Quick answer
Columbus, Ohio, might not be the first city that springs to mind when you think of pizza capitals, but prepare to be delightfully surprised. This Midwestern gem boasts a burgeoning food scene, and its pizza offerings are as diverse and dynamic as its neighborhoods. From classic thin-crust squares to authentic Neapolitan masterpieces and creative craft pies, Columbus truly has a slice for every palate.
- Best overall
- Yellow Brick Pizza
- Top pick
- Yellow Brick Pizza — For its innovative craft pies and lively atmosphere.
Top verdicts
- Yellow Brick Pizza: Those seeking unique, gourmet pizza creations in a hip, bustling atmosphere with great beer selections.
- Harvest Bar + Kitchen: Diners looking for sophisticated, authentic Neapolitan pizza in a stylish and comfortable setting.
- Paulie Gee's Slice Shop: A quick, satisfying NY-style slice or a whole pie with friends in a vibrant, trendy neighborhood.
The city's pizza heritage is deeply rooted in its 'Columbus-style' thin crust, a unique local tradition often characterized by cracker-thin crusts, edge-to-edge toppings, and square-cut slices perfect for sharing (or not!). This style has been a staple for generations, cherished in family-owned pizzerias that have become local institutions.
Beyond the beloved Columbus-style, the city's pizza scene has blossomed to include a wide array of international and modern interpretations. You'll find genuine Neapolitan pizzas emerging from scorching wood-fired ovens, robust New York-style slices that fold just right, and inventive craft pizzas pushing culinary boundaries with gourmet ingredients. Detroit-style squares, coal-fired pies, and even vegan options are readily available, ensuring Columbus keeps pace with national pizza trends while honoring its own distinct flavors.
Area map
All 10 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yellow Brick Pizza | Craft Pizza | mid | Olde Towne East |
| 2 | Harvest Bar + Kitchen | Neapolitan | mid | German Village |
| 3 | Paulie Gee's Slice Shop | New York Style | budget | Short North |
| 4 | Tommy's Pizza | Columbus Style | mid | Upper Arlington |
| 5 | Natalie's Coal Fired Pizza | Coal-Fired | mid | Worthington |
| 6 | Terita's Pizza | Columbus Style | budget | Franklinton |
| 7 | Hounddog's Three-Thirds Pizza & Pub | Deep Dish | budget | OSU Campus |
| 8 | Mikey's Late Night Slice | New York Style | budget | Downtown |
| 9 | Borgata Pizza Cafe | New York Style | mid | Dublin |
| 10 | Plank's Cafe & Pizzeria | Columbus Style | budget | German Village |
1Yellow Brick Pizza
shopQuick comparison
- Best for
- Those seeking unique, gourmet pizza creations in a hip, bustling atmosphere with great beer selections.
- Strengths
- Olde Towne East
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- Yellow Brick Pizza stands out for its imaginative craft pizzas, offering a menu that combines classic comfort with adventurous new flavors. It's a lively spot perfect for a fun night out with friends or family.
- What to order
- The 'Sweet Lady Jane' with pulled pork, pineapple, jalapeños, and BBQ sauce, or their 'Mushroom Head' for an earthy delight.
🕐 Opening hours
2Harvest Bar + Kitchen
shopQuick comparison
- Best for
- Diners looking for sophisticated, authentic Neapolitan pizza in a stylish and comfortable setting.
- Strengths
- German Village
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- Harvest delivers an authentic Neapolitan pizza experience with a focus on fresh, high-quality, and often local ingredients. Their wood-fired oven produces perfectly blistered crusts and exquisite flavor combinations.
- What to order
- The 'Spicy Yuma' with house-made chorizo and jalapeños, or the classic 'Margherita' for a taste of perfection.
🕐 Opening hours
3Paulie Gee's Slice Shop
shopQuick comparison
- Best for
- A quick, satisfying NY-style slice or a whole pie with friends in a vibrant, trendy neighborhood.
- Strengths
- Short North
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- Bringing Brooklyn's iconic Paulie Gee's to Columbus, this slice shop offers genuine New York-style pizzas by the slice or whole pie. Expect creative toppings alongside classic options in a cool, casual environment.
- What to order
- A slice of 'The Freddy Prince' for a pepperoni kick, or their unique 'Vegan Grape Expectations' for something different.
🕐 Opening hours
4Tommy's Pizza
shopQuick comparison
- Best for
- Families and anyone craving the quintessential Columbus-style thin-crust pizza experience.
- Strengths
- Upper Arlington
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- A true Columbus institution since 1952, Tommy's Pizza serves up classic Columbus-style thin-crust pizza with generous toppings and perfectly baked crusts. It's a taste of nostalgia for many locals.
- What to order
- The 'Super Deluxe' pizza with everything, or a classic pepperoni for that unmistakable Columbus thin-crust flavor.
🕐 Opening hours
5Natalie's Coal Fired Pizza
shopQuick comparison
- Best for
- Pizza lovers who appreciate a perfectly charred crust and unique flavor profiles, often accompanied by great live entertainment.
- Strengths
- Worthington
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- Natalie's offers a distinctive coal-fired pizza that boasts a crispy, slightly smoky crust and high-quality, fresh ingredients. Beyond the amazing food, it's also a renowned live music venue.
- What to order
- The 'Meatball & Ricotta' pizza or the 'Prosciutto & Arugula' for a fresh, savory experience.
