The Best Pizza In Bluffton South Carolina
A list of The Best Pizza in Bluffton SC…..but not always the best service in Bluffton!
Who doesn’t like a great pizza?
Right after a slab of meat on a grill, I think I could eat pizza everyday. But, as we have talked about before, just because pizza is on the menu doesn’t mean it’s good. So, if you are looking for the best of the best, then this is the list for you.
Why listen to us?
Unlike online trolls and out-of-towners, we have frequented each restaurant on the list multiple times and can attest to the quality of the pizza and overall experience. This also gives us the ability to see if the pizza in question was a one hit wonder or an exceptional pie that you can expect at every visit. Everybody on the Best Pizza in Bluffton roundup consistently delivers a great pizza….however, I’m not saying they all have great service.
How did we judge?
First, we left off any national chain location. Even though we’re Papa John fans, I don’t think any of the franchise guys deserves to be on a “Best of” list. If you’re on vacation or looking for something special when it comes to great pizza, you want to go some place original.
We tried to focus on real, community-based restaurants where you can get a great pizza. We didn’t hold points against any restaurants for poor service, but we did note it.
We also looked at value, how much pizza you got for your dough (pun intended.) We looked at how the crust tasted, if there was abundant cheese, if they were generous or skimpy with toppings, the presentation, and so on.
We also noted if there was something unique or original about one of their pies. Did the restaurant deliver the goods? If we say this is the best pizza in Bluffton, we mean it! We want you to know that we take pizza seriously over here!
This List Is Not In Any Order!
Sunset Pizzeria
I’m going to say it, Sunset has the best pizza in the area! Technically, Sunset Pizzeria has a Ridgeland address, but I consider it ‘greater Bluffton.’ For those who don’t know, most businesses on the Northern side of HWY 170 are actually in Jasper County. If you’ve never had a chance to try it, then as a pizza lover, you owe yourself the opportunity. However, the awesomeness comes at a price.
As much as I love the pizza, the service isn’t always so good, and if you’ve never been there before, you may feel a little out of place when you walk in. Sunset is definitely a bar first and a restaurant second; it has a little bit of a hard edge to it. It’s also very dark inside and the front glass is tinted to protect from the sun.
When you walk in, depending on the time of day, it can take a bit for your eyes to adjust, it all can seem overwhelming. Regardless, the pizza is so good, it’s worth the adventure. And the dark bar atmosphere is very appealing to lots of folks, I just wanted to describe it so you’re prepared if you’re coming in with your younger kids.
In the case of Sunset, the pizza, as a whole, is what makes it so awesome. Great dough, great cheese and delicious sauce. Sunset Pizzeria holds a special place for me because for a time I lived in Charleston, but worked here in Bluffton. I would buy a pizza and eat in it the car on the way home after work….the whole pizza!
What Makes The Pizza So Good: This one is a tremendous all arounder!
Favorite Pizza: Plain Cheese
Sunset Pizzeria
2625 N Okatie Hwy,
Ridgeland, SC 29936
https://www.sunsetpizzeriasc.com/
Local Pie
Another awesome pizza, but sometimes lackluster service. Located in the heart of downtown Bluffton, Local Pie serves up traditional wood-fired pizza which makes their thin crust choices amazing. I’ve never had a bad pizza here!
The open dining area gives you a great view of the pizza kitchen and you can see your dough being made into pizza and watch the pizza bake in the wood-fired ovens.
They are super-creative with their daily specials and always have something interesting to try. If you like thin crust pizza, this is the place for you. It’s also within walking distance to so many other Bluffton sites, it makes a great spot for lunch or dinner while you check out the town.
What Makes The Pizza So Good: The hint of the wood-fired oven in the dough is the secret!
Favorite Pizza: Classic Margarita
Local Pie
15 State Of Mind St,
Bluffton, SC 29910
https://localpie.com/
Upper Crust
The Upper Crust has been around forever and is one of those restaurants that you can forget is still open. However, their awesome pizza should remind you of their staying power.
Nestled near the back gate of Sun City, it’s easy to get to from 278. The Upper Crust also offers a huge menu of everything from salads and sandwiches to wraps and pasta.
