It’s hard not to love pizza, especially when you find a pizza joint that exceeds all of your expectations. Extra cheesy, thick crust, thin crust, New York-style, Chicago-style, Neaoploitan, or even just classic cheese – you can find a bit of it all on this ultimate North Carolina pizza bucket list. Let’s take a look at some of the best pizza in North Carolina.

1. Pure Pizza, Charlotte

Pure Pizza, 1911 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, USA
Taryn R. / Yelp
Originally operating from 7th Street Public Market in Uptown, Pure Pizza got an additional brick and mortar location in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood. The farm fresh, inventive ingredients elevate this pizza above the rest.

If you are looking for an amazing pizza with fresh local ingredients head to Pure Pizza in Charlotte:

2. Pizzeria Mercato, Carrboro

Pizzeria Mercato, 408 W Weaver St, Carrboro, NC 27510, USA
Chantel N / Yelp
Chef Gabe Barker was recently nominated for a James Beard Rising Star Chef of the Year. The simple margherita pizza at Pizzeria Mercato is a true stunner while others are also equally delicious.

3. Pie on the Mountain, Lansing

Pie On the Mountain, North Carolina 194, Lansing, NC, USA
Facebook / Pie on the Mountain
Hiding away in western North Carolina, Pie on the Mountain is the perfect place to stuff your face after a long day of hiking or exploring nearby scenery in the Pisgah National Forest. Deemed "Best Pizza in the High Country," it's worth the pit stop!

4. Buffalo Mercantile Company and Cafe, Lenoir

Buffalo Mercantile Company and Cafe, 6353 Buffalo Cove Rd, Lenoir, NC 28645, USA
Buffalo Mercantile Company and Cafe / Facebook
Sometimes the best pizza in town comes from an unlikely location - like this small-town roadside outpost that has been helping travelers since 1897. When you stop at this small country store to grab few snacks for your road trip, be sure to try its pizza. It really is one of those wonderful hidden gems you dream about finding during a long car ride through North Carolina.

5. My Father's Pizza, Black Mountain

Trent A / Yelp

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 The North Carolina Pizza Joint In The Middle Of Nowhere That’s One Of The Best On Earth

The North Carolina Pizza Joint In The Middle Of Nowhere That’s One Of The Best On Earth
My Father's Pizza & Pasta, 110 Cherry St, Black Mountain, NC 28711, USA
My Father's Pizza / Facebook
Pizza with THAT view? Count me in! My Father's Pizza has everything from the classics to the inventive 'Skinny Pig' (pictured above) which features bacon, caramelized onions, arugula, flakes of Asiago cheese then it's all drizzled with balsamic reduction. Yum!

Check out this fun review of My Father's Pizza in Black Mountain from the Food Dude Review Crew:

6. Cugino Forno, Greensboro

Cugino Forno Pizzeria, 1160 Revolution Mill Dr, Greensboro, NC 27405, USA
Cugino Forno / Facebook
When you find an authentic pizza that has evolved over years of study (making and eating a lot of pizza) you can really tell. Cugino Forno was born when three cousins from Turkey fell in love with Neapolitan-style pizza. They even studied with some of the best pizza chefs in Napels until they refined their craft. Their travels brought them to Greensboro, North Carolina where they opened the first Cugino Forno in 2017. The quality of the ingredients and the passion of the chefs can be tasted in every bite of that heavenly wood-fired pizza.

7. Frank's Pizza & Subs, Newport

Frank's Pizza & Subs, 2843 NC-24, Newport, NC 28570, USA
Rebecca P / Yelp
It seems Frank's acknowledged and caught on to the hype when we listed them #1 on our last pizza article. While it's been years since we first discovered Frank's, we still think it's some of the best New York style pizza in NC. Give this little hole in the wall a chance!

8. Favilla's New York Pizza, Asheville

Favilla's New York Pizza, Located across from Green Tea, 5 Regent Park Blvd #107, Asheville, NC 28806, USA
Steve P / Yelp
While we're on the subject of seriously delicious pizza, Favilla's is a slice of NY style heaven. Suggested order is the Sicilian (pictured above) a humongo pizza that is basically a BEAST and SOO delicious.

9. Lisa's Pizzeria, Rodanthe

Lisa's Pizzeria, 24158 North Carolina Hwy 12, Rodanthe, NC 27968, USA
Robb F. / Yelp
Even if you find yourself on the "edge of the earth" (OBX style) you can still find some AMAZING pizza no matter how isolated you get. Lisa's Pizzeria in Rodanthe is more than just a pit stop for beach-going, barefoot tourists; it's a beloved haven for locals too. The inventive toppings (like the "BBQ Pizza" featuring pulled NC pork, bbq sauce, cheddar cheese, peppers and onions pictured above) fits perfectly with other classics. Good luck choosing!

10. Slice of Life, Wilmington

Slice of Life, S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28401, USA
Bob K / Yelp
It seems the namesake has some good ideas, because eating a slice of their pizza will give you some serious life. Cheesy with the right crust, this place is perfect after a night on the town in Wilmington.

For some of the best pizza in North Carolina head to Slice of Life in Wilmington. Learn more in this video from UNCW Alumni:

Well, we’re officially starving. How about you? From big cities to small mountain towns, it seems a delicious pizz-a-pie is not hard to come by in the Tar Heel state Where is your favorite place to grab some pizza? Share your favorite place to get the best pizza in North Carolina with us in the comments.

While pizza is usually a casual affair, if you’re looking for a dining destination that is simply whimsical and amazing, you must visit this North Carolina restaurant which is a blend of fine dining and rustic charm.

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More to Explore

More North Carolina Pizza Places

Chris Muras | December 10, 2023

What are the best pizza places in North Carolina?
North Carolina might not be one of those iconic states known for its pizza like New York or Chicago, but your taste buds will be treated to some pretty fine pizza at these hidden gems. Here are a few of the best pizza places in North Carolina that you may not know about yet, but should:

  • Benny Pennello's, Charlotte, NC: There may not be any better food paring than pizza and beer - so we've got you covered when you stop at Benny Pennello's. Right next door is Heist Brewery where you can get some of Charlotte's finest craft beer and specialty sodas. But let's get back to the pizza. This by-the-slice pizza joint will wow you with the size of that said slice - it is so big it doesn't even fit on a plate - or two for that matter!
  • Favilla's Pizza, Asheville, NC: This Asheville gem takes your favorite New York-style pizza and serves it up hot. Owner Andy Favilla is a New York transplant who has been baking up delicious pizza since he was eight helping out in his uncle's pizza shop. Favilla's claim to fame might be its pizza but you'll find some pretty scrumptious calzone, stromboli, and cheesecake that will put many a restaurant to shame.
  • Mad Batter Kitchen, Sylva, NC: Another great combo is pizza and a movie, so this fun restaurant with a large video screen in the dining area serves up some great pizza while you catch a movie (or even a live band in conjunction with Lazy Hiker Brewery). Not only do they have some of the best hand-tossed pizzas around but they have an extensive menu filled with yummy soups, sandwiches, and burgers, including several vegetarian and vegan options.

Before you fill up on pizza, make sure you leave room for dessert. Head out on this epic ice cream road trip in NC to top off your tummy the right way. Make it a fun family adventure by renting an RV from RVShare and seeing what else you can find along the way.

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