Indian Head)
“One Better Option” isn’t just a clever name—it’s their pizza philosophy. Family-owned and fanatically fresh, OBO crafts each pie with ingredients sourced from Southern Maryland farms whenever possible.
Their claim to fame? The crab pizza loaded with lump meat that never skimps.
Regulars swear by the “Chesapeake” topped with Old Bay-seasoned seafood and creamy white sauce. Prepare for a 20-minute wait during peak hours—a small price for pizza perfection.
4. Underground Pizza (Baltimore)
Literally underground in a Federal Hill basement, this secretive spot requires descending a narrow staircase to pizza nirvana. What awaits below?
New York-style slices bigger than your face, served on paper plates by tattooed staff who remember your order from last time.
Their dough ferments for 48 hours, creating that magical combination of crisp exterior and chewy interior. Cash only, open late, and absolutely worth the hunt to find the unmarked entrance.
5. Isabella’s Brick Oven (Baltimore)
Grandma Isabella’s 100-year-old sourdough starter traveled from Sicily to Little Italy, where it now powers Baltimore’s most authentic Neapolitan pies.
The 900-degree wood-fired oven imported from Naples creates that characteristic leopard-spotted crust in just 90 seconds.
Fourth-generation pizza makers still hand-crush San Marzano tomatoes for their sauce.
The dining room feels like an Italian grandmother’s living room—intimate, warm, and always smelling of basil and wood smoke.
6. Iggies Pizza (Baltimore)
Baltimore’s first BYOB pizza joint revolutionized the city’s pizza scene with their quirky combinations and farm-to-table philosophy.
Former fine dining chefs abandoned white tablecloths to create pizza masterpieces in this casual Mt. Vernon storefront. The duck confit pizza with fig jam and gorgonzola has a cult following.
Neighborhood locals bring their own wine, snag one of the mismatched tables, and settle in for pizza that straddles the line between comfort food and culinary art.
7. Pizza John’s (Essex)
Not to be confused with the national chain, this Essex institution has been family-operated since 1966.
The mammoth sign featuring a mustachioed pizza maker has become a local landmark guiding hungry patrons to pizza paradise.
Lines form early for their square-cut party pizzas with perfectly caramelized cheese edges. The sauce—slightly sweeter than most—remains unchanged since opening day.
Three generations of Essex residents have celebrated life’s milestones over these legendary pies.
8. Bellisario’s Pizza (Frederick)
Hidden behind an unassuming strip mall facade lies Frederick’s pizza treasure. Founded by Bronx transplant Joe Bellisario in 1977, this family operation still uses the same dough mixer from opening day.
The signature thick-crust Sicilian squares sell out nightly, so calling ahead is practically mandatory.
Generations of Frederick teenagers have memories of post-game celebrations here, where the walls are plastered with decades of local sports memorabilia and faded photographs of satisfied customers.
9. Margherita’s Pizzeria (Bel Air & Kingsville)
Run by Calabrian immigrants who arrived in Maryland just 15 years ago, Margherita’s brings authentic southern Italian flavors to Harford County.
Their hand-built brick oven reaches 800 degrees, creating that elusive perfect char on bubbling crusts.
Regulars know to order the off-menu “Nonna’s Special” with house-made sausage and honey-drizzled crust.
The tiny Bel Air location only seats 20, creating an intimate experience where you’ll likely chat with the owners as they personally deliver your pie.
10. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (Bethesda)
Coal-fired pizza royalty arrived in Maryland when this legendary New Haven institution opened its Bethesda outpost.
The 104-year-old recipe remains untouched, baked in custom-built ovens that replicate the original Connecticut location.
Their white clam pizza—a seemingly odd combination that converts skeptics with one bite—remains the must-order item.
The cavernous space fills quickly on weekends with pizza pilgrims who understand why food critics consistently rank Pepe’s among America’s best.
11. Pop’s Kitchen (Berlin)
Just minutes from Ocean City’s boardwalk chaos sits Berlin’s best-kept secret.
This Eastern Shore gem occupies a converted 1920s gas station where pizzas emerge from a reclaimed oyster boat converted into a wood-fired oven.
Local watermen supply the seafood for their signature scallop and bacon pie.
The outdoor seating area—strung with fairy lights and surrounded by herb gardens that supply the kitchen—transforms into an impromptu community gathering space on summer evenings when local musicians often drop by.