16 Maryland Pizzerias That Regulars Choose Over The Big Chains For Chesapeake Charm And Local Taste

Maryland’s pizza scene is bursting with flavor and personality. While big chains dominate many corners, local pizzerias across the state offer something truly special.

I’m taking you on a delicious journey through sixteen spots where Chesapeake charm meets incredible taste, and where regulars wouldn’t dream of ordering from anywhere else.

1. Matthew’s Pizzeria

Baltimore’s oldest pizzeria has been serving up happiness since 1943. You’ll find thick-crust square pies here that look different from anything you’ve seen before.

The chunky tomato sauce and special cheese blend create a flavor that keeps families coming back for generations. Try the ‘Original’ pie or go bold with the crab pizza featuring Old Bay seasoning for a true Maryland experience.

2. Zella’s Pizzeria

Patience is a virtue at this Hollins Market gem. The sourdough crust ferments for three full days, creating incredible texture and flavor.

Each pie is crafted with care and creativity. The Thai chicken pizza with peanut sauce might sound unusual, but one bite will make you a believer in their artistic approach to pizza-making.

3. Isabella’s Brick Oven

A 900-degree wood-fired oven imported straight from Naples creates magic at this Little Italy location. The heat transforms simple ingredients into extraordinary pies.

You’ll taste the difference in every bite. Their mushroom pizza features five different varieties, giving you an earthy, complex flavor profile that chain restaurants can’t replicate.

4. OBO Pizza (One Better Option)

Fresh, locally sourced ingredients make all the difference at this Waldorf and Indian Head favorite. The name promises one better option, and they deliver on that promise.

Their crab pizza loaded with lump meat is pure Maryland pride on a crust. The ‘Chesapeake’ pie with Old Bay-seasoned seafood brings the bay right to your table.

5. Underground Pizza

Hidden below street level in Federal Hill, this basement spot feels like discovering a secret. New York-style slices here benefit from a 48-hour fermented dough.

The result is a crisp exterior that shatters perfectly and a chewy interior that satisfies completely. Sometimes the best things are found in the most unexpected places.

6. Pizza John’s

Since 1966, this family-run Essex institution has perfected the art of party pizza. Square-cut slices with perfectly caramelized cheese edges are their signature.

The slightly sweet sauce creates a flavor balance that’s uniquely theirs. Generations of families have celebrated birthdays, graduations, and ordinary Fridays with these beloved pies.

7. Bellisario’s Pizza

Everything from scratch daily isn’t just a motto at this Frederick favorite since 1983. You can taste the commitment in every bite.

Their signature Italian sausage is made in-house, bringing authentic flavor to their pies. When families run the kitchen for decades, they perfect recipes that become community treasures worth protecting.

8. Margherita’s Pizzeria

Calabrian immigrants brought their family traditions to Bel Air and Kingsville. Their hand-built brick oven reaches 800 degrees, creating authentic southern Italian flavors.

You’re tasting generations of knowledge in every slice. The techniques passed down through their family transform simple ingredients into pies that transport you straight to Italy.

9. Coal Fire Pizza

Coal-fired ovens create a distinctive charred flavor you can’t get any other way. The high heat produces a crust with blistered spots that add smoky complexity.

Each pie emerges with character and personality. The intense heat seals in flavors while creating textural contrasts that make every bite interesting and memorable.

10. Aldo’s Ristorante Italiano

Elegance meets tradition at this Little Italy staple. The atmosphere transports you to a Roman trattoria while staying firmly rooted in Baltimore.

Their pizza menu showcases classic Italian techniques with Maryland ingredients. You’ll find yourself lingering over your meal, savoring not just the food but the entire experience of dining well.

11. Hersh’s Pizza & Drinks

Innovation drives the menu at this creative pizzeria. You’ll find topping combinations that surprise and delight your taste buds.

The drink selection complements the adventurous pizza menu perfectly. Whether you’re craving something familiar or ready to try something completely new, the menu offers options that excite rather than bore.

12. Neopol Smokery

Smoke adds a whole new dimension to pizza at this innovative spot. The smoking process infuses flavors that traditional ovens simply can’t achieve.

You’re experiencing pizza reimagined through a Maryland lens. The combination of smoking techniques with classic pizza-making creates something entirely unique that challenges your expectations in the best way.

13. Joe Squared

Detroit-style pizza found a perfect home in Baltimore’s Station North. The square pies feature crispy, caramelized edges that crunch satisfyingly.

Art covers the walls while creative pies cover the tables. The atmosphere buzzes with energy from locals who appreciate both the artistic vibe and the seriously delicious food.

14. Squire’s Italian Restaurant

Family recipes passed through generations create the magic here. You’ll feel welcomed like family the moment you walk through the door.

The pizza reflects decades of perfecting traditional Italian-American flavors. Red sauce, quality cheese, and perfectly baked crust come together in pies that taste like home, even if you’ve never been here before.

15. Mama Lucia

Mama knows best, and this pizzeria proves it daily. Homestyle cooking with genuine care creates pies that comfort and satisfy.

The menu offers familiar favorites prepared with attention to detail. You’ll find yourself returning regularly because sometimes you just need food that feels like a warm hug from someone who cares.

16. Verde Pizza Napoletana

Authentic Neapolitan certification means something special here. The rules are strict, and the results are spectacular.

Fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, and perfectly charred crust create the real deal. When you’re craving pizza that honors Italian tradition while embracing Maryland hospitality, this is your destination.