Brian Nagele
A thriving pie scene is one of Jacksonville, Florida’s tasty secrets for foodies. Jacksonville is known for its lively culture and charming coastal setting. You can find pizzerias that are masters at crafting flavorful, oven-baked masterpieces in every corner of this charming city. We’d like to take you on a culinary tour of Jacksonville’s pizza scene with us in this article, where we’ll introduce you to the restaurants that have become locals’ favorite spots. All of these places have their own distinct atmospheres, interesting histories, and, above all, menus full of mouthwatering dishes that capture the spirit of authentic Italian cooking.
10. Carmine’s
2677 Forbes St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
904-387-1400
Visit Website
Carmine’s Pie House, located on Forbes Street in the Riverside district, serves up traditional Italian pizza in an environment that’s anything but. When you go inside, you’ll see a ton of modern art on the wall, all provided by some of Jacksonville’s best artists. If you like a fun atmosphere and classic rock, you’ll have a blast at Carmine’s. On the other hand, the menu is as old-school Italian as it gets and is even “mother approved.” They offer both New York and Chicago deep dishes and sell by the slice, meaning that you can sample it before committing to a whole pie. I recommend the classic Margherita. It’s a classic trio of mozzarella, marinara, and fresh basil and Carmine’s nails it every single time.
9. V Pizza
Multiple locations
Visit Website
This chain has locations throughout the Jacksonville area, so you’re never far away from fresh, wood-fired pizza. At V’s, everything they make is cooked in their wood-fired ovens. That means crunchy char that will have you coming back again and again. V’s atmosphere is casual and comfortable, and they serve food made with high-quality ingredients that you can feel good about. They also offer Sunday brunch! For me, the best pizza at V is the Pizza Napoli. It has fresh mozzarella, eggplant, roasted red pepper, goat cheese, and more. If you’re in a vegetarian mood, it’s perfect. V’s signature wings are also cooked in the wood oven and are smokey and moist.
8. Moon River Pizza
1176 Edgewood Ave S, Jacksonville, FL 32205
904-389-4442
Visit Website
Moon River Pizza is near Murray Hill, on Edgewood Avenue South. This quirky destination offers a very simple menu and it’s one of my all-time favorite places to eat here in the city. You can get traditional pizza, calzones, breadsticks, and salad with various soft drinks, beer, and wine. Their focus on the basics means that everything you’re getting is clean, well-made, and delicious. If you’re a cheese lover, I recommend the White pizza, which comes with gorgonzola, feta, and fresh mozzarella and is finished with olive oil, oregano, and fresh garlic. To up the cheesiness even more, pair it with Moon River’s gorgonzola salad, which is covered in walnuts, Roma tomatoes, a light vinaigrette, and a whole lot of gorgonzola.
7. Picasso’s
10503 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32257
904-880-0811
Visit Website
Located on San Jose Boulevard right outside Plummers Cove, Picasso’s is an exquisite restaurant with great pizza that’s also good for private dining and special occasions! With a focus on fresh ingredients and making everything in-house, you know that the food is excellent. The restaurant focuses on bringing flavors from around the country to Jacksonville, making Picasso’s a truly unique experience. Picasso’s has a wide-ranging menu, but we come for the pizza! They offer a delicious St. Louis-style pizza. It’s square-cut, and the sauce and cheese combine to create a creamy texture you won’t find elsewhere. If you’re feeling extra hungry, I’m also a fan of the Butcher’s Special, which comes with pepperoni, house-made Italian sausage, pit-smoked ham, and bacon.
6. Joseph’s Pizza
7316 N Main St, Jacksonville, FL 32208
904-765-0335
Visit Website
Joseph’s Pizza sits right between Panama Park and Tallulah and is a Jacksonville Institution. Joseph’s was opened in 1956 and calls itself “Jacksonville’s Oldest Pizzeria.” From the moment you enter, you can feel the tradition and history. The smell of amazing, traditional Italian fare draws you in, and the pizza will have you hooked from the first bite. Joseph’s offers different types and sizes of pizzas from small to giant and also has a Sicilian-style option. If you’re going to Joseph’s, you have to try Joseph’s Special. Pepperoni, sausage, ham, beef, mushrooms, black olives, onions, green peppers, and anchovies combine to create the most classic pizza you could ever want.
