01
Dayton-style institution
Marion's Piazza
Shroyer Road Just North Of Oakwood • Classic Dayton-Style Thin-Crust Pizzeria • Local Legend For Big Groups
An old-school, square-cut favorite with huge dining rooms and consistently crispy thin crust.
If you ask longtime Oakwood and south Dayton residents where they grew up eating pizza, Marion’s is the name you hear most often. The crust is cracker-thin, the pies are cut into small squares, and toppings are scattered edge-to-edge in true Dayton style. It’s a go-to for birthday parties, team gatherings, and casual family nights when you want something familiar and reliably fast.
02
Best for craft beer and pies
Old Scratch Pizza
South Patterson Corridor Near Ud • Wood-Fired Neapolitan-Style Spot With Communal Tables • Best For Wood-Fired Creativity
Lively counter-service pizza with blistered crusts, inventive toppings, and an excellent craft beer lineup.
Old Scratch feels more like a modern beer hall than a traditional pizzeria, and it’s an easy hop from Oakwood via Patterson. Pies come out of the wood-fired oven with leopard-spotted crust and toppings that range from classic margherita to hot-honey, sausage, and veggie-forward combos. Long communal tables and a strong tap list make it ideal for meeting friends before a game or lingering over a casual weekend dinner.
03
Best family-friendly sit-down
Dewey's Pizza
Town & Country Center In Kettering • Sit-Down Gourmet Pizza Restaurant • Best For Families And Picky Eaters
A polished, family-friendly spot with an open kitchen, creative specialty pizzas, and build-your-own flexibility.
Dewey’s at Town & Country draws a steady mix of Oakwood families, UD students, and shoppers refueling after errands. You can watch the staff toss dough in the open kitchen while you wait on specialty pies with combinations like roasted garlic, goat cheese, or buffalo chicken. It’s a comfortable, reliably busy place where craft beer, solid salads, and half-and-half pizza options keep both adventurous and traditional eaters happy.
04
Best for a food-focused night out
Wheat Penny Oven and Bar
Near Downtown Dayton On Wayne Avenue • Creative California-Meets-Dayton Pizza Bar • Best For Date Night And Cocktails
Inventive, chef-driven pizzas with a chewy, well-charred crust, plus strong cocktails and shareable small plates.
Wheat Penny leans more restaurant than neighborhood slice shop, but the pizza is squarely at the center of the menu. The crust has a satisfying chew and char, and toppings skew seasonal and slightly adventurous—think roasted vegetables, house sausage, and thoughtful cheese blends. It’s a smart pick when you want something a bit more refined than a casual pie, with good drinks and a lively but not overwhelming atmosphere.
05
Classic tavern pizza experience
The Oregon Express
Oregon District In Downtown Dayton • Upstairs Tavern With Baked-To-Order Pies • Best For Late-Night Slices And Live Music
A laid-back bar known for its generously topped pizzas, upstairs vibe, and frequent live music in the Oregon District.
The Oregon Express is where Dayton’s bar scene and pizza culture intersect, a short drive from Oakwood when you’re craving a night out. The pies are hearty, with plenty of cheese and toppings over a sturdy crust that holds up well with a beer in hand. Go earlier in the evening for a relaxed meal, or time your visit with live music and patio weather for a casual, only-in-Dayton kind of experience.