With a Pizza Oven Imported From Italy, This Brand-New Virginia Pizza Restaurant Is the Real Deal

Pizza restaurants are common here in Virginia, but they're not all created equally. Some focus on speed, others on generous portions, and some prioritize quality above all else. It's a rare pizzeria that offers all three, but Pi-Napo seems to hit that mark. My family and I visited this new restaurant in the Fry Springs neighborhood of Charlottesville recently and were impressed on every level.

Parking at Pi-Napo was a little tricky; there's a dedicated lot, but it fills up quickly. Luckily, they've designated some spots at the gas station just across the street so that's where we parked. On a Friday evening around 5:00 p.m., there wasn't much of a line, but it was already bustling—a good sign. The inside was spacious, airy, and inviting. There's a team assembling and cooking all the pizzas by wood-fire, and they're out in the open, so you can watch as they expertly prepare each order. In fact, there's even a counter where you can sit and watch as you eat. The pizza oven is worth admiring; there are actually two of them, and they are crafted from volcanic ash, meaning they can reach a temperature of 800 degrees.

We stepped up to the counter and ordered a classic Margherita pizza, which is crafted with San Marzano tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella, and fresh basil. It took just ten minutes to get to our table, and it arrived fresh from the oven, sizzling cheese and all. This particular pizza costs $18.95, and it's large enough for two adults and a hungry toddler. It's also some of the best I've eaten!

It's clear that the team at Pi-Napo treats pizza -- and all food, for that matter -- as a work of art. It's gourmet in every sense of the word, yet the setting of the restaurant is fun, casual, and family-friendly. There are drinks to choose from, including Peroni on tap and $5 glasses of wine.

We were so impressed with our pizza that we decided we couldn't miss out on trying some of the homemade desserts. We went back inside and ordered a homemade cannoli to share and it was absolutely out-of-this-world. Fresh, authentic, and not-too-sweet, this cannoli might just be my new favorite dessert. But I shouldn't speak too soon; Pi-Napo also has a rotating machine of homemade gelato I've yet to try.

Curious to learn more about this restaurant? Head on over to the official Pi-Napo website, where you can browse the menu and order your meal to-go.

For more ideas on what to do in Charlottesville, check out another new business in town: Sbrocco's Donuts. And if you need a place to stay, there are lots of amazing vacation rentals in Charlottesville, Virginia.