Pies in the Sky: These Coastal Virginia pizzerias have local roots and they’re here to calm your ’zza cravings one slice at a time
In our Dining Guide section, we feature some of our favorite dining establishments in the region, selected and listed by cuisine type, theme or geographic area. In this edition, it’s all about pizza.
About our “Pies in the Sky” list: For this CoVa Dining Guide, we selected locally owned restaurants known first and foremost for their pizza.
Amici’s: Now with an additional location at Village Market on Bridge Rd, Amici’s in downtown Suffolk offers specialty brick oven pizza in distinct, gourmet styles you won’t find anywhere else; e.g. the Clambake, the Rosemary Chicken, the Pear & Gorgonzola and the Nacho Libre. They also do a great Saturday and Sunday brunch. amicis.pizza
Anna’s: There are many excellent Anna’s Pizza restaurants around, most founded by a couple Italian families, but now separately owned. Anna’s Pizza #2 in Newport News, established in 1972, serves traditional Italian dishes, diner sandwiches and classic pizzas in a simple dining room and was once visited by Andrea Bocelli! annaspizzahilton.com
The Bakehouse: This artisanal bakery in Chelsea offers tasty pastries but is best known for their Neapolitan style pizzas, which are made with organic flour, sourdough starter and Sicilian sea salt, then baked in a custom-built brick oven. They also have locations in Smartmouth and Elation breweries.
bakehouse757.com
Bald Guys Pies: This ’Burg-based food truck is fresh out of the oven, the recent creation of Williamsburg native chef/owner and “bald guy” Chris Waller. They specialize Neapolitan style with fresh-made dough. Find them at Copper Fox Distillery, Virginia Beer Co., Alewerks Brewing, Toana Open Air Market and more. On Facebook: Bald Guys Pies
Bellissimo Pizza Café: A Historic Triangle favorite its authentic NY-style pizza by the slice, this family owned restaurant in Williamsburg brought a little bit of Italy and the Bronx to Williamsburg in the early 2000s. Get two slices of deliciously foldable thin crust cheese pizza and a drink for under $10 or try their Margherita, Nashville Hot Chicken or Pickle specialty pies. facebook.com/bellissimopizzacafe
Brickhouse Tavern: If you’re looking for a cozy college/sports bar on the Peninsula that serves tasty chicken wings and crispy-crusted NY-style pizza, check out Brickhouse Tavern in Port Warwick near CNU, or its Williamsburg location near William & Mary. Bonus: both have great outdoor
dining options. welcometobrickhouse.com
Cal’z: With five locations around VB and Norfolk, this laidback, locally owned pizza joint has been around since 1982—and they’ve kept a lot of the fun vibes from that era. Try their signature “Calzowns,” Buffalo wings and Buffalo style pizzas; which feature a thick crust that’s crispy on the outside and chewy inside. calzpizza.com
Chanello’s: Since its founding in 1987, the locally owned and operated Chanello’s chain has expanded to 40+ Virginia and North Carolina locations. While known for “Cheese Breadstix,” garlic knots and gourmet chicken pizzas, it’s their beloved ranch-style Special Sauce that has the deepest cult following. Its return following a recent outage elicited much fanfare. chanellospizza.com
Chesapeake Pizza: Some things never change, and for good reason. One is Chesapeake Pizza in Great Bridge, which has—since 1973—stone-baked their pan pizzas using the same family recipes, kept the same furnishings, and accepted only cash or check (although they have since added online ordering, which does take credit card payment). chesapeakepizza.net
Chicho’s: If you’re an Oceanfront regular, you’ve likely had quite a few fun nights at Chicho’s; a surf-inspired pizza chain that was founded by two lifeguards back in 1968 on “The Block.” It’s grown to nine regional locations that share the same kind of atmosphere—”family-friendly by day, local hotspot by night.” chichospizza.com
Cogans: The original Cogans in Ghent inhabits a former “instant art bar” and small music venue. As a pizza and beer bar, it’s maintained some of that funky flavor with retro memorabilia and kitschy decor. Cogans also has a larger location on North Colley and an outpost in Waterside. coganspizza.com
Deadrise Italian Kitchen: This kitchen and pizza bar is a hot spot in Cape Charlesfor good reason. Like the classic fishing boat that inspired its name, Deadrise doesn’t mess around when it comes to getting things done: namely, cranking out really good brick-oven pizzas with organic dough, sauce and other fresh seasonal ingredients. deadrisecapecharles
Del Vecchios: This ODU staple is no-nonsense: counter-style service and a spare dining room. But the menu at Del Vec’s is impressive: six types of salad, hot/cold subs, calzones and stromboli, 13 entrees, NY and Chicago style pizzas, 13 specialty pizzas and more. Plus, their lunch and carryout specials are amazing deals. del-vecchios.com