The Upper Crust is the first place I ever tried a salad with French Fries on it! And it was a winner! If you want something besides their excellent pizza, try the Notorious Grilled Chicken Salad.
What Makes The Pizza So Good: If you like meat toppings, the Upper Crust never cheaps out!
Favorite Pizza: The Super Deluxe
Upper Crust
30 William Pope Dr #105,
Okatie, SC 29909
No Website – Crazy!
Mi Territa Okatie
Ok, who would’ve thought you would find such great pizza at a Mexican restaurant? If you’re just driving into town or out in the Okatie area, you owe it to yourself to make a quick stop here. I am definitely a thin crust pizza guy, but this is one of the few places I get the thick crust pizza; it’s truly outstanding.
They serve semi-deep dish style pizza with heavy tomatoes and other thick and cheesy pies in a relaxed atmosphere. I discovered Mi Territa a few years ago when I worked just down the road. Every Friday the boss would take us out to lunch. I always voted for pizza and won out often enough.
Bonus points for their lunch specials, great tacos and steak fajitas! Fun atmosphere and I have never had a bad experience in countless visits.
What Makes The Pizza So Good: Chicago Style thick crust is truly amazing with any one of their pie selections.
Favorite Pizza: The Mexican!
214 Okatie Village Dr,
Okatie, SC 29909
No Website – Funny!
Nonna Lucia
Noona Lucia is a happening restaurant just outside of the heart of downtown Bluffton. If you are looking for a real Italian restaurant with amazing food, make Nonna Lucia first on your list.
If you want truly fantastic pizza (which is what we’re after today) you’re in luck too. I often find that “real” Italian restaurants often don’t have good pizza. Have you ever noticed that too? Well, Nonna Lucia is the exception!
They have wonderfully authentic Italian dishes, but their pizza is over the top! If you’re a local, and you’ve driven past a bunch of times and never ventured in, you need to correct that mistake.
What Makes The Pizza So Good: Extra attention to the pie and ingredients….it’s not just a “pizza joint”
Favorite Pizza: The Traditional White
Nonna Lucia
5 Godfrey Pl,
Bluffton, SC 29910
(843) 707-4281
https://www.blufftonnonnalucia.com/
Cheap Seats 2
Cheap Seats
If you want great pizza in a down home atmosphere, then Cheap Seats is for you. I’d have to say that Cheap Seats has some of the most underrated pizza in Bluffton; it’s truly excellent. Offering hand-tossed pizza with great sauce, you can’t go wrong with any of their speciality pies.
You can tell they take extra care in making the pizza and the lightness in the dough shows this off. Billed as a sports bar, Cheap Seats is a family friendly spot, but be careful on game night, it can get a little rowdy.
Service is great and it’s a fun environment. They also have a great outdoor bar, so if you want to enjoy the Lowcountry nights with a cool drink, grab a slice while you do. And pizza is not the only great thing on the menu; they also have a wide selection of sandwiches, gyros and salads.
What Makes The Pizza So Good: The sauce is the secret here.
Favorite Pizza: B Town Supreme
Cheap Seats 2
142 Burnt Church Rd,
Bluffton, SC 29910
https://www.cheapseatsrestaurantgroup.com/
Mellow Mushroom
I need to be honest here, I rarely go to Mellow Mushroom because I forget it’s here in Bluffton and usually you wait forever for your food. But, when it does finally arrive I remember how great the pizza is and vow to come back again soon.
The key to such great pizza has to be their dough! A huge pizza menu with tons of build your own options makes sure everyone’s happy with their choice. The local Mellow Mushroom here in Bluffton also offers a fun atmosphere with a bunch of TV’s….which is good because you’ll be waiting….
What makes the pizza so good: Cheesy parmesan crust!
Favorite Pizza: Pacific Rim
Mellow Mushroom Bluffton
878 Fording Island Rd,
Bluffton, SC 29910
www.mellowmushroom.com
New York City Pizza
The Bluffton location of NYCP is in the Belfair Commons shopping plaza, and offers a traditional, neighborhood pizzeria feel. If you read our list of best pizza on Hilton Head, then you know we already love New York City Pizza.
