Best Pizza in Houston Heights & Montrose: A Slice-by-Slice Guide

Houston's pizza scene has grown dramatically over the past decade, and the Heights and Montrose have become two of the best neighborhoods in the city to find a great slice. Whether you're craving a classic New York thin crust, a Detroit-style pan square with crispy cheese edges, or a wood-fired Neapolitan pie, there's a spot nearby that does it right.

Here is a slice-by-slice tour of the best pizza the Heights, Montrose, and surrounding areas have to offer.

Star Pizza — A Houston Institution

Star Pizza has been a staple of the Houston dining scene since 1976, and its Harvard Street location just south of the Heights draws a loyal crowd. The menu leans toward hearty, generously topped pies with a slightly chewy, hand-tossed crust. The standout is the Special — loaded with pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, black olives, and Italian sausage — a classic combination that has kept customers coming back for nearly five decades.

The atmosphere is casual and family-friendly, with red-checkered tablecloths and a retro feel that matches the vintage neighborhood. Star Pizza also offers a solid selection of salads and calzones, but the pizza is the draw. It's a generous, shareable style that makes it one of the more affordable sit-down options in the area. 77 Harvard St, Houston, TX 77007.

Gold Tooth Tony's — Detroit-Style Done Right

Gold Tooth Tony's Detroit Pizza on North Shepherd Drive has quickly earned a reputation for some of the best Detroit-style pizza in Houston. The square pies come with the signature caramelized cheese crust along the edges — that crispy, almost frico-like rim that Detroit-style fans obsess over. The dough is thick and airy, the sauce is layered on top of the cheese (as tradition demands), and the toppings are generous.

The Roni — a classic pepperoni cup-and-char pie — is the best place to start if you're new to their menu. They also offer creative options like the Melrose with spicy honey and the Don't Be a Chicken with buffalo chicken, ranch drizzle, and pickled jalapeños. This is not a thin-crust city — it's a hearty, shareable, two-slice-and-you're-done kind of pizza. 1901 N Shepherd Dr #4, Houston, TX 77008.

Via 313 — Austin's Detroit-Style Export

Austin-based Via 313 opened its Heights location on North Shepherd Drive and brought its award-winning Detroit-style pizza to Houston. The crust is light and focaccia-like with a crispy, caramelized cheese edge, and the toppings are fresh and high-quality. The The Detective — pepperoni, jalapeño, and honey — is a fan favorite, as is the Big Mook with meatballs, ricotta, and basil.

Via 313's space is modern and bright, with a full bar and a welcoming patio that makes it easy to bring the whole family. The pizzas are priced by size (personal, medium, and large squares), so you can order exactly as much as you need. If you're looking for a reliable, well-executed Detroit-style pie that's consistent every time, Via 313 delivers. 1541 N Shepherd Dr Suite 1000, Houston, TX 77008.

Pizaro's Pizza Napoletana — Authentic Neapolitan in Montrose

For wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, Pizaro's Pizza Napoletana on West Gray in Montrose is the neighborhood's go-to. The crust is thin, blistered, and slightly chewy — the hallmark of a proper Neapolitan pie cooked at 900 degrees in a wood-fired oven. The Margherita DOC with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil is simple and perfect. The Diavola with spicy salami adds a welcome kick.

Pizaro's is certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN), which means they follow strict traditional standards for ingredients and technique. The Montrose location offers a cozy, intimate dining room with an open kitchen where you can watch the pizzaiolo work. 1000 W Gray St Ste 400, Houston, TX 77019.

Crust Pizza Co. — Neighborhood Favorite in the Heights

Crust Pizza Co. on North Durham Drive is a neighborhood staple that focuses on hand-tossed, made-to-order pizzas with a from-scratch approach. The dough is fermented for 24 hours, and the sauce is made from California-grown tomatoes. The result is a consistently good, middle-of-the-road pizza that satisfies without trying to reinvent the wheel.

The Heights — topped with pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms, and red onions — is named after the neighborhood and is their most popular pie. Crust also offers gluten-free crusts and a solid build-your-own option. The atmosphere is bright and casual, with large windows that let in plenty of natural light, making it a great spot for a lunch meeting or a low-key dinner with the kids. 1215 N Durham Dr, Houston, TX 77008.

Pinks Pizza — Late-Night Slice on Heights Blvd

Pinks Pizza on Heights Boulevard is the neighborhood's answer to a classic New York slice shop — thin, foldable, and served by the slice until late. The vibe is unpretentious and divey, with neon signs, a jukebox, and a wraparound patio that fills up on weekend evenings.

Pinks also offers unique toppings like the Truffle Shuffle with mushroom, truffle oil, and arugula, and the Hot Honey Pepperoni for those who want a little sweet heat. It's the kind of place where you can grab a slice and a beer after a long week, sit on the patio, and watch the neighborhood go by. 1403 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77008.

More Spots Worth a Visit

Beyond the standouts above, a few more pizza spots around the Heights and Montrose deserve a mention:

• Luna Pizzeria — Heights — A walk-up spot on Yale Street serving Roman-style square pizza by the slice. The crust is thin, crispy, and almost cracker-like, with rotating seasonal toppings. It's a great quick lunch option if you're in the area. 107 Yale St #400, Houston, TX 77007.
• Zalat Pizza — A Dallas transplant that opened on West 20th Street, Zalat serves creative, loaded pizzas with a focus on unique flavor combinations like the Loaded Baked Potato pizza and the Pho Shizzle with sriracha drizzle. 250 W 20th St Ste 300, Houston, TX 77008.
• Frank's Pizza — Downtown's long-running slice shop, a short drive from the Heights, Frank's has been feeding Houston since 1987 with hefty New York-style slices. 417 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002.
• Romano's Pizza — A Montrose classic for New York thin crust, Romano's has been a neighborhood staple for years with generous toppings and a no-frills atmosphere.

A Pizza Tour of the Neighborhoods

One of the best things about the Heights and Montrose is how walkable and bikeable the pizza scene is. You could easily spend an afternoon hopping between a few of these spots — grab a slice at Pinks, ride over to Gold Tooth Tony's for a square, and finish with a classic Star Pizza pie. The neighborhoods reward exploration, and the pizza scene is a perfect reason to get out and discover new corners of the area.

Whether you're a Detroit-style loyalist, a Neapolitan purist, or just in the mood for a classic hand-tossed pie, the Heights and Montrose have you covered. There's never been a better time to eat pizza in this part of Houston.