Baltimore has strong opinions about crabs, but pizza starts arguments too. Ask a few locals where to get a pie and you will hear names that have been around for decades, some since the 1940s.
These are not trendy pop-ups. They are family spots, counter joints, and neighborhood fixtures that fed parents and grandparents before they fed you.
The seven pizzerias below stretch from Highlandtown and Federal Hill to Essex, Dundalk, Overlea, and Catonsville. Each one has its own style, from deep dish and crab pie to meat sauce pizza and late-night slices near the harbor.
Some have big dining rooms and private party space, while others are mostly carryout counters with a line at dinnertime. If you grew up here, you probably have a favorite already.
If you are new in town, this list is a solid place to start your own pizza debate.
1. Matthew’s Pizzeria, Baltimore, MD
Since 1943, Matthew’s has been turning out pies on Eastern Avenue, which makes it one of the oldest pizza names in the city. That is more than 80 years of practice in the same Highlandtown neighborhood.
The menu covers both thin crust and deep dish, but the homemade deep dish is the pie that built its reputation. The crab pie is another reason people come, and it fits Baltimore about as well as any pizza can.
Vegetarians have options too, including the Greektown Pizza. Save room for a cannoli if you want to finish the meal the classic way.
The colorful storefront at 3131 Eastern Ave is easy to spot, and the space leans casual and old-school. It works for a solo lunch, a family dinner with kids, or a group outing.
A few practical notes help here. Matthew’s does not take reservations, Friday evenings are the busiest stretch, and street parking can take some patience.
Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday and noon to 8 PM on Sunday.
2. Pizza John’s, Essex, MD
Out in Essex, the pizza question often has a quick answer. Pizza John’s has been serving the Back River Neck Road area since 1966, and the Falcone family name is tied to its long run.
The pies are known for generous pepperoni, mozzarella, homemade sauce, and a crust with a crisp bottom. It is a straightforward pizza done with care.
The menu goes well past pizza. Look for cream of crab soup, stuffed shells, breaded mushrooms, subs, pasta, and milkshakes.
I like this one for planning ahead, because it sells bake-at-home cheese and pepperoni pizzas. That makes it handy for game nights or a busy weeknight.
The roomy dining area suits families, and there is a kids’ menu plus a private dining room for parties. Parking is usually easy.
Plan around the schedule. Pizza John’s is closed Mondays, stays open until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and fills up on weekend evenings.
3. Squire’s Italian Restaurant and Catering, Baltimore, MD
Right on the line where Baltimore City meets Dundalk, Squire’s has been part of the local Italian food scene since 1952. The Romiti family is behind its long history on Holabird Avenue.
The pizza order to know is the meat sauce and pepperoni pie, often paired with a side of meatballs. It is a hearty, very Baltimore combination.
The kitchen covers far more than pizza. Spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, eggplant parmesan, mussels, cream of crab soup, and meatball subs all have fans, and there is a three-course pasta special.
Squire’s is also one of the few spots on this list that takes reservations. With a private dining room and catering, it is a common pick for birthdays and family gatherings.
Weekend brunch hours start at 10 AM on Saturday and Sunday. On Fridays and Saturdays the doors stay open until 11 PM, and parking is usually plentiful.
4. Gil’s Pizza, Baltimore, MD
Plenty of Baltimoreans who move away put Gil’s on their list of first stops when they come back. The Belair Road shop dates to 1958 and has fed generations of the same families.
The appeal is simple. Dough gets rolled out when you order, and the pizza is made in front of you with real ingredients.
The crust has a yeasty flavor, a crunchy outside, and a soft center. The sauce is not sweet and carries a slight kick.
Cheese pizza is the easy starting point, but the Meat Sauce Extra Cheese is the order regulars tend to point to.
Know before you go. Gil’s is a carryout and delivery operation with counter service, no restrooms, and no table service.
It is closed Tuesdays, and street parking on Belair Road can be tight on weekend evenings.
5. Scittino’s Italian Market Place, Catonsville, MD
Here is a pizzeria where you can also grab hard-to-find Italian ingredients on the way out. Scittino’s in Catonsville is a market, deli, and pizza counter rolled into one.
The Scittino family has run it since 1973. The pizza gets attention for its crust, sauce, and especially the cheese.
Beyond pies, the deli turns out the Scittino’s Classic Italian Cold Cut, eggplant parm sandwiches, pepperoni calzones, and sausage with peppers and onions. Homemade pastries and desserts round out the case.
It opens at 9 AM every day, so breakfast and early lunch are on the table. That is unusual for an old-school pizza spot.
The setting is simple and homey, with a free lot and outdoor seating where dogs are welcome. I would save this one for a day when you want dinner and a few grocery finds in the same trip.
6. Frank’s Pizza & Pasta, Baltimore, MD
Overlea folks will tell you Frank’s settles two debates at once: best pizza and best cheesesteak. Some people make an hour-long drive just to test that claim.
This family-owned spot on Belair Road serves Italian fare built on homemade sauces. The spaghetti sauce in particular has a loyal following.
The menu goes a little further than the usual pizza shop. Big Mamma Burrata, Mussels Aptz, and Old Bay Fries sit alongside the pies and subs, with cannoli for dessert.
The vibe is casual and neighborhood-focused, and it gets packed with families on weekends. Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons into the evening are the busiest times.
Parking is usually easy here. Frank’s is closed Mondays, open until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and opens at noon on Sundays.
7. Maria D’s | Light St., Baltimore, MD
Hungry at 2 AM in Federal Hill? Maria D’s stays open until 2:30 AM on Thursdays and Fridays, and until midnight the rest of the week.
The counter-serve shop on Light Street has been around since about 1978. The menu is long, mixing Italian and Greek favorites.
Pizza is the anchor, but the gyros have their own fan base. The Maria D’s Cheese Steak Sub, shrimp cheesesteak, crab cake sub, seafood platter, onion rings, and UFOs all show up on regular orders.
Service moves quickly, which helps on busy Friday nights. Prices stay friendly too.
Parking in Federal Hill can be a hunt, so walking over is often easier. Outdoor seating allows dogs, which makes it an easy stop after a neighborhood stroll.
It is the kind of place I would visit after an evening near the harbor, when only a slice and a sub will do.
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