01
Cozy converted firehouse
Fireside Pizza
Walnut Hills • Wood-Fired Brick-Oven Pizzeria • Best Wood-Fired Pick
A warmly lit former firehouse turning out blistered, wood-fired pies with a neighborhood feel.
Set in a restored firehouse, Fireside leans into simple, high-quality toppings and a chewy, leopard-spotted crust. It’s the kind of place where you linger over a margherita, a seasonal special, and a local draft. Grab a table inside on a cool night and watch the oven crew work, or head to the patio when the weather’s kind.
02
Classic campus institution
Adriatico's UC
Clifton Heights By Uc Campus • Hearty, Thick-Crust Pizzeria • Best For Big Groups
A beloved UC-adjacent staple known for hefty, saucy pies that can easily feed a whole table.
Adriatico’s is the go-to when you need serious volume: thick, cheesy pizzas with a slightly crisp edge and plenty of sauce. Students swear by the big, square pans loaded with pepperoni or sausage, but there are solid veggie and custom options too. It’s ideal for game days, late study nights, or any time you’re feeding a hungry crew on a budget.
03
Neighborhood crowd-pleaser
Dewey's Pizza - Clifton
Clifton Gaslight • Modern Neighborhood Pizzeria • Best For Creative Toppings
A polished but relaxed spot pairing crisp, medium-crust pies with inventive topping combinations.
Dewey’s Clifton location fits right into the Gaslight district, with an open kitchen and friendly, efficient service. The menu leans into riffs like buffalo chicken, southwest-inspired pies, and white pizzas, alongside a reliable build-your-own section. Start with a seasonal salad, split a specialty pie, and pair it with something from the rotating tap list.
04
Crispy pan specialists
Taglio - Columbia-Tusculum
Columbia-Tusculum • Crispy Pan And New York–Style Shop • Best For Takeout And Craft Beer
A sleek counter-service spot known for crispy-edged pan slices, classic New York rounds, and a strong beer selection.
Taglio’s square pan pies have that coveted crunchy edge and airy interior, with bold toppings that can stand up to the crust. You can also go round for more of a New York feel, ideal if you’re sharing a few different styles. Many locals grab a box to go, but the casual bar setup makes it easy to hang out over a couple of slices and a local IPA.
05
OTR slice standby
Lucy Blue Pizza - OTR
Over-The-Rhine • Counter-Service Slice Joint • Late-Night Favorite
A no-fuss OTR mainstay dealing generous slices to concertgoers, bar-hoppers, and neighborhood regulars.
Lucy Blue shines when you want something fast, satisfying, and decidedly un-fancy in the middle of Over-the-Rhine. The by-the-slice setup makes it easy to mix and match classics like pepperoni with rotating specialty pies. It’s especially handy after a show or a night on Vine Street, when a hot slice and some garlic sauce hit the spot.