Whether you’re looking for the perfect Saturday night slice or you’ve relocated to Raleigh from NYC, you might be wondering where can I find the best pizza in Raleigh? Thankfully, we do have plenty of great pizza restaurants, which will please the 78,000 New York natives who call Wake County home!
But it’s not just NY-style pizza you can find on the streets of Raleigh – there are also some Italian-owned restaurants serving up authentic Neapolitan pizza and Mediterranean flavors, allowing for a bit of diversity in our city’s pizza profile. As big fans of a classic, thin-crust pizza, we’ve been taste-testing our way around the city, and together with suggestions from members of our Facebook page, we’ve put together our top pizza places in Raleigh so you can find your own little slice of cheesy heaven!
Best Pizza in Raleigh
Oakwood Pizza Box
Oakwood Pizza Box on North Person Street is popular with the locals and New Yorkers as they have some of the most authentic NY-style pizza in Raleigh. Some even say their pepperoni is just like Grimaldi’s in Brooklyn. It’s owned and operated by a NY native, so you know every slice will be cooked right. To make sure they don’t compromise on quality, they keep their menu basic with just three pizza pie options –classic cheese, square, and white – which are made with mozzarella and fresh basil. You then add your own toppings for $2 each.
Each pizza measures 18″ in diameter, perfect for sharing, and is made with its own homemade sauce. You can also order just a slice if you’re looking for a quick lunchtime snack. The restaurant itself is small and cozy with a mix of booths, high-top tables, and a counter/bar which connects to the patio, allowing for inside/outside dining.
- Address: 610 N Person St, Raleigh
- Website: Oakwoodpizzabox.com
Frank’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant
Frank’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant has been a 50-year-old Raleigh staple since 1976. The current owner, Nasser, is from Algeria but has owned Frank’s for 40 years since 1986 and served me at the counter, lovely man. All their ingredients come from Piscataway, and apparently that’s a good thing, you tell me?
As a family-owned pizza place, you can expect nothing but warm hospitality and big smiles from Frank’s Pizza joint! Although the restaurant itself isn’t anything fancy, it has a nostalgic feel to it. The moment you walk in, you feel like you’ve been transported back to a 1980s pizza parlor you’d find down the backstreets of New York. And the nostalgia doesn’t stop with the decor – the pizza might be as close to New Jersey/ New York pizza as you will find in Raleigh.
They have daily specials and make their own house made dough and cook it to thin-crust perfection! The cheese is gooey, and the tomato sauce is rich. We’re big fans of the Rio Ranch and Pepperoni pizzas. Oh, and their Philly Cheesesteak and chicken wings are popular too.
- Address: 2030 New Bern Avenue
- Website: Frankspizzaraleigh.com
Vic’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
Vic’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria is one of our favorite places to eat in Raleigh because they consistently offer friendly and efficient service, and have a warm, family-friendly atmosphere. It’s owned by a family of Italians who moved to Raleigh more than 30 years ago. The owner, Mario, opened his restaurant in the historic City Market in 1998 and has been using a family recipe passed down for generations.
Although known for Italian cuisine, they also offer New York-style pizza and always use the freshest, local ingredients. Every day they have different lunch and dinner specials, and they also have specialty pizzas and complimentary garlic knots! We’re also gluten-free, and highly rate their GF pizza bases.
- Address: 331 Blake Street, Raleigh
- Website: Vicsitalianrestaurant.com
Nancy’s Pizzeria
Nancy’s is a more upscale pizzeria that wouldn’t be out of place on a date night with ambient lighting, wood features, and cushy bar stools. Although we’re big fans of NY-style pizza, Nancy’s is well known for its deep-dish pizzas, so if you’re a Chicagoan or you like your crust thick over thin, this is the place to go!
As well as having Chicago-style pizza, they also have excellent thin crust, rustic crust, and stuffed crust pizza. We also love that they have a gluten-free crust available – and fantastic margaritas! They have live music on Thursday nights.
