Inizio Pizza Napoletana

Inizio is absolutely world class pizza. The ambiance of the restaurant is great, the staff is very friendly and went out of their way to tell me about the history and how they are attempting to recreate Naples, Italy in Charlotte. The food was equally appealing to look at as it was flavorful. This is a must go if you are craving some great, salad, pizza, or just some gelato/canolis.

Their pizza flavors and ingredients are amazing! The pistachio pizza was my absolute favorite! Be aware that the crust is not hard and crispy. It is thin, and floppy, but the flavors are very good and it doesn’t take much to crisp it up a little bit in the oven when reheated.

Great pizza. The pistachio pizza is unique and a must try. You can only get full pizzas, small or large, and it's a bit on the pricier end of normal but you're paying for good food. There's outdoor and indoor seating. Great music selection. You can see the pizza being made which is fun and service is fast and friendly. The gelato was great. You can mix flavors too which is always a win for me. Would absolutely recommend and revisit.

Really great pizza! Unfortunately I was charged the full size pizza even though I ordered and received the small size. Didn’t notice it at the time, only now after talking to friends who recently visited. Overcharging is an absolute no-go for me, I hope it was just an honest mistake because it’s absolutely the best pizza in the area. Edit: the owner reached out via google maps reviews but the email provided doesn’t work. Got error messages by his email server provider

This is an excellent pizzeria. Ingredients are fresh and tasty and the dough was absolutely delicious. The pizza is made in neopolitan style wood fired ovens and was remarkable. The service is quick and the seating area is nice too! Absolute must visit if you are in Charlotte!

I love this place. Amazing creative pizza selections, like you would find in Italy. Some of the best pizza in Charlotte! My favorite is The Diavolo Pizza with the spicy peppers but I cannot wait to go back and try the pistachio. The pizza is unique and delicious, consistently. It's a must try! (and the staff is wonderful there) 5 stars for sure.

I’ve been celebrating my birthday at Inizio Pizza every November since 2019, and every visit has been exceptional—one of the main reasons we come back year after year. Unfortunately, this year’s experience fell short of the high standard we’ve come to expect. While the service and atmosphere were as great as always, the pizza itself left something to be desired. Issues with the pizza: • The ingredients were unevenly distributed, leaving parts of the pizza as just crust with no toppings. • The amount of sauce was noticeably less than in prior years, resulting in a dry and slightly undercooked pizza. • The pizza wasn’t properly cut, which caused the toppings to pull off when separating slices. Despite this below-average experience, we still believe in Inizio’s ability to create outstanding pizza. This one visit doesn’t change our opinion that it’s the best pizza in Charlotte, and we look forward to returning next year for a better experience.

Best pizza around by far. Ignore the bad reviews. One even said they’d rather have a box pizza from the grocery store. Clearly their taste buds are dead. Fresh, fast, taste amazing. We go all the time.

I came here with my friend on a Friday night dinner with a friend. They were packed, but the service was still excellent. The ambiance is rustic, with exposed brick and visible pizza ovens, which add to the authentic feel of the place. We walked up to the counter and picked out two pizzas to share. We ordered Rafaele and Luigi, a glass of red, and a soda. About 20 minutes later, our pizza arrived, and we devoured it. The crust was great, and the flavors were spot on. Toward the end of our meal, they brought out a duplicate order. We told them we'd only ordered two pizzas, but they were generous enough to let us take the rest home instead of wasting it. The staff was generous with their service and let us sit in and talk while they were cleaning up. The leftover pizza heated up well in both the oven and the microwave. I highly recommend this place for solid Neopolitan-style pizza.

Normally, we have gotten great food here but not so tonight. 2nd bite of pizza also included a long blonde hair. As I have short gray hair , I was pretty sure it wasn't mine. Brought it to the attention of the manager. He offered to remake the pizzas, and I appreciate that. But not many people myself included maintain an appetite after finding someone's hair in their food. I would have preferred my money back Guess we will look for a different pizza joint after tonight.

Went with family for Mother's Day. Was excited that they had vegan cheese so my son with a dairy allergy could have pizza. All the pizza was good. I like they give you a cup of sauce with your pizza too for dipping. They have beer, big tables and tons of self-serve takeout boxes. Nice casual spot.

