15 Alabama Pizza Restaurants Where Time Tested Recipes Still Rule The Oven

Alabama’s pizza scene is full of hidden gems that have been serving the same delicious recipes for decades. These restaurants don’t follow trends or chase fads they stick to what works and what their loyal customers love.

When you bite into a slice at one of these classic spots, you’re tasting history, tradition, and the kind of quality that only comes from years of perfecting the craft.

1. DePalma’s Italian Cafe

When DePalma’s opened its doors back in the 1990s, the family behind it brought authentic recipes straight from Italy. Their pizza dough still gets hand-tossed every single day using the same flour blend and technique passed down through generations. You’ll notice the crust has that perfect balance crispy on the outside, soft and chewy inside.

I love how they don’t mess with what already works. Their marinara sauce simmers for hours using tomatoes, garlic, and secret spices that create a flavor you won’t find anywhere else. The cheese blend melts perfectly without getting greasy, and every topping tastes incredibly fresh.

If you visit, try their Margherita pizza to experience the simplicity and quality of their ingredients.

2. Gus’s Pizza

Did you know Gus’s has been flipping pizzas in the same location since 1971? That’s over fifty years of serving the same beloved recipes to multiple generations of families. Their secret weapon is an ancient brick oven that gives every pizza a slightly smoky, charred flavor that modern ovens just can’t replicate.

Gus’s keeps things simple but absolutely delicious. They use whole milk mozzarella that gets delivered fresh three times a week, and their pepperoni curls up into little crispy cups when it bakes. The sauce has a slight sweetness that balances beautifully with savory toppings.

Locals swear by their meat lovers pizza, which comes loaded with five different proteins.

3. Bettola

How does a restaurant maintain excellence for over two decades? Bettola proves it’s all about respecting tradition while never cutting corners. Their wood-fired oven reaches temperatures that create those signature leopard spots on the crust that pizza enthusiasts dream about.

It’s impressive how they source ingredients from local farms whenever possible, but their core recipe stays true to Neapolitan traditions. The dough ferments slowly for at least 24 hours, developing complex flavors that you can actually taste in every bite. Their San Marzano tomatoes come directly from Italy, ensuring authentic flavor.

The Prosciutto e Rucola pizza showcases their commitment to quality with paper-thin imported prosciutto and peppery arugula.

4. Slice Stone Pizza

Though Slice Stone opened more recently than some competitors, they’ve dedicated themselves to mastering century-old techniques. Their stone oven stays at a constant 800 degrees, cooking each pizza in under two minutes while creating an incredibly light, airy crust with just the right amount of char.

What makes them special is their commitment to fermentation science. The dough rests for 72 hours, allowing natural yeasts to develop flavors that taste both tangy and slightly sweet. They grind their own Italian sausage in-house using a family recipe that includes fennel and red pepper flakes.

If you’re feeling adventurous, their white pizza with ricotta and roasted garlic will absolutely change your perspective.

5. Davenport’s Pizza Palace

Are you ready for a blast from the past? Davenport’s still looks almost exactly like it did when it opened in 1968, complete with red vinyl booths and vintage Coca-Cola signs. The pizza hasn’t changed either, and that’s exactly what keeps customers coming back year after year.

Their thick-crust pizza is legendary in the community. It’s hearty, filling, and loaded with toppings that go all the way to the edges. The crust gets brushed with garlic butter before baking, creating a golden, flavorful base that stands up to even the heaviest toppings.

Order their supreme pizza and prepare for serious comfort food that reminds you of simpler times.

6. Mellow Mushroom Birmingham

When Mellow Mushroom arrived in Alabama, they brought their quirky vibe and time-tested recipes that originated in Atlanta back in 1974. Their spring water dough recipe has remained unchanged for decades, creating a crust that’s both crispy and tender with a distinctive flavor profile.

I appreciate how they’ve perfected their three-cheese blend that melts into gooey perfection. Their sauce recipe includes a hint of sweetness and spice that makes each bite interesting. The stone-baked pizzas come out with beautiful golden crusts that have just enough crunch.

Try their Holy Shiitake Pie for an unforgettable combination of mushrooms, caramelized onions, and truffle oil that tastes absolutely heavenly.

7. Saw’s Juke Joint

If you’ve never tried BBQ pizza, Saw’s Juke Joint will make you a believer. They’ve been combining Alabama’s barbecue heritage with pizza traditions since 2009, creating something uniquely delicious. Their pizza crust serves as the perfect vehicle for smoky pulled pork, tangy barbecue sauce, and melted cheese.

What sets them apart is their commitment to smoking meats low and slow using traditional methods. The pork gets cooked for over 12 hours before it ever touches a pizza. Their homemade barbecue sauce has just the right balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy notes.

The Saw’s BBQ Pizza topped with their famous pulled pork is an absolute must-try for anyone visiting Alabama.

8. Domaine South

It’s not often you find a restaurant that treats pizza with the same respect as fine dining, but Domaine South does exactly that. Their chef trained in Italy and brought back traditional techniques that honor pizza’s roots while incorporating Alabama’s best local ingredients.

