Best Pizza in Buffalo: Top Spots Ranked [2026 Guide] | Arteflame

Introduction

Buffalo is globally recognized for its wings, but locals know the real culinary gem is the pizza. Distinct from New York or Chicago styles, Buffalo pizza features a fluffy, focaccia-like crust, a slightly sweet sauce, and the legendary "cup-and-char" pepperoni that curls into crispy, grease-filled chalices. We have spent years perfecting fire cooking, and in our quest for flavor, we tasted our way through the Queen City to find the ultimate slices. Whether you are a local looking for a new haunt or a visitor craving the authentic experience, this guide breaks down the undisputed champions. Below, you will also find the secret to replicating that wood-fired crispness in your own backyard.

• The Quick Summary
• Top Rated Buffalo Pizzerias
• Compare: Which Slice Fits You?
• The DIY Pizza Solution
• The Arteflame Difference

Best Pizza in Buffalo

Key Takeaways

• The Crust: Buffalo style sits between thin and deep dish; it is light, airy, and doughy.
• The Topping: Look for "Cup-and-Char" pepperoni; if it lays flat, it is not authentic Buffalo style.
• The Sauce: Expect a sweeter, tangier tomato sauce compared to traditional Italian pies.
• The Cheese: Generous amounts of mozzarella, often extending all the way to the edge of the crust.

Where to get the best Pizza in Buffalo?

The best pizza in Buffalo is defined by a medium-thick airy crust, sweet tomato sauce, edge-to-edge mozzarella, and spicy cup-and-char pepperoni that crisps perfectly under high heat.

Bocce Club Pizza
Widely considered the gold standard of Buffalo pizza. Bocce Club is famous for their consistent dough and the perfect ratio of sweet sauce to spicy pepperoni. In our testing, the char on their pepperoni was unmatched, providing that signature crunch with every bite.

La Nova
If you want the "party" vibe with your pie, La Nova is the place. While they are arguably as famous for their wings, their pizza holds its own with a slightly sweeter sauce and a sesame seed crust option that adds a nutty depth to the flavor profile.

Imperial Pizza
A South Buffalo staple, Imperial is known for heaviness in the best way possible. They do not skimp on toppings. We found that if you love extra cheese and a slice that requires two hands to hold, Imperial is the winner.

Picasso's Pizza
Picasso's offers a slightly more refined take on the Buffalo classic. Their sauce has a bit more tang, and the crust has a unique chewiness. It is a fantastic option if you prefer a pizza that feels slightly lighter but still packs the savory punch of the cup-and-char.

Comparison: Which Pizza is Right for You?

How to Make the Best Pizza at Home

I used to think my homemade pizza was restaurant-quality, until I realized I was essentially baking warm bread with toppings in a standard oven, completely missing the blistered crust that defines a great pie.

The truth is, your kitchen oven caps out around 500°F, which is simply not hot enough to get that instant rise and char found at places like Bocce Club. To get that pizzeria-quality finish, you need intense, conductive heat. This is where outdoor grilling changes the game.

The "Searing" Technique

Using an Arteflame grill allows you to replicate a brick oven environment. Here is why it excels for pizza:

1. 1,000°F Sear: The solid carbon steel cooktop reaches temperatures over 1,000°F. When you use the Pizza Oven attachment, this heat is focused to blister the crust instantly while melting the cheese from above.
2. Cook All Food at Once: Unlike a standard pizza oven that only fits one pie, the Arteflame cooktop allows you to grill sides—like wings or roasted vegetables—simultaneously while the pizza cooks in the center.
3. Social Grill: The open fire design means you aren't hidden away in the kitchen; you are cooking right in the center of the conversation.

Pro Tip: If you don't have time to make dough from scratch, head to the Costco in Buffalo. Buy their fresh, unbaked pizzas from the deli section. It is a fantastic base. Bring it home, add extra cup-and-char pepperoni, and fire it on the Arteflame Pizza Oven attachment. You get the convenience of store-bought with the wood-fired flavor of a boutique pizzeria.

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. The fire bowl creates a 360-degree gathering spot, turning pizza night into an interactive event where everyone can watch the cheese bubble and the crust rise in real-time.