13 Virginia Pizza Joints With Reservations That Are Nearly Impossible To Score
Believe it or not, Virginia has quietly become a battleground for pizza lovers. Getting a table at the state’s most coveted pizza spots now requires the same strategy you’d use for concert tickets or playoff games.
I learned this the hard way last spring when I showed up at a Tysons favorite on a Friday night, only to watch couples with confirmed bookings waltz past me while I stood there like a tourist.
These thirteen restaurants have mastered the art of wood-fired crust, inventive toppings, and atmosphere so magnetic that reservation slots vanish within hours. Most use OpenTable or Resy, but even knowing the platform won’t guarantee you a spot during peak times.
Weekend evenings disappear first, followed by any night that overlaps with local events or beach season.
1. Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza + Tap – Alexandria
Flour coats the counters like fresh snow, and the brick oven roars loud enough to remind you this place takes fire seriously.
Neapolitan-leaning pies emerge with blistered rims and that perfect balance of chew and char. The Margherita keeps it classic, while the Sausage & Peppers brings enough spice to wake up your Friday.
Weekend energy here spikes hard. The Tap Room and The Loft fill early, and OpenTable slots for prime hours get claimed days in advance.
Regulars know to book midweek if they want any breathing room, because Saturday evenings turn into a full-contact sport for seating.
2. Stellina Pizzeria (Capital One Center) – Tysons
Neo-Neapolitan pies meet playful Italian street-food starters in a space where the open kitchen glows like a stage.
The Diavola brings heat without apology, and the Cacio e Pepe pie turns Roman pasta magic into something you can fold. Both have earned cult followings among Tysons regulars who refuse to settle for chain pizza.
Show times at the Capital One Center create reservation chaos. Even on quieter nights, weekend slots vanish fast because the location pulls crowds heading to concerts or events.
Book ahead or prepare to pivot to a backup plan across the street.
3. Fire Works Pizza – Arlington (Courthouse)
Wood-fired crust meets one of the better patios in Northern Virginia, and a deep tap lineup backs it all up with serious variety.
The Smokey Blue hits different when you’re sitting outside on a seventy-degree evening, and the Quattro never disappoints regulars who rotate through the menu weekly. I once waited forty minutes on a spring Saturday because I forgot to reserve.
Patio-worthy weather triggers a booking frenzy. OpenTable shows availability shrinking by the hour once the forecast looks promising.
Courthouse location means after-work crowds layer on top of weekend diners, so timing matters as much as planning.
4. Hearth Wood Fired Cuisine & Craft Beer – Virginia Beach
Flame-kissed pies anchor a menu built entirely around that wood oven, and the Prosciutto & Arugula sings with peppery greens draped over salty cured meat.
Everything here tastes like it was pulled from the fire at exactly the right second. Rotating taps complement the menu.
Beach crowds spill in on weekends, turning reservations into survival tools. Summer months see the highest demand, but even shoulder season brings enough traffic to fill tables fast.
Lock in a booking before you pack the cooler, or risk spending your evening somewhere less memorable.
5. Il Giardino Ristorante – Virginia Beach (Oceanfront)
Old-school Italian energy fills a room where white-tablecloth service still matters and thin-crust pies come out looking like art.
The Quattro Stagioni divides the pie into four seasons of toppings, each quadrant telling its own story. Service here feels formal without being stuffy, and the oceanfront location adds just enough salt air to the experience.
Oceanfront weekends mean high-demand seatings that disappear days in advance. Tourists and locals compete for the same prime-time slots, especially during summer when beach traffic peaks.
6. La Bella Italia (Laskin Road) – Virginia Beach
Neighborhood favorite status comes from Roman-leaning pies and a warm, family feel that makes regulars out of first-timers.
The Capricciosa is a sleeper hit, loaded with artichokes, ham, mushrooms, and olives that somehow balance perfectly. I stumbled in here on a rainy Tuesday and left wishing I lived closer so I could make it a weekly ritual.
They’re on OpenTable, and weekends go first because locals guard this spot like a secret. Laskin Road location keeps it slightly under the tourist radar, but not enough to guarantee walk-in seating.
