We meticulously test and assess everything we review. Learn more about why you can trust us.

The 5 Best Pizza Places in Houston

The 5 Best Pizza Places in Houston

Our Criteria: 

Pizza Crust: We think a good crust should be crispy on the outside yet soft and chewy on the inside. In terms of thickness, we looked for thick crusts that left us satisfied. 

We also looked for crusts that had good flavor but didn’t overpower the other flavors of the pizza.
Pizza Sauce: In our opinion, a good pizza sauce should be well-balanced and not too sweet or too acidic. It should complement the crust and toppings rather than overpowering them. 

Hence, we chose pizza places with pizza sauces that had a good depth of flavor and were evenly distributed across the pizza.
Toppings:  We selected pizza places with fresh and high-quality toppings. We looked at whether the toppings were evenly distributed across the pizza and cooked to the right temperature. 

Additionally, we took into consideration whether the chosen pizza places had a variety of flavorful toppings. 
Overall Flavor: We aimed to select pizzas with a balanced flavor profile that left a satisfying taste in your mouth. Hence, we chose pizza places with a distinctive flavor in their pizzas that weren’t too salty, sweet, or acidic.

1. Betelgeuse Betelgeuse 

Website: Betelgeuse Betelgeuse 

Address: 2101 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007, United States

Contact Info: +1 713-640-5220

Hours:

  • Monday to Thursday: 4 PM to 2 AM 
  • Friday to Sunday: 12 PM to 2 AM 
Google Reviews Score4.6/5
Yelp Reviews Score4/5
Facebook Reviews Score5/5
Total Reviews4.5/5
Score Consistency4.5/5
Pizza Crust4.7/5
Pizza Sauce4.8/5
Toppings5/5
Overall Flavor 4.9/5

Pros

  • Spicy and zesty Calabrian pizza 
  • House-made pepperoni 
  • Thick pizza slices
  • Delicious “Space Balls”
  • Gooey Wisconsin cheese

Cons

  • Busy and crowded 

For our last team lunch, we tried the famed “Pepps” pizza and the “Alpha Centauri” pizza at Betelgeuse Betelgeuse. Almost everyone who recommended us to eat at Betelgeuse Betelgeuse claimed that both pizzas were out of this world, so we had to try them! 

We started with the Alpha Centauri, which featured house-made sausage, Calabrian chili oil, and orange zest. The first thing that caught our attention was the aroma. 

The combination of the spicy and sweet scents was tantalizing. The crust was thin and crispy, the toppings were evenly distributed, and the sausage was perfectly seasoned. 

In our opinion, the Calabrian chili oil added a nice kick to the pizza. At the same time, the orange zest provided a refreshing citrus flavor. 

We also thought the “Pepps” pizza was delicious. The house-made pepperoni was the standout ingredient in this classic pizza. 

The slices were thick and generously cut, with a slightly spicy kick that added to the overall flavor. The pepperoni was also perfectly cooked, with a crispy exterior that contrasted with the texture of the pizza crust.

Another highlight was the Wisconsin brick cheese used on the “Pepps” pizza. The cheese was gooey and melted to perfection, with a rich and creamy flavor that complemented the spicy pepperoni and savory sauce. 

But the real standouts of our meal were the Space Balls. These garlic beignets were like nothing we had ever tasted before. 

The dough was airy and light, and the garlic flavor was just right. We could have eaten two entire baskets of these delights! 

The only downside to eating at Betelgeuse Betelgeuse was how busy the place was. Still, considering how delicious their pizzas were, we think that’s a given. 

2. Pink’s Pizza 

Website: Pink’s Pizza 

Address: 3404 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77018, United States

Contact Info: +1 713-861-7465

Hours: Monday to Sunday: 11 AM to 10 PM 

Google Reviews Score4.2/5
Yelp Reviews Score3.5/5
Facebook Reviews Score4.2/5
Total Reviews4.2/5
Score Consistency4.2/5
Pizza Crust5/5
Pizza Sauce4.7/5
Toppings5/5
Overall Flavor 4.8/5

Pros

  • Creamy dairy-free mozzarella 
  • Crispy gluten-free crusts
  • Juicy charred chicken 
  • Delicious Mediterranean pizza 

Cons

  • Dirty tables
  • Disorganized staff
  • Long wait times 

We recently had lunch at Pink’s Pizza. From the moment we walked in, the aroma of freshly baked pizza wafted through the air, making our mouths water.