🕐 Opening hours
6Terita's Pizza
shopQuick comparison
- Best for
- Fans of traditional, unpretentious Columbus-style pizza with a rich history and a strong local following.
- Strengths
- Franklinton
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- A true throwback, Terita's Pizza has been serving classic Columbus-style pizza since 1959. Their recipe for thin crust and plentiful toppings has earned them a loyal following and a reputation as a timeless local treasure.
- What to order
- A large pepperoni and mushroom pizza, square-cut, to experience classic Columbus comfort.
🕐 Opening hours
7Hounddog's Three-Thirds Pizza & Pub
shopQuick comparison
- Best for
- Students and anyone craving a substantial, unique deep-dish pizza in a laid-back, college-town pub environment.
- Strengths
- OSU Campus
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- Hounddog's offers a unique 'three-thirds' deep-dish pizza, known for its thick, flavorful crust and hearty toppings. It's a beloved spot near OSU campus, perfect for a filling meal.
- What to order
- Their signature 'Three-Thirds' pizza, loaded with your favorite combination of toppings.
🕐 Opening hours
8Mikey's Late Night Slice
shopQuick comparison
- Best for
- Anyone looking for a quick, satisfying, classic New York-style slice, especially after hours.
- Strengths
- Downtown
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- Mikey's is the undisputed king of late-night pizza in Columbus, offering massive, foldable New York-style slices. With multiple locations, it's a convenient and delicious stop for a quick bite anytime.
- What to order
- A classic pepperoni slice, or the 'Puff Mama' for a unique sweet and spicy experience.
🕐 Opening hours
9Borgata Pizza Cafe
shopQuick comparison
- Best for
- Families and groups seeking reliable, classic New York-style pizza and Italian comfort food.
- Strengths
- Dublin
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- Borgata Pizza Cafe brings authentic New York-style pizza to Columbus with a focus on quality ingredients and traditional preparation. Their consistent, delicious pies have made them a local favorite in the suburbs.
- What to order
- Their classic cheese and pepperoni New York pie, or a hearty 'Grandma Slice' for something thicker.
🕐 Opening hours
10Plank's Cafe & Pizzeria
shopQuick comparison
- Best for
- Those looking for a truly authentic, old-school Columbus pizza experience in a relaxed, historic bar setting.
- Strengths
- German Village
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- Plank's is a historic dive bar in German Village serving up classic Columbus-style thin-crust pizza in a no-frills setting. It's an unpretentious spot beloved by locals for its consistent quality and nostalgic charm.
- What to order
- A large pepperoni and sausage pizza, paired with a cold beer from their extensive selection.
🕐 Opening hours
Frequently asked questions
What defines 'Columbus-style' pizza?
Columbus-style pizza typically features a very thin, crispy crust with a slightly chewy edge, cut into distinctive square pieces (tavern cut). The toppings are often spread edge-to-edge, and the cheese frequently extends to the very perimeter, creating a delicious crispy border. It's designed for easy sharing and often comes from long-standing, family-owned establishments.
Are there good vegan or gluten-free pizza options in Columbus?
Yes, Columbus has an increasingly robust selection of vegan and gluten-free pizza options. Many pizzerias, including Yellow Brick Pizza and Harvest Bar + Kitchen, offer dedicated vegan cheese, plant-based toppings, and often vegan crusts. Gluten-free crusts are also widely available at most modern pizzerias; always confirm with the restaurant about cross-contamination practices if you have severe allergies.
Which Columbus pizza places are best for a late-night bite?
For those late-night cravings, Mikey's Late Night Slice is legendary, with several locations open well past midnight, especially on weekends. Yellow Brick Pizza also offers late-night hours and a vibrant atmosphere. Hounddog's Three-Thirds Pizza & Pub near OSU is another popular choice, catering to the college crowd until late hours.
What's the average cost for a pizza in Columbus?
The price of pizza in Columbus varies greatly depending on the style and establishment. A single New York-style slice can cost around $4-7. A full 14-inch Columbus-style or budget-friendly New York-style pizza might range from $15-22. For gourmet craft pizzas or authentic Neapolitan pies with premium ingredients, expect to pay between $20-30 for a medium or large pizza.
Which neighborhoods are best for pizza hopping in Columbus?
The Short North Arts District and German Village offer excellent concentrations of diverse pizza spots within walking or short driving distance. Downtown and the OSU Campus area also provide a good mix of classic and late-night options. Olde Towne East is another burgeoning area with fantastic local pizza finds.
Are there any deep-dish pizza options in Columbus?
While not as prevalent as thin-crust or Neapolitan, Columbus does have some great deep-dish choices. Hounddog's Three-Thirds Pizza & Pub is well-known for its unique 'three-thirds' deep-dish style, offering a hearty and distinctive pizza experience popular with locals and students alike.
Do Columbus pizzerias typically offer delivery or just dine-in/carryout?
Most pizzerias in Columbus offer carryout, and many also provide delivery, either directly through their own services or via third-party apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. It's always best to check the individual restaurant's website or call them directly for their current delivery options and service areas.
Is it customary to tip for pizza in Columbus?
Yes, it is customary to tip for pizza in Columbus, as it is across the United States. For dine-in service, a standard tip is 15-20% of the bill. For carryout, leaving a small tip (a few dollars or 10-15% for a large order) is appreciated. For delivery, a tip of 15-20% is expected, or a minimum of $5, to compensate the driver for their time and fuel.