12 Virginia Pizzerias That Locals Prefer Over The Usual Chains
Pizza lovers in Virginia know that the best pies aren’t found at big chain restaurants. The state is home to incredible local pizzerias serving everything from authentic Neapolitan to massive New York-style slices.
These family-owned spots use fresher ingredients, perfect their craft over decades, and create flavors that chain restaurants simply can’t match.
1. Pupatella: Authentic Naples in NoVA
Certified by the pizza authorities of Naples, Italy, Pupatella brings true Neapolitan magic to eight Virginia locations, with an Alexandria shop coming soon. Their wood-fired ovens create that perfect leopard-spotted crust in just 90 seconds flat.
The classic Margherita showcases their dedication to simplicity and quality – San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and that incredible charred-edge crust.
Don’t miss their seasonal specials that highlight local ingredients with Italian tradition.
2. The Italian Store: Arlington’s Slice of New York
Hidden inside two Arlington markets lies pizza perfection that rivals anything in Manhattan. The deli counters might fool you, but locals know to head straight for the slice station.
Their whole-milk mozzarella creates that stretchy, gooey pull with each bite. The Pizza Bianca, topped with fresh ricotta and garlic, converts even the most dedicated red sauce fans.
Family-run for over three decades, they’ve mastered the art of the fold-worthy slice.
3. Andy’s Pizza: Old Town’s Perfect Fold
Walking into Andy’s on Fayette Street feels like teleporting to a Brooklyn corner shop. The display case showcases massive triangles of thin-crust perfection waiting to be folded and devoured.
I once watched a New York transplant take his first bite here and literally close his eyes in nostalgic bliss. The grandma squares, with their crispy bottoms and zesty sauce, deserve their own fan club.
Late weekend hours make this the perfect post-night-out refueling station.
4. Tony’s New York Pizza: NoVA’s Family Pizza Legacy
Since 1989, Tony’s has been the go-to for Northern Virginia families craving authentic New York pizza without the Metro ride. Their hand-tossed dough creates that magical combination – crispy bottom, chewy middle, and bubbled edge.
The white pizza, slathered with ricotta and mozzarella, has converted countless red sauce loyalists. With locations in Manassas, Bristow, and Haymarket, Tony’s jumbo slices have fueled generations of local sports teams and birthday celebrations.
5. Lampo Neapolitan Pizzeria: Charlottesville’s Pizza Jewel
Tucked along Monticello Road, Lampo’s tiny space produces pizza magic that locals willingly wait hours to experience. The blistered, puffy crusts emerge from their imported wood-fired oven in mere minutes.
My first bite of their Diavola – spicy salami, fresh mozzarella, and honey drizzle – literally changed my understanding of what pizza could be.
For takeout fans, their Lampo2GO location at IX Art Park offers the same spectacular pies without the wait for a table.
6. Crozet Pizza: The Historic Slice Near Charlottesville
Locals have been making the pilgrimage to this unassuming spot since 1977, earning it landmark status among Virginia pizza enthusiasts. The hand-tossed crust has a distinctive chew that’s instantly recognizable to anyone who’s visited.
Their signature “Special” loads fresh veggies, meats, and cheese on that famous crust. The walls covered in decades of photos and memorabilia tell the story of a place that’s fed generations of UVA students, locals, and pizza pilgrims from across the state.
7. Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie: Farm-Fresh Pizza Paradise
Just south of Charlottesville, this unassuming roadside spot serves pizza that makes the short drive absolutely necessary. Their commitment to local farms means toppings change with the seasons, making every visit a new experience.
The chewy, satisfying crust provides the perfect canvas for creations like the Mr. Sriracha, with its perfect sweet-spicy balance.
Back in 2018, I drove 45 minutes in a thunderstorm just for their garlic bread and a Good-While-It-Lasts special topped with heirloom tomatoes. Worth every raindrop.
8. Bottoms Up Pizza: Richmond’s High-Rise Sensation
The sky-high crusts at this Shockoe Bottom institution have been Richmond’s pizza calling card since 1990.
Unlike any other style, these substantial pies feature a thick, airy crust edge that’s still somehow crisp throughout. The Chesapeake, topped with crabmeat and Old Bay, perfectly captures Virginia’s culinary identity.
During the 2004 Tropical Storm Gaston flood, the restaurant’s famous pizza paddle, still hanging on the wall, shows exactly how high the water rose – yet they reopened and continued serving those iconic pies.
9. Bella Luna Wood-Fired Pizza: Harrisonburg’s Organic Gem
College students and locals alike flock to this Water Street pizzeria where organic flour and a blazing wood oven create Neapolitan magic in the Shenandoah Valley. The 10-inch personal pies emerge with perfectly blistered edges and soft centers.
I still dream about a summer special I had there featuring heirloom tomatoes, sweet corn, and basil from the farmer’s market just blocks away.
The cozy dining room with its view of the open kitchen and fiery oven adds to the experience of watching pizza artistry in action.
10. Benny Marzano’s: Blacksburg’s Legendary Giant Slices
Home to slices bigger than your face, the original “Mothership” of the now-expanded Benny’s empire still reigns supreme in Blacksburg. These 28-inch monsters require two paper plates just to serve a single slice.
Late-night crowds of hungry Virginia Tech students form lines down the block for these mammoth triangles. The beauty lies in the perfect balance – despite their enormous size, the thin crust maintains ideal texture from pointed tip to outer edge.
Their Benny Stixx garlic knots have their own dedicated fanbase.
11. Dough Boy’s Pizza: Oceanfront Pizza Perfection
Beach days in Virginia Beach aren’t complete without a stop at one of Dough Boy’s two Atlantic Avenue locations. Their pizzas somehow capture the essence of oceanfront dining—satisfying without being pretentious.
The signature “Wave” creation – half traditional pizza, half calzone – solves mealtime debates in one brilliant stroke. Sand-covered families have been refueling here since 1989.
Even during off-season visits when the boardwalk empties, locals keep these ovens busy year-round.
12. Ynot Italian: Hampton Roads’ Homegrown Pizza Empire
What began as a small Virginia Beach pizzeria has grown into a Hampton Roads institution with locations across the region. Despite expansion, they’ve maintained the quality that earned them local “Best Pizza” titles year after year.
Their New York-style pies feature that distinctive crackly-yet-foldable crust that pizza purists demand. The garlic knots alone justify the visit – pillowy, buttery, and utterly addictive.
Their commitment to the community goes beyond food, with regular fundraisers and school support programs throughout Hampton Roads.