However, we noticed that our table wasn’t clean, so we had to ask the waiter to wipe it down. Also, their staff seemed a bit disorganized to us as we overheard the table next to us complaining about not having received their order even after 15 minutes had passed. 

Regardless of this, as we looked at the menu, one of the first things that stood out to us was their dairy-free mozzarella and gluten-free crust options. Of course, we had to try it! 

We also ordered “The Big Sleep” pizza, which included spinach, chicken, artichoke, feta, and garlic. The first thing we noticed was the perfect crispy crust, which held up well under the weight of the toppings. 

The dairy-free mozzarella had a great texture and melted beautifully, adding a creamy richness to each bite. Moreover, the spinach was fresh and bright, and the artichoke was tender and flavorful—not bitter in the slightest.

Furthermore, the chicken was cooked perfectly, with a nice char on the outside and juicy on the inside. We thought that the feta cheese added a nice tang and salty kick to the pizza, while the garlic provided a nice depth of flavor.

We also tried their Mediterranean pizza. This pizza was loaded with toppings, including black olives, sun-dried tomatoes, marinated artichokes, and double the feta cheese. 

By the way, we got this one with the gluten-free crust. It had just the right amount of char, giving it a great texture, and the toppings were perfectly balanced, with each ingredient shining through. 

The black olives were briny and salty, the sun-dried tomatoes were sweet and smoky, and in our opinion, the feta cheese added that final Mediterranean touch to it. 

Overall, we thought the combination of flavors was outstanding, and we found ourselves savoring every bite.

3. Coltivare Pizza & Garden  

Website: Coltivare Pizza & Garden  

Address: 3320 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007, United States

Contact Info: +1 832-203-7890

Hours:

  • Monday, Wednesday & Thursday: 5 PM to 10 PM 
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Friday & Saturday: 5 PM to 11 PM 
  • Sunday: 5 PM to 9 PM 
Google Reviews Score4.4/5
Yelp Reviews Score4/5
Facebook Reviews Score4.1/5
Total Reviews4.3/5
Score Consistency4.3/5
Pizza Crust4.5/5
Pizza Sauce4.8/5
Toppings4.5/5
Overall Flavor 4.7/5

Pros

  • Wood-fired pizzas
  • Flavorful Margherita   pizza
  • Smoky crust

Cons

  • Staff not attentive 
  • Tough crust 

We recently visited Coltivare Pizza & Garden to indulge in their famous wood-fired pizzas. Our experience at the restaurant was a mixed bag of emotions, with some aspects of the restaurant meeting up to claims we’ve heard about this place while others fell a bit short.

Firstly, the ambiance of the restaurant was quite impressive. The garden-themed decor, with lush greenery and colorful plants, created a cozy and inviting atmosphere that made us feel right at home. 

The outdoor seating area was particularly appealing, with the soft lighting and comfortable seating adding to the overall experience.

We ordered the Margherita  pizza, usually a safe choice at any pizzeria. 

The pizza arrived promptly, and we first noticed the perfect combination of colors on the pizza. 

The tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese were evenly distributed, and the crust had the perfect amount of char—in our opinion, that is. 

The first bite was heavenly, with the flavors of the fresh ingredients bursting in our mouths. The tomato sauce was flavorsome, and the mozzarella cheese was creamy and perfectly melted. 

As for the crust, we liked the distinct smoky flavor it had, but we thought the crust was tough to chew. 

Moreover, while the staff was friendly, they were not particularly attentive, and we had to wave down the waiter a couple of times to order drinks and ask for the check.

