MomSkoop
Maryland might be famous for its blue crabs and Old Bay seasoning, but the state also hides some incredible pizza gems that many people have never discovered. From Baltimore’s neighborhood joints to small-town treasures, these local spots serve up amazing pies that rival any big-name chain. Food lovers who think they know Maryland’s dining scene are in for some delicious surprises. Get ready to explore pizza places that locals have been keeping secret for years.
1. Iggies Pizza (Baltimore)
Tucked away in Baltimore’s Federal Hill neighborhood, this family-owned spot has been perfecting their craft since the 1980s. Owner Tony Iggulden still hand-tosses every dough ball using his grandmother’s recipe from Sicily.
What makes Iggies special is their coal-fired brick oven that reaches temperatures over 900 degrees. This creates a perfectly charred crust with a soft, chewy center that pizza lovers dream about.
Regular customers swear by the white pizza topped with ricotta, mozzarella, and fresh herbs. The atmosphere feels like eating in someone’s basement rec room, which somehow makes everything taste even better.
2. Zella’s Pizzeria (Baltimore)
Baltimore’s Little Italy district houses this authentic pizzeria where third-generation pizza maker Maria Zella still rolls dough by hand every morning. Her grandfather started the tradition in 1952, and the recipes haven’t changed since.
The sauce comes from tomatoes grown exclusively in New Jersey, creating a sweet and tangy flavor that perfectly balances the creamy mozzarella. Each pizza bakes in a traditional deck oven for exactly twelve minutes.
Local firefighters and police officers consider Zella’s their unofficial headquarters, often gathering here after late shifts. The margherita pizza earns rave reviews, but adventurous eaters should try the prosciutto and fig combination.
3. Grotto Pizza (Columbia)
Beach lovers might recognize Grotto Pizza from Delaware’s coast, but Columbia’s location brings that same ocean-side magic inland. The restaurant started in 1960 as a small beach shack and has grown into a regional favorite.
Their signature white pizza combines four different cheeses with garlic and olive oil, creating a rich flavor that keeps customers coming back weekly. The crust strikes a perfect balance between thin and thick.
Families appreciate the relaxed atmosphere and reasonable prices, while teenagers love the arcade games in the back room. The pepperoni pizza uses a special spice blend that gives it a slightly sweet kick unlike anywhere else in Maryland.
4. Isabella’s Brick Oven (Baltimore)
Chef Isabella Romano left her job at a fancy downtown restaurant to open this neighborhood gem in 2015. Her wood-fired brick oven was actually built by Italian craftsmen who flew to Baltimore specifically for this project.
Each pizza cooks for just ninety seconds at incredibly high temperatures, creating bubbled crusts with smoky flavors. The San Marzano tomatoes come directly from Italy, and Isabella personally selects every ingredient.
Food critics consistently rank Isabella’s among Baltimore’s top restaurants, but locals love that it still feels like a hidden secret. The mushroom pizza features five different varieties, while the spicy salami option brings serious heat that pizza enthusiasts absolutely crave.
5. Underground Pizza (Baltimore)
Located in an actual basement on Baltimore’s east side, Underground Pizza lives up to its name in every way possible. The entrance looks like someone’s front door, and many first-time visitors walk right past it.
Owner Mike Chen combines traditional New York-style techniques with creative toppings that change seasonally. His background as a food truck operator taught him to maximize flavor in small spaces.
The buffalo chicken pizza gets the most attention, but the veggie combination surprises even dedicated meat lovers. Cash-only operations keep prices incredibly low, and the intimate setting means you’ll probably end up chatting with strangers at neighboring tables about your favorite slice combinations.
6. OBO Pizza (Waldorf & Indian Head)
Southern Maryland’s best-kept pizza secret operates from two locations that feel more like community centers than restaurants. Owner Bobby Johnson started OBO after retiring from twenty years as a Navy cook.
His military background shows in the precision of every pizza, from perfectly measured toppings to consistent cooking times. The BBQ chicken pizza features homemade sauce that Johnson smokes himself using hickory wood chips.
Both locations host trivia nights and live music, creating a social atmosphere that keeps regulars coming back multiple times per week. The supreme pizza loads on eight different toppings without overwhelming the thin, crispy crust that has become OBO’s signature style throughout Charles County.
7. Pizza John’s (Essex)
Baltimore County’s Essex neighborhood might not seem like a pizza destination, but Pizza John’s has been proving doubters wrong since 1978. John Kowalski still works the ovens every day at age seventy-two.
The secret lies in his Polish grandmother’s dough recipe, which requires three separate rising periods over two full days. This creates an incredibly light and airy crust that somehow stays crispy even when loaded with toppings.
Regular customers include three generations of the same families, creating an atmosphere that feels like a weekly family reunion. The sausage comes from a local butcher shop, and the cheese gets delivered fresh from Wisconsin farms every Tuesday and Friday morning.
8. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (Bethesda)
Connecticut’s legendary pizza tradition finally arrived in Maryland when Frank Pepe opened their Bethesda location in 2019. The restaurant maintains the same coal-fired ovens and recipes that made the original New Haven location famous.
Their white clam pizza might sound unusual, but it represents one of America’s most important pizza innovations. Fresh clams, garlic, olive oil, and oregano create flavors that convert skeptics with the first bite.
The thin-crust pizza gets charred in spots, creating what pizza experts call “leopard spots” that indicate perfect cooking technique. Even though it’s part of a small chain, each pizza still gets individual attention from experienced pizza makers who trained at the original Connecticut locations.
9. Margherita’s Pizzeria (Bel Air & Kingsville)
Harford County residents consider Margherita’s their personal treasure, with two locations serving identical menus in slightly different atmospheres. The Bel Air spot feels more modern, while Kingsville maintains a classic pizza parlor vibe.
Both kitchens use the same recipes developed by the Rossi family, who immigrated from Naples in the 1960s. Their margherita pizza showcases San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil grown in their own greenhouse.
The lunch buffet draws crowds of local workers and students, but dinner service focuses on made-to-order perfection. Their garlic knots have achieved legendary status among high school students, who often stop by after football games and school events throughout Harford County.
10. Bellisario’s Pizza (Frederick)
Frederick’s historic downtown district houses this family operation where three brothers continue their parents’ pizza-making legacy. The original location opened in 1983, and the recipes remain completely unchanged since day one.
What sets Bellisario’s apart is their commitment to making everything from scratch daily, including their signature Italian sausage. The pizza sauce simmers for four hours every morning, filling the entire block with amazing aromas.
College students from nearby Hood College have made Bellisario’s their unofficial dining hall, but the restaurant also attracts families exploring Frederick’s antique shops and historic sites. The meat lovers pizza features five different proteins, while the vegetarian option includes roasted red peppers that add incredible sweetness to every bite.
11. Pop’s Kitchen (Berlin)
Eastern Shore visitors often stumble upon Pop’s Kitchen while exploring Berlin’s charming Main Street, but locals have been gathering here for over fifteen years. Owner Paul “Pop” Henderson combines pizza expertise with Southern Maryland hospitality.
The crab pizza might sound touristy, but it actually features fresh blue crab meat from local watermen, creating a uniquely Maryland experience. Henderson also offers traditional options for those wanting classic pizza flavors.
The restaurant occupies a restored Victorian house, with dining rooms that feel like eating at a friend’s home. Summer visitors heading to Ocean City often make Pop’s their first stop, while locals treat it as their neighborhood gathering place year-round throughout Worcester County.