Eastside Pizzeria & Ristorante: A family-friendly neighborhood pizzeria in P-town off of Portsmouth Blvd., this New York-style pizza place is a well-established fan favorite offering traditional pies, gourmet options like Prosciutto de Parma and the Eastside Special supreme as well as a variety of other Italian specialties, pasta and seafood. eastsidepizzva.com
Dough Boy’s: Innovation is key for any successful business, even one that has been around as long as the perennially popular Dough Boy’s, with two locations at the VB Oceanfront. Family-owned since 1989, Dough Boy’s recently made waves with its new THE WAVE, an ingenious combo calzone and pizza. doughboyspizza.com
Fellini’s: A Ghent icon since 1988, Fellini’s has drawn diners above 39th since moving there in 1995 (long before North Colley was a thing). Its delicious pizzas, pastas and pub fare, and cozy, European-style ambience are great for families, groups and weeknight dates. For something unique, try their Bourbon Street or Thai Chicken Pizza. fellinisva.com
FTH Pizza: Short for “From the Hearth,” this wood-fired pizza available for take-out in the Lightfoot area focuses on seasonal, local ingredients, from the classic Margherita pizza to “Farm to Fire” handcrafted options inspired by indigenous ingredients. Check out their Spicy Cappi with coppa ham, chili flakes and house-made hot honey. fthpizza.com
Gino’s Pizzeria: A heart of Olde Towne staple for a non-nonsense authentic pizza experience. Gino’s on Court St. is the friendly the pizza joint where everybody knows your name. They offer dine in and carry out and a variety of pizza styles as well as pasta, subs, and calzones. ginospizzeriava.com
Granby Street Pizza: If you want a NY style slice from somewhere that actually feels like a NYC pizza joint, head to Granby Street Pizza in downtown Norfolk. Open for lunch, dinner, dine-in, takeout and delivery, this place has all the traditional pizzas, Italian favorites, and subs/gyros/burgers/strombolis/calzones you could want. granbystreetpizza.com
High Street Pizza & Pourhouse: For a classic Detroit-style pizza “with a touch of Olde Towne-style culture,” head to Portsmouth into this sleek, modern space. The pies are deep dish, 8×10 rectangles with crunchy, caramelized edges and loaded with high-market ingredients. The drink list is considerable. And really unique pizza specials will keep you coming back. highstreet.pizza
Joe & Mimma’s: Established in 1972, Joe & Mimma’s is a local landmark in York County, serving up “Godfather subs” (ribeye with onions, mushrooms, peppers, mozz and tomato sauce), “Nonna’s Classic Pastas,” and house special pizzas served in a Sicilian Square (a 16×16, deep-dish, thick-crusted pie). Arched openings and colorful decor characterize the charming interior. joeandmimmasva.com
Lago Mar Pizza: For 30 years (long before Nimmo Parkway exploded with development), Lago Mar Pizza has been the neighborhood go-to in the Sandbridge area. The family-friendly dining room features bright red furnishings, hanging soccer jerseys and TVs tuned to sports events. With its traditional pizzas, pastas and subs, it’s a great spot for easy weeknight dinners. lagomarpizzamenu.com
Lo Mo Pizzeria: New on the block is Lo Mo, serving “artisan NY style pizza,” local beer and natural wines. Short for “low moisture mozzarella,” Lo Mo began as a popup, then settled into a permanent spot in Riverview last summer and has already amassed a devoted following. Their Spicy Pepperoni and Seasonal Pies are definitely something special. lomopizzeria.com
North End Pizza: From New York to the North End, this NY-style pizza spot in Virginia Beach has locations in the North End and on Shore Drive. Go traditional with the hand-tossed cheese or pepperoni, regular or specialty slices, Greek, White pizza, Hawaiian or the N.END Supreme, a combo of sausage, pepperoni, ham, mushrooms, onions, green peppers and olives. northendpizzavb.com
The Original Pizza Sam: Ask a New Yorker where you can get a quality slice of pizza on the Peninsula, and all you might hear is “fuhgeddaboudit.” Sam Schiralli Jr. is on a mission to change that in Newport News with his traditional Sicilian and rectangular “grandma pizzas,” baked with plenty of olive oil and a thinner crust. On Facebook: Pizza Sam 757
Pizza Chapel: Pull up a pew and stay a while at this quirky Shadowlawn neighborhood spot with nuptial themed pizzas like the Love Supreme (the works), White Wedding (garlic, ricotta, mozz) and Hawaiian Honeymoon (you get the idea). Their Prenup Pizzas are build-your-own. Want something lighter? Try the “Lettuce Pray” salads. pizzachapel.com
Pizzeria Bella Vista: Navy veteran Michael Signorelli fell in love with Italian cuisine while stationed in Naples. After launching initially as a mobile caterer/food truck, Signorelli’s Pizzeria Bella Vista became a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Chesapeake in 2015. Truly authentic Neapolitan pies like the Quattro Formaggi Authentico, Capricciosa and Salsiccia Pistachio will have you singing, “That’s Amore!” pbvpizzeria.com