- Address: 8111 Creedmoor Rd, Raleigh
- Website: nancyspizza.com
Randy’s Pizza
Randy’s Pizza is a chain of pizza restaurants, and while we prefer independent and community-run restaurants, we can’t deny that Randy’s does have pretty good NY-style pizzas. Many of our New Yorker friends have said that Randy’s is a good place to go for authentic NY-style pizza, though you don’t get much in the way of toppings.
The large-size pizza is HUGE, so definitely find someone to share it with you (and you might still have leftovers for the next day!). It’s also inexpensive and they are quick to order.
- Address: 2458 Wycliff Rd, Raleigh
- Website: randys-pizza.com
Benny Capitale’s
In the heart of downtown Raleigh is Benny Capitale’s, which is only steps away from the State Capitol Building on Fayetteville St. They offer classic, NY-style pizza by the slice, and if you dine in you get to watch the pizza master’s at work, tossing the dough into the air and sliding them into the wood-fired oven.
You would expect being located on Raleigh’s top thoroughfare the prices would be astronomical, but Benny’s is affordable for what you get! They offer pizza by the slice (large slices, at that), for just $5-$6. It’s one of our favorite places for lunch in Raleigh because we can grab a slice on the go and do some shopping in downtown after. Open until 2 am on Friday and Saturday nights, perfect for those with late-night munchies while bar hopping on a night out.
- Address: 121 Fayetteville St #110
- Website: bennysva.com
Trophy Brewing & Pizza
Raleigh is not short of breweries and Trophy is one of the best breweries in Raleigh, but they’re also a popular neighborhood pizza joint for a pizza and pint combo – is there anything better? This locally owned restaurant has a community feel and is a popular place to eat on a nice weather day since most of their seating is outside (their cozy patio is heated in winter).
Their pizzas are a classic thin crust with delectable combos that can be customized to your desires. They have several types of sauce, and different cheeses and dough bases, so whatever you fancy, you will find a pizza that’s right for you. A fan favorite is their “Daredevil (spicy), lamb sausage pizza.”
NOTE: they feature Detroit style pizza on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4pm until they sellout, and calzones on Wednesdays!
- Address: 827 W Morgan St
- Website: trophybrewing.com
Lilly’s Pizza
If you’re meat-free, then you’ll like Lilly’s Pizza, which has a huge range of vegan and vegetarian pizza options (they do also have meat options too). Located in the popular Five Points neighborhood, Lilly’s has been a staple pizza place for more than 30 years and has won several awards for their Carolina crust, making it one of the best pizza places in North Carolina.
What’s special about the crust is they use 100% Certified Organic and Kosher stone-milled, whole-wheat flour, and top their pizzas with the freshest, organic ingredients. We particularly like their Hawaiian Punch pizza, which is topped with mandarin orange segments, pineapple, and Canadian bacon!
- Address: 1813 Glenwood Ave
- Website: lillyspizza.com
Ruckus Pizza and Bar
Ruckus in Mission Valley is a relaxed sports bar near NC State University that’s known for its huge pizza slices! In fact, I’d say one slice is enough to fill you up! And they are less than $4 – yes, you read that right! Their NY-style pizza is authentic and very close to what you might find in the Big Apple. They only have a handful of flavors, but you can also build your own.
They also occasionally have open mic nights and live music, as well as bingo and trivia nights. If you’re looking for a lively atmosphere with great pizza, this is a cool spot to go after college football games.
- Address: 2233 Avent Ferry Rd
- Website: ruckuspizza.com
Cristo’s Ristorante & Pizzeria
For a classic Italian-style pizza, head to Cristo’s Ristorante & Pizzeria in Northeast Raleigh – winner of the Bronze Medal for the 2023 Raleigh’s Best Italian Restaurant by News & Observer. It’s a small restaurant with a warm, homey feel and friendly staff. All their pizzas are made from scratch, including the sauce which is made fresh each day. The vodka sauce is unique and flavorful.
The Grandma’s pizza is a local favorite, and they also have a gluten-free cauliflower crust which is delicious! The garlic knots are also fantastic – crunchy on the outside and soft in the center!
