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The Best Pizza in Tucson

Guide

The Best Pizza in Tucson

by Tucson FoodieJul 11, 2023Updated Nov 5, 202510 min read

Ready to dive into Tucson's pizza scene? Or should we say "Tuscan?" (we shouldn't). From sourdough crust at Anello to solar-powered slices at Brooklyn Pizza Company, this guide is your ticket to some of the tastiest slices in town.

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21 spots

Anello (Photo by Anna Smirnova)

ANELLO

222 E 6th StDowntown

This intimate, discreet pizzeria showcases seasonal local vegetables on their naturally leavened crust. Share a seasonal veggie course and seasonal salad for an easy, wholesome date night. While their technique shines in the classic Margherita, the Bianca is a garlic white pizza with mozzarella, basil, ricotta, and a punch of chiltepín. Save room for the almond olive oil cake.
— Jackie Tran’s favorite

(Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Pizza Company)

Brooklyn Pizza Company

534 N 4th AveDowntown

Brooklyn Pizza Company earns acclaim for its New York–style, solar‑powered oven slices on Fourth Avenue. The walk‑up service window and casual interior deliver a lively, casual vibe, popular with college students and locals.

They focus on hand-tossed, New York-style pizza sold by the slice or as 16-inch whole pies. Toppings span a range of veggies and meats, and the menu also includes calzones, subs, pasta, wings, and gelato. The restaurant opens daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with late-night slices served until 2:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Margherita Pizza from Charred Pie (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)

Charred Pie

12125 N Oracle Rd #105Oro Valley

Charred Pie, a family-owned Neapolitan-inspired pizzeria in Oro Valley, centers its menu on a wood-fired oven imported from Italy. The interior carries a modern industrial feel with warm wood, red walls, and steel accents, while the spacious patio offers views of Pusch Ridge. The dining room features well-spaced tables and an inviting atmosphere, and the restaurant sits next to the Oro Valley Marketplace theaters.

While the namesake charred pies shine, keep start with the sweet and spicy Korean Gochujang Wings.

The Snakebite Pizza at Ciao Down (Photo by Mark Whittaker)

Ciao Down Pizza Bistro (Oro Valley)

Ciao Down Pizza Bistro in Oro Valley emphasizes inventive wood-fired pizzas and scratch ingredients in a casual yet polished setting. The location Rooney Ranch center, with seating indoors and a front patio to catch sunset views.

The signature Snake Bite pizza remains a draw, topped with chipotle-raspberry jam, jalapeños, cream cheese and hickory bacon. The menu also includes salads, starters and desserts from Ciao Down’s Treat bakery. Beverage offerings include craft sodas and ice tea, with full cocktails, beer, and wine.

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(Photo courtesy of Embers Pizza)

Embers Pizza

No fixed location

This mobile wood-fired pizza oven features a mean margherita alongside American pizza favorites, such as jalapeño and bacon. Their Piña pizza takes a Mexican spin with grilled pinapple, red auce, chilorio (Sinaloa fried red chili pork), bacon, red onion, ricotta, and three cheese blend.

While they have an address listed at Vail, they are a food truck, so check their social media to find out where they are at the moment.

Elote Pizza at Empire Pizza (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)

Empire Pizza & Pub

137 E Congress StDowntown

Empire Pizza & Pub brings a casual, nostalgic pub vibe to downtown Tucson. A narrow, long space transitions from the walk‑up slice counter in front into a dimly lit, brick‑walled bar area at the back.

While their late night slices come in a few varieties, come back for the Elote pizza, topped with sweet roasted corn, cotija cheese, and chipotle mayo.

Falora

3000 E Broadway BlvdUniversity & 4th Ave

Falora offers a cozy and romantic atmosphere with its candlelit interior and communal seating. The restaurant features a hand-built Napoli wood-fired brick oven, contributing to its warm and inviting ambiance. This setting makes Falora an ideal spot for an intimate evening with a loved one. The menu showcases a variety of popular dishes, including the La Cauliflora pizza with roasted cauliflower, green olives, and vegan mozzarella, and the Za Zucca pizza featuring butternut squash purée, zucchini, garlic, sage, and grated Brazil nuts. Other favorites are the Giardino pizza with fresh vegetables and chili oil, and the Arrosto pizza topped with feta, eggplant, potatoes, dates, and white truffle oil. Falora also offers a selection of hearty salads and house-made pasta.

Fiamme Pizza (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)

Fiamme Pizza Napoletana

4706 E Sunrise DrFoothills

Fiamme Pizza Napoletana in Tucson offers a cozy, minimalist setting with a focus on its wood-fired oven and open kitchen. The interior features simple decor, allowing the authentic Neapolitan pizza-making process to take center stage. Located in a modest strip mall, the restaurant provides a welcoming atmosphere for both dine-in and takeout patrons. Signature dishes include the Margherita D.O.P., made with San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte mozzarella, and fresh basil, and the Capricciosa, featuring sopressata salami, artichokes, mushrooms, and olives. For dessert, patrons often indulge in the Nutella Pizza, served with seasonal fruit and powdered sugar.

