pizzawareRichmond is the state capital of Virginia and is home to about a quarter of a million people.
Downtown Richmond is a busy area driven primarily by local government agencies since the state capital building is situated downtown.
Many museums, monuments, and performing arts spaces are scattered throughout the city, and the culinary arts scene is robust with a primary focus on new Southern cuisine.
A new take on traditional favorites is not the only thing that restaurants and Richmond are making; pizzerias are crafting creative pies to satisfy all types of tastes.
From the classic pepperoni and cheese to the extraordinary loaded potato pizza pie, pizzerias in Richmond are breaking the mold. Continue to read our comprehensive list of the best 10 pizza restaurants in Richmond!
Best Pizza Spots in Richmond
- Mary Angela’s Pizza Subs & Pasta
- Bottoms Up Pizza
- Pupatella
- 8 1/2
- Belmont Pizzeria
- Jo-Jo’s Pizza
- Mellow Mushroom Richmond – Carytown
- Pizza & Beer of Richmond
- Benny Ventano’s
- Fire & Hops Pizza Co
Mary Angela’s Pizza Subs & Pasta
3345 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221, United States
Phone: (804) 353-2333
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Mary Angela’s Pizza Subs & Pasta is a compact Italian restaurant with a comfortable vibe. The interior offers a few booths for guests to dine, and the kitchen serves pizza, pasta, beer, and wine.
The restaurant is open between 11:00 am and at least 10:00 pm in the Carytown neighborhood, near Interstate 195 and City Stadium.
When I visited Mary Angela’s Pizza Subs & Pasta, I enjoyed the All American pizza with ground beef, bacon, American cheese, and mozzarella cheese.
I recommend the Hawaiian or the Eggplant Parm pizzas, and the stuffed pasta shells with spinach and ricotta are also a delicious option.
Bottoms Up Pizza
1700 Dock St, Richmond, VA 23223, United States
Phone: (804) 644-4400
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Bottoms Up Pizza is a restaurant and neighborhood favorite known for elevated pizzas and burgers.
The atmosphere is busy yet welcoming, and the restaurant offers extra seating in an enclosed patio space. Bottoms Up Pizza is located in Shockoe Bottom near Interstate 95 and the Virginia Holocaust Museum.
My favorite pizza at Bottoms Up is the Goat in the Garden pie with tomatoes, spinach, and roasted garlic.
The pizzeria’s white sauce pizzas are equally tasty; try the Chesapeake pizza loaded with crab meat! Additionally, order the truffle fries or the crab and artichoke dip for a flavorful side dish or starter.
Pupatella
1 N Morris St, Richmond, VA 23220, United States
Phone: (804) 355-3135
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Pupatella uses a wood-fired oven to bake delicious Neoptlian-style pizzas. The interior of the restaurant has a chic industrial vibe.
It is situated near Virginia Commonwealth University, just off Main Street, and is a favorite hang-out for college students. Pupatella is open for lunch and dinner until 9pm daily.
Pupatella offers student specials, military discounts, and a great happy hour. When I visited, I enjoyed the Eggplant and Red Pepper pizza with red sauce and the Pesto Pizza with smoked mozzarella.
The beer selection is regularly rotating, but my favorite sip is the Falcon Smash IPA from Triple Cross Brewing.
8 1/2
2709 E Marshall St, Richmond, VA 23223, United States
Phone: (804) 788-0812
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8 1/2 is a pizzeria located in the Church Hill community near the Historic St. John’s Church. Open Tuesday through Sunday, the restaurant serves classic thin-crust pies and other Italian favorites.
The space is casual and modern, and the establishment also offers some imported Italian staples for purchase, like various kinds of pasta, olive oils, and canned sardines.
When I visited 8 1/2, I enjoyed the Breakfast Pie with fontina cheese and a cracked egg. Other popular menu items include the calzone with mozzarella, ricotta, and prosciutto as well as the roast beef hero sandwich.
Follow the restaurant on social media for menu updates and specialty pizza offerings.
Belmont Pizzeria
602 N Belmont Ave, Richmond, VA 23221, United States
Phone: (804) 888-9861
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Belmont Pizzeria is located in a quaint storefront in the Museum District near the Virginia Museum of History & Culture and the Children’s Museum of Richmond.
The pizzeria serves Sicilian-style pizza and various plates of pasta for delivery, takeout, or dine-in.
When I visited Belmont Pizzeria, I enjoyed the toasted ravioli appetizer and the Veggie Bella pizza with mozzarella, garlic, onion, zucchini, and mushroom.