4. Ostia

Website: Ostia 

Address: 2032 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006, United States

Contact Info: +1 713-324-9288

Hours:

  • Monday to Saturday: 11:30 AM to 3 PM & 5 PM to 10 PM 
  • Sunday: 11:30 AM to 3 PM & 5 PM to 9 PM 
Google Reviews Score4.2/5
Yelp Reviews Score4/5
Total Reviews4/5
Score Consistency4/5
Pizza Crust5/5
Pizza Sauce4.9/5
Toppings4.5/5
Overall Flavor 4.8/5

Pros

  • Wood-fired pizza
  • Warm and inviting atmosphere 
  • Knowledgeable servers
  • Very nice savory Margherita pizza 
  • Classy presentation

Cons

  • Only served at lunchtime
  • Long waits without reservations

We recently visited Ostia, a cozy Italian restaurant, and we couldn’t resist trying their classic wood-fired Margherita  pizza. 

Before you rush down to Ostia, though, note that they only serve their pizzas during lunch, so that’s when you’ll have to go. Also, we recommend making a reservation like we did, as it’ll be hard to get a table without one—unless you don’t mind waiting for half an hour. 

Regardless, from the moment we walked in, we liked the warm and inviting atmosphere of the restaurant. The décor was elegant yet rustic, with exposed brick walls and dim lighting. 

We also loved the majority of plants that they used throughout the restaurant. 

But as soon as we saw the wood-fired oven, we knew we were in for a treat. 

As we ordered our food, we liked how our server was knowledgeable about the menu and made great recommendations, including a delicious bottle of red wine that paired perfectly with our pizza.

When we got our pizza, we found that the crust on our Margherita   pizza was crispy and chewy. Their classic tomato sauce had a savory flavor from the fresh herbs and roasted pureed tomatoes, which tangled with the strongly flavored mozzarella cheese. 

We also thought it was great how the chef arranged a few fresh basil leaves in the middle of the pizza for a classy presentation. 

What we liked the most though, was how the wood-fired oven gave the pizza a unique smoky flavor that couldn’t be replicated in a regular oven. Moreover, from a single bite, we could tell that the ingredients they use at Ostia were clearly of the highest quality. 

5. Tiny Champions

Website: Tiny Champions

Address: 2617 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77003, United States

Contact Info: +1 713-485-5329

Hours:

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday to Thursday: 5 PM to 10 PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 5 PM to 11 PM 
  • Sunday: 4 PM to 9 PM 
Google Reviews Score4.7/5
Yelp Reviews Score4.5/5
Total Reviews4.6/5
Score Consistency4.6/5
Pizza Crust5/5
Pizza Sauce4.8/5
Toppings4.6/5
Overall Flavor 4.7/5

Pros

  • Detroit-style pizza
  • Airy and crispy pizza crusts
  • Flavorful cheese pizza

Cons

  • Long waits 
  • Distracted servers
  • Overpowering fennel sausage pizza

A few of our team members went to dinner at Tiny Champions and tried their Detroit-style pepperoni pizza slices and Fennel Sausage pizza. 

The first thing that struck them about this place was the cozy atmosphere. However, they also noted how packed the place was. 

From what they overheard from others waiting to be seated, the wait without reservations can be over an hour. So don’t forget to make reservations for this place. 

Furthermore, our team members mentioned that the waiter they had was distracted and lagged when it came to taking their orders, and serving them. But this could have been due to the packed house Tiny Champions had.

Now onto the pizza—let us start by saying that our team members found the Detroit-style cheese pizza slices an absolute delight. They told us the crust was airy and crisp but not over-charred. 

While their cheese pizza was simply mozzarella and parmesan cheese with tomato sauce, our team members thought it was still flavorful. 

As for the fennel sausage pizza, our team members told us that it was good, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for them. As tasty as the fennel sausage was, our team members felt it overpowered the flavors of the red onions and the mixture of cheeses. 

Regardless, our team members liked how Tiny Champions used high-quality ingredients. Our team members told us they could taste the freshness of the ingredients in every bite. 

FAQs about Pizza in Houston 

Related topics