Austin, Texas– home to some of the best taco and barbecue joints. And . . . pizza? While it may not be as renowned for its pizza as Chicago or New York, Austin’s pizza scene is thriving thanks to a smattering of recently opened pizza places and some of our long-time, go-to favorites. There’s a slice for everyone in the Capital City: a classic New York foldable slice, the most perfect pillowy-crusted margherita, and Detroit-style slices for lovers of a good corner piece. No matter which slice you go with, rest assured that high-quality ingredients are a given. Here’s our guide to the very best pizza in Austin.

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16. Side Eye Pie

austin pizza: Side Eye Pie's The Hippie pizza

Located at the bustling Meanwhile Brewery is Side Eye Pie, an Austin pizza food truck serving wood-fired pies with quirky toppings. The crust at Side Eye is nice and thin, chewy but not too crunchy thanks to a cold-fermentation dough made with locally grown and milled Texas red wheat and native yeast. Pies at Side Eye are on the smaller side, which makes it easy to sample a few different slices. Bring your friends, bring your dog, grab a drink and a couple of pizzas, and enjoy a quintessential Austin food experience. Favorites include The Hippie (Calabrian chiles, spicy sausage, cipollini onions, and fontina) and The Side Eye, which is Side Eye’s version of a classic supreme. Brunch pizzas on the weekend featuring local eggs and parm cream are highly encouraged. A side each of housemade ranch and hot honey are nearly required.

Side Eye Pie

15. Spartan Pizza

austin pizza restaurants: Spartan Pizza

For a solid slice of pizza featuring unique, Greek-inspired toppings head to Spartan Pizza in East Austin. Spartan’s menu offers a wide variety of pizzas, sandwiches, and salads that feature mostly Greek ingredients and are all named after someone in Greek mythology. Not into kalamata olives, artichokes, and feta? No worries, Spartan has a build-your-own-pizza option with 30+ toppings to choose from. The crackly thin crust at Spartan flirts with that line between intentional char and burned to a crisp but always manages to toe that line just right. And thanks to a great line-up of spreads that serve to soften that crust a touch (the cilantro pesto and roasted garlic oil are favorites), the end result is a texturally complex, fresh, never heavy, always delicious pizza.

Spartan Pizza

$ Pizza, Sandwiches, Salad

1007 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

(512) 484-0798

14. Toss Pizzeria & Pub

Texas BBQ Brisket by Toss Pizzeria & Pub

Started by locals looking for a neighborhood pizza hang-out spot, Toss Pizzeria & Pub serves up New York-style pies featuring bold Texas flavors in a great indoor/outdoor patio space. Don’t fret if you’re unique toppings averse: Toss also does the classics just as well. We highly recommend starting off with a pepperoni and cheese stuffed pretzel– it’s cheesy, carb-y goodness perfect for both kids and kids-at-heart. Next, a side of wings to share with the table is a must: stick with the bacon ranch or cajun dry rubs for what are quite possibly the crispiest wings. As far as pizzas go, we’ll pick a Texas BBQ Brisket or Pulled Pork Carbonara pie anytime to get our fill of that Texas-meets-NY pizza that Toss does so well.  And, if you simply can’t decide, Toss does half pies so you don’t have to.

Toss Pizzeria & Pub

$$ Pizza, Sports Bars, Chicken Wings

2901 S 1st St UNIT 102, Austin, TX 78704

(512)-953-1718

13. DeSano Pizzeria Napoletana

DeSano Pizzeria Napoletana's classic margherita pizza

DeSano is one of our favorite spots for an Austin pizza on the northwest side of town. There’s just something about being greeted with the sight of multiple wood-fired pizza ovens as soon as you walk in that feels so right. DeSano serves their pizza fast-casual style, but that doesn’t mean their pizza is lack luster in any way. DeSano adheres to the exacting guidelines of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, which dictates how a pizza must be made to qualify as authentic Neapolitan-style pizza. You can’t go wrong with a classic margherita or diavola here, and if you want to really take things to the next level, ask for the Carnevale-style ricotta-stuffed crust. It’s the grown-up version of the stuffed crust pizza from your childhood, and it’s as delicious as it sounds.