Pungo Pizza: Located near the corner of Princess Anne and Indian River Road in the heart of Pungo Village is Pungo Pizza & Ice Cream, which has been serving up hand-tossed pizzas, seafood and pasta since ‘98. Family-owned and operated, it’s a kid’s paradise with an arcade style game room, deck dining and an approachable menu. pungopizza.com
Prosperity Kitchen & Pantry While also known for their artisan baked good and sweets, this ViBe District destination has taken the farm-to-table movement to heart with their delicious small-batch pizzas, thick-crust Roman street food style, rectangular in shape and made from organic flour and tomato sauce and locally sourced toppings. prosperitykitchenva.com
Reginella’s: If you ever wanted to eat at Tony’s in Lady & the Tramp, Reginella’s in central VB is for you. The mood is classic Italian-American pizzeria, complete with red leather booths and whimsical folk paintings. Choose between Sicilian deep dish, stuffed, Neapolitan and New York style pizzas. reginellas.com
Shorebreak: If you’re looking for a real locals’ scene, check out the original Shorebreak in Chic’s Beach, where diners enjoy a bustling bar, billiards tables, tons of tv’s, and a kids’ game room. The menu is sports bar fare—burgers, tacos, wings, and pizzas, which happen to be made with a 60-year-old family recipe. shorebreakvb.com
Sour Street Pizza: One of the region’s newer pizza hot spots is on wheels. Sour Street Pizza food truck is the passion project of owner Nathan Ingram, who caught the sour dough bug and has been making hungry brewery goers happy ever since with his delish brick-oven sour dough pies. Catch them at Norfolk’s COVA Brewing and more. sourstreetpizza.com
Toni’s Pizza What’s a list of pizza spots without at least one called Toni’s? This Toni’s has earned its place in the hearts of locals in VB over four decades. Known for its fresh sauce and ingredients, including their “secret sausage,” folks flock to their Holland Rd. location for takeout pies with classic toppings on “the best pan pizza in town.” tonispizzahouse.com
Tony & Milena’s Pizzeria “Buon appetito,” from the Fiorello family, owners of this Best Of winner in Coastal Virginia Magazine’s Best Italian category for 2024. This hidden gem in Gloucester is known for its New York, Traditional and European style pies. Try the Pizza alla Fantasia with grilled chicken, basil and tomato pesto. tonyandmilenas.com
Venture Kitchen: Come for the drinks and stay for the eclectic flavors at this tapas, taco and pizza bar in downtown Hampton. Pizzas are baked in a brick-lined oven for a crisp and chewy crust that’s “not quite, but almost Neapolitan.” Choose from 15 gourmet pizzas, including a weekly pizza special that’s half off on Mondays. venturekitchenandbar.com
Vinny’s: Father-and-son team Vincenzo and Mose, who came to Hampton Roads from Philadelphia, have built a significant base of regulars on the Peninsula with their three Vinny’s locations in Newport News and Yorktown. In addition to Philly cheesesteaks and other sammies, the pizza here comes specialty, white, stuffed, deep dish, and by the slice. vinnyspizzava.com
Viva Pizza: The long-loved former Primo Pizza on VB’s Upton Drive has a new name and owner, and they’re aiming high with fresh takes on a traditional menu “where every bite is a taste if Italy.” All the pizza faves are here including New York, Sicilian, Margherita, White, Greek and then there’s the Viva Pizza, their version of a supreme. vivapizzavb.com
Wasserhund Brewing: (Photo at top of article) Pizza and beer just make sense together, so the brewery-and-pizzeria-in-one trend is most welcome. At Wasserhund (located in Hilltop, VB and Summit Pointe, Chesapeake), the pies are genuinely interesting and craveable—like The Wasserhund Pizza with mustard crème sauce, bratwurst, sauteed onions, sauerkraut and beer mustard. Sounds crazy, but it works! wasserhundbrewing.com
Windy City Pizza: Deep dish fans,we couldn’t leave you hangin’. Windy City has locations in VB and Chesapeake and offers thin crust alongside that “famous Chicago pie with the sauce on top.” Try the Windy City Special with extra Italian sausage and baby spinach or one of their specialty thin pies like the “Pulaski” or the “Michigan Ave.” windycityvb.com
Ynot: Now with five locations in VB and Chesapeake, Ynot was founded in 1993 by Tony and Cyndi DiSilvestro (Ynot is Tony’s name spelled backward). Serving traditional Italian-American fare, including specialty pizzas, pastas, salads and desserts, in spacious, comfortable, family-friendly dining rooms is Ynot’s signature recipe. ynotitalian.com
Photo of Wasserhund Brewing Pizza courtesy of Wasserhund Brewing.
