The Best Pies and Pastries in Durham
In the mood for sweet, creamy, crunchy goodness? Durham's bakers are cooking up pies and pastries to satisfy your sweet (or not so... Read More
16 Spots for Amazing Pizza in Durham
Craving the best pizza in Durham? We’re here to help you find your perfect slice, whether that's a New York-style pepperoni slice or a wood-fired pie.
Posted By Natalie Minott on Dec 06, 2024
It's sustenance for visitors who need a quick and inexpensive meal between sightseeing and a satisfying lunch or dinner for hungry Durhamites of all ages. Pizza is life, no matter who you are or what you're doing. Whether you're looking for wood-fired ovens, authentic Neapolitan, a New York-style slice or a grandma-style square, here's the dish on where to get the most delicious handmade pizza in Durham.
Boxcar Bar & Arcade
621 Foster St.
Grab your friends and head to Boxcar Bar & Arcade in downtown Durham for the ultimate drinking, gaming, and pizza experience. It's the perfect place for fun with a full bar, a large outdoor patio, a gaming area, and a Neapolitan-style pizza kitchen. You can expect seasonal pizza features like the pickle or jalapeño popper pie and the classics like cheese, Margherita, and pepperoni pie.
Watch Boxcar's experts as the craft your pizza. Photo: Boxcar Bar + Arcade
Cugino Forno
800 Taylor St.
Satisfy your taste for authentic, Italian-style pizza straight from the wood-fired oven at this Golden Belt pizzeria. Best of all, you can order pies straight to your table at Hi-Wire Brewing next door, or enjoy a picnic on the grassy lawn outside.
Enjoy the delectable pies of Cugino Forno at Golden Belt. Photo: Discover Durham
Devil's Pizzeria & Restaurant
742 W. 9th St.
Find them on 9th St. near Duke University’s East campus, serving sinfully delicious pizza with creative options like bacon cheeseburger, taco and chicken parmesan. Make sure to check out their wide selection of vegan options as well.
Emmy Squared
905 W. Main St., Ste 25A
Serving up Detroit-style pizza, Emmy Squared makes each pie with quality ingredients, delicious toppings and attention to detail. The signature square pizzas have given the New York-based chain a cult following. In addition to award-winning pizzas, Emmy Squared serves a selection of burgers, salads and appetizers.
Enzo’s
2608 Erwin Rd., Ste 140
Taking inspiration from many different regional pizza traditions, Enzo’s has crafted its own unique style of pizza that has kept customers coming back for more since 2008. Since its opening, it has expanded with the brand “Brenz Pizza Co.” which now has locations in other states in addition to the Durham original. Enzo’s takes ingredients very seriously, and it shows. We recommend trying their award winning pies, “Heartland” and “Bianca Rossa”.
Hutchins Garage
402 W. Geer St.
You had us at fried chicken pie! Tucked away on Geer St., Hutchins Garage operates out of a converted garage space, serving delicious pizza with a variety of toppings. Hutchins garnered fanfare for both the New York-style round pizzas and the rectangular grandma-style options, so you should probably try both options. With a full bar, industrial atmosphere and ample patio seating, this is a great option for a dinner out before stopping for a drink nearby or attending a show at Motorco Music Hall just across the street. Pro tip: if you're hungry mid-way through a bottle of wine at LouElla next door, you're welcome to order a pie to go and bring it back to the wine bar.
Explroe Hutchin's unique, one-of-a-kind pizzas. Photo: Discover Durham
Napoli Pizzeria & Gelateria
530 Foster St., Suite 1
If you want a little taste of Italy, stop by Napoli Pizzeria & Gelateria in the Durham Food Hall. The flour, olive oil and tomatoes used to make the pies are imported from Naples, Italy to make that perfectly authentic flavor. Plus, they serve artisanal gelato made in-house from scratch. Some things just need to be tasted to be understood.
Pie Pushers
117A W. Main St.
