In terms of satisfying comfort, there's no comparison to a delicious slice of pizza. Pizza may cheer you up or get you through a bad mood. It can be both joyful and infuriating. A fantastic pizza is a revelation, yet sometimes you may still enjoy pizza, even in a bad piece.
The Triangle is fortunate to have various excellent pizza options, including Neapolitan, New York-style, and everything in between. Together with immigrants from all around the nation, native pizzaiolos have carved out spaces by bringing their unique specialities and regional perspectives on what pizza should be. There is room for everyone in the big world of saucy pies, but someone's perfect pizza style will inevitably clash with someone else's.
You can't go wrong at any neighbourhood favourites, whether for a fancy wood-fired pizza or a large, foldable slice smothered in cheese. Continue reading!
6 Best Pizza Places In Raleigh
1. Pizzeria Toro
One might easily argue that people’s obsession with wood-fired, artisan pizza began at Pizzeria Toro, a downtown mainstay from chef Grey Brooks that consistently ranks at the top of numerous lists of Triangle's best pizza. Seasonal variations in the menu mean that there's always a choice of red and white sauce pizzas, such as the prosciutto cotto with asiago and olives or the soft egg pizza with parmesan, rocket and trumpet mushrooms. Always get an additional side of the homemade red chilli oil.
Location: 105 E Chapel Hill St, Raleigh, NC 27701, United States
Timings: Mon-Sun: 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
Must-Try Dishes: Soft egg pizza, white sauce pizza
Price for 2: $70 approx.
Image Credits: Pizzeria Toro
2. Pie Pushers
The owners, Mike Hacker and Becky Cascio, transitioned from food trucks to a brick-and-mortar business while cultivating a cult following as their favourite pizza downtown. It's difficult to top a basic pepperoni pizza by the slice or pie but try some other varieties as well, such as the State of Nirvana, which has pesto, roasted chicken, spinach, caramelised red onion, and bleu cheese, or 1234, which has salami, caramelised red onion, bell peppers, pistachios, and smoked gouda.
Location: 117A W Main St, Raleigh, NC 27701, United States
Timings: Mon-Sun: 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
Must-Try Dishes: Pepperoni pizza, State of Nirvana
Price for 2: $70 approx.
3. Sofia's Pizza
Though it doesn't get as much attention as its in-town neighbours, this East City pizza, sandwich, and sub shop has a devoted following because of its reasonably priced pizzas and distinctive herbed dough. Try the Raleigh pie with collard greens, serrano chiles, and bacon smoked with applewood. Usually parked immediately next door, the El Rey de Tacos truck is likewise owned and operated by Jorge González-Peña. Tacos and pizza: what more could a person ask for?
Location: 2201 Angier Ave, Raleigh, NC 27703, United States
Timings: Mon-Sun: 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
Must-Try Dishes: East City pizza, Raleigh pie
Price for 2: $70 approx.
Image Credits: Sofia's Pizza
4. Pizzeria Mercato
Son of Triangle restaurant icons Ben and Karen Barker, Gabe Barker returned to his birthplace of Carrboro from San Francisco in 2016 and, to the praise of both the local and national public, opened this brick-oven, Neapolitan-inspired pizzeria. Barker has made Mercato a destination pizza by utilising the wealth from the adjacent Carrboro Farmers' Market in his pies while staying true to his Italian heritage. Favourites include the puttanesca, funghi, and salami (with hot honey), but the basic Margherita pizza will show you how excellent they are.
Location: 408 W Weaver St, Raleigh, NC 27510, United States
Timings: Mon-Sun: 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
Must-Try Dishes: Neapolitan-inspired Pizza, Margherita pizza
Price for 2: $70 approx.
5. Coronato
As the first Roman-style pizzeria in the South, Coronato Chef Teddy Diggs makes his pizza awfully delicious to try. Olive oil is added to low-moisture, ultra-thin rolled dough to give it an almost cracker-like crispness. Pizzas follow classic Italian flavours such as marinara, funghi, or rossa and are served European-style, that is, without slices. There's also Roman pan pizza and a Sunday-Thursday family special with three pizzas: one Coronato chopped salad, six Sicilian cannoli, and six supply Romana (crispy rice croquettes).
Location: 101 Two Hills Dr #140, Carrboro, NC 27510, United States
Timings: Mon-Sun: 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
Must-Try Dishes: Marinara Pizza, Coronato chopped salad
Price for 2: $70 approx.
6. Fullsteam RTP
Fullsteam Brewery expanded into the pizza industry and served its signature craft brews at a second location in RTP's Boxyard complex. In particular, a pie in the square shape that is somewhere in between Detroit-style and Sicilian. The soft squares are available in red sauce varieties such as vegetable, Margherita, pepperoni and the Skye Boat pizza, which is topped with sausage from Firsthand Foods, roasted peppers, mozzarella and onions. There are options like the C.B.R. (chicken, bacon, ranch), the Pestoroni (pesto and pepperoni), and the Forager pizza (which has mushrooms, garlic, caramelised onions, thyme, mozzarella, and parsley) for those who prefer white sauce.
Location: 900 Park Offices Dr, Durham, NC 27703, United States
Timings: Mon-Sun: 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
Must-Try Dishes: Detroit-style Pizza, Sicilian Pizza
Price for 2: $70 approx.
Raleigh's pizza culture serves a wide range of age groups and culinary interests, whether you're a student, politician, or visitor. Continue exploring!