Harrisonburg is a city in the heart of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley that gained its popularity from being home to James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite University. Featuring a lot of farms, gardens, museums, and antique shows, Harrisonburg is the perfect place for a short trip. With over 200 restaurants, 5 craft breweries, and many accommodations, the city is marked by a vibrant atmosphere, mixed cultures, and a passion for foods from around the world.

If you are looking for the best way to explore more about different cultures, traditions, and cuisines, then there are plenty of festivals and events you can attend in Harrisonburg. One of them is the Harrisonburg International Festival, with more than 23 annual editions. The festival allows Harrisonburg locals to visit the World Bazaar, find goods from different countries, find new restaurants, markets, and recipes, or learn more about a specific community from the Shenandoah Valley.

Harrisonburg is Known for New York-style Pizza

New York-style pizza is one of the most popular types of American pizza in the entire country. Starting in 1905, when America’s first pizzeria opened in the Little Italy neighborhood of Manhattan, this pizza type became more and more loved by everyone, including Harrisonburg locals, who prefer it over any other one. The famous thin-crust pizza is available in many Harrisonburg restaurants and pizzeria, mostly by the slice, but is also sold as a whole if you’re feeding a large group.

Preparing New York-style pizza the right way takes a lot of time and practice since the crust has to be large, hand-tossed, and thin, covered in tomato sauce made from perfectly ripe tomatoes and herbs. It’s then topped with a generous amount of cheese, usually mozzarella or cheddar. Usually, New York-style pizza is baked in deck ovens at very high temperatures to achieve that signature crispiness of the crust.

Best Delivery Pizza in Harrisonburg

Taking its name from the neighborhood where this type of pizza was made for the first time, Little Italy Pizza is well known in Harrisonburg for the tastiest New York-style pizza. Their pizza is very consistent, loaded with ingredients, sauce, and cheese, making sure you get a slice of pizza that will keep you full longer and make your day better. Little Italy’s Pizza also has excellent customer service; all employees and servers are polite and friendly and ready to advise you about what pizza to get based on your preferences.

The Pepperoni Pizza from Little Italy’s Pizza has to be their most requested pizza, thanks to the delicious crispy pepperoni, melted cheese, and classic marinara sauce. Their Cheese Pizza is also a favorite, even if it is plain, with just cheese and sauce; you can really experience the tastiness of each pizza component. If you wish to order something else other than pizza and still enjoy delicious food, then try out their Penne Vodka or healthy sandwiches.

Best Takeout Pizza in Harrisonburg

Brother’s Pizza Pasta & Subs is a small family-owned restaurant with the best Italian dishes in the Harrisonburg area. Their main goal is to bring diners a piece of Southern Italy with incredible authentic Italian food, from pizza and pasta to salads and cannoli. Their food is always homemade, using fresh ingredients, following traditional Italian recipes to keep the authenticity of their dishes.

Brother’s Pizza’s gourmet pizza has taken customers by storm. They get a lot of repeat business, so once you get your first takeout order, you’re likely to make this your go-to place. Their Meat Lover’s Pizza is perfect for any gourmand, as it has a lot of different types of meats, such as sausage, ham, pepperoni, and ground beef. The Supreme Pizza is dedicated to those who also like some vegetables on their pizza. It has mushrooms, onions, and mixed peppers, besides the traditional pepperoni, sausage, and cheese. They also serve Stuffed Pizza, if that sounds more like something you would order.

Best Pizza Near Harrisonburg

Staunton

Famous for being the birthplace of the 28th president of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, Staunton is a small city with a lot of history. Places worth visiting include The Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive.

In Staunton, Newton Baking and Kitchen is a must-visit for pizza. Besides fresh bread, coffee, and tea, this shop also serves terrific wood-fired pizza. The A.O.F Pizza, Margherita, or the Picante 4.0 Pizza are all great choices if you plan on eating here.

Waynesboro

Located near many historical landmarks of the Civil War in Shenandoah Valley, Waynesboro is a town in Virginia known for its unique sense of community. With many parks and walking trails, Waynesboro is a great place to spend time outdoors.

Benny Stivale’s is always ready to serve the most appetizing New York-style pizza in Waynesboro. While it is not a fine dining location, here you can enjoy some authentic and tasty freshly-made pizza. Some of the most popular items on their menu are the Pepperoni Pizza and the Italian Sausage Pizza.

Charlottesville

Home to the University of Virginia and Tomas Jefferson’s Monticello, as well as the only UNESCO World Heritage site in Virginia, Charlottesville is a destination in and of itself. Besides the city’s rich history, there are plenty of restaurants and pizzerias to be discovered.

Lampo Neapolitan Pizzeria is the most popular restaurant in the area for great Italian pizza. Their Neapolitan pizza is freshly made and full of delicious locally-sourced ingredients. The Margherita Pizza, Funghi Pizza, and Prosciutto Pizza are all great picks for an enjoyable dinner.