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While Dallas may not carry the same historical pizza prestige as cities like New York or Chicago, our pizza scene is growing and evolving. With a mix of old-school offerings, inventive new flavor combinations, and a solid fan base, Dallas knows good pizza. You just need to visit one of the local favorites to find out.
Places like Cane Rosso deliver authentic, wood-fired pies known for their soft, chewy crusts and fresh, simple toppings for a taste of Italy without the travel costs. For those who prefer the thin, foldable slices characteristic of New York-style pizza, Zoli’s NY Pizza and Serious Pizza are popular choices, offering classic flavors with the occasional Texan twist. Fans of Detroit-style pizza, with its thick, cheesy crust and caramelized edges, gravitate toward Thunderbird Pies and Via 313, both of which have earned loyal followings. Deep-dish pizza is less common but still available at spots like Chicago’s Original Pizza, providing a hearty and satisfying take on this iconic style (note: if you’re diving into Chicago-style pie, wear sweatpants that day).
In addition to these traditional pies, Dallas has a thriving artisan pizza scene. Pizzerias like Pie Tap Pizza Workshop and Eno’s Pizza Tavern emphasize local tastes and feature unique topping combinations. Texas-inspired creations feature smoked brisket, jalapeños, and barbecue sauce.
After polling our readers, we have narrowed down four of your favorite pizza places. These are the best places for visitors to get a taste of Texas pie. Two of the best pizza joints in town tied for third place, and you won’t believe who nailed down the top spot for the best pizza in Dallas.
T-3. Partenope Ristorante
If you’re looking for a Neopolitan pizza experience Partenope Ristorante is a solid choice. Known for its wood-fired pies, this spot transports you straight to Naples. The pizzas that come out of the oven here offer a mouthfeel like no other: a charred, bubbly crust and fresh, simple toppings.
Established in 2019, Partenope Ristorante quickly became a fan favorite. You can find it downtown at 1903 Main Street. The establishment is the creation of husband-and-wife team Dino and Megan Santonicola. Dino, a native of Naples, Italy, is a master pizzaiolo who brings authentic Neapolitan culinary traditions to the menu. Megan complements the venture in terms of service and warmth with her extensive experience in the hospitality industry.
The restaurant offers many Italian dishes, including handcrafted pizzas, classic Neapolitan entrees, and traditional desserts. One fan favorite is the Neapolitan calzone, filled with mozzarella, ricotta, salami, and tomato. It’s been described as a “small masterpiece.”
Partenope Ristorante has earned its chops in the national pizza scene, ranking #12 among all pizzerias in the U.S. by the prestigious 50 Top Pizza USA listing.
In addition to their downtown Dallas location, Partenope has expanded to Richardson, Texas.
T-3. Greenville Avenue Pizza Company
Greenville Avenue Pizza Company, often referred to as GAPCo, is known for its large, satisfying slices and inventive toppings. This thriving pie joint caters to a wide range of tastes, from classic flavors to more adventurous combinations. Open late into the night, GAPCo is the go-to place for nightlifers seeking a delicious midnight snack.
Greenville Avenue Pizza Company was established in 2007 by Sammy Mandell, who co-owns the business with his wife, Molly Mandell. The couple has been instrumental in creating a beloved local pizzeria that emphasizes from-scratch cooking and community engagement.
The original location is situated at 1923 Greenville Avenue and is open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and extending to 3 a.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays to cater to late-night eaters. A second location can be found at 1145 Peavy Road, offering similar hours.
GAPCo’s menu features a variety of pizzas, hot wings, salads, and sandwiches, all made from scratch. Their pizzas are particularly beloved, with popular options like the Supreme and BBQ Chicken. The Supreme pizza is piled high with generous meat toppings, while the BBQ Chicken offers a flavorful alternative.
2. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria is a personal favorite because it’s authentically Texas. Their menu merges the classic flavors of New York-style pizza with Texas flair. Known for its coal-fired brick oven pizzas, Grimaldi’s famous crusts are baked to a distinct crispness with a rich, smoky flavor that sets it apart.
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, renowned for its traditional coal-fired brick oven pizzas, traces its origins to Brooklyn, New York, over a century ago. The Dallas location, established in 2008, brings this rich heritage to Texas.
The pizzeria was originally founded by Patsy Grimaldi, who learned the art of pizza-making from his uncle, Patsy Lancieri, at the age of ten. In the late 1990s, Grimaldi retired and sold the business to restaurateur Frank Ciolli. Under Ciolli’s ownership, the brand expanded beyond New York, with his son, Joseph Ciolli, becoming CEO in 2000. The Dallas branch is part of this expansion, bringing the iconic taste of Grimaldi’s to new regions — with new flavors.
Located in the West Village area of Dallas, Grimaldi’s offers a menu centered around its signature coal-fired pizzas, known for their thin, crispy crusts and distinctive smoky flavor. The pizzeria uses a ‘secret recipe’ dough, hand-tossed and made in-house daily, and fresh ingredients to craft each pizza. In addition to pizzas, the menu includes calzones, salads, and desserts, providing a variety of options for diners.
Among the popular menu options are the traditional Margherita Pizza, featuring fresh basil and mozzarella, and the Brooklyn Bridge, which includes roasted red peppers, ricotta cheese, and Italian sausage. Newer offerings like the Pepperoni and Hot Honey and BBQ Chicken add a touch of Southern flair to the original NY-style pies.
1. Cane Rosso
Cane Rosso, founded in 2011 by Jay Jerrier, is a renowned pizzeria chain based in Dallas, celebrated for its wood-fired pizzas. Jerrier, a former corporate executive, was inspired to pursue pizza-making after a transformative trip to Italy in 1995. Upon returning to Dallas, he trained with Master Pizzaiolos at the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) and began crafting pizzas in his backyard. This passion led to the establishment of a mobile catering operation in 2009, which quickly gained popularity and culminated in the opening of the first Cane Rosso location in Deep Ellum in early 2011.
The original Deep Ellum location is situated at 2612 Commerce St., Dallas, TX 75226. Since its inception, Cane Rosso has expanded to multiple locations across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, including areas like White Rock, Fort Worth, Carrollton, Frisco at The Star, North Dallas, and Lake Highlands.
Cane Rosso’s menu features a variety of pizzas, pastas, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. The pizzeria is particularly renowned for its crust, which is crafted using fresh, never-frozen dough made in-house daily with all-natural “OO” flour imported from Italy. The sauce is made from hand-crushed San Marzano tomatoes, and the mozzarella is pulled fresh in-house daily. The pizzas are cooked in a specially built wood-fired oven from Italy that reaches 900 degrees, cooking the pizzas in under 90 seconds for a delicate and light, slightly charred dough.
Cane Rosso may be a chain, but the quality is no joke. Their pizza was recognized as the “Best Pizza in Dallas” by D Magazine for five consecutive years and has appeared on The Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” with host Guy Fieri. Additionally, Cane Rosso was named the 2017 Independent Pizzeria of the Year by Pizza Today.
Among the best menu options are the Honey Bastard pizza, which includes spicy soppressata, honey, and chili flakes, and the Truffle Shuffle (under $20!) which is topped with truffle mascarpone, roasted mushrooms, prosciutto, truffle oil, housemade mozzarella, and basil.
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