Let’s be honest, the best pizza in Utica is usually the one you can grab on a whim. But with so many legendary spots across the city, you owe it to yourself to seek out something truly memorable. From crispy, cheese-laden slices dripping with sauce to pies piled high with toppings that rival a deli counter, here’s where to find the best pizza across Utica.
Tony’s Pizzeria
$ | (315) 724-0537 | WEBSITE
The sausage pizza at Tony’s Pizzeria is the only good thing about this highly-recommended (i.e., busy) pizza spot. The place is very on-brand for Utica—steady crowds, décor that hasn’t changed since the late 1990s, servers who are mentally juggling a dozen different orders at any given time—but wow, is that sausage pizza a work of beauty. The standard pie that comes with tomato sauce, mozzarella and fennel sausage is great, but it’s the meatball sub you want.
Piled inside is their homemade meatball, a savory, tender Italian-American classic that lends a nice richness and extra heft to the sandwich.
Lukins Brick Oven Pizza
$ | (315) 735-8546 | WEBSITE
We rarely prioritize subtlety in pizza, but at Lukins Brick Oven Pizza in Utica, it’s the tiny details that set their classic thin style apart. Generous toppings add flavor to the whole thing, and slices that are way bigger than expected lift the dish to a satisfying next level.
Napoli’s Italian Bakery & Deli
$ | (315) 798-8709 | WEBSITE
Napoli’s Italian Bakery & Deli serves up delicious treats and meals at an affordable price, except this casual bakery closes at 6pm and, as you can guess by the title of this guide, its pastries are far from ordinary. This Utica spot has a great selection of donuts and pastries to cater to various tastes, like the Sicilian sausage roll, which provides more than enough food for a family of three.
Plenty of thought (and care) goes into these hearty treats, and it shows, from the generously stuffed sausage rolls to the perfectly glazed donuts. One of these satisfying meals will run you about $12, but it’s packed to the brim with savory fillings, meaning no bites of plain bread.
Chesterfield’s TAVOLO
$$ | (315) 732-9356 | WEBSITE
If you’re craving pizza that’s more than just a meal, Chesterfield’s TAVOLO should be at the top of your list in Utica. This welcoming spot serves pies the size of hubcaps, loaded with fresh toppings, perfectly baked crust, and tangy sauce. Order the riggies on the side, and make sure you reserve a table on the patio ahead of time so you don’t miss out.
O’Scugnizzo Pizzeria
$ | (315) 732-6149 | WEBSITE
O’Scugnizzo Pizzeria is a bona fide Utica pizza institution. We typically order the Melonaise Pizza, which comes with their signature sauce, a perfect blend of cheeses, and a crust that’s both crispy and chewy in all the right places (this is a good thing). Their Roasted Pork Sandwich on the side is also excellent. Our only complaint is that despite the quality, it’s not the cheapest pizza in town. So if you’re looking for a budget slice to fill you up, this might not be your place.
Palermo Pizzeria
$ | (315) 734-1234 | WEBSITE
Palermo Pizzeria built its reputation serving classic New York-style pizza in Utica. Now this family-owned spot has a cozy restaurant, near Dunkin Donuts, where you’ll find their signature garlic pizza and buttery wings seven days a week (they’re open late). Consider these satisfying combos the “comfort food” of pizza joints: a small garlic pizza is paired with garlic parm wings that balance flavor perfectly.
The finishing touch is the friendly, family-like atmosphere where the owner shares the restaurant’s story.
Nina’s Pizza
$ | (315) 507-4577 | WEBSITE
The ‘Mo!’ pizza at Nina’s is modest in size compared to some of the gargantuan slices on this guide, but it makes up for it in sheer flavor. The crispy chunks of bacon are front and center in each bite, with tender broccoli florets, creamy ranch drizzle, and molten mozzarella cheese oozing from the crust like it was a just-fired brick oven masterpiece.
The perfectly charred crust adds a nice crunch, and the well-seasoned hot wings on the side are like Icy Hot for your tongue, crispy and spicy at the same time.
Tony’s Pizza of Yorkville
$ | (315) 724-2444 | WEBSITE
Tony’s Pizza of Yorkville serves the same incredible pizza and calzones as their original Yorkville location. But at Tony’s, you don’t have to wait in long lines during peak hours. Our favorite version of this satisfying meal comes with fluffy and crispy crust, flavorful toppings, and melted cheese trying to bust its way through the seams of the calzone. The sausage calzone is nice and hefty, but still compact enough to share with a friend or save half for later.
