Whether you crave late-night slices or artisanal Neapolitan creations, Athens serves up some of the most satisfying pizza around. From cozy neighborhood joints to bustling downtown favorites, there’s truly a pie for every personality and preference in this lively college town.
Let’s get to it.
Stoners Pizza Joint
At Stoner’s Pizza Joint in downtown Athens, the focus is on straightforward, crave-worthy pizza rather than fancy trends. The menu includes hand-tossed dough, New York-style thin crust, and a flatbread option for an extra two dollars. Every pie starts with dough mixed and stretched in house each morning, then gets piled with fresh veggies and generous portions of meat. The Nice to Meat You is a carnivore’s delight with ground beef, pepperoni, sausage, ham, and bacon. The pickle pizza combines bacon, ranch dressing, and heaps of dill pickles for an unexpectedly tasty bite.
Located on East Broad Street, Stoner’s stays open until 2 a.m. or later on weekends, making it a popular stop after the bars close. It operates on a counter-service model, accommodating solo diners, groups, and sports fans eager to shout at a big TV. Rustic wood tables and colorful wall art keep your eyes busy while you wait for garlic knots. Free Wi-Fi, a value menu (a large one-topping for $5.99), and a rewards program ensure most visitors find a reason to return, even if it’s just for a late-night cinnamon roll.
ZZ & Simone’s
ZZ & Simone’s has swiftly become an Athens favorite by pairing a mid-century modern interior with authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas. The crust is soft and flexible, never aiming for extra crunch. Toppings take the lead: Meyer lemon with red onion and chile flakes, spicy sausage drizzled with honey, and a classic Margherita keep the menu balanced. For a luxurious twist, paddlefish caviar can join any pie.
Beyond pizza, the kitchen turns out house-made pastas like rigatoni alla vodka and linguine with clams. Entrées include bistecca alla Fiorentina and chianti-braised short ribs. Desserts feature freshly churned gelato, and weekend brunch brings a popular bagel tower. Located in Five Points near campus, the restaurant offers heated patio seating for cool evenings. Prices sit in the mid-range, offering refined Italian dishes without heavy damage to the wallet.
Automatic Pizza
Automatic Pizza captures the essence of a neighborhood pizzeria in its former Normaltown gas station setting. The counter-service space has a few tables indoors and outdoor seating under the original pump canopy, perfect for dog owners or anyone who enjoys fresh air. The menu centers on New York-style thin slices—large, foldable, and loaded with toppings—but also offers Sicilian squares and Greek-style white pies topped with feta and olives. The Chieftain pie brings every available meat to the table.
You can build your own creation or opt for a rotating daily special. Non-pizza options include subs, crisp salads, and cannoli for dessert. Local beers and wines are available while you wait for a small plastic toy animal to signal your order is ready. Slices start at just a couple of dollars, and whole pies stay well below high-end prices. Since opening in 2015, Automatic Pizza has kept things breezy yet serious about scratch-made dough and quality ingredients.
Cicis Pizza
Cicis Pizza in Athens offers an all-you-can-eat buffet that keeps fans coming back for more. As soon as you enter, the aroma of fresh dough and baked cheese fills the air. The pizza line features everything from classic pepperoni to macaroni-and-cheese pizza, plus flatbreads, deep-dish style, cheese-stuffed crusts, and rotating specialty pies. If you don’t spot your favorite, staff will even create a custom pie.
Alongside pizza, you’ll find a pasta bar and a full salad station stocked with crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and a variety of toppings. Dessert options include warm cinnamon rolls and fudgy brownies. The dining room handles families and larger groups, and kids stay entertained in the Game Zone arcade. At under nine dollars for adults, with special rates for children and frequent promotions, Cicis delivers on value more than bells and whistles. It’s a no-frills spot designed for maximum variety and minimal decision stress.
Peppino’s Pizzeria
For over 30 years, Peppino’s Pizzeria on Whitehall Road has been serving New York-style thin-crust pizza made from scratch each day. The crust is crisp on the edge, chewy in the center, and ready to hold heavy layers of homemade sauce, fresh veggies, and premium meats. Ten signature pies cover classic tastes like Meat Lovers and white pizza, and you can always build your own. Conventional ovens bake every order evenly, leaving no slice underdone.
Beyond pizza, the menu features subs piled high with Italian cold cuts, meatball sandwiches on soft rolls, and calzones or strombolis that deliver a hearty meal. Pasta dishes share the stage, alongside desserts such as cheesecake and tiramisu. Drinks are self-serve beers, wines, and sodas. You place your order at the counter, grab utensils, and settle into a booth or the shaded patio. The atmosphere is classic and family-friendly, lively at lunch and dinner. Prices reflect real ingredients and generous portions, making every dollar count.
Fully Loaded Pizza Kitchen
At Fully Loaded Pizza Kitchen, the focus isn’t on reinventing pizza but on perfecting every scratch-made New York-style pie. Creative options like the Thai One On and the Big Bad Buffalo Clucker prove you can top a thin crust with nearly anything. You’ll also find classic thin, gluten-free, and cauliflower crusts to suit various preferences.
The space doubles as a neighborhood hangout with a full bar, outdoor patio, and seven screens tuned to sports. On game days, expect a lively crowd of fans and buzzing conversation—even when someone’s just ordering a Greek salad. The menu also features hoagies, wings, and tempting desserts that beckon after two slices. Prices stay in the “reasonable for good pizza” range. Started in Watkinsville and expanded to Athens, Fully Loaded Pizza Kitchen remains rooted in community spirit. Whether you’re here for NFL Sunday Ticket or a standalone slice, you’ll leave satisfied.
