What do you look for in your perfect piece of pizza? Maybe it’s a thin, wood-fired crust or a generous helping of ooey-gooey cheese. Or maybe it’s about the creativity of the flavors and ingredients. No matter what, there is no shortage of places in the Mount Washington Valley area to find your perfect slice! In this article, we’ll explore some of the many locally owned and loved pizza shops that the Valley has to offer.
Shannon Door Pub & Restaurant | 9 Spancil Hill Rd, Jackson, NH 03846 | (603) 383-4211
So you’ve just finished an awesome day adventuring in the White Mountains and you’re starting to think about where to go for dinner… Look no further than the Shannon Door. The “come one, come all” atmosphere and Irish flair create an atmosphere that makes anyone feel right at home. Though their menu is well-rounded in terms of pub fare, their magnum opus truly is their pizza. Sure, it’s greasy, but it’s pizza that’s what makes it so good. Their gluten free crusts don’t disappoint either, which is always a plus. These pies are also the perfect size– a little bigger than a personal pizza, but not so big you couldn’t finish it in a sitting if you wanted to. And before you turn your nose up at the paper plates they come on, trust the process. They end up being your to-go container in a paper bag. Environmentally friendly and functional! To top off the experience, sit and have a pint with your pizza while being serenaded with the sweet songs of Ireland. Local or just in town for the weekend, this place is a Valley legend.
Open Monday-Wednesday 4:00-9:30, Thursday-Sunday 4:00-10:00
Vintage Baking Company | 41 US-302, Glen, NH 03838 | (603) 383-7211
At first glance, you might not expect to find pizza as an offering at this small Glen, NH bakery, but you’d be pleasantly surprised at what you’d find. Of all the places I’ve eaten pizza in the Valley, I can’t recall any that serve their pizza the way Vintage does– sheet pan style. Slices are available Wednesday through Saturday starting around 11:30 and you can order in person or online. Whole pies are only available if the order is placed the day before. Perhaps what makes these slices so special is the fluffy, bread-like quality of the dough and the way the cheese bubbles up on the crust. Unfortunately for me, I have a slight gluten intolerance and they do not have a gluten free option, so I can only base my recommendation off of presentation and the rave reviews I’ve heard from others. However, everything I’ve heard has been quite positive, as are the many online reviews you can check out for yourself. The best part? While you’re there getting pizza, you can also stock up on freshly baked goods (or vice versa). This is one stop you won’t want to miss.
Open Wednesday & Thursday 9:00-2:00, Friday & Saturday 9:00-4:00
Flatbread Company | 2760 White Mountain Hwy, North Conway, NH 03860 | (603) 356-4470
If you’re someone who likes a more sit-down restaurant experience for their pizza, Flatbread Company is the place for you. With quality, organic ingredients and creative genius, this restaurant boasts unique specialty pizzas that the whole family will love. Cozy in the cool weather months around the hearth and airy out on the outdoor patio in the summer, Flatbread Company shows there truly is no wrong time to eat pizza. In addition to the specialty flatbread menu items, weekly specials (“carne” and “veggie”) are posted on their website if you’re feeling adventurous. All pizzas are available on gluten free crust and are quite good. It’s also worth noting that their online ordering platform is user-friendly and effective, giving you updates on your order. If you want to eat pizza that you can feel good about, you have arrived.
Open Monday-Wednesday 4:00-9:00, closed Thursday, Friday 4:00-9:00, Saturday & Sunday 12:00-9:00
Elvio’s Pizzeria | 2888 White Mountain Hwy, North Conway, NH 03860 | (603) 356-3307
Prior to writing this article, it had been a little while since I had eaten at Elvio’s, so I was excited to revisit it again. Upon pulling in, I realized I hadn’t noticed before how many picnic tables were out on the grass in front of the restaurant, which I imagine are a huge plus for families with kiddos going out to dinner. I opted for a classic pepperoni and cheese pizza on a gluten free crust and was surprised when I was asked if I wanted thin or thick crust. Not usually having much of an option when ordering gluten free, I went with the thick crust and I was not disappointed. The crust had good texture and the pepperonis were crispy on the edges, just the way I like them. Additionally, takeaway salads in small and large, were available by the counter, which balanced out the meal nicely. It was also refreshing to see that single slices were available because you can get your pizza fix without committing to a whole pie if you don’t want to. All in all, Elvio’s feels a lot like your hometown pizza place and is a great option for families.
Open Thursday-Sunday 11:00-9:00
Boston Brothers Pizzeria | 2718 White Mountain Hwy, North Conway, NH 03860 | (603) 733-5920
When it comes to good food, I tend to adhere to the mentality that hole-in-the wall places are your best bet. This couldn’t be more true of Boston Brothers. Tucked at the end of the side street across from Sun & Ski, this casual spot offers some of the best pizza around. Single slices are available for someone who might just be looking for a light meal or a snack, but the slice size itself is usually quite generous. Boston Brothers also has one of the better gluten free crusts I’ve tried in the area. They do have a number of specialty pizzas on the menu that are gluten free, but be advised that pies, such as the “honey garlic chicken” and “Thai-ger chicken” are made with sauces that are not gluten free. (But oh my goodness don’t those sound like they’d be good?!) I also really appreciate the portion of toppings they use, especially when you’re paying extra for additional toppings. Delivery is available, but be sure to see if they’ll deliver to your location first as they are only able to go so far. It will take you a little off the beaten path, but Boston Brothers knows good pizza.
Open Sunday & Monday 11:00-8:00, closed Tuesday & Wednesday, Thursday-Sunday 11:00-8:00
Frye’s Store | 1642 E Main St, Center Conway, NH 03813 | (603) 447-2955
Right before you leave the Granite State heading toward Fryeburg, you’ll pass Frye’s Store. This no-frills pizza shop serves great food in a great location. We’ve gotten Frye’s for the road on our drives to Acadia, sandwiches to eat on the Saco, and pizza to take a mile down the road to Conway Lake. From vegetarianism to gluten allergies, their menu offers a little something for everyone.
Hours of operation varied online
Red Fox Bar & Grille | 49 NH-16, Jackson, NH 03846 | (603) 383-4949
Though they aren’t currently offering pizzas on their menu, the Red Fox made one mean wood-fired pizza, so I would be remiss to not include it in this article. (The hope is to start serving pizza again once they can secure the necessary staffing). The portion size was great for one person’s main meal or for two or three people to share as an appetizer. When the pizza would come out, it was bubbly and cheesy with a fluffy crust after being cooked in a real wood-fired oven. *chef’s kiss* There were a couple of specialty pizzas on the starters section of the menu, but build-your-own pizza is like the secret menu at Starbucks…it’s not listed on the menu, but you can absolutely order it. While we wait for the return of pizzas for dine-in, frozen takeaway style pizzas are available in their market/to-go area. They’ve done all the work for you prepping the pizza, you just have to pop it in the oven.
Open Monday-Friday 4:00-9:00, Saturday & Sunday 12:00-9:00
Whether it’s location, slice style, or specialty ingredients, there are so many pizza shops in the area that you’re bound to find some favorites. No pressure in choosing, though, because when you support any of the restaurants mentioned in this article, you’re supporting local and that’s part of what makes living (and eating pizza!) in the Mount Washington Valley area so great.
**As with most places post-COVID, staffing can be tricky, often impacting menu offerings and hours of operation. Many of the restaurants mentioned in this article utilize social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook for real-time updates, so be sure to check those out before ordering.**
– Special Thanks to Denver DiMarzio as Guest Writer and Researcher for this article. She has inspired me to step up my research for my own list of favorites as well! More to come…
Enjoy!!
