01
Best overall pick
LaRosa's Pizzeria – White Oak
White Oak On Cheviot Road • Family-Friendly Cincinnati-Style Pizzeria • Local Family Favorite
The White Oak LaRosa's is the dependable neighborhood standby for sweet-sauce Cincinnati-style pies and crowd-pleasing Italian comfort food.
If you grew up on the West Side, you probably have a LaRosa's order memorized, and the White Oak store feels built for those multi-generational habits. The crust is soft with a light crunch at the edge, the sauce leans sweet, and the menu stretches from build-your-own pizzas to hoagies and pastas. It’s the spot locals default to for birthday dinners, team parties, and Sunday night takeout when nobody wants to cook.
02
Best West Side institution
Trotta's Pizza & Drive Thru
Westwood Along Werk Road • Old-School Pizza-By-The-Sheet Spot • Best For Feeding A Crowd
Trotta's turns out hefty, pan-baked pizzas and “by-the-sheet” orders that have anchored West Side gatherings for decades.
This is classic Westwood: no-frills, generous portions, and a crust that can hold up under serious toppings. The move here is to order a sheet pizza for parties or game day, with square-cut slices that disappear faster than you’d expect. It’s an easy hop from White Oak and a go-to when you need to feed a lot of people on a reasonable budget without sacrificing that nostalgic, corner-shop flavor.
03
Game-night standby
Queen City Pizza
Westwood Near Queen City Avenue • Casual Carryout And Delivery Joint • Best For Takeout And Delivery
Queen City Pizza is a West Side staple for fast, cheesy pies and wings that hit the table just in time for kickoff.
The vibe here is all about convenience and comfort: big, cheesy pizzas, meaty toppings, and plenty of sauce options, with friendly counter service and efficient delivery. Locals lean on it for Bengals and Reds games, family movie nights, and late dinners after kids’ practices. From White Oak, it’s a quick drive down the hill when you want straightforward, satisfying pizza without a sit-down commitment.
04
Classic neighborhood pizzeria
Italianette Pizza – North College Hill
North College Hill Off W. Galbraith Road • Traditional Thin-Crust Pizzeria • Best For Old-School Slices
Italianette in North College Hill serves thin-crust, edge-to-edge pizzas with a vintage parlor feel and a loyal local following.
Expect crisp crusts, well-seasoned sauce, and a topping-heavy approach that feels straight out of a mid-century neighborhood parlor. The dining room is low-key, the staff knows their regulars, and the menu stays focused on pizza, subs, and a few Italian standards. It’s close enough to White Oak for a casual weeknight sit-down when you want something a little different from the big chains but just as reliable.
05
Worth-the-drive campus icon
Adriatico's New York Style Pizza
Clifton Heights Near The Uc Campus • Hearty, Sauce-Forward Campus Pizzeria • Best For Thick, Shareable Pies
Adriatico's is a UC-area legend known for its thick, chewy pies loaded with garlicy, red sauce and serious cheese pull.
It’s a bit of a drive from White Oak, but many locals make the trip when they’re craving a heavier, more New York–inspired pie. The signature thick-crust pizzas come in hefty squares and rectangles, with edges caramelized just enough from the cheese and sauce. Go with a group, split a large or a famous Bearcat-size pie, and expect to bring home leftovers for the next day’s lunch.