5. Biggie’s Pizza
Multiple locations
Visit Website
Biggie’s Pizza offers locations throughout Jacksonville and is a great combination of classic New York with Jacksonville beach culture. When you go into Biggie’s, you’ll hear fun music and see lots of art. Their focus is unbelievable food at an unbelievable value. Biggie’s offers pizza and calzones, and you can try their favorites to see what you like best. For me, any meal at Biggie’s should include their Gambler Pie. Instead of a traditional marinara, they use a pink vodka sauce. On top of that is extra virgin olive oil, roasted garlic, mozzarella, ricotta, and romano, along with a hearty helping of prosciutto slices. Its classic Italian flavors are combined in a very tasty way.
4. Tony D’s New York Pizza
8358 Point Meadows Dr #10, Jacksonville, FL 32256
904-538-0555
Visit Website
Tony D’s sits on Point Meadows Drive and is just a few minutes away from Fort Family Park near one of my go-to sushi restaurants. So, you can go to the park for a day, grab some pizza from Tony D’s, and have an overall great day. Tony D’s screams “New York!” right as you enter the door. The chairs are even adorned with Yankees logos, so if you’re a Red Sox fan, you might want to keep that quiet.Tony D’s is known for traditional, New York-style cuisine, which means their pizza will be big and filling. I recommend newcomers try out the Margherita, made with fresh mozzarella, basil, marinara sauce, and olive oil. From there, step up to their chicken parm pizza, which is loaded with extra sauce, mozzarella, ricotta, and breaded chicken.
3. Mellow Mushroom
9734 Deer Lake Ct Ste 1, Jacksonville, FL 32246
904-997-1955
Visit Website
If you want a fresh and funky pizza spot, Mellow Mushroom is for you. Located in Town Center, Mellow Mushroom serves up delicious pizza in an eclectic and arty (but also family-friendly) environment. They aim for a fun, relaxed, and creative vibe. You might also see Mellow Mushroom’s Bake Bus, a mobile pizza van serving up their favorites, at local concerts and festivals. At Mellow Mushroom, I always get the House Special which is basically a supreme pizza. This is a classic crust and red sauce but with feta and mozzarella cheese, spinach, Roma tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, and a pesto swirl. If you’re of age, Mellow Mushrooms serves up amazing handmade cocktails with your pie.
2. Al’s Pizza
8060 Philips Hwy, Jacksonville, FL 32256
904-731-4300
Visit Website
Al’s Pizza, on Philips Highway near Brierwood, is a Jacksonville institution, having been in business since 1988. Al’s is well known for its dough (made fresh twice daily), fresh ingredients, and classic flavors. Al’s has a very contemporary vibe, but it’s very warm, great for both a Friday date and a family dinner. Al’s offers a wide variety of pizza, including multiple slice options. If you want something a little bit different, I recommend any of the Sicilian-style thick crust pizzas. These are a little heartier than the usual New York style, and they stand up well to tons of toppings.
1. Five Star Pizza
3325 Plymouth St, Jacksonville, FL 32205
904-388-8879
Visit Website
Five Star Pizza is a chain with locations all over the United States, but don’t let that make you think it doesn’t deserve a spot on this list. Five Star prides itself on sourcing the best possible ingredients, and getting you the best pizza at the lowest possible cost. Pizzas are hand-tossed, and cheese and vegetables are cut daily. Keep in mind, however, that Five Star is only delivery and takeout. Five Star has most of the classic pizza staples, so you can’t go wrong with any of those. I’m a big pepperoni fan, though, so I go with the Pepperoni Powerhouse, which has double meat and extra cheese. You’ll be so full that you might not want to make plans for the rest of the night, but it’s an awesome pizza.
Why Trust Us?
When it comes to local restaurant recommendations, we pride ourselves on being a reliable and trustworthy resource. Our suggestions are not just based on our personal experiences, ensuring a more authentic and well-rounded perspective, but also on extensive online research. We diligently searched the internet and reviewed 5 credible sites and blogs, including Tripadvisor.com and Jaxrestaurantreviews.com.
We compiled all the findings in one location and sorted them by the frequency of mentions to ensure you receive top-notch recommendations. We strive to present you with a curated list of establishments that truly stand out, allowing you to enjoy the best dining experiences possible.
Interested in the sources we consulted? Check out the list of all 5 sites we referenced below this paragraph, offering transparency and an opportunity for our readers to explore further. Our commitment is to deliver trustworthy and unparalleled recommendations, helping you make informed decisions on your culinary journeys.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g60805-c31-Jacksonville_Florida.html
https://www.jaxrestaurantreviews.com/beaches/six-best-pizza-places-jax/
https://miami.eater.com/maps/best-pizzas-jacksonville-florida
https://www.bacinos.com/best-pizza-in-jacksonville/
https://www.unation.com/stuff-to-do/best-pizza-in-jacksonville/