Fresco Pizzeria & Pastaria

3011 E Speedway BlvdUniversity & 4th Ave

Fresco Pizzeria & Pastaria, a family-owned spot on E. Speedway Blvd., centers its menu on scratch-made ingredients, from house-cured meats to hand-rolled meatballs. Owner Mat Cable renovated the space himself, using carpentry skills to build bar-top tables, and kept the decor simple with red, green, and white accents, glossy wooden floors, and tin streetlight-style pendant lamps. Vintage photographs of Cable's half-Italian family line the walls.

The Lasagna layers thick chunky marinara, house-made meatballs, and creamy ricotta over al dente pasta. The house-made Caesar salad, with dressing and croutons made in-house, are also a staple. Furthermore, the restaurant offers their own local delivery.

Jaime's Pizza Kitchen

312 E Congress StDowntown

Jaime's Pizza Kitchen, a family-owned scratch kitchen on E. Congress St. in downtown Tucson, builds its menu around cold-fermented dough, house-pulled mozzarella, and scratch-made sauces and meats. Owner Gabriel Moreno designed the space to channel his family's restaurant history, filling it with lush greenery and photographs of the Tucsonans his grandfather Jaime Moreno brought together for decades. Its location near the Rialto Theatre and across from the historic Hotel Congress draws a mix of college students, concertgoers, and downtown visitors.

They offer an intensely garlicky Caesar salad and standard pizzas alongside adventurous options, such as anchovy.

Locale Neighborhood Italian Restaurant

60 N Alvernon WayMidtown

Locale Neighborhood Italian offers a warm and inviting atmosphere that blends modern elegance with rustic charm. The interior features floor-to-ceiling windows, wooden ceilings, and a historic farmhouse-inspired design, creating a cozy yet sophisticated dining environment. Outside, the spacious verdant patio is adorned with date palms and offers various hangout spots, including a bocce ball area.​ During mornings, sip on a cappuccino and nibble at a sfogliatella and croissant in the cozy bakery.

Popular dishes, include the seven-layer lasagna, Tagliatelle Bolognese, and the Sfoglia with pork and mushroom ragu. Other favorites are the Roman-style Pear Gorgonzola Pizza, Eggplant Parmesan, and the Spaghetti with clams in a white wine sauce. Locale also offers a selection of house-made desserts, such as the Bonet chocolate pudding and the lemon Semifreddo, enhancing the dining experience with sweet Italian treats. Swing by on the weekend for brunch.

Penelope Pizza

800 N Kolb RdEastside

Penelope Pizza features a retro-modern space with emerald green counters, white tile walls, and checkerboard accents. Hanging plants and cartoon-style pizza art add playful charm above the open kitchen. The full bar lines one side of the room, framed by high-top tables and sleek black ductwork overhead. Penelope’s menu caters to a variety of tastes, from the traditional Margherita to the playful Bubba Pizza featuring a garlic oil base, mozzarella, lemon ricotta, artichoke hearts, and arugula. They also offer a sweet selection of craft cocktails, house-made sodas, and lemonade.

Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink

101 E Pennington StDowntown

Reilly Craft Pizza & Drink, housed in a restored 1906 funeral home in downtown Tucson, blends historic charm with modern design. The interior showcases original features like vaulted ceilings, exposed brick walls, and stained-glass windows, complemented by contemporary elements such as communal tables and industrial lighting. Guests can choose from various dining areas, including the main dining room, a rooftop bar, and a beer garden located in the former hearse garage. Downstairs hosts the Tough Luck Club for cocktails in a speakeasy vibe.

The menu features artisan pizzas and house-made pastas. Popular dishes include the Yukon Gold Potato & Pecorino pizza with roasted garlic and rosemary, and the Pepperoni & Pickled Fresno Chile pizza with mozzarella and fontina. Don’t sleep on the house-made pasta.

Renee's Tucson

7065 E Tanque Verde RdEastside

Renee's Tucson offers an intimate dining experience with a blend of European bistro charm and urban Tucson flair. The interior features private booths separated by pressed-tin partitions, cream-colored walls, and a vibrant mural by local artist Danny Martin, creating a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere. The restaurant emphasizes a tranquil environment, with indoor seating reserved for guests age 12 and over, while families with children are welcome on the patio. The menu showcases a variety of Italian-inspired dishes, with popular items like the Spinach Dip Calzone, featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," and the Everything Pizza, loaded with sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, red bell peppers, onions, and mozzarella.

