Best Pizza in Asheville—A Local’s Perspective

Since time immemorable, pizza and beer have gone hand in hand. The complex flavors of these two infamous partners-in-crime compliment each other with such perfect precision that I daresay no better combination has yet been discovered. As they say: “Where goes the beer, the pizza soon follows.” People say that. It's a saying.

My evidence? The proliferation of pizza parlors all across Asheville, one of the greatest brewery-towns in the entire Southeast. And they’re not just catered towards a late-night bite neither, folks. Although some certainly are. 

Whether you’re looking for delivery, a pitstop for your night-on-the-town, or simply a casual, crowd-pleasing pizza-pie, then read on and discover the five best pizza spots in Asheville. 

Image of Unsplash

1: Asheville Pizza and Brewing

Starting off, we got what’s practically become the standard for pizza in Asheville, with three locations all about town, signature chewy crusts, and a delivery service that transports not just ‘za, but growlers of house brews made right here in the Paris of the South. It's practically the whole package.

Their north location has been featured in many past articles. And why? Because it's not just some of the best pizza in town, and it’s not just a great brewery; it’s a killer local theater, screening blockbusters and indie films at sensible prices. A visit here is an all-in-one movie night, complete with drinks and snacks.

Meanwhile, their South Slope location is strategically situated, within walking distance to a whole host of bars, breweries, and music venues. It’s also got the most seating of the three locations, making it the prime choice for both a casual lunch in downtown, or the starting point of a South Slope pub-crawl. 

Third and finally, their south location is my go-to for delivery, being a native of south Asheville myself. They bring that same great crust and same great brews right to your doorstep, making it perfect for a quiet night in. 

Hours: North Asheville hours: 3pm to 9pm, Mondays through Fridays. Noon to 9pm on weekends.

South Slope hours: 4pm to 9pm, Wednesdays through Fridays. Noon to 9pm Saturdays. Closed Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays.

South Asheville hours: 3pm to 9pm, every day.

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2: Mellow Mushroom

Next up we’ve got one of the most iconic pizzerias in Asheville, its funky façade having long served me well as a landmark for navigating downtown. Those who know this low-key chain know that its eclectic décor is never the same from location to location, but always offers a light-hearted ambience, perfect for special occasions and meetups of larger groups.

The pizzas here are big, bold, and piled with toppings, so come hungry. They’re always adding updates to the menu, giving you something new to try. And on top of all that, they’ve even got pies for those of the vegan or gluten-free persuasions.

All-told: a great choice if you’re spending a day exploring downtown Asheville, or if you’re looking for a centrally-located meetup destination for family and friends.

Hours: 11am to 9pm, Sundays through Thursdays. Open until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Image from Wix

3: White Labs Brewing Co.

Here we got what the kids may call a “sleeper hit.” This local brewery lies right on the edge of the South Slope, and from the outside, you may not even guess it's a pizza joint. But inside you’ll find plentiful seating, a diverse selection of Asheville-made beers, and unmistakable Neopolitan-style pies leavened by a proprietary methodology, which many locals swear is some of the best pizza in town. 

Like Mellow Mushroom, it's a great place for a meetup over a little (say it with me now) pizza and beer. But if you got a flexible schedule, and you’re primarily interested in sampling the merchandise, so to speak, then I recommend visiting on a weekday. Tuesdays: discount burgers and beer. Wednesdays: wings and beer. Thursdays: hot chicken sandwiches and beer. And most importantly: Mondays are for pizza, with a whole margherita, cheese or pepperoni served with a White Labs brew for $16. 

Hours: 11:30am to 8:30pm, Sundays to Thursdays. Open until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Image from Wix

4: Pizza Mind

Heading on down to west Asheville, Pizza Mind combines two of the most important things I’m looking for in a pizza place. One: great pizza (of course). Two: an awesome vibe. Pizza Mind's a neighborhood joint, a hit among local west-Ashevilleans, rounded out by imported wines, refreshing cocktails, and of course, local craft beer.

Their menu proudly sports influences from Southern cuisine, including fried green beans, a fried green tomato sandwich and signature pizzas including jambalaya, roasted beet and cauliflower, and a Carolina BBQ.

Suffice to say, if you find yourself in west Asheville and you’re looking for some of the best pizza around, then I give it a high-recommend.

Hours: Noon to 10pm, every day of the week.

Image from Unsplash

5: PIE.ZAA

And finally, we finish our tour of the best pizza in Asheville back on the South Slope, the epicenter of this whole pizza-and-beer craze itself. It's a brass-tacks, counter-service NYC-style, thin-crust kind of place, serving ‘za both by the pie and by the slice.

If you’re just looking for a quick slice, you can’t go wrong. But, on the other hand, if you’re looking for a taste on the wild side, then I recommend their signature “Miss Peaches” pie. Featuring garlic butter, mozzarella, bacon, goat cheese, peaches, and basil, all topped off with a glaze of spicy honey, its flavor like none other. In fact, many locals consider it their favorite.

Plus, they’re open the latest out of all the pizza places I’ve gone over, making it the perfect stop after a night exploring the South Slope or downtown Asheville.

Hours: 4pm to midnight on Mondays. 11am to midnight the rest of the week. Open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Businesses Mentioned

Asheville Pizza (North Asheville)

(828)-254-5339

675 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804

Asheville Pizza (South Slope)

(828)-255-4077

77 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

Asheville Pizza (South Asheville)

(828)-277-5775

1850 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC 28803

Mellow Mushroom

(828)-236-9800

50 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801

White Labs Brewing Co.

(828)-974-3868

172 S Charlotte St, Asheville, NC 28801

Pizza Mind

(828)-575-9181

285 Haywood Rd #10, Asheville, NC 28806

PIE.ZAA

(828)-440-0400

46 Millard Ave, Asheville, NC 28801