DeSano Pizzeria Napoletana

$$ Pizza, Italian

8000 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757

(512) 323-2426

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12. Love Supreme Pizza Bar

austin pizza: Love Supreme Pizza Bar

Love Supreme is another example of Austin natives fueled by passion coming together to do great things. Their concept is quite straightforward: Neapolitan-inspired red and white pizzas offered in a welcoming space with a dash of live music to keep things interesting. Love Supreme boasts both a beautiful, roomy patio and a moody, warm interior space that gives off a very cool, hip vibe and is perfectly suited for larger parties. We always recommend starting with a plate of award-winning honey sambal wings and a chopped salad with crispy chickpeas. The wings strike that perfect balance of sweet heat, and the simple yet delicious oregano dressing on the chopped salad is the ideal accompaniment. Any of the white pies are a study in the awesomeness of funky cheese combos. And our red pie recommendation will always be the Love Supreme– the addition of kale and watermelon radish keeps an old classic feeling fresh and young again.

Love Supreme Pizza Bar

$$ Pizza, Beer Bars, Cocktail Bars

2805 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722

(512) 296-2655

11. Home Slice Pizza

Home Slice Pizza's margherita pizza

Start talking to anyone about Austin pizza and Home Slice will unquestionably come up. Home Slice Pizza serves great NYC-style ‘za in the heart of Austin and many consider it to be the absolute best pizza in Austin. With quite a few new contenders in the running, we’re not here to start any fights. But we do know that Home Slice continues to put out consistently delicious pizza at their always-busy dine-in and take-out locations on South Congress. Our favorite pies include the margherita (pictured) or the fried eggplant. And, while not strictly pizza, Home Slice also has an incredible meatball sub on a house-baked sesame roll that is truly divine.

Home Slice Pizza

$$ Pizza, Sandwiches

1415 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

512-444-7437

10. Pedroso’s Pizza

New York-style pizza slices by Pedroso's Pizza

Pedroso’s Pizza is another Covid-era addition to the Austin pizza scene, and if there is anything even remotely positive about a global pandemic, this would be it. While it might be located in a trailer, close your eyes while eating your NY-style slice, and you could swear you were at any good neighborhood pizza joint in New York City, which is indeed high praise. Grab a slice for lunch or order ahead for a whole pie. Pedroso’s offers American pan-style, NY-style, Grandma-style, stromboli, and calzones– let’s just say they know their way around nearly almost any combo of dough + sauce + cheese possible. While we love a good calzone, Pedroso’s nails their New York-style slices. Complete with a crackly crust, chewy mozzarella, and just the right amount of pizza grease, it is guaranteed to satisfy.

Pedroso’s Pizza The Trailer

$$ Food Trucks, Pizza

8315 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757

(737) 600-1107

9. Little Deli & Pizzeria

austin pizza: Little Deli & Pizzeria

Little Deli appears to be just another unassuming neighborhood restaurant from the outside, but rest assured that what you’ll find inside will be some of the best pizza in Austin. The menu is simple but filled with high-quality pies and classic east coast deli favorites served on house-baked breads. The New Jersey-style thin-crust pizzas start with an artisan dough that’s hand tossed and baked on stone hearths. Build a pizza with your favorite toppings or try something a bit more unique and memorable and go with the America vs Leon: a white pie topped with roasted garlic, house Italian sausage, mushrooms, and feta.