So I'm not really a big pizza fan due to a bias of thinking all pizza is the same but Inizio begs to differ. This place gas a premium price in comparison but you really pay for what you get here. I created a pizza with prosciutto, & some other toppings I have forgotten but I know I went back two more times that month due to family request. I tend to sit in my reviews before i post & i went here about a year & ago half ago. I would definitely recommend this place.

Great pizza place. Fresh ingredients and great taste. Vodka pie was very yummy and def will try again. Only issue was the pies have a lot of flop to them. Otherwise pizza tasted great and again great fresh ingredients. Worth a try!

The pizza is fantastic there you get large portions and it taste great. The interior is quite homey. People are super friendly and the service is fast.

Just ordered two pizzas. Great crust. Love the dipping sauce. Love the little bit of char on the crust from the super hot oven

Ordered 5 pizzas for take out and there were so few toppings, we couldn't tell which pizza was which. Even the red sauce and cheese was nearly nonexistent.

Well if speed is your thing, this is a good place to go. If you actually want a good, well cooked pizza, it's not. Our pizza was putting just a few minutes but it was borderline raw dough. Cold. Not good. Not sure how it's an 8 on the OneBite app. It was generously a 6.1. If it would have been cooked, it would have been a 6.7. Also - the stinginess on the parm is actually comical. They literally put a reason (not exaggerating), in plastic cups for people. The prosciutto was just ham. The home pickled jalepenos were just regular, not pickled.

One of my favorite takeout pizza joints in Charlotte. The margherita pizza is full of flavor! The fresh buffalo mozzarella and basil makes this pizza a homerun. The Italian chopped salad is a solid choir for a side.

I'm more partial to New York style pizza but that aside, gimme Inizio as Charlotte's finest. The servers here at this location are friendly and knowledgeable and when it isn't too busy (which is most of the time), I like to grab a beer and sit on one of their long benches and watch the people traffic. The pies here don't disappoint. The margherita is great, with just the right amount of char, and I always get the raffaele which is just delicious. All in all, Inizio checks every box.

This is a nice pizza spot. They have indoor and outdoor seating along with plenty of parking in the shared lot. We got the Margarita with pepperoni and the pesto pizza. The pizza was good. Prices is average. Staff were friendly. They serve Alcohol and it's a casual spot. You get your own plates and napkins. Hope you enjoy!

Dry crust, miniscule ingredients, things I ordered weren't included. . .how the hell did they get those five star ratings???

Really good pizza (and I've tried a few places in the city) but it loses 1 star for price - it's expensive! And the pie isn't even that big. And another star for its crust. My mushroom truffle pizza had a tough, chewy crust. It wasn't pleasant. I couldn't eat most of it because it wasn't enjoyable. Other than that, great if you're not a big crust person!!

Friendly staff, just not my style of pizza. Decent ambience; simple ingredients, not a lot of flash.

Inizio has great pizza. I haven't eaten IN in years, but got takeout recently and their napoletana style pizza is truly great. I enjoy it every time and need to go back in person soon!

Went here twice over the last couple of days when we were passing through Charlotte on a long car trip. Absolutely delicious and perfectly cooked pizza Napoletana. We had four different varieties and they were all amazing. Service was super friendly and I like the casual, no reservations system. If you're in the area I can't recommend it enough.

The summer special Peach salad and mushroom pizza were both delicious. I'll be ordering both again soon.

Such a dissapointment. I've been to this restaurant time after time and though they promise a lot with thier ovens and Italian feel, their pizza is just a bummer. It used to be that it was always burned on the bottom. Now they fixed that but their their crust is SOGGY. The pizza is a bit on the pricey side too, which they could justify if their pizza was good but the value is just not there. I really want to like this place but they fail to deliver. I don't plan on going back.

It's getting toasty outside this time of year and that has me in the mood for.... Pizza?? Now we know pizza isn't normally considered "refreshing" on a hot day, but hear us out. Thinly sliced lemons, fig jam, goat cheese ricotta, Buffalo mozzarella, fior de latte, thyme. This is the pizza y'all - THE summer pizza!! I'm aren't really sure how Inizio did it, but they actually managed to make the most refreshing summer pizza known to man. Not at all heavy, and packed full of flavor. Probably one of the best pizzas I've have ever had. But don't count their other offerings out. My husband, a couple of friends, and I also tried the pepperoni pizza with a side of pesto (their pesto is bomb) and the Oreo cannoli. Talk about Italian heaven! If you're in the CLT area and want a unique, fortifying pizza, this one is the perfect one to try!