- Address: 1302 E Millbrook Rd
- Website: cristospizza.com
Peri Brothers Pizza
Peri Brothers is a basic pizza joint that serves great, traditional NY-style pizza and Sicilian-style pizza. There’s not a huge amount of seating here, but they have takeaway options available. Choose from specialty pies or build your own, or if you feel like something different, the pizza rolls are top-notch! The homemade vodka sauce is extra special.
What sets Peri Brothers apart from other pizza joints in Raleigh is their commitment to service. It’s said that the owner will always greet you with a smile and will remember your name if you go back again.
- Address: 7321 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh
- Website: peribrotherspizza.com
Giorgio Pizza Bar
A more sophisticated and upscale pizzeria restaurant that’s perfect for a date night is Giorgio Pizza Bar, which is known for its authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas. We’ve traveled to Italy many times, and we think Giorgio’s in North Hills is the closest we’ve come to a pizza you might find in a trattoria in Rome.
Chef Jefe Lubiano makes a perfect, hand-tossed thin crust with fresh and organic ingredients. I also love their gluten-free substitute cauliflower crust with Eggplant Milanese. Read more about our experience at Giorgio Pizza Bar in our honest review here.
- Address: 141 Park at N Hills
- Website: giorgiopizzabar.com
Gino’s Pizza
Gino’s Pizza is like stepping into a small corner pizzeria on the streets of Brooklyn. Everything from the black and white checkered tiles to the stacks of pizza boxes reminds New Yorkers of days feasting on NY pizza slices on the back streets of New York. Their authenticity doesn’t stop with the decor though – the NY pizza slices are the perfect level of thin and crispy, with lots of cheese. A fan favorite is the beef and pepperoni pie.
It’s located out of downtown in Northwest Raleigh, but it’s worth the drive for some of the best pizza in the Triangle!
- Address:6260 Glenwood Ave
- Website: ginospizzaraleigh.com
Bussin Pizza & Pasta
Also located on the bustling Hillsborough Street corridor, you’ll find it hard to miss the bright yellow school bus and colorful umbrellas outside Bussin Pizza & Italian Kitchen! The decor isn’t the only fun thing about Bussin, the menu is also packed with tasty items for fans of Italian cuisine, not just pizza. We personally love their tacos, but their pizza is definitely the highlight of the menu.
We love the simple Grandma’s pizza, which has a thin-crust pan dough, topped with crushed tomato sauce, garlic, grated parmesan, and fresh basil and olive oil. If you prefer something meaty, the Philly Cheese Steak pizza is a popular option. They make their NY-style pizzas fresh to order, and also have food deals throughout the week, which is why it’s a popular lunchtime spot for our NCSU students (who also get 30% off from Monday – Thursday).
- Address: 3209 Hillsborough St
- Website: bussinpizza.com
Mike’s NY Pizza
Mike’s Pizza is also located a little out of downtown in the New Bern neighborhood, but it’s definitely worth the short drive! So, the decor needs some modernizing, but you know what they say; never judge a book by its cover – the pizza here is definitely something to write home about. A small pizza costs aroudn$18 and a large pizza around $26 which is big enough to share. They also have lunchtime deals of two slices and a drink for $7.29, which is a great lunchtime deal.
- Address: 3919 New Bern Ave
- Website: mikespizzanc.com
Now it’s your turn to share. Let us know which of these pizza places in Raleigh is your favorite? Or, what other pizza joints should we add to this list? Share in the comments below!
More Places to Eat in Raleigh
Still hungry Raleigh? Below are our personal suggestions for even more places to eat based on different food categories:
- Where to find the best tacos in Raleigh
- Best chicken wings in Raleigh
- 8 best Asian restaurants in Raleigh
- Where to eat the best BBQ in Raleigh
- 16 top brunch spots in Raleigh
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I grew up in Yonkers/NY and define my childhood by the local pizza shop I would walk to with friends. I miss that and longingly trying to find something similar here. So far I have to drive at least 10-15 minutes to grab some pizza. I’ve started making my own pizza to compensate lol
That’s a good compensation! Let us know if you find any slices that take you back to your childhood!