Ask any local and they’ll insist their favorite pizza spot is the best in Wilmington, but this coastal city punches above its weight when it comes to pies. Whether you crave wood-fired Neapolitan perfection, creative New York-style slices, or a place that lets you pile on every topping in sight, Wilmington has a pizza shop to match your mood.
Let’s get to it.
Cugino Forno Wilmington
At Cugino Forno Wilmington, the focus is pure Neapolitan pizza. Dough is hand-tossed and proofed for 48 hours before it hits one of their 7,000-pound ovens shipped directly from Italy. The intense heat creates a chewy, charred crust that stays soft in the center.
Toppings here make an impression. You’ll find smoked ham, buffalo mozzarella imported from Italy, or the Americano pie topped with mortadella and pistachios. Desserts include house-made cannoli, double-decker tiramisu, and gelato served alongside your final slice.
The dining room occupies a former 1946 Buick dealership beside a brewery, blending industrial charm with warm lighting. It’s equally suited for a casual Tuesday evening among friends or a family takeout meal. Service is attentive and the atmosphere relaxed, making each visit feel like a special occasion.
Prices lean toward the higher side, but repeat visits indicate that patrons appreciate the quality of ingredients and authentic approach. Cugino Forno Wilmington proves that serious pizza craft can be both fun and reliable.
Pizzeria Don Luca
Stepping into Pizzeria Don Luca, you’ll discover a lively spot in the Brooklyn Arts District that celebrates thin, hand-stretched pies. The menu blends classic flavors with creative twists like a Hot Honey Pepperoni, Elote pie, and Pickle Bacon Ranch. Fans of Four Seasons, vegetarian, vegan, or Hawaiian pizza will all find something to enjoy.
The crust has a satisfying contrast of crisp edges and soft, airy chew. Cheese comes from a custom-shredded blend and sauce is prepared in-house with garlic and basil. Even the sausage is homemade. Wings arrive baked with a selection of house sauces.
Inside seating accommodates about 20 to 30 people, while a patio offers outdoor dining on mild days. Service covers dine-in, delivery, and catering, making it easy to order for a small gathering or a larger event. Prices remain moderate, reflecting the solid ingredients and local ownership.
Pizzeria Don Luca keeps the atmosphere cozy and low-key. This neighborhood pizzeria strikes a balance between familiar comfort and inventive toppings.
Jax 5th Avenue Deli & Ale House
Since 2012, Jax 5th Avenue Deli & Ale House has served Wilmington as a casual sports bar and neighborhood deli. The menu features pub favorites like hearty Boar’s Head sandwiches alongside inventive pizzas. The Crab Cake Pizza, for example, combines Maryland lump crab cakes, tomato, bacon, smoked Gouda, Old Bay seasoning, and a remoulade drizzle. If you prefer a loaded classic, the Garbage Pizza piles on peppers, olives, capicola, and salami.
You can also order pita pizzas topped with muffaletta olive relish, or the Two Crust Beefy Stuffed Pizza served with Guinness au jus on the side. Crusts are thin and crispy, and a gluten-free option is available.
Bar seating faces rows of HDTVs, making it easy to catch games while you dine. Beer enthusiasts will appreciate 24 taps and over 100 bottles and cans. Outdoor patio seating is available when the weather allows.
Whether you visit for a sandwich, a pizza pie, or a pint, Jax keeps things unpretentious. The pace is friendly, the beer list is extensive, and the complimentary sliced pickles are a simple but welcome touch.
Nicola’s Italian Restaurant
Since its opening on Oleander Drive in 2006, Nicola’s Italian Restaurant has built a loyal neighborhood following. This cozy spot welcomes families sharing a Tuesday dinner alongside groups celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. The dining room only seats a modest number of guests, so it fills up quickly. Doors open at 5 pm and the kitchen serves until last call around 9 or 10 pm, depending on the day.