I have been to Naples, and had a great many authentic Neapolitan pizzas whilst in Italy. However I'm also fair and won't judge a pizza in it's origin vs one in the US... Inizio is a fantastic rendition of a Neapolitan style pizza for American audiences. The dough is light, and the ingredients were of high quality. The crisp was great and the chewy crust reminded me of Italy. While the price for a small pie at first glance seems expensive, I felt as though their ingredients definitely demanded it given they're likely exported, and Charlotte isn't exactly teeming with competition. I had the Diavola which was topped nicely, the sauce was a good amount and the flavors were on point. Highly recommended if you're a fan of the real thing and looking to scratch the itch.

I have read the reviews on Inizio Pizza and was in the mood for some pie and decided to try them out. When you arrive, you'll notice that Inizio isn't that big and the outside decor doesn't make you think of pizza but it's the pie itself that matters the most. When you get inside, the decor is a typical pizza spot so there's not much to tell. When you see the menu, you might not recognize some of the ingredients and it's all good because the staff does a great job of explaining and answering any questions you have. I honestly didn't know how to pronounce many of the pizzas so I went with their recommendation. We decided to go with the Diavola pizza and it was better than what my expectations were. I felt satisfied, but my stomach was not excessively full. The pizza tasted very clean and wasn't oily, but beautifully balanced with all of the fresh ingredients. Although it is pricey, we did enjoy the pizza and the size was proportionate so that made it a great value. The restaurant is very clean and when we were there, it wasn't too loud so it's a great spot to take the family for lunch or dinner.

Excellent pizza with quality ingredients and terrific customer service! They could stand to be more generous on toppings but will always take care of you if not satisfied. Great people and pizza!

If the same review from over a year ago is my review today there is no reason to add anything more but I am from NJ (Jersey City) know the best pizza , I wanted to show them what they are doing wrong so bad, Why the soft dough? I do know its the water , They need to import water from NJ . Ill show them how to make some Pizza sauce & how to add some cheese , :) They do have nice people .

Nailed it on the Neapolitan, Italian pizza! I have yet to try the gelato, but the cannoli is a must! They're huge and delicious! Highly recommend!

As usual another great lunch time with the family at this place. Carbonara Pizza! Really tasty, you should give it a try!

I visited Indio for the first time last week. I must say I left very pleased and impressed with the staff and most importantly the pizza. This place has some of the best if not the best pizza in Charlotte. We had the specialty pizza with artichoke hearts and prosciutto. The crust is thin and accented by and crispy and chewy crust! Please give them a try and one of their area locations around Charlotte, you want be disappointed

Excellent pizza. A little shi shi and pricey. but great crust. Very quick. Very convenient

Nasty. Our pizza wasn't even sliced! Staying at a hotel made this very difficult. Barely any toppings.

New to NC, family recommended; sorry guy! Is was ok @ best. Crust tasted like a soft pita bread. Possibly a tad under cooked.

Always great vibes, definitely try the pistachio pizza it's my favorite! The service is always top tier and you'll never leave dissatisfied. Best pizza in town!

Best pizza ever! Very expensive though! Friendly staff. And a yummy treat in jelado is here too!!!

Best pizza around, we eat here every time we are in the area. It's definitely the best pizza around and the cups of red sauce is liquid gold to dip the crust in. HIGHLY recommend this place

Food was fast but way too salty; service was excellent and quick; rather pricy for pizza

The food was really good. The service from the man taking my order was excellent, very knowledgeable and friendly. The ambiance could use a bit of work, but we carried out so it didn't bother me too much.

Expect the edges of your pizza to be charred since it cooked in a wood fired oven. We had the Pizza Margherita. It was absolutely 100% delicious (but unfortunately over priced). The atmosphere was really noisy and seating was most uncomfortable. Service was adequate. I honestly expected a little more high end ambience than what we experienced after viewing the menu and prices online before our visit. I think this would be a fun place for families with children. I would not recommend this place to couples going out on a date. Overall, we had a fairly pleasant experience.

Always fantastic pizza! Pistachio is my fav, Maria with pepperoni is close 2nd. Also fantastic gelato-yum!

Pretty great pizza but I wish they had more options on the pizza. My husband likes a good meat lovers pizza with the works and they just don't have anything like that. This is more of an upscale Italy style pizza. Still really good but kind of over priced for our liking.

