DINING
By Kelly Rouse
The Italians may have been credited with inventing pizza, but (in my opinion), Americans have perfected it. It surprised me to read in a recent article that Seattle is the most “pizza obsessed” city in the country (based on the number of pies ordered). I had my money on New York or Chicago.
Here in St. Pete, there are endless options for satisfying your “za” cravings. From deep dish to thin crust, meat or veggie lovers to specialty crusts, our local pizzerias have you covered. Sadly, we lost a few great places on the beachside due to hurricane damage (Vito & Michael’s, Verducci, and Slyce in St. Pete Beach among them). This storm season, do your part and support your neighborhood restaurants – you can start by visiting your favorite pizza purveyor or you can sample a “flavor frisbee” from one of our top picks below.
BROOKLYN PIZZA COMPANY
Born in New Jersey, Brad Fisher moved to Brooklyn as a kid and got his first job delivering pizzas. He later became the youngest manager of a major pizza franchise, overseeing several locations in Tampa Bay. He then took his pizza skills to the UK for a time before returning to Florida and opening his own pizzeria in St. Pete, which features all original recipes that date back to his Brooklyn days. Brooklyn Pizza Company focuses on handmade New York style thin and crispy pizza. They put their own spin on pies with selections like “Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza,” “The Coney Island Pizza,” and “Veggie Out.” You can order your own vegan cheese pie and they offer gluten-free cauliflower crust. And they don’t just serve delicious pizza. Their menu includes calzones, wings, salads, sandwiches (I recommend the “Mama’s Meatball Sub”), pasta, burgers, desserts, and more. Their staff goes the extra mile – one diner reported that the wait staff gave her three kids fresh dough and cookie cutters to play with at the table! Now that’s service. You can dine in or choose delivery and Brooklyn Pizza Company also caters.
Closed Mondays, Tues.-Fri. 4pm-9pm, Sat.- Sun. 11:30am-9pm
brooklynspizzaco.com
10785 Park Blvd., Seminole
THE VIOLET STONE
The Violet Stone got its start as a food truck in August 2022. Daniel Fekete and Brittany Costello opened their restaurant location in February 2023. Their reputation quickly spread as having some of the best pizza in the city. They are takeout only and are well known for their crispy “well-done” pizzas. “We don’t do a traditional Neopolitan pizza,” says Fekete. Standouts are the “Sticky Fingers” (cheese, blush vodka sauce, chorizo, hot honey drizzle) and the “The Italian Stallion” (cheese, sausage, broccoli rabe, ricotta). Their loaded Philly cheesesteaks and tasty sandwiches are popular too. In addition to the round 10” and 16” pizzas, they also offer Sicilian (rectangular pan). It’s a family business and the owners are proud to be part of the St. Pete community. Orders can be placed online. They also offer catering.
Closed Mondays, Tues.-Thurs. 11am-10pm
Fri.-Sat. 11am-11pm, Sun. 11am-9pm
thevioletstone.com
2607 MLK St. N, St. Pete
4th STREET PIZZA
If you’re looking for fabulous takeout or delivery pizza, calzones, or strombolis, you can’t go wrong with 4th Street Pizza. Their New York style pies are scrumptious. My favorite signature pie is the Opa!, which is a combination of fresh spinach, mushrooms, marinated artichokes, Kalamata olives, mozzarella, onions and feta. They offer a BBQ chicken and a Hawaiian, among many others. Their pizzas can be customized with the toppings of your choice. And they are always delivered nice and hot (and usually in less time than quoted). The menu also includes appetizers, salads, burgers, wings, wraps, baked sandwiches, “pastabilities” and sweet treats. They do catering as well. You can order online or call their friendly staff to place an order.
Sun.-Thurs. 10:30am- 9:30pm
Fri.-Sat. 10:30am-10:30pm
4thStreetPizzas.com
3187 Fourth St. N, St. Pete
CAPPY’S PIZZERIA
Cappy’s is charming eatery offering Chicago style deep dish pizza as well as New York style pizza and Greek salads. Tucked in a smallish building in historic Kenwood, there may be a bit of a wait if you are dining in, but it is worth it. Don’t skip their terrific Greek salad. I am not a Chicagoan, but I have had authentic Chicago deep dish pizza and Cappy’s delivers on the crust, toppings and flavors. For the lactose intolerant, they even offer dairy free deep dish pizza! The New York style is good too, but I’m partial to the Chicago deep dish when I can get it (and this is one of the few places in town that offers it). Service is welcoming and the atmosphere is warm. They don’t take reservations and don’t do delivery, but trust me the pizza warrants making the trip for to go or dine in.
Sun.-Thurs. 5pm-9pm
Fri.-Sat. 5pm-10pm
cappyspizzaonline.com
2900 First Ave. N., St. Pete