Other popular menu items include the Belmont Supreme pizza with sausage, pepperoni, ham, and veggies, the Buffalo Chicken pizza with marinated chicken, hot sauce, ranch, and mozzarella, and the Meat Stromboli with pepperoni, ham, and sausage.
Jo-Jo’s Pizza
1201 E Main St, Richmond, VA 23219, United States
Phone: (804) 225-9600
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Jo-Jo’s Pizza is an adorable restaurant with a window-lined storefront, blue tabletops, and a pizza counter. The kitchen prepares New York-style pies and serves individual slices or whole pies.
The pizzeria is located downtown near the Virginia State Capitol Building and the Virginia Executive Mansion.
Jo-Jo’s Pizza offers daily lunch specials, and when I stopped by, I enjoyed the two-slice special.
My favorite pizza is the Spinach and Feta Pie, but other options include a BBQ Chicken, Vegetarian, and Ham and Pineapple.
Also, try the Chicken Cordon Bleu submarine sandwich or the calzone with ricotta, mozzarella, pepperoni, and mushrooms.
Mellow Mushroom Richmond – Carytown
3012 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221, United States
Phone: (804) 370-8210
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Mellow Mushroom is a funky national chain that serves creative pizzas, tasty appetizers, and hot sandwiches.
Located in the heart of Carytown near the Virginia Fine Arts Museum, Mellow Mushroom is open from 11:00 am to 10:30 pm daily.
I love the menu at Mellow Mushroom. While not a traditional appetizer at a pizza joint, I highly recommend ordering the hummus with pita bread.
My favorite pizza is the Funky Q. Chicken with shredded mozzarella, BBQ chicken, sharp cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and applewood-smoked bacon.
The Loaded Potato Pizza is a local favorite with roasted red potatoes, bacon, caramelized onions, and sour cream.
Pizza & Beer of Richmond
2553 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23220, United States
Phone: (804) 242-0889
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Pizza & Beer of Richmond, affectionately known as “PBR,” uses handmade dough to create creative and tasty pizzas.
Located near the Carytown neighborhood, by the Downtown Expressway, the restaurant is a favorite of both residents and visitors. The restaurant is open daily with extended weekend hours.
Pizza & Beer of Richmond serves a delicious Pepperoni Pizza, but I would recommend trying a specialty pie like the Angry Bird with buffalo ranch sauce, blue cheese, Nashville Style Hot Chicken, and topped with green and red onions.
Another great option is The Hipster with garlic puree, mozzarella, ricotta, bacon, cauliflower, caramelized onion, jalapenos, and spicy honey.
Benny Ventano’s
2501 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23220, United States
Phone: (804) 716-1632
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Benny Ventano’s is a hip national chain restaurant with locations in five states. The restaurant offers over-the-top pizza creations.
Interestingly, ventano translates to “fan,” which the restaurant owners selected to tie to Richmond’s Fan District. The pizzeria opens at 11:00 am every day and stays open late.
You can purchase a slice of pizza for five or six dollars, depending on toppings! My favorite pizza is the garlic mushroom pie.
Every month the restaurant offers specialty pizzas; when I visited, I ordered The Versace with roasted peppers, onions, and garlic pesto. Let Benny know about your topping creations, and you might find them on a new specialty pie!
Fire & Hops Pizza Co
1 N Belmont Ave, Richmond, VA 23221, United States
Phone: (804) 416-5345
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Fire & Hops Pizza Co focuses on serving tasty pizza and craft beer. The tap list is ever-rotating, so there is a great chance that you’ll be able to try a new local beer.
The pizzeria is in Carytown and is open between Tuesday and Sunday.
When I visited, I ordered the Sausage and Kale pizza with mozzarella, garlic, hand-pinched sausage, and sauteed kale, which I paired with a pint of Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale.
I would also recommend the Fig & Pig pizza with mozzarella, gorgonzola cheese, fig preserves, Prosciutto di Parma, mozzarella, and a balsamic reduction drizzle. The pasta, tacos, and sandwiches are equally delicious if you are not in the mood for pizza.
Final Thoughts
Richmond is filled with great pizzerias, many of which are located in the Downton or Carytown neighborhoods.
Grab a slice if you are on the run, or sit down and enjoy a specialty pie at one of these various restaurants. Did we leave a pizza shop out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
Pizza can be enjoyed anywhere, from Richmond to New York to Naples, or even at your own kitchen table. Are you interested in making pizza at home? Check out other articles on our blog to learn which flour to use in your pizza dough, find recipes, and more.
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