Little Deli & Pizzeria

$ Delis, Pizza, Sandwiches

7101 Woodrow Ave Ste A, Austin, TX 78757

512-467-7402

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8. Show Me Pizza

Domo Arrabbiata Mr. Roboto by Show Me Pizza

Started just over two years ago, Show Me Pizza is located in the heart of South First and is serving some of the most unique pizza in Austin. Considering Show Me Pizza was created by two New York restaurant veterans, they nailed the old Austin vibe: a little funky, a bit grungy, but always cool. They even feature local artists’ work on their pizza boxes, unveiling limited edition boxes at special events. About that pizza, though? Well, it’s phenomenal. Pizzas here have the trademark soft crust of a Neapolitan-style pie but still have enough oomph to hold up some toppings. Speaking of toppings, Show Me Pizza nails the toppings– habanero honey, fermented chiles, ‘nduja, onion bechamel, and a dozen types of cheese to name just a few. Suffice it to say, flavor is a given here, and with chef-crafted topping combos, you won’t need to “build-your-own”, though that certainly is an option. Domo Arrabbiata Mr. Roboto features fermented chilis, spicy red sauce, and chili oil to bring the heat. Add in a good drizzle of honey and the sweet and spicy combo is unexpectedly enticing. For the spice averse, Porkie’s Meatballs is a great red pie, or go with a John Kelso for our favorite white pie.

Show Me Pizza

$$ Pizza

2809 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704

(512) 551-2657

7. Baldinucci Pizza Romana

Baldinucci Pizza Romana's Roman-style pizza by the slice

With a strong Italian family heritage for good food that runs deep, the Baldinucci siblings grew up helping in their father’s Long Island pizzeria. They have since expanded upon their already notable pizza knowledge to bring Roman-style pizza al taglio to Austin. Their storefront is sophisticated and warm, complete with a show-stopping golden-edged pizza case featuring up to 15+ different pies available in rectangular slices, each presented in the most simplistic yet beautiful way. Roman-style pizza by the slice features a light and airy crust not unlike focaccia that is first pre-baked then topped with high-quality ingredients like pomodoro sauce, hand-whipped ricotta, breaded eggplant, mortadella, and house-made Italian meatballs. With so many different options, a sampling of slices is encouraged. The sausage and honey is a local favorite complete with Italian sausage, mascarpone cheese dollops, honey, and serrano peppers. Honestly, it’s our favorite as well, but you truly can’t go wrong with anything in the case. Follow it up with a scoop of locally made pistachio gelato to end a near-perfect Italian meal.

Baldinucci Pizza Romana

6. Favorite Pizza

Favorite Pizza's Grand Slam pizza- pomodoro, Italian sausage, pepperoni, pickled jalapenos, and basil.

Take a step into Favorite Pizza and you’ll be transported to a pizza joint in Queens, NY circa 1972, teeming with as much Mets memorabilia as would be expected. From the bright orange countertops, blue and white checked floors, and warm wood paneling, Favorite sets the stage for its classic, old-school New York-style pies with a few creative liberties taken because we are in Austin after all. Get your pizza fix at Favorite three ways: small (18”), large (20”), or by the slice. And yes, they have a walk-up slice window open until 2 am on the weekends because pizza cravings strike at all hours of the day. While convenient, don’t think this means Favorite skimps on quality or flavor. To the contrary, they serve one of our top NY-style slices in the city. The Grand Slam is our go-to: pomodoro, Italian sausage, pepperoni, pickled jalapenos, and basil. That jalapeno-basil combo hits just right but does bring a bit of heat, nothing a quick dunk in a cup of ranch can’t cool off. Before you know it, you may find yourself two slices in and ready to polish off a made-just-for-you chocolate chip cannoli.

Favorite Pizza

$$$ Pizza

801 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703

(512) 478-4136

5. Via 313 Pizzeria

Via 313 Pizzeria's The Detroiter which has smoked pepperoni under the cheese and natural casing pepperoni on top of the cheese.

