October: National Pizza Month in Miami

While we think every month should be pizza month, October has been declared National Pizza Month, which is a great excuse to grab a whole pie or even just a slice from one of these top pizza restaurants in Miami.

• Lucali (1930 Bay Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139)

Created in Brooklyn and rated #1 pizza in NYC and #2 in the country, once you try Lucali pizza at their rustic Miami Beach location, you’ll be hooked. While their menu may be simple, their ingredients are top quality and their brick oven pizzas are unparalleled. From fresh imported Italian artichokes, portabella mushrooms to all beef pepperoni you can create the pizza (or calzone) masterpiece of your dreams at Lucali. Don’t forget to order one of their delicious salads, fresh sliced bufala and an extra plate (or two) of their signature sauce -- you’ll thank us later. Just make sure to save room for dessert because their Nutella pizza is what dreams are made of and they also showcase a Lucali dessert special. It’s all about options!

• Harry’s Pizzeria (3918 N Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33127)

James Beard Award Winner, Chef Michael Schwartz named this hip and casual restaurant after his son. The wood-fired pizzas and entire menu are anything but amazing serving up the classics and also other chef curated dishes. With pie toppings like braised short rib, rock shrimp, and Nutella, it’s no surprise that Harry’s was named one of the top 25 pizzerias in America by Food & Wine Magazine. Other menu favorites include the crispy polenta fries, roasted chicken wings, eggplant parmesan and they also offer amazing specials daily.

• Stanzione 87 (87 SW 8Th St, Miami, FL 33133)

Mr. & Mrs. Stanzione have a reputation for making Miami’s top traditional Neapolitan pies cooked in their wood-fired oven. The secret is in their dough, which uses their “00” 5 Stagionio flour, which they ferment for a minimum of 72 hours. For their classic margherita pizza, they top the dough with San Marzano tomatoes (only the best!), organic basil, extra virgin olive oil, and their homemade mozzarella. Their menu features fried pizza, red pizza, and white pizzas (no tomato sauce). Our favorites from the red pizzas are the San Daniele (homemade mozzarella, san daniele prosciutto, arugula, parmigiana, olive oil) and sausage and bell peppers (homemade mozzarella, sausage, bell peppers, parmigiano, olive oil, and basil) while our favorites from the white pizzas are the Truffle (cream, black and white truffle puree, homemade mozzarella, truffle oil, shaved parm), Carbonara (cream, pecorino, black pepper, homemade mozzarella, crispy pancetta, egg yolk) and the Bresaola (bresaola, cherry tomatoes, homemade mozzarella, parm, arugula, olive oil, and basil). Mr. Stanzione’s clam pie is also delicious, if they will consider bringing it back to the menu! Pair your pizza with their amazing wine list, salads, and starters and save room for dessert (or take it home to go)

• Cecconi’s (4385 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140)

This classy Venetian-style eatery features some of Miami’s best pizza pies using only the finest ingredients. Their most well-known pizza would be the truffle pizza, which features fresh truffle, goat cheese and zucchini blossoms. Other fan-favorites include the spicy sausage pizza with zucca, mushrooms, and fontina cheese. Another tasty option is the buffalo mozzarella pizza with tomato and oregano. And for Vegans, the Gluten Free Vegan pizza with cashew cheese (pictured) is a winner. All of their pies are simple yet delicious!

• Dolce Italian (1690 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139)

This trendy restaurant inside the Gale Hotel features a mozzarella bar and offers amazing pies and cocktails. Guests can’t go wrong with their margherita pizza with fior di lattee mozzarella, san Marzano tomatoes and optional prosciutto. Their tartufata includes bianca, speck, spicy salami and truffle oil and is one of their best-sellers. Another fan-favorite is the capricciosa pizza which features artichokes, mushrooms, black olives, and Italian ham. [Insert the heart eyes emjoi here.] Pro-Tip: don’t miss their amazing daily happy hour from 4-7 p.m.

• Casa Tua Cucina (70 SW 7th St. Miami, FL 33130)

Casa Tua Cucina features so many amazing options to feast on, but one counter that shouldn’t be overlooked is their pizza counter. There is usually a short line, but it’s definitely worth the wait for one of their piping hot pies. Opt for the diavola pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella, spicy salami and infused with a spicy thyme honey, the quattro formaggi pizza with mozzarella, taleggio, gorgonzola and fontina, or the prosciutto gotto e fungi pizza with mozzarella, tomato sauce, granbiscotto ham and mixed mushrooms. This is surely a great way to celebrate National Pizza Month!

• EastSide Pizza (731 NE 79th St. Miami, FL 33138)

EastSide pizza uses only the freshest ingredients to create all of their spectacular pizzas. From their meat lovers pizza with pepperoni, sausage, bacon, ham and meatball to their Happy Hippie pizza with broccoli, sundried totatoes, artichoke hearts, red onion, garlic and alfredo sauce, to the Shrimp Fresca Pizza with shrimp, tomato, spinach & garlic, there is something for everyone. The Mean Supreme pizza with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, ham, meatball & olives is also very tasty, while even their plain cheese pizza is sure to put a smile on your face.

• The Big Cheese (8080 Southwest 67th Ave Miami, FL 33143)

For over 35 years, the Big Cheese has been a Miami institution and serves amazing Italian with large portions and family pricing. Their XL 16-inch pizza is perfect for sharing and they also sell pizza by the slice. While you can create your own pizza, we recommend some of their specialty pizzas as well. The Big Cheese Supreme features pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, ham, meatballs, olives and extra cheese. The Big Cheese Hawaiian includes sweet sauce, mozzarella, pineapple, Canadian bacon and coconut shavings. The Spinach Pie has ricotta cheese and spinach sautéed in olive oil with garlic and spice on the dough and then is topped with mozzarella cheese and baked to perfection (pro-tip: add bacon). The Seafood Pizza is a seafood lover’s delight featuring shrimp, mussels and clams. All of these amazing options make The Big Cheese a great place to party in honor of National Pizza Month!

• 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen Aventura (2956 NE 199th St. Aventura, FL 33180)

Dwayne Wade and Udonis Haslem’s restaurant makes some incredible pizza pies and has some healthy options for those counting carbs. While guests can create their own pizzas, the menu boasts eight specialty pizzas with the option of substituting regular crust for cauliflower crust or even substitution cheese for Daiya Vegan Cheese, which we think is incredible! Our favorite specialty pie is the Alla Vodka Pizza, which includes a Grey Goose vodka sauce, fresh mozzarella, pecorino, sweet onions, pancetta, and chili flake. The Double Pepperoni with crispy pepperoni & spicy soppressata on their classic Margherita pizza is a winning combination as well!

With so many amazing options for pizza in Miami, it’s a shame there are only 31 days to celebrate National Pizza Month, but who says you can’t celebrate year-round?!