Everybody’s favorite flatbread might have originated in the proud Italian city of Naples, while New York and Chicago have undoubtedly carved their names in pizza history, but Fairfield County has its own fair share of pizza restaurants that deserve to be known across the country. Get ready for a delicious road trip.
Colony Grill
172 Myrtle Ave, Stamford CT
Colony Grill has been around since 1935, making it an established and respected Stamford institution. There’s only one thing patrons are after — their pizza. Simple, with traditional topics and ultra thin crusts , Colony Grill’s bar-style pizza is a favorite among pizza purists from all over the country. You can also find branches in Milford and Fairfield.
Tarry Lodge
30 Charles St, Westport CT
The love child of Joe Bastianich and Mario Batali, Tarry Lodge is known for its impressive brand of contemporary Italian cuisine. Pizzas at Tarry Lodge are known for being authentic and thin-crusted, topped with topnotch ingredients like goat cheese, truffle honey, burrata, and black truffle. Tarry Lodge also has branches in New Haven and Port Chester.
Fire Engine Pizza Company
2914 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport CT
Visit Fairfield Avenue’s Black Rock section and you’ll find a fire engine that’s been converted into a pizza truck — one that’s producing damn good pies. The brainchild of Marty McCarthy, favorites include Fruitti Di Mare (topped with shrimp, lobster, and clams), Loaded Mashed Potato (with scallions, bacon, cheddar, and caramelized onion), and the Buffalo Chicken.
Coal House Pizza
85 High Ridge Rd, Stamford CT
Owned by Gerard Robertson, Coal House Pizza is a favorite among craft pizza fanatics and beer enthusiasts. They’ve got a selection of around 52 beers on tap, along with a plethora of beer cocktails! If you want to taste the successful marriage between pizza and beer, Coal House is definitely the place to go.
Stanziato’s
35 Lake Ave Ext, Danbury CT
Mamma mia! People flock to Stanziato’s for a taste of their gourmet pizzas, baked in an Italian-made wood-fired oven. The result is a pie that’s smoky and crunchy on the outside and airy on the inside. Fresh farm-to-table ingredients top their specialty pies, which you can enjoy with a great curated list of hard-to-find craft beer made in Connecticut.
The Original Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
238 Commerce Dr, Fairfield CT
Of course, we saved the best for last. Legendary among its peers and affectionately known as Pepe’s by its legions of fans, The Original Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana reigns as the king of pizzerias not just in Fairfield County, but in all of the country. In fact, its name has even reached foreign shores. And who can resist spreading the word about Pepe’s pies? Authentic and steep in tradition, Pepe’s pizzas are often described as the holy grails for all pizza disciples.
For more of the best pizza in Fairfield County (and beyond), check out this article by Connecticut Magazine.
