Pizza is arguably the most popular food in the country. There are seemingly endless different styles, flavors, and types of pizza out there for us to enjoy. Almost everyone enjoys pizza of some kind which is why there are so many different pizza restaurants out there. Columbia, SC is no different. There are plenty of different pizza restaurants in Columbia to choose from.
While Columbia, SC may not be known for their pizza, there are a few good options that you should try if you are looking for a delicious slice of pizza in Columbia. Whether you are looking for a quick slice or an entire pie for your family, you won’t be disappointed with the options we have gathered for you.
Here are the best places to get pizza in Columbia, SC.
Where to Get The Best Pizza in Columbia, South Carolina
Pizza is a staple in most people’s diets. Well, maybe not most people, but at least in our diet. We never turn down an opportunity to enjoy a slice of pizza at one of Columbia’s many pizza restaurants. Over the years we have tried pretty much all of the pizza places in Columbia. If there is one that we have not tried, it is likely brand spanking new.
Here are our picks for the best pizza in Columbia broken down into different categories.
Best New York Style Pizza in Columbia, SC
If you are looking for delicious New York style pizza in Columbia, SC, your options are sort of slim. There are not many options if you want authentic New York style pizza. Not to say that there are not restaurants in Columbia that offer New York style pizza, it just isn’t the same as authentic New York Style pizza.
From our conversations with pizza chefs that are experienced in New York Style Pizza, the secret is in the ingredients. True New York Style pizza utilizes fresh ingredients. This may just be a pacifier answer designed to protect their true secrets.
I know this answer is disappointing to those who are on the hunt for authentic New York style pizza in Columbia, SC. We too are still on the hunt for an incredible New York style pizza in downtown Columbia.
Clara and Rays Pizza
The closest thing to authentic New York Style Pizza that we have found is at Clara and Rays in Lexington, SC. This restaurant is about 20 minutes from Columbia and offers some pretty solid pizza. It can be hit or miss though. When it is good it is good. When it is bad it is average. Definitely worth a try though if you are looking for New York style pizza in Columbia. They offer pizza by the pie as well as by the slice. They also offer a lunch special that is a great deal.
Hopefully Columbia gets some better New York style pizza restaurants in the near future. They would be welcomed with open arms.
Best Deep Dish Pizza in Columbia, SC
If you are looking for Deep Dish Pizza in Columbia, SC you have a few different options available to you. While there may not be a true Chicago style pizza that resembles more of a pie than a pizza, there are some great restaurants with deep dish pizza in Columbia, SC.
Old Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Columbia, SC
Old Chicago is a restaurant located in the Vista that offers a great Deep Dish Pizza. This is the closest to true Chicago style pizza that you are going to get in Columbia, SC. They do offer more traditional styles of pizza that are decent as well. If you are looking for a deep dish pizza in soda city, Old Chicago needs to be on your list.
Best Thin Crust Pizza in Columbia, SC
Now for the polar opposite of deep dish pizza, thin crust. People usually prefer one over the other but we enjoy all types of pizza, we don’t discriminate. Technically New York style pizza falls under the umbrella of thin crust pizza but we believed that it deserved it’s own category. There are certainly pizzas that are thin crust but not New York style so here we go.
Here are some great places to get thin crust pizza in Columbia, SC.
Il Bucato Pizza
If you are looking for a fancy sit down Italian restaurant in Columbia, Il Bucato may not be your best bet. However, if you are looking for the best takeout pizza in Columbia, that is another story all together. Il Bucato is probably our favorite local pizza restaurant for when we want to grab a pie for dinner. It was rated as Columbia’s top takeout restaurant by Free Times and we couldn’t agree more.
To be completely transparent Il Bucato is up there for the best pizza in Columbia in general in our opinion. If you are looking to try some great pizza in Columbia, give Il Bucato a try. Keep in mind, they are only open from 4pm to 9pm just FYI.
Village Idiot Pizza
We were hesitant to include Village Idiot in this piece because it is extremely hit or miss. Even more so than Clara and Rays. When Village Idiot is good it is arguably a top three pizza in Columbia, SC. When it is bad, it is arguably the worst pizza in Columbia, SC. Some have gone as far as to say that Village Idiot is the best pizza in the state of South Carolina.
If you want to maximize your chances of getting a great pizza, be sure to go to the Village Idiot in Five Points. That is where we frequently get the best pizzas from Village Idiot.
What is your favorite pizza in Columbia, SC?