Tony’s offers these perfect calzones every day of the week. Come hungry because the large pepperoni pizza occasionally sells out during busy evenings.
Joey’s @307 Restaurant
$$ | (315) 864-3527 | WEBSITE
Opening its doors each afternoon, Joey’s @307 Restaurant welcomes you with the aroma of slow-roasting beef, garlic simmering in olive oil, and fresh dough rising for the evening’s pizzas. Combine these elements on a sturdy hoagie roll, and you’ll find Joey’s standout French Dip, which is essentially a hearty Italian-American meal served with care. The tender beef practically dissolves on the tongue, and the au jus is a rich, savory broth with a hint of herbs.
The crisp steak-cut fries and the warm, crusty bread come together to create a comforting bite, but be sure to ask the attentive staff for extra jus for an added layer of flavor.
Pizzeria Italia
$ | (315) 790-6019 | WEBSITE
The famous Upside Down Pizza at Pizzeria Italia in Utica is named for its unique baking method that puts the cheese directly on the crust. And honestly, it’s hard to imagine a better meal if you’re craving that perfect combination of crispy crust and melty cheese. This pizza is topped with rich tomato sauce and a generous layer of mozzarella, baked until the edges are golden and the center is bubbling. They don’t skimp on the quality ingredients.
They’ll even let you add extra toppings if that’s your preference. We suggest pairing it with their loaded salad, which is fresh and hearty with plenty of meat and cheese.
Pizza Plus
$ | (315) 734-0835 | WEBSITE
This cozy Italian spot in Utica serves two standout calzones: the classic pepperoni and cheese version, and the far more substantial chicken and veggie number stuffed with garlicky goodness and sealed in a golden-brown dough. Follow the lead of the regulars grabbing dinner after work, and get the namesake. Taking nothing away from the semi-crispy bottom, the filling does the heavy lifting: a generous portion of the richest, cheesiest blend imaginable.
You can add extra wings for $5, but save your appetite. It’s perfect as is.
North End Pizza & Tap
$ | (315) 266-0450 | WEBSITE
North End Pizza & Tap is, at its heart, a pizza joint. But the Utica spot also serves an incredible fish fry. We have a hard time choosing between the pizza and the fish fry, both of which come in generous portions. So get one of each, or just come back next week. Also, remember to grab a bowl of potato soup while you’re there.
Two Brothers Cafe and Pizzeria
$ | (315) 400-6976 | WEBSITE
Two Brothers Cafe and Pizzeria in Utica is a pizzeria with a poorly kept secret: The Chicken, Bacon, Ranch Pizza. Each pie comes topped with tender grilled chicken, crispy bacon bits, creamy ranch drizzle, and a perfect blend of mozzarella and cheddar. If it sounds like too much of a good thing, you’re wrong. It’s the exact right amount of good things.
Swifty’s Restaurant & Pub
$ | (315) 733-6611 | WEBSITE
Swifty’s Restaurant & Pub mostly serves its classic pub fare to locals and travelers, but it also offers a truly satisfying meal with any of the reliable menu staples like chicken fingers, salmon, or fish and chips. While they’re all decent, we especially like the hand-cut fries that come seasoned just right.
Savage Pizza Two LLC
$ | (315) 859-6817 | WEBSITE
Savage Pizza Two LLC is a food truck in Utica serving straightforward, satisfying meals like steak subs, savage wings, and chicken riggies. But what makes them so good is the fried dough—it’s fresh, flavorful, and a real standout. Ask for it with your order, and then maybe get a second piece, because you can never have too much.
Rosario’s Pizzeria East Utica
$ | (315) 724-6016 | WEBSITE
Rosario’s Pizzeria East Utica, which serves up some of the best pizza in town, offers a thick crust pizza that’s golden and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. If that description doesn’t make your mouth water, we might have to question your taste buds. Their fantastic buffalo chicken salad can also be paired with awesome wings or a must-try fish fry served with exceptional fries and fresh cole slaw, but we almost always go for the highlight cold subs with fresh bread and quality meats.
If you’re looking for a warm, community-centered atmosphere with incredibly friendly service, Rosario’s has both take-out and sit-down options with plenty of parking.