The first bite hits before the slice even cools – molten cheese, blistered crust, sauce that refuses to be subtle. You tell yourself you’ll wait, you won’t scorch your tongue this time, but the aroma wins and suddenly you’re juggling a paper plate and laughing at your own impatience.
In this city, pizza isn’t background food – it’s debate fuel, comfort therapy, and late-night salvation all in one box. Thin and foldable?
Puffy and charred? Square and crispy at the edges?
Everyone has a favorite, and they’ll defend it passionately. If you’re hungry for the pies locals won’t stop talking about, Miami is ready to serve.
1. Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza
Magic happens here the second a star pizza lands on the table, all ricotta-filled points shining like a constellation. The crust is whisper thin and blistered, the sauce bright, and the toppings dialed in with chef precision.
I once watched a table go silent mid-bite, which tells you everything you need to know.
Order the Star Luca for a spicy kick that sneaks up rather than shouts. The burrata specials are worth a detour, especially when truffle makes a cameo.
Service hums, the vibe is buzzy, and pies arrive fast enough to keep hunger from stealing the show.
Pro tip: share two different pizzas to maximize crust time and topping range. Seating fills quickly, so arrive early or befriend the waitlist.
You will leave planning the next visit, certain that extraordinary is not just branding.
2. Il Pizzaiolo – Neapolitan Pizzeria – Miami Beach
A swirl of fresh basil hits first, then the oven perfume wraps around you like a beach breeze. The cornicione puffs dramatically, speckled with perfect leopard spots that promise crunch then tenderness.
I asked for extra basil once, and the chef smiled like we shared a secret.
Go straight for the classic Margherita to taste the balance of San Marzano sweetness and creamy fior di latte. The lemon zest on a special pie gave a sunny lift that felt so Miami Beach.
Pair it with a light red by the glass and pretend you have nowhere else to be.
It is compact inside, so snag a table early or slide onto the counter for front row oven action. Staff talk dough hydration like poetry, and it shows in every bite.
You will walk out humming, powered by crust and coastline.
3. BELLILLO – A Taste of Napoli
The oven roar sets the rhythm, and the pies waltz out with proud Neapolitan swagger. Bellillo keeps it classic, highlighting dough that rests patiently and tastes alive.
On my visit, a table next to me applauded a marinara, which felt completely reasonable.
Start with the Bufalina if creamy buffalo mozzarella makes your heart race. The sauce leans savory-tart, letting the dairy sing without hogging the spotlight.
Crust shows char in all the right places and stays airy enough to justify another slice.
Atmosphere is unfussy, service is warm, and plates clear quickly because nobody lingers over crumbs here. Ask about daily specials if you like small surprises.
When you want Naples without the flight, this place handles the passport.
4. Pummarola Pizzeria Napoletana
Sunlight hits the dough as it stretches, and suddenly you understand beach pizza at its best. Pummarola on Miami Beach turns simple into thrilling with a lively sauce and tender cornicione.
I once ordered a second pie before finishing the first, no regrets.
The Margherita STG shows off the kitchen’s control, while the Diavola brings a friendly burn. Toppings feel measured, never crowded, so each bite keeps its balance.
Their espresso after pizza is a small victory lap that seals the deal.
Service moves briskly, and the room carries that seaside cheer without tourist fluff. Sit near the oven for warm pockets of toasty air and a show.
You will leave tasting tomato sunshine long after the last slice disappears.
5. Miami Slice
There is a line for a reason, and yes, it is absolutely worth it. Miami Slice plates New York attitude with Miami shine, producing photogenic, flavor-packed slices.
I folded a hot slice, burned a fingertip, and happily kept going.
The pepperoni cup slice crackles at the edges, with a buttery undercarriage that stays sturdy. Vodka slice lovers should not miss their creamy, tomato-tinged square that vanishes fast.
Reheats are quick, but fresh from the oven is the move.
Vibe is tight, loud, and contagious, with staff churning pies like a DJ set. Bring a friend so you can trade bites and cover more ground.
By the time you hit the sidewalk, you will already want another round.
6. Joe’s Pizza NYC
Fold, bite, nod, repeat is the move at Joe’s. This Miami outpost nails the classic formula with thin, pliant crust and balanced sauce.
I blinked and half the slice was gone, which is the highest compliment.
Cheese slice shines, pepperoni keeps it classic, and the white slice lands a garlicky whisper. The counter moves fast, and pies hit that sweet spot between crisp and bendy.
You feel like a regular by your second visit.
Stand at the ledge, claim a paper plate, and keep napkins handy. Peak hours fly, but turnover is quick, so patience pays.
