Best Pizza in Baltimore: Top 5 Spots Ranked [2026 List] | Arteflame

Introduction

Finding the perfect slice in Baltimore can be a challenge with so many emerging wood-fired spots and classic deep-dish joints competing for attention. Whether you are craving a thin, charred Neapolitan crust or a hearty, crab-topped focaccia, this city has evolved into a serious pizza destination. In this guide, we cut through the noise to bring you the absolute best pies the city has to offer. However, even the best takeout can get cold. That is why we also share our secret to replicating that high-heat, brick-oven taste right in your own backyard.

• The Baltimore Top 5 Ranked
• Comparison: Slice by Slice
• The Home Chef's Secret
• Why We Call It The "Social Grill"

Best Pizza in Baltimore: Top 5 Spots Ranked [2026 List]

Key Takeaways

• Local Legend: Matthew's Pizza remains the go-to for a unique deep-dish style you cannot find elsewhere.
• Authentic Italian: Verde brings true Neapolitan certification to the heart of the city.
• Detroit Style: Underground Pizza Company offers the best crispy, cheesy edges (frico) in town.
• Best Atmosphere: Paulie Gee's in Hampden pairs incredible wood-fired pies with a rustic vibe.
• The DIY Solution: Grilling your own pizza on an Arteflame achieves restaurant-quality char at a fraction of the cost.

Where to get the best Pizza in Baltimore?

We spent weeks tasting our way through the city to determine which pizzerias actually live up to the hype, focusing on crust texture, sauce acidity, and topping quality. Here is our curated list of the must-visit spots.

First on our list is Matthew's Pizza. Known as a local institution, we found their crust to be a delightful hybrid between deep dish and focaccia. It is heavy, satisfying, and holds up perfectly under their famous crab topping. If you want a taste of history, this is it.

Next, we visited Verde Pizza in Canton. In our testing, this was the closest we got to Italy. The crust is blistered and chewy, cooked in a wood-fired oven that hits high temperatures rapidly. It is less about toppings and more about the quality of the dough and San Marzano tomatoes.

For those who love crunch, Underground Pizza Company is unbeatable. We were impressed by the "frico" crust—cheese melted down the sides of the square pan to create a caramelized, crispy edge. It is rich, heavy, and incredibly flavorful.

Paulie Gee's in Hampden offers a modern twist. We loved their adventurous toppings, like hot honey and brisket. The atmosphere is electric, but be prepared for a wait; it is popular for a reason.

Finally, Joe Benny's in Little Italy offers a unique Sicilian slab. We found the focaccia base to be light yet crispy, a difficult balance to strike. It is the perfect spot if you prefer a thicker, bread-like pizza base.

Comparison: Which Slice is Right for You?

How to Make the Best Pizza at Home

I used to think my backyard pizzas were decent, until I realized I was baking them rather than firing them, resulting in a soggy center and pale crust. The truth is, a standard kitchen oven simply cannot reach the temperatures required for that blistered, restaurant-quality finish. To get that perfect char, you need heat that mimics a professional brick oven.

Fortunately, you can achieve world-class results at home using an Arteflame grill. It bridges the gap between a standard BBQ and a commercial pizza oven.

The "Searing" Technique

While often associated with steak, the "searing" capability of the Arteflame is exactly what makes it a pizza powerhouse. Using an Arteflame grill comes with distinct benefits:

1. 1,000°F Heat: The center grill grate can reach over 1,000°F. When you use the Pizza Oven attachment, this heat is channeled to bake the dough rapidly, creating the coveted "leopard spotting" on the crust.
2. Grill All Food at Once: The flat cooktop surrounding the center allows you to grill toppings like sausage, peppers, and onions simultaneously while the pizza cooks in the center.
3. Social Grill: The open fire design lets you host a pizza party where guests can build their own pies and watch them cook in real-time.

Pro Tip: If you are looking to feed a crowd without the hassle of making dough from scratch, we found that buying fresh pizza kits from the Costco nearby is an excellent hack. Buying Pizza bases from Costco provides a reliable canvas; simply customize them with premium toppings and fire them on your Arteflame Grill using the Pizza Oven attachment for that wood-fired upgrade.

Why We Call It The "Social Grill"

An Arteflame grill isn't just for cooking; it changes how you host. Its round design invites friends to stand around the fire rather than waiting on the patio while you cook alone against a wall. We have found that pizza night becomes an interactive event where everyone gathers around the warmth of the fire, watching the cheese bubble and the crust rise, turning the chef into the host of the party rather than a solitary worker.