The restaurant’s signature dish is a 12-inch Neapolitan-style pizza from a wood-fired oven. Classic options include the Meatsa, loaded with ham, pepperoni, sausage, salami, and mozzarella, plus a simple Margherita topped with fresh basil. Offerings extend to gluten-free and vegan crusts. Every pasta is made from scratch each morning, and desserts such as tiramisu and coconut cake are prepared in-house.
You will also find freshly baked bread and mozzarella pulled to order. Chef Nick Pittari grew up in New York and refined his craft in Sicily before settling here, and his experience shines through in every dish.
Agostino’s Pizza & Pasta
Agostino’s Pizza & Pasta feels like a textbook neighborhood pizzeria with bold flavor and large slices. Since 2018, owners Tony and Shari Agostino, veterans of Frank’s Pizza in New Jersey, have crafted daily fresh New York thin crust right here in Wilmington. The menu covers classics like pepperoni and Margherita, as well as Buffalo Chicken and Chicken Bacon Ranch.
A rotating slice case features adventurous offerings such as taco pizza, cheese tortellini Alfredo pie, and even a breakfast pizza. Prices stay reasonable, making lunch and quick slices a solid value. Scratch-made meatballs and house sauces add depth across pizzas, pasta dishes, subs, and calzones. Don’t skip the garlic knots, which have become a customer favorite.
The dining room welcomes families with sports on TV and a relaxed vibe. There’s also a drive-through for easy pickup. Italian desserts round out the selection. Agostino’s Pizza & Pasta balances an extensive menu with a neighborhood feel, offering both quick service and sit-down comfort.
I Love NY Pizza
Founded in 1980, I Love NY Pizza has served downtown Wilmington with classic New York-style slices and large pies. Papa Yianni brought his Greek heritage and Brooklyn pizza skills to this counter-service spot. Dough and sauce are made fresh daily, reflecting a “satisfaction over saving” approach to every bubbling pie.
The menu focuses on the essentials: massive thin-crust pizzas in 15- or 19-inch sizes, with options ranging from Buffalo Chicken and Meat Lovers to Greek pizza and the Rio Rancho, which is loaded with bacon. Strombolis and calzones are also available. Slices start at around four dollars, and a full pie remains wallet-friendly.
Service runs through takeout, curbside pickup, and a handful of patio tables outside. The place draws students, locals, and late-night crowds, especially on weekends when slices are sold until 3 AM. Lines can form, but they move quickly. No frills here, just straightforward pizza that sticks to proven methods and generous portion sizes.
Italian Bistro – Porters Neck
The moment you walk into Italian Bistro – Porters Neck, you notice the scent of bubbling mozzarella and fresh basil. This family-run restaurant makes everything from scratch, including dough, sauce, and cheese. You can choose a New York–style thin crust pizza in small, medium, or large sizes, or go for thick Sicilian slabs that hold extra toppings. Specialty pies like the Crostada or Momma Mia! rotate on the menu so you always have new combinations to try.
Beyond pizza, the kitchen fills orders for classic pastas, crisp salads with house dressings, and stuffed calzones. If you still have room, try a traditional dessert before you leave. The dining room seats around sixty people, with indoor and covered outdoor tables that feel lively on a Friday night. Prices stay wallet-friendly, especially during pizza specials. Since reservations are limited, arriving early is wise. For scratch-made comfort food in Porters Neck, this bistro delivers consistent quality in a warm, inviting setting.
Your Pie Pizza
Step up to the counter at Your Pie Pizza and you’ll find more than a menu. Over 60 ingredients line the bar and you pick whatever you like… the staff slides your creation into a brick oven right in front of you. You can go healthy with cauliflower crust or choose doughy vegan options. Traditional fans can opt for a 10-inch crust or go up to a larger size and add toppings like Hot Honey Pepperoni or seasonal Peach & Prosciutto.
