Newcomer’s guide to the 9 best pizza places in Birmingham, including MidiCi in Mountain Brook

As a girl who loves a hearty slice of pizza any day of the week, I went on a mission to find the best pizza in Birmingham—from my perspective.

If you caught my story on Caribbean food in Birmingham, you learned that I’m a newbie to the ‘ham’s gems.

After moving here in 2015, pizza was my very first and most passionate goal. I decided to step away from the big name chains I recognized from the ATL to provide y’all today with what I call a newcomer’s guide to pizza in Birmingham.

Here are my top picks for a deliciously satisfying pizza crawl:

Your Pie

What I love about Your Pie is the absolute creative freedom I have with making my pie. Imagine the Subway of pizzas: I walk in, take a look at the ingredient selections and go hard on exactly what I want. My favorite combination here is the classic mozzarella pie with bacon, garlic and extra cheese on top. There’s no such thing as too much cheese, people. The combination of fresh, fluffy dough and melted cheese makes my heart melt, too. It’s hands-down my favorite personal pizza in Birmingham.

2311 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N Suite 300, Birmingham, AL 35203

Salvatore’s Pizza and Pasta

When I’m looking for a giant New York style pie, I come here. Salvatore’s is your local, checkered-tablecloth Italian eatery. The crust here is slightly thicker but not deep dish. Expect fresh and generous toppings from Salvatore’s. Lastly, their cheesy pizzas are cooked to perfection.

1430 Gadsden Highway Suite 104 Birmingham, AL 35235

Slice Pizza and Brewhouse

Slice Pizza and Brewhouse is the perfect bar-type atmosphere for a Thursday afternoon. Sit outside or step indoors for a bustling ambience of people, music and TVs. Check out Bham Now’s shots from SliceFest, the summer festival hosted by Slice. Naturally you can get Slice pizza by the slice or by the whole. They buy their ingredients locally, and freshness makes a big difference. The crust is infused with seasoning, giving it a delightfully different taste from the rest. Slice also offers a lot of unique pie flavors like the Wing & A Prayer which combines the flavors of chicken wings with the body of a pie. I usually go for the Super Cheese, but feel free to venture out!

725 29th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35233

Little Italy’s Pizza and Pints

By far the best cheese bread I’ve ever had, ever. Once I’m done snacking on this cheesy appetizer, I’m almost too full to have more pie! But it’s worth it. I usually grab a slice of the small pie and take the rest home for later. Much like the cheese bread, the pizzas are packed up with mozzarella. Yum!

1914 11th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205

Post Office Pies

The pies from Post Office are Brooklyn style, which is different from a classic New York style because it’s a little thinner and a little crisper. What they lack in fluff, though, they show out in flavor. Every pie off the menu has that savory, brick-oven taste to it. The cheesy bread is baked just like the pizza: extra cheesy with lots of flavor. If you’re new like me and wondering about the name, the building literally used to be a post office. Now that’s cool.

209 41st St S, Birmingham, AL 35242

Tortugas

Good things take time, right? For this pizza place, it’s a good idea to call up to 45 minutes ahead of time so they can craft your perfect pie. My absolute recommendation is the Chicago style deep dish. That means the crust is thick and the sauce is on top of the cheese! If you like cheese, this is the place for you because you’re going to get plenty of it in a deep dish. It has so much that I usually only eat one or two slices. Don’t get me wrong! I love it, but man, I’m full just thinking about it.

1304 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233

DeVinci’s

A fantastic little hole in the wall in Homewood, DeVinci’s has apparently been around since the 60s. This local pizza joint is famous for their Mona Lisa MasterPizza. When I think of this place, I envision a real pizza pie. It’s a medium crust, and the ingredients are tucked gently beneath all the cheese. There’s something to be said about a good, old-fashioned pie.

2707 18th St S, Homewood, AL 35209

Pazzo Big Slice

The name is not an exaggeration! When you get a slice from Pazzo, it truly is a big slice. You might have a bigger appetite, but for me it’s one and done! The pie is just a bit thicker than a thin crust. If you’re not looking to get overloaded with cheese, this could be your pick.

1678 Montgomery Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35216

MidiCi Italian Kitchen

After reading my story, you’ve got to know how thrilled I am for a new pizzeria to open soon. (Update: MidiCi opened September 2018.) This joint is one of many restaurants coming this summer! MidiCi is a Neapolitan style pizzeria to open in Mountain Brook. One look at their website and you’ll know they’re the real deal. I can’t wait to see how they construct the Heart, the central kitchen and bar within the restaurant. This place will be an excellent addition to Mountain Brook’s pizza scene.

270 Rele St, Mountain Brook, AL 35223

What other pizza places do I need to try? Let me know!