This guide shares the best pizza places in Columbia, SC. Some are fancy, some are grab-and-go, and others are perfect for a night out with friends.
Whether you prefer New York-style pizza, Chicago pizza, thin crust, stuffed crust, the works, or all of the above, we’ve got you covered. This guide to the best pizza joints in Columbia shares all the spots and what to order.
One thing to note: these are NOT RANKED! Columbia’s pizza places are all so diverse and unique that it would be hard to pick favorites.
Where To Get Pizza In Columbia
Below is a map of pizza restaurants highlighted in our guide. We hope the map helps you find a restaurant nearby.
A Guide To The Best Pizza in Columbia
This pizza guide includes both Italian and non-Italian restaurants. If you are looking specifically for Italian eateries, check out our guide to Italian restaurants in Columbia.
2150 Sumter Street | the North Main area
Cottontown pizza place with high-quality pizza
If you are looking for top-quality handmade pizzas, Il Focolare needs to be on your list to try. They have been serving up pizzas baked in their wood-fired pizza oven since 2019.
Their pizzas are all 13″ and come with the standard toppings as well as some unique ones. Think: brussels sprouts & chevre goat cheese or their Potato & Rosemary pizzas for something different.
Il Focolare is located on the Cottontown side of the North Main Street district on Sumter Street. As a restaurant brought to you by James Beard semifinalist Sarah Simmons, the quality of the food does not disappoint.
Il Focolare is a very popular spot and there may be a bit of a wait for your pizza at peak times.
Brick oven pizza on Devine Street
Za’s on Devine is a great destination for brick oven pizza in Columbia. They are a full-service restaurant and bar with an upscale casual dining atmosphere.
It’s a great place to catch up with friends over a glass of wine and a delicious pizza. Za’s also offers other Italian entrees and appetizers.
And if you’re looking for takeout pizza, you can order ahead online!
Make sure to check out Za’s for their weekend brunch offering as well.
Charming Italian restaurant with authentic fare (including pizza!)
Il Giorgione is the quintessential neighborhood Italian restaurant and is a local favorite situated near Five Poitnts on Devine Street.
They have a range of classic pizzas that capture the flavors of Italy as well as a large selection of Italian wines.
The restaurant is small and cozy, so you may want to make reservations in advance. We love to sit outside in their patio area tucked between Il Giorgione and Backstreets Grill.
1615 North Beltline Boulevard | Forest Acres
Takeout pizza place in Forest Acres
Il Bucato is a takeout-only pizzeria offering pizzas, sandwiches and salads. Though all of their pizzas are great, we definitely think you should try their Cherry Pie with red wine-soaked cherries and goat cheese!
The Bucato Special is also a great pick– it’s their version of a supreme pizza. They have a large selection of 16″ pizzas and offer gluten free cauliflower crust in addition to their classic crust.
Apart from pizza, you’ll find sandwiches, salads and pasta on the menu.
Il Bucato is one of many great Forest Acres restaurants, conveniently located at the intersection of Beltline and Trenholm near AC Flora . This convenient location and easy online ordering make them one of the best takeout restaurants in Columbia.
1402 Jim Hamilton Boulevard | Rosewood
Brewery with great pizza in Columbia
Not only is The Hunter-Gatherer Hangar a great Columbia brewery, but they also serve excellent pizza.
The Hunter-Gatherer Hangar is located on the edge of Rosewood at Owen’s Field municipal airport. THe space is an old airplane hangar that has been repurposed into a brewery.
You can’t beat the atmosphere whether you eat inside in the massive hangar-turned-brewery, outside next to the airfield or on their rooftop observation deck looking over the runway.
Local favorite New York-Style pizzeria
Located in the heart of Five Points, Village Idiot Pizza is tucked away above Pho Viet Vietnamese restaurant. Serving their patrons in Five Points since 1990, this New York Style pizza joint is a local favorite for USC students and Gamecock fans alike.
Village Idiot is not just a pizza joint but also a lively pub, serving a large variety of beer, wine and cocktails.
Be sure to check out their website for happy hour deals and daily deal specials. They have trivia every Wednesday at 8 pm.
Village Idiot has a second location in Olympia at The Mills.