The layout feels casual and social, like a Chipotle meets an open Italian kitchen. You might chat with families or friends on Oleander Drive as you wait. Alongside pizza, there’s local beer, wine, wings, and even gelato. Prices stay reasonable for homemade sauces and speedy service. This Wilmington outpost is locally owned and stays busy at lunch. If you want a seat right away, arrive early or prepare to wait near the door with your to-go box.
Tarantelli’s
Tarantelli’s in downtown Wilmington combines upscale-casual style with genuine Italian flavors. The brick-walled dining room near the river offers intimate tables and a lively patio. Dinner service relies on reservations to manage the steady stream of guests.
Scratch-made dough is stretched thin for pizzas topped with hand-crushed plum tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, and fresh basil. The Mais Estivo E Salsiccia Piccante pizza layers summer corn and spicy sausage for a unique twist.
The broader menu includes house-made pappardelle, a tableside cheese-wheel Spaghetti al Formaggio, and entrées that run past forty dollars but deliver on rich flavors and quality ingredients. Wine selections complement the food, and the Morabito-Henderson family has maintained this regional focus since 2016.
Tarantelli’s suits intimate date nights and family reunions alike. Dinner prices reflect the chef’s attention to detail, so the signature cheese wheel is worth every bite.
Brooklyn Pizza Co.
For over twenty years the Sywolski family has supplied Wilmington with classic New York slices and hearty Italian comfort. Dough is hand-rolled, proofed for 36 hours, then stretched to achieve that signature chew and fold in every bite. Their “Grandma” pizza pairs chunky tomato, big basil leaves, homemade mozzarella, and a generous hint of garlic.
Customers choose from thin, thick, or extra-well-done crust and range from pepperoni lovers to anchovy fans. Beyond pizza, you can order Jack Daniel’s wings, a crispy calzone, hearty lasagna, or a focaccia sandwich. Every cheese is never frozen, sauces simmer daily, and many toppings come from local producers.
Prices stay in an affordable range so students and families can fill up without worry. Inside, counter ordering and a handful of stools keep service quick. Regulars appreciate the no-frills approach, knowing they can drop in anytime for pizza done right.
Benny’s Big Time Pizzeria
At Benny’s Big Time Pizzeria, pizza lovers find a range of styles under one roof. Neapolitan pies emerge bubbly and charred from a custom oven, while New York-style 18-inch slices deliver a thin, crispy bite. The Grandma pan pizza is cold-proofed for 48 hours, resulting in a chewy crust with a glossy finish.
Signature pies feature playful names such as HI Barbie! and Meating of the Minds, a five-meat combo perfect for satisfying post-work hunger. Counter service welcomes walk-ins, and the dining room feels like an updated red-sauce joint inside a warehouse. Guests can also pull up a stool at the bar and order scratch-made pasta or garlic knots.
The Acunto Mario oven imported from Napoli adds authenticity, and local ingredients feature in many recipes. Prices are not bargain basement but reflect high-quality components. On weekends the kitchen stays open until 10 pm, making it an ideal spot for family gatherings or late-night pizza cravings.
Mellow Mushroom Wilmington
In Wilmington, Mellow Mushroom sets itself apart with creative flavor pairings and a playful atmosphere. Their hand-tossed crust is stone-baked for a satisfying bite whether you choose classic, thin, gluten-free, or vegan. Toppings range from curry chicken and sheep’s milk feta to artichoke hearts, portobello mushrooms, and banana peppers.
Inside, murals cover the walls and oversized booths invite you to settle in. On warm evenings the riverfront patio fills with families, college students, and visitors sharing oversized pies. Daily drink specials and more than 30 craft draft beers offer plenty of options before you decide on which calzone suits you best.
Prices for individual pizzas range from $12 to $20. Group and student discounts help keep costs reasonable. A busy lunch rush and an evening crowd underscore the restaurant’s appeal. The scratch-made dough really stands out, making you wonder why every pizza crust isn’t made the same way.