From a food truck known for specialty pizzas and wings to a downtown brick-and-mortar location, the Pie Pushers team has been perfecting their recipes and pushing pies for a long time. Get ready for a “Durham style,” hand-tossed thin-crust pizza that’s both crunchy and fluffy, topped with an eclectic combination of local ingredients. Pizza by the slice, affordable and fresh side salads and gluten-free pizza options make this spot a hit for all kinds of pizza fans.
Get yourself a tasty, cheesy slice and a side salad at Pie Pushers. Photo: Discover Durham
Pizzeria Toro
105 E. Chapel Hill St.
If you're craving a flavorful wood-fired Brussels sprouts or meyer lemon specialty pizza, you have to visit Pizzeria Toro. Check out their assortment of Italian wines, don't miss the kale salad (one of Durham's most popular dishes) and then treat yourself to their house cannoli filled with ricotta, mascarpone and chocolate.
Appreciate the wonderful, wood-fired flavors of the pizza at Pizzeria Toro. Photo: Discover Durham
Ponysaurus Brewing
219 Hood St.
Picture this: you're enjoying a beautiful afternoon with your friends, sipping beers and hanging out on the lawn at Ponysaurus Brewing. What more could you need? Pizza. You need pizza. Luckily, Ponysaurus is one step ahead of you with an on-site pizzeria serving pies with satisfying and creative toppings like hot soppressata, calabrian chilies and banana peppers, plus garlic knots and salads to round out your meal.
Share a pie and a round of beers with friends in the yard at Ponysaurus. Photo: Eric Waters
Pop's Backdoor South
3710 Shannon Road
The oven is hot and the pizza is fresh at Pop’s Backdoor South. Get ready for New York-style pizza, calzones and various specials including wings, lightly breaded calamari and mussels. Try the granny smith pizza with apples, french brie and white truffle oil on a ricotta cheese spread. Dairy-free diners can get in on the action, too, with vegan cheese.
Randy's Pizza
3 locations: 1720 Guess Rd.; 1813 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy; 4810 Hope Valley Rd.
If you're looking for no-frills, New York-style pizza delivery classic toppings, Randy's is your spot. Feed a crowd with a 30" pie, and practice your New York fold with a giant slice for yourself. Count on consistently delicious pizza as Randy's has been operating in the Triangle for over 25 years.
Ricky’s NY Pizza
5279 N. Roxboro St.
Looking for some authentic New York-style pizza? Try out Ricky’s NY Pizza. This shop is known for its delicious pies, especially the unique specialties like Lasagna Pizza, Supremo Pizza and the Famous Brooklyn's L&B. Ricky’s also serves a number of other options including calzones, stromboli, pasta and more. Order to stay or for pickup or delivery.
Sofia's Pizza
2201 Angier Ave.
Located in a former cab stand and garage in East Durham, Sofia's Pizza serves hand-tossed pies, salads, baked wings, garlic cheese bread and much more. Make sure to try one of their creative pies, like the East Durham special, topped with applewood smoked bacon, collard greens and fresh serrano peppers.
An East Durham staple, Sophia's Pizza serves up unique creations and classic pies. Photo: Discover Durham
Tomato Jake’s
8202 Renaissance Pkwy., Ste 101
Tomato Jakes has been selling their interestingly named pizzas in Durham since 2005. Started by two friends with a dream, this pizza shop has become a beloved establishment for college students, families and more in the Bull City. Order a “Mafia Meats” or a “Mobster Mushroom” or create your own by choosing from their extensive list of toppings. Tomato Jake’s offers calzones, pasta, wings and more as well.
Vici Ristobar
1125 NC-54, Ste 804 & 805
Vici Ristobar offers great pizza in multiple styles. Making their food with love and care, this Italian restaurant uses fresh, local ingredients to ensure a quality dining experience for each customer. Stop in for lunch or dinner menu, or hire Vici to cater a party.