Rocco's Little Chicago Pizzeria

2555 E Broadway BlvdUniversity & 4th Ave

Rocco’s Little Chicago Pizzeria features exposed brick walls and vintage Chicago memorabilia for a nostalgic yet lively dining space. The expanded layout offers booth and table seating, while nods to Windy City sports and license plates adorn the walls. Rocco’s is best known for its Chicago-style pizzas and some of the best wings in town. Favorites include the hearty “Heart Attack,” piled with pepperoni, sausage, bacon, and jalapeños, and the earthy “Fungus Humongous,” loaded with mushrooms.

The Bone Collector Pizza at Serial Grillers (Photo courtesy of Serial Grillers)

Serial Grillers

5975 East Speedway BoulevardMidtown

Serial Grillers immerses diners in a horror film-themed atmosphere and a casual, counter-service layout. The restaurant offers a relaxed setting with ample seating, making it a popular spot for families and groups seeking pizza, burgers, and sandwiches.

The menu features cleverly named dishes inspired by horror films, such as the Bone Collector pizza topped with boneless chicken wings, mozzarella, cheddar, Buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing.

Time Market

444 E University BlvdDowntown

Time Market offers a warm, rustic ambiance with exposed wood beams, polished floors, and ample natural light. The space combines a café, bakery, and grocery store, creating a bustling yet cozy environment. Known for its artisanal bread, wood-fired pizzas, and curated wine selection, Time Market has been a neighborhood staple since 1920.

For an elegant sandwich showing off their artisanal bread, try the Tonno Capero on a baguette with yellowfin tuna, marinated fennel, Gaeta olives, and preserved lemon. Pair it with their timeless Kale Salad, and if you have room, a slice of pizza.

Ugly But Honest Pizza (Photo by Doug Marcoux)

Ugly But Honest Pizzeria and Beer Garden

733 S Stone AveDowntown

The team behind Upper Crust Pizza (1909 E. Grant Rd.) and Arizona Pizza Company (4955 N. Sabino Canyon Rd.) renovated the former Ugly But Honest — a car sales and service business that opened in 1933. Now, the space combines pizza and beer in the trending Five Points neighborhood.

Ugly But Honest Pizzeria and Beer Garden centers on wood fired pizza and a laid back neighborhood vibe. An open beer garden adds greenery and creates an easygoing, social atmosphere.

Vero Amore

2920 North Swan RoadMidtown

Vero Amore on Swan offers a contemporary dining space accented with bold industrial fixtures and warm lighting. Inside, black steel beams, exposed ducts, and modern pendant lights give the room a refined yet playful feel. Outside, the patio features comfortable lounge seating and red-accented furniture, perfect for enjoying Tucson’s sunshine and evening air. They might also have a speakeasy hidden behind a secret wall...

While they made their name as one of Tucson's first to specialize in Neapolitan-style pizza, they've expanded their menu with other offerings such as Fettucine Alfredo from a flaming wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano, prepared tableside.

4. (tomato sauce, salami, Calabrian chili, red onion, ricotta, parmesan) at Whole Slvce Pizza (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Whole Slvce Pizza

160 South Avenida del ConventoDowntown

Whole Slvce Pizza brings New York–style slice culture to Tucson’s Mercado District from its walk‑up window in the Monier Apartments. The interior features an art installation by New York‑native Nick Georgiou and gives off a classic pizzeria vibe with local flair. Diners enjoy the casual, neighborhood atmosphere that echoes a friendly New York slice shop.

The menu offers signature pies available in both Classic and Vegan versions, like one topped with salami, Calabrian chili, red onion, ricotta and parmesan. And take the cannoli.

Pizzas at Zio Peppe (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Zio Peppe

6502 E Tanque Verde RdEastside

Zio Peppe on East Tanque Verde Road in Tucson offers a modern, welcoming atmosphere with a blend of rustic and contemporary design elements. The interior features warm wood tones, an open pizza kitchen with a stone hearth oven, and comfortable seating that creates a casual yet refined dining experience. Known for its fusion of Italian-American and Sonoran flavors, Zio Peppe provides a unique Tucson culinary experience.

Signature dishes include the El Rustico Birria Pizza, topped with beef birria, mozzarella, onion, and cilantro, served with a side of consommé for dipping. The Fettuccine Alfredorado combines creamy Alfredo sauce with red chile purée and slow-fried garlic, offering a spicy twist on a classic favorite. For dessert, get the Taconnoli, a cannoli-inspired taco filled with ricotta, mascarpone, pistachios, and orange zest

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IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. 

Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.
THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 

@Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. 

Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. 

The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. 

WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave.
TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free
 
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• Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID

ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 @Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave. TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free SPECIAL ADMISSION: • Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID • Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups • Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.
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Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
Photos by @sea_lyonAnne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @sea_lyon
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More guides on Tucsonfoodie.comScratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜 @ikkyu.tucson @jaramencurry @kiwamiramenbar @kukai___ @marujapanesenoodle @maruplusaz @obonsushi @raijinramen @theramenbartucson @tossfriedchickennramen More guides on Tucsonfoodie.com