Little Italy Pizzeria
Stepping into Little Italy Pizzeria in downtown Athens feels like visiting your favorite uncle’s pizza joint complete with classic arcade games in the corner. Owned by the Cortese family, this spot has been serving authentic New York-style pies and Sicilian thick-crust squares for years. Toppings include pepperoni, a big Italian combo, and even ricotta on the Pizza Binaca if you’re looking to elevate your slice.
They stay open late—yes, even at 2 AM—which explains the steady mix of students, solo diners, and groups sharing mountains of affordable slices. The menu reads like a comfort-food favorite: meat and veggie strombolis, hot and cold subs, wings, and more. Beer flows on draft and in bottles, and if you need to burn off an extra slice, you can challenge someone to Pac-Man or Galaga. Whether you choose dine-in, outdoor seating, delivery, or takeout, you’ll find a no-frills atmosphere built around late-night pizza and nostalgia.
Athens pizza
Athens Pizza on South Milledge Avenue blends classic pies with Greek-Mediterranean creations in a casual neighborhood setting. You can grab a basic cheese pizza under nine bucks or explore specialty options like the Athenian Pizza topped with spinach, artichoke, and feta. The Volcano Pizza layers hot-sauce chicken with a blue cheese drizzle, while the Gyro Pizza highlights savory meat and fresh veggies.
The crust stays crisp and golden unless you prefer gluten-free, and there’s always the build-your-own option. Families and UGA students crowd the stools and communal tables, or they place late-night orders for never-frozen wings, salads, or even seafood Alfredo. You’ll also find gyro wraps and baklava for dessert alongside a nod to cheesecake. Backed by the Papadopoulos family’s pizzeria pedigree, Athens Pizza sticks to scratch-made dough and sauces that keep customers returning.
Johnny’s New York Style Pizza
At Johnny’s New York Style Pizza in Athens, the dough is scratch-made daily and hand-tossed before hitting a stone deck. Since opening in 2006 under Matt and Alyson Potts, this location has upheld the legacy of Johnny Pace, who started the first shop in 1965. The menu offers classic thin-crust pies, like the Meat Deluxe loaded with assorted meats, or more upscale choices featuring feta and artichokes.
You’ll also find spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, Quattro Formaggio (four cheeses), and flatbread pizzas. A build-your-own 12″ pie runs around thirteen bucks, with specialty and gluten-free options available. The atmosphere caters to families, trivia nights, and sports fans watching on TV screens. Carryout and dine-in both stay busy, especially on late-night weekends. Subs, strombolis, beer, and a range of comfort foods round out the offerings, while the Dough Rewards loyalty program invites repeat visits.
Ted’s Most Best
Converted from an old tire garage, Ted’s Most Best feels more “come-as-you-are” hangout than fancy trattoria, and that’s part of its charm. The brick oven produces over 20 thin-crust pizzas, making it hard to choose just one. Try the Perella with goat cheese and basil or the meat-packed La Carne featuring sausage, prosciutto, meatballs, pepperoni, and smoked gouda. The Most Best Supreme covers the basics with pepperoni, sausage, and fresh veggies. Gluten-free diners get a dedicated crust, not just a side salad.
There’s indoor seating, a spacious outdoor patio, and even a bocce court—pet-friendly, too. Families and college students share the space, drawn by fair prices and a daily happy hour. Beyond pizza, you’ll find pasta, paninis, calzones, banana pudding, and cake pops. Free Wi-Fi and heated patio heaters round out the experience. Casual doesn’t mean clueless here; the staff knows their pizza and their patrons.
DePalma’s Italian Cafe
Operating since the late 1980s, DePalma’s Italian Cafe enjoys strong local support in Athens. The atmosphere is warm and lively, with big plates of pasta and pizza arriving steadily from the kitchen. Each pizza features a hand-tossed, New York-style crust that achieves a chewy interior and crispy edge. You’ll find classics like cheese or build-your-own alongside inventive pies such as the Blackened Veggie with spicy mascarpone and a traditional Margherita that keeps things simple.
The café also offers braided breadsticks ideal for dipping, and a gluten-free crust ensures no one misses out. Beyond pizza, the menu includes scratch-made calzones, hearty pasta dishes, and even grilled seafood options. Both Eastside and Westside patios welcome dogs on sunny afternoons. Prices start around eleven dollars for a cheese pie and rise to twenty-five for a large specialty. A full bar pours international wines and cocktails, while a private room accommodates larger parties. Takeout and delivery are available, making DePalma’s a reliable spot for genuine Italian flavors without pretense.
Mellow Mushroom Athens
Mellow Mushroom Athens blends a pizza joint, art gallery, and craft beer bar in downtown Athens. Colorful murals, sculptures, and knickknacks cover the walls, giving the space an eclectic feel. Located just off E. Clayton Street, it attracts college students, families, and professors alike. You’ll see families sharing loaded calzones and professors enjoying a Pacific Rim pizza topped with ham, bacon, pineapple, jalapeños, and caramelized onions. The combination of sweet, spicy, and sticky flavors sets it apart from your usual pie.
All pizzas are stone-baked on hand-tossed dough made from scratch each morning. The House Special stacks pepperoni, Italian sausage, ground beef, ham, bacon, and mushrooms to the brim. Gluten-free and vegan crusts are available, plus enough toppings to craft a custom creation. Beyond pizza, the menu features loaded calzones, fresh salads, hoagies, burgers, and wings that hold their own. Cocktails and a rotating selection of over forty beers complete the lineup. Mellow Mushroom Athens has perfected the laid-back downtown hangout without overdoing it.