The sourdough starter they use for their crust is over five years old, giving each pizza a complex, tangy flavor that develops during the long fermentation process. Fresh mozzarella gets made in-house daily, and seasonal vegetables come from nearby farms. Their attention to detail shows in every perfectly charred, beautifully topped pie.

The Bianca pizza with ricotta, mozzarella, and lemon zest showcases their elegant approach to simple ingredients.

9. Avondale Common House

Where tradition meets innovation, you’ll find Avondale Common House crafting pizzas that respect old-world methods. Their imported Italian oven reaches temperatures that most home ovens can only dream about, cooking pizzas in just 90 seconds while creating those signature charred bubbles on the crust.

Their dough recipe took over a year to perfect, and now it ferments for exactly 48 hours to achieve optimal flavor and texture. The result is a crust that’s simultaneously crispy, chewy, and incredibly flavorful. They source San Marzano tomatoes and use only California olive oil for authentic taste.

The Soppressata pizza features spicy Italian salami that crisps up beautifully in their blazing-hot oven.

10. Post Office Pies

Did anyone tell you that Post Office Pies serves authentic New York-style pizza right in the heart of Alabama? Their recipe comes straight from a Brooklyn pizzeria that’s been operating since the 1950s. The crust is thin, foldable, and has that perfect New York chew that pizza lovers recognize instantly.

They import their water filtration system to replicate New York’s water chemistry, which many believe is the secret to great pizza dough. The cheese blend uses low-moisture mozzarella that creates those satisfying cheese pulls without making the slice soggy. Their sauce is simple just crushed tomatoes, salt, and oregano.

Grab a classic cheese slice and fold it lengthwise for the authentic New York experience.

11. Pies & Pints

When Pies & Pints opened in Alabama, they brought recipes perfected over years of operation in West Virginia. Their commitment to handcrafted pizza and craft beer pairings has made them a local favorite. Each pizza gets made from scratch using dough that rises naturally without any artificial additives or preservatives.

Their signature white pizzas showcase how simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavors. The grape and gorgonzola pizza might sound unusual, but the combination of sweet roasted grapes, tangy cheese, and caramelized onions creates magic. They also offer traditional red sauce pizzas that satisfy classic cravings.

Try their Chicken and Waffle pizza for a creative twist that combines breakfast and dinner in surprising harmony.

12. Taco Mama Pizza

Though Taco Mama is known primarily for Mexican food, their pizza program deserves serious recognition. They’ve been perfecting their flatbread-style pizzas since they added them to the menu years ago. The thin, crispy crust provides the perfect base for creative topping combinations that blend Italian and Mexican flavors.

What makes their pizza special is the unexpected flavor combinations that actually work beautifully. They use the same high-quality ingredients from their taco menu fresh pico de gallo, perfectly seasoned meats, and house-made salsas. The cheese blend includes both mozzarella and queso, creating a unique flavor profile.

The BBQ Chicken pizza with cilantro and red onions offers a fresh take on a familiar favorite.

13. Goodfellas Pizzeria

How authentic can pizza get outside of New York or Chicago? Goodfellas Pizzeria proves that Alabama can compete with anyone when it comes to classic Italian-American pizza. Their recipes come from family traditions that span three generations of pizza makers.

The dough gets made fresh every morning using a recipe that’s remained secret for over 30 years. Their sauce simmers slowly with fresh basil, garlic, and a hint of sugar that balances the acidity perfectly. The cheese comes from a specific supplier who’s been providing the same blend for decades.

Order their Meat Lovers pizza loaded with pepperoni, sausage, bacon, and ham for a protein-packed feast that satisfies serious appetites.

14. Little Donkey

Are you ready to experience pizza with a Mexican twist? Little Donkey has been pushing boundaries while respecting pizza fundamentals since opening. Their wood-fired pizzas feature unexpected toppings like chorizo, jalapeños, and cilantro that create exciting flavor combinations without abandoning what makes pizza great.

The dough recipe stays true to Neapolitan traditions with a 24-hour fermentation that creates complex flavors. What changes is the toppings they incorporate fresh Mexican cheeses, house-made salsas, and perfectly spiced meats. The result is pizza that honors two culinary traditions simultaneously.

The Chorizo and Egg pizza with salsa verde offers breakfast vibes that work perfectly any time of day.

15. Bellini’s Ristorante & Bar

If you’re searching for authentic Italian pizza made by chefs who actually trained in Italy, Bellini’s delivers exactly that. Their recipes haven’t changed since they opened because they got it right from day one. The pizza oven was imported directly from Naples and reaches temperatures that create that characteristic leopard-spotted crust.

Their Margherita pizza exemplifies simplicity done perfectly San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and excellent olive oil on a perfectly blistered crust. Nothing fancy, nothing complicated, just pure pizza perfection. The dough ferments for 48 hours, developing the flavor and texture that makes Neapolitan pizza world-famous.

Experience their Quattro Formaggi for a cheese lover’s dream featuring four different Italian cheeses.