Groovy pizza restaurant in the Vista
Mellow Mushroom is a regional pizza chain based in Atlanta, but it feels very local on Gervais Street! It’s just across from the State House and is an excellent dining option if you are in The Vista.
We love the Kosmic Karma and the Wild in Havana pizzas. And their Greek Salad with their Esperana dressing is amazing!
If you’re opting for takeout pizza you can always order Mellow Mushroom online.
3008 Rosewood Drive | Rosewood
Pizza place and bar on Rosewood
Dano’s Pizza is a great authentic pizza place in Columbia. They are located on Rosewood Drive within walking distance of Shandon and Rosewood neighborhoods. Dano’s offers New York-style pizza by the slice or whole pizza.
Their pizzas are made with traditional toppings, including everything from veggie and meat lovers pizzas to white sauce and BBQ chicken pizza.
Dano’s also has several Italian entrees and salads. Try the antipasta salad!
The vibe inside Dano’s is always lively with a large bar and lots of TVs. They also have a covered patio with outdoor seating.
New Jersey Style Pizza in Five Points
Blue Pizza serves up authentic New Jersey-style pizza, which is where the sauce is on top of the cheese and toppings. Though most of Blue Pizza’s pies aren’t like that, the New Jersey Grandma Pie has mozzarella on the bottom!
Located in Five Points, Blue Pizza is a popular spot for Carolina students as well as residents from the surrounding neighborhoods. The lively and fun college-town atmosphere makes it a great place to hang out.
Blue Pizza has a great covered patio area for dining outdoors too. Of course, you can always order for pickup or delivery!
Pizzeria and pub near Carolina’s campus
Thirsty Fellow is a great destination for pizza in Columbia, SC. They have a build-your-own pizza model for their stone-fired pizzas, so the sky is the limit on what kind of pizza you want.
Located on Gadsden Street near the USC campus, it’s a popular spot for Gamecock students. Their covered deck is a great spot to enjoy a slice of pizza and a beer (and your dog is welcome too!)
945 Sabal Street | BullStreet District
Brewery in BullStreet District with pizza and pubfare
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant is a great destination if you are looking for pizza, burgers, tacos and even philly cheesesteak egg rolls. They have a small brewery on site, though it has more of a restaurant/ sports bar feel.
There are five varieties of pizza on Iron Hill’s menu, including a voodoo chicken with smoked gouda. You can order it for takeout or eat there.
4839 Forest Drive | Forest Acres
Pizza restaurant in Forest Acres
Schiano’s Old Time Pizza Restaurant is a fast-casual pizza parlor serving authentic NY-style pizza along with a wide variety of other Italian entrees.
Located on Forest Drive across the street from Trenholm Plaza, they have been a mainstay for pizza in Forest Acres for decades. Schiano’s has a classic pizza joint vibe that reminds me of being a kid and going out for pizza.
There’s a second Schiano’s location on Two Notch Road in Northeast Columbia.
Date night Italian restaurant with a few pizzas on the menu
While Villa Tronco only has two pizzas on the menu, we would be remiss if we did not mention the establishment that introduced pizza to Columbia, SC!
Villa Tronco’s claim to fame is not just that they are the oldest restaurant in the state of South Carolina, but also that they have been serving fine Italian cuisine for just as long. Included on the menu are their Tomato Sauce and Cheese Pizza and their Combination Pizza.
Villa Tronco is located in the heart of the city on Blanding Street just off Main Street. The restaurant’s iconic picturesque storefront draws you in with the promise of authentic Italian food. It is such a great spot for a date night or a special dinner out.
4365 Fort Jackson Boulevard | near Cross Hill Market
Iconic pizza place in Columbiawith a cheese salad
La Brascas Pizza near the Whole Foods shopping center is an iconic Columbia pizza place. They are known for their cheese salad and their ‘all the way’ pizza.
You can also customize your own pizza with a choice of over 15 toppings. La Brasca’s also has chicken wings, a few subs and several Italian desserts to choose from.
Now, La Brascas hasn’t changed much over the years. But that’s what makes it so special. It’s full of nostalgia for locals and we are certain that absolutely no one can get enough of the cheese salad.