Reserve or arrive early to claim a spot before the dinner rush.
7. North Italia – Tysons (McLean)
Yes, a mini-chain, but the Virginia outpost books like a headliner thanks to scratch-dough commitment and a menu that refuses to phone it in.
The Pig Pizza layers prosciutto, sausage, and pepperoni with enough richness to justify a post-dinner walk. Funghi with wild mushrooms offers a lighter alternative that still delivers on flavor depth.
Dinner demand at Tysons runs high, especially on weekends when the McLean crowd rolls in. OpenTable reservations fill quickly, and prime slots vanish within a day or two of availability.
Walk-ins face long waits or bar seating if they arrive without a plan.
8. North Italia – Reston Town Center
Same scratch-dough ethos, different crowd, and after-work evenings turn into a rush as Reston professionals pour in.
The Spicy Meatball pie is a staple that brings heat and heft in equal measure, while the crust holds up under generous toppings without turning soggy. Service moves fast enough to keep pace with the energy.
Reston Town Center location means competition for tables spikes around happy hour and dinner. Booking ahead at RTC separates the planners from the hopeful, especially on Fridays when the workweek exhales into weekend mode.
Reservations here are less suggestion and more requirement for smooth dining.
9. Osteria Marzano – Alexandria (Eisenhower Ave.)
Modern osteria doing polished, thin-crust pies out of a serious oven that runs hot and fast. The Marzano with San Marzano tomatoes is the move, showcasing how good simplicity tastes when ingredients and technique align.
Everything here feels dialed in, from the crisp crust to the thoughtful wine pairings suggested by servers who actually know their stuff.
Reservations are the norm here, not the exception, because Eisenhower Avenue draws a crowd that plans ahead. OpenTable fills up quickly for weekend evenings, and walk-ins often face waits that stretch past patience.
Book early or risk settling for a bar seat if one opens up.
10. Bella Luna Wood-Fired Pizza – Harrisonburg
Brick, flame, and Shenandoah night air combine into everything you want from a downtown pie night. The Bella Bianca skips tomato sauce in favor of ricotta, garlic, and fresh herbs that let the crust shine.
College town energy keeps the vibe lively without tipping into chaos, and the location makes it easy to stroll before or after.
The city’s calendar nights fill up first because Harrisonburg locals know this spot delivers consistently. Weekends and JMU event nights see the highest reservation demand, so booking ahead matters.
Walk-ins gamble on timing and often lose when prime hours hit.
11. Fortunato – Roanoke
Drinks and crisp-edged Italian pies share space in a moody room you’ll want to linger in long after the check arrives.
Lighting stays low, music stays just loud enough, and the whole experience feels like a secret worth keeping.
Weekend reservations are smart because Roanoke’s dining scene has fewer standouts, making Fortunato a magnet for date nights and celebrations.
Prime slots disappear fast, especially on Fridays and Saturdays when locals claim tables days in advance. Walk-ins face long odds unless they arrive early or late.
12. Trattoria Villagio – Clifton
Storybook main street, New York-style pizza, and a dining room that hums from brunch through dinner create a trifecta that draws crowds from across Northern Virginia.
Their Villagio signature pie plus a Cannoli finish is the power move, combining savory and sweet in a way that makes you forget about your diet. I’ve driven out here twice just for that combination.
Book on Resy or prepare to wait, because Clifton’s small size means limited seating and high demand. Weekends see the worst crunch, but even weeknights fill up faster than you’d expect.
Reservations separate those who dine from those who circle the block hoping for a cancellation.
13. Tazza Kitchen – Scott’s Addition (Richmond)
Wood-fire workhorse where the pizza section is small but mighty, anchored by a Spicy Sausage & Black Pepper Honey pie that’s become a local favorite.
The honey drizzle cuts through the heat in a way that keeps you reaching for another slice. Richmond’s Scott’s Addition location means brewery-hopping crowds often end up here, adding to the energy.
Resy shows how quickly prime slots vanish, especially on weekends when the neighborhood fills with people chasing good food.
Reservations are less optional and more mandatory if you want to eat at a reasonable hour.