When familiarity tastes this good, it becomes a weekly habit without trying.
7. New York Pizza & Restaurant
Big pies, bigger smiles, and the kind of red-sauce comfort that never goes out of style. New York Pizza & Restaurant serves foldable slices and shareable rounds with easy charm.
I brought a hungry crew and watched silence descend between bites.
Order a classic cheese to gauge the sauce-to-cheese balance, then go for a meat-loving combo. Crust stays supportive without cardboard vibes, so leftovers reheat nicely.
Garlic knots sneak in as a must, especially with extra marinara.
Service treats you like family even on a busy night. Booths invite lingering, but the staff keep things moving.
It is the place you recommend when someone begs for real-deal New York style in Miami.
8. DC PIE CO.
Crackly edges and a caramelized cheese ring announce DC PIE CO.’s style before you even sit. The pies bring a sturdy base with rich, savory sauce and punchy toppings.
I added hot honey and converted two skeptics at the table.
Pepperoni cups pool just right, while mushrooms get roasted depth. The square pies deliver crispy corners that you will guard with your life.
Salads and wings play strong supporting roles without stealing attention from the main act.
Brickell buzz keeps the room lively, but service stays focused and upbeat. Sit near the bar for quick refills and banter.
When you crave crunch plus comfort, this spot hits the target cleanly.
9. Pizzaiola
Smoke kisses the crust here, and the aroma makes decisions for you. Pizzaiola keeps the wood-fired flame dancing, turning out pies with gentle char and tender chew.
I once chased a runaway arugula leaf like it was confetti.
Prosciutto and arugula deliver salty-sweet balance with a peppery finish. Margherita stays clean and focused, a reliable test of the dough’s strength.
They do not bury toppings, so each element gets a fair shot.
Order at the counter, grab a seat, and watch the oven crew move like clockwork. Weeknights are mellow, weekends bring a happy crowd.
If you want romance by way of blistered crust, this place writes love letters in smoke.
10. PIABELLA ARTISAN WOOD-FIRED PIZZA
West Miami gets a gem with PIABELLA, where the oven glow frames every table like stage lighting. The dough is lightly tangy, blistered, and airy enough to keep slices dreamy.
I asked about fermentation and got a proud, detailed answer.
Seasonal pies rotate, showcasing bright vegetables and measured restraint. A white pie with ricotta and lemon oil felt elegant without fuss.
Pepperoni lovers are covered too, with edges that crisp into savory chips.
Service is sweet, parking is easy, and the playlist stays chill. Sit close to the oven if you like warmth and action.
When pizza feels handcrafted and thoughtful, you taste it in every quiet, satisfied nod.
11. Fratesi’s Pizza
Neighborhood charm rules at Fratesi’s, where regulars greet each other across steaming pies. The crust carries a gentle crunch, giving way to a soft interior.
I stopped for a quick slice and stayed for a full pie without blinking.
Sausage and peppers bring nostalgic comfort with a little kick. The tomato sauce leans savory and slightly sweet, perfect with extra parm.
Order a side of meatballs if you believe in happy accidents becoming traditions.
Staff remember faces, and refills appear like magic. It is not flashy, but it does not need flash when flavor steps up.
For a low-key win any night of the week, Fratesi’s delivers the goods confidently.
12. Piccola Pizzeria
Coral Gables whispers date night, and Piccola answers with candlelit pies and gentle hospitality. The margherita lands with fragrant basil and a sauce that tastes like summer afternoons.
I lingered over the last slice because goodbye felt rude.
Crust has a soft chew, light char, and just enough structure for delicate toppings. The quattro formaggi brings creamy richness without tipping heavy.
Wines by the glass play nicely, especially the lighter Italian pours.
Reservations help on weekends, though the staff juggle walk-ins kindly. Save room for tiramisu if you like meals that end with applause.
When you need small, sincere, and satisfying, this spot nails all three.
13. Francesco Martucci
Whispers became lines the week this place opened, and the canotto crust turned heads instantly. Francesco Martucci’s signature tall rim shows off wild air pockets and gentle char.
I watched a pie deflate slightly and release a wave of warm bakery perfume.
Tomato-forward classics shine, but the fun lives in specials that play with texture. Expect pillowy edges, a light center, and toppings arranged with painterly care.
The bite feels cloud-soft yet sturdy enough to carry flavor cleanly.
It is new, so check hours and brace for a wait. Staff beam with pride, sharing details about flour blends and fermentation.
If you chase cutting-edge Neapolitan technique, this opening plants a flag in Miami.

















