Travel Itinerary
Florida’s sunny beaches might get all the attention, but the state’s pizza scene deserves some serious spotlight too.
Beyond the big chains lie amazing family-owned pizzerias crafting mind-blowing pies with secret recipes and unique techniques.
These hidden gems offer everything from authentic New York-style slices to innovative coal-fired creations that’ll make your taste buds dance.
1. Joey’s Pizza & Pasta House – Marco Island
Tucked away in a quiet corner of Marco Island, this family-owned treasure serves up slices that locals guard like a secret beach spot.
Hand-tossed dough meets farm-fresh toppings in perfect harmony here. Regulars swear by the Margherita pizza with its perfectly charred crust and basil so fresh you’d think it was picked minutes ago.
2. Eddie & Sam’s N.Y. Pizza – Tampa
What makes this Tampa gem extraordinary? Water imported straight from New York City to create that authentic Big Apple crust texture!
Lines often form around lunchtime as downtown workers crave those massive, foldable slices. Bite into their pepperoni slice and you’ll understand why New York transplants claim it’s the closest thing to home outside the five boroughs.
3. Satchel’s Pizza – Gainesville
Quirky doesn’t begin to describe this Gainesville institution where you can dine inside an actual vintage VW van!
Artistic vibes flow throughout this eclectic spot filled with bottle-cap mosaics and local artwork. College students and professors alike bond over the deep-dish pies topped with homemade sauce that strikes the perfect sweet-tangy balance.
4. Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza – Clearwater
Watching pizza makers slide dough into blazing 900-degree coal ovens might be the best pre-dinner show in Clearwater!
Smoke wafts through the air as crispy-bottomed pies emerge with perfectly bubbled crusts. Grandma’s recipe influences every aspect here, from the hand-crushed tomatoes to the house-made mozzarella that stretches for days with each delicious bite.
5. Tucci’s Fire N Coal Pizza – Boca Raton
Sophistication meets simplicity at this upscale Boca Raton hideaway where coal and wood fires combine for crust perfection.
Fancy Ferrari owners park alongside beach-goers’ jeeps in the lot outside. Inside, everyone unites over thin-crust masterpieces topped with imported Italian ingredients and finished with olive oils so good you’ll want to drink them straight.
6. Pizzeria Delfina – Miami Beach
Sandwiched between flashy South Beach establishments sits this unassuming spot where California-inspired pizza meets Florida sunshine.
Celebrity sightings happen regularly, yet the owners maintain a humble, food-first approach. Seasonal ingredients shine on every pie, especially the summer special featuring local corn, bacon, and a hint of truffle that’ll haunt your dreams.
7. V Pizza – Jacksonville
Authenticity obsession reaches new heights at Jacksonville’s V Pizza, where volcanic stone ovens imported from Italy create 900-degree heat magic.
Navy veterans often recommend this spot to newcomers stationed at the nearby base. Purists rave about the Vesuvio pizza with its perfect char marks and minimal toppings that showcase the incredible dough fermented for 48 hours.
8. Scarpino’s Family Restaurant – Pompano Beach
Old-school Italian charm flows through this 40-year Pompano Beach institution where three generations of Scarpinos still make dough daily.
Vinyl booths and checkered tablecloths transport you straight to 1970s New Jersey. Locals claim the secret to their addictive slices lies in the water filtration system specially designed to replicate New York’s famous tap water chemistry.
9. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria – Palm Beach Gardens
Coal-fired magic happens beneath the Palm Beach Gardens stars at this Brooklyn transplant’s Florida outpost.
Golf champions and everyday pizza lovers sit side by side at the outdoor tables. Each pie emerges with that distinctive smoky flavor only achieved through decades of pizza-making wisdom and temperatures that would make most home ovens explode.
10. Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza – Fort Lauderdale
Crispy-edged perfection defines every pie at this Fort Lauderdale institution where 800-degree ovens transform simple ingredients into flavor explosions.
Yachties fresh off their boats mingle with locals at the busy bar. Signature well-done roasted cauliflower pizza converts vegetable skeptics daily, while the coal-fired wings might make you question everything you thought you knew about pizza joint appetizers.