If you're half as much into pizza as me you have to try Inizio. I am usually a die hard classic pizza fan but I have to admit whenever Inizio comes out with a seasonal pizza like their zucchini pumpkin I'm never disappointed. Even their pesto pizza is a must try if you love garlic. The speed of their pizza cooking in their artisan wood fired ovens always produces a unique delicious experience which brings me back. Don't forget to checkout their gelatos and cannoli options as well from their friendly staff. grazie mille!

If you're on the fence, get the pistachio pizza! I would've never ordered it without seeing all the positive reviews beforehand. I like plain, shelled pistachios and really enjoy regular pesto but never would've thought about pistachio pesto. It was one of the best (if not the best) pizzas I have ever had. The cannolis were also both delicious. Highly recommend and it was ready quick for to go on a Friday night. P.S. If ordering to go, note that they do not cut it because they believe it travels better. So if you need it cut, make sure to ask!

Great atmosphere! Pizza was amazing as was the apple pie cannoli. We enjoyed it so much we ate there twice in one weekend during a short visit to the area. Highly recommend!

Born and raised in Italy, I can agree that this comes close to the Napolitan pizza made in Italy. My only complaint is consistency since you have multiple people making your pizza, therefore, we ordered three margherita pizzas and they were all made differently. I would consider this very inefficient since if you go to Italy, you only have one Pizzaiolo, making pizza to control quality. Overall, I would recommend this place. Very friendly staff.

Pizza is amazing. Service is fast and friendly. Thanks for all you do. Wish I lived in Charlotte and can stop by often!

Inizio is consistent and always on point. We generally get the Margherita and add pepperoni It isn't greasy like others where it's grease running down your arm. It isn't super cheesy but the right amount of real mozzarella not super processed shredded and has some flavor. Inizio is our go to for wood fired pizza

Best pizza & cannoli this side of Italy. Best when consumed onsite, but it you plan to take it home after to not have them cut the pizza for you. Their magical gluten tastiest best when freshly cut. Enjoy!!!

This was my second visit. The first time we went the pizza was amazing -Saturday afternoon. Arugula salad was plentiful and tasty. Jonesing for pizza thought -get one for pick up and watch a movie. What a mistake. The pie was cold snd soggy. Tried to crisp it in the oven and all it did was drip through the rack. It was a margarita with added sausage. Three pieces of basil and11 pieces of sausage. Def a different person made this pizza. The salad was dry a handful of arugula and a few sliced cherry tomatoes and a sprinkle of parm. The only hood thing was the lemon cannoli Totally disappointed

Hands down the best pizza I've ever eaten! You will not be disappointed. We had the Vodka Pesto pizza and it was amazing!

We had not been to Inizio since pre-Covid. Last week was our first trip back. Employees were great about safety precautions and masks. We had the chopped salad, a delicious glass of montepulciano and the Raphael pizza. Inizio's uses top quality ingredients in everything and the salads are where you can really tell if a restaurant is good quality. The salad was perfect. Loved it! The reason for 4 stars not 5, the toppings on the pizza were pretty sparse. This is our regular pizza that we get here and this night, there were far less toppings on the pizza as past visits. To the point where when it was brought to the table, I just looked at it and debated saying something. In the end, I did not. Thankfully there was an extra dish of sauce that came out with the pizza to dip your crusts in! Everything else was perfect and restaurants are having such a difficult time right now. Ultimately it wasn't that big a deal and I'm not going to be "that customer " that gives these guys are hard time on top of any other struggles going on. We still love this place and will be back again soon. (And yes, ordering the exact same thing because it's THAT GOOD!) It was so great to get out for pizza with my guy and our dogs.

Definitely come in person vs getting delivery. Our first visit here was awesome: quick service, fresh pies, and the Cesar salad was crisp. You order at the counter, get a number, and then find a table. They also have gelato that looked good. Today, we got delivery and it was so disappointing. Neither pizza was sliced and they weren't even warm by the time we got them (though can't blame Inizio for that one). They also were stingy on the mozzarella today, which is especially disappointing on a margherita pizza. Keeping this review at 4 stars since the first visit was so good. 3rd visit will make it or break it for me.

First time here, went for an early lunch. Sat outside, was very nice. Staff was very friendly and helpful when selecting the right pizza. Loved that they brought extra sauce with the pizza without us having to ask. Gelato was also good. Kinda pricy for a small pizza but was a good experience overall.