Just like we mentioned there, the competition for the best pizza in town is a definite brawl. More often than not, New York City comes out on top. Their pies are a tad on the greasy side, but that’s just because of all that amazing cheese on top! And the overall taste experience makes up for it.
Here you’ll find homemade sauce and dough made on premises. NYC Pizza also has a decent menu of normal american -italian offerings.
What Makes The Pizza So Good: The cheese blend is fantastic!
Favorite Pizza: BBQ Chicken Pizza
New Your City Pizza
107 Towne Dr,
Bluffton, SC 29910
https://www.newyorkcitypizza.com/
Giuseppi’s
No list of amazing pizza would be complete if we didn’t send you to Giuseppi’s! Just around the corner from Food Lion in Kitties Crossing, Giuseppi’s is a known quantity.
You could go any day of the week, for either lunch or dinner, and you will always be delivered a solid pie! One reason you get great pizza is Giuseppis is that, at its heart, Giuseppi’s is a pizza place! So, one would expect great things.
Giuseppi’s has a great feel and delivers on an enjoyable atmosphere, solid service and an overall good experience.
Every pizza starts with homemade, hand-tossed dough, is topped with great ingredients and then baked in a stone deck oven. This is the key to the soft on top, crispy on the bottom crust. Also, if you’re looking for gluten free options, you came to the perfect spot.
If you haven’t already figured out, making gluten free pizza is harder than you would imagine. Giuseppi’s tackles this with their cauliflower based dough and it’s amazing. Your fears of cardboard dough won’t materialize here! We commend Giuseppi’s for knocking it out of the park.
What Makes The Pizza So Good: Homemade dough with a special cheese mix of mozzarella and provolone
Favorite Pizza: Meatball & Ricotta Deluxe
Giuseppi’s Bluffton
25 Bluffton Rd #601,
Bluffton, SC 29910
https://www.giuseppispizza.com/
Okatie Ale House
Another surprise on the list but no stranger to being known for great food, Okatie Ale House (which, coincidentally, is located just across the street from Upper Crust) has a varied menu of traditional bar and pub food and has a great pizza pie too!
It’s places like Okatie Ale House that make you want to go out to eat rather than cook at home! If we ever write the best cheesesteak in Bluffton, these guys might just be on the top of the list.
A great atmosphere coupled with friendly service ensures you’ll have a great experience. Perfect for a fun date night or some place to get the kids out, I doubt you’ll be disappointed with any menu choices. Okatie Ale House offers a complete build-your-own pie assortment, but the stand out here is the Shrimp Pesto and Spinach.
I’ve never really got the behind the scenes story of where the dough comes from or what kind of sauce they use, but I can attest, it’s definitely tasty.
The pizza here is a type of “bar style.” You know the type: one where you’re surprised to see it on the menu, but then it knocks your socks off because it’s so delicious!
What Makes The Pizza So Good: They never cheap out on portions, pizza size or toppings!
Favorite Pizza: Shrimp Pesto and Spinach
Okatie Ale House
25 William Pope Dr,
Bluffton, SC 29909
https://okatiealehouse.com/
R Bar & Grill
Rounding out our list today is R Bar & Grill. If you’re looking to remember your college days, they’ve got a fun, college bar atmosphere. And, in truth, R Bar was started by a group of college friends from Rutgers University that wanted to escape the cold weather.
Getting down to the business of pizza, R Bar delivers on several points of great pie (you know…great dough, great sauce, great toppings) however, they’ve truly mastered the pizza and beer vibe.
After all, first and foremost, R Bar is a bar. Also, their menu is vast, the food (other than pizza) has always been outstanding, and, to top it off, they have a great kids menu (just in case you aren’t really in college anymore).
What Makes The Pizza So Good: The atmosphere. Can atmosphere make a great pizza? Indeed, it can!
Favorite Pizza: The Balboa
R Bar & Grill
70 Pennington Dr,
Bluffton, SC 29910
http://www.rbarbluffton.com/
So, the last “Best Of” list got a ton of Facebook comments mentioning that we missed this place or that place. If you have a favorite that we missed, comment over on our Facebook Page. Remember, we might not have missed it on purpose! We really love doing the roundup lists when it comes to food. A lot of thought goes into our choices!