Every true pizza aficionado has a favorite Detroit-style pizza joint. There’s just something about that thick, chewy Sicilian crust topped with generous heaps of cheese that get shatteringly crisp at those glorious edges that brings a whole new definition of “comfort food” to the table. Via 313 is the spot for Detroit-style pizza in Austin. While Via does have a thinner-crust bar-style pizza available, you’re here for that rectangle pie. Our go-to will forever be The Detroiter, which has smoked pepperoni under the cheese and natural casing pepperoni on top of the cheese. Yes, that’s two separate layers of pepperoni. Oh, it’s a lot, but sometimes nothing else will scratch that itch. Throw in a house salad for some veg to balance things out, and you’re good to go.

Via 313 Pizza

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4. Pieous

austin pizza: classic margherita by Pieous

Located on the southwest outskirts of Austin, Pieous serves killer scratch-made Neapolitan pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and even a smattering of in-house baked goods. The sourdough starter Pieous uses as the base for their crust has been in the family for more than 10 years. This must be the secret to their insanely pillowy soft crust that’s filled with big, delightful air pockets that lend a satisfying squish with each bite. And while Pieous boasts an eclectic menu of pies, we believe the true star of the menu is the classic margherita. This pizza features an uncomplicated red sauce, fresh mozz, EVOO, and basil– everything the classic should have and executed to a T by Pieous. Yes, it’s basic, but proudly and perfectly so. Be prepared for a wait and make sure to check hours on their Facebook page before you go.

Pieous

$$ Pizza, Italian, Delis

166 Hargraves Dr bldg h, Austin, TX 78737

512-394-7041

3. Dovetail Pizza & Bar

Dovetail Pizza & Bar's white pie pizza

With a slew of culinary geniuses renowned for their other highly-successful restaurants around the city at the helm, Dovetail has officially created Austin pizza magic. Speaking of magic, Dovetail uses a slow-fermentation dough to create a golden-hued crust that’s texturally glorious: both crispy and chewy, nice and thin but sturdy enough for toppings. The White Pie with ricotta cream, snap peas, corn, and arugula is top-notch– it’s a surprising combo that tastes like early summer and is bound to become a Dovetail Classic. Round your meal out with an order of fried castelvetrano olives served with ricotta ranch, the spaghetti & meatball, and a caesar salad. Yes, it’s a lot of food, sharing is encouraged, and the leftovers the next day will be stellar.

Dovetail Pizza & Bar

$$ Pizza

1816 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704

(512) 522-1375

2. Sammataro

Sammataro's classic pizza- rich tomato sauce, fresh and low-moisture mozz, basil, parmesan, and a hearty glug of EVOO.

Whether you’re looking to pick up a whole pie from their truck in East Austin or want the full dine-in experience at their brick-and-mortar, Sammataro has mastered New York-style pizza in its most pure form. You won’t see a menu crammed with options (choose from 3-4 pies depending on location), but we promise you won’t need more options. The 48-72 hour dough provides a crust that’s just as it should be– not too thin, solid enough to hold all that cheese, pliable enough to get that fold just right. Go with the classic: rich tomato sauce, fresh and low-moisture mozz, basil, parmesan, and a hearty glug of EVOO. And if you’re up to breaking from tradition ever so slightly, a drizzle of calabrian chili oil makes the whole thing perfection.

Sammataro East

$$$ Pizza

1108 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702

(512) 690-1547

Sammataro West

$$$ Pizza

900 W 10th St, Austin, TX 78703

(512) 291-6772

1. Bufalina Pizza

best pizza restaurant in austin: Bufalina

Placing a “number one” on our guide to the best pizza in Austin is basically like choosing your favorite child, but if we could only recommend one Austin pizza spot, it would be Bufalina. Serving delicious Neapolitan-style pizza in gorgeous settings in their East Austin restaurant, this is a great place to bring a date, your parents, or enjoy a night out with friends. Order two pizzas and divide and conquer. We recommend the margherita (tomato, mozzarella, basil, and parm) and the fresca (mozzarella, prosciutto, arugula, lemon agrumato, parmigiano).

Bufalina

$$ Pizza, Italian, Desserts

2215 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

(512) 394-5337