Lampo Neapolitan Pizzeria

lovely food, tastes amazing; however, they have no reservations so you have to come early or hope there’s space. also the chairs are wobbly 💔

I know this is a C'ville fav, but I've had Neapolitan pizza many times, and in Italy. We had the Fungi and Pauley something or other and they were firmly OK. Other places, Craft 64 in Scottsdale, AZ, are more creative with their Neapolitan style pizzas. Service was nice as the wine selection is marginal, a glass had to be replaced. Cauliflower appetizer was fine, it appears everywhere as its a high profit margin item. Mandatory 18% tip rubs me the wrong way - I often tip 20%! This place winds up being expensive. And hours and days open are limited. I would go back, but I wouldn't exactly hurry.

The pizza and service were both excellent. The space is a bit small, so it may not be the best choice if you prefer a more open or spread-out setting.

We have dined there about six times since moving to the area & our last visit was way off. Every restaurant has an off night but this one was off on several levels. We were told there was about a 30 minute wait, told us to go to the bar next door & they would get us when a table was ready. We ordered drinks and 5 minutes later they came for us. This is the 3rd time it happened this way..30 minute wait/waited 5 minutes an extra $30 bar tab. Okay, we could have ordered water. We are seated and greeted. Ordered a bottle of wine, salad to share and 2 pizza's as we always do. Last time the server was fine to add sauce to my husbands mushroom pizza, this time it was refused. Seriously, we weren't trying to customize the order. Then the pizza's came out and husbands was good, mine was so soggy that I had to push the toppings on to the crust and cut out the entire middle. It was a gummy mess..I ordered it well done. The final miss of the evening was being charged for what was not even 1/8 of a teaspoon of oregano. WOW! Things that bad? Now we love to dine out, we don't complain, we are easy going and don't mind spending money..we even tip above the service charge, but not this time. We will be back because we like the pizza to give it another chance. Ill bring my own oregano ;)

Lampo was the perfect cozy spot for pizza during our visit to Charlottesville! We were asked to wait in their attached bar next door and had a drink which we were allowed to bring over once our table was ready which only took 10 mins. The Diavola and Paulie Gee were SO delicious as were the fried ricotta donuts. The staff was friendly and attentive. Truly 10/10!

I want to love this place like everyone else, but I just didn’t. I thought the pizza tasted really good, but it took a long time for it to come out and the crust was a little too burnt. The toppings slid off one of our pizzas really easily as well, which was too bad. We came early on a weekday when it was snowing so we were seated right away, but I don’t think the experience would be worth waiting for a table.

real, authentic Italian food, made with only the best ingredients. the meatball appetizer is my favorite.

Lampo continues to knock it out of the park with bold flavors and perfectly balanced dishes that make you rethink what casual Italian should taste like. The Caesar salad with white anchovy was a standout right from the start—unexpectedly bright and punchy without any overpowering fishiness. The anchovy added a salty, umami depth that worked in perfect harmony with the tangy Caesar dressing. The porchetta sandwich? Unreal. Rich, herbaceous, and deeply satisfying, especially when you drizzle on their house hot sauce. It’s the kind of sandwich you crave again the moment you finish it. Their Margherita pizza came out hot, fresh, and steamy—the dough chewy and blistered in all the right places, the tomato and cheese combo comforting and classic. Simple, but absolutely worth every bite. But the sleeper hit of the night was the Pauline Gee pizza. This one had attitude. The spicy salami and sweet honey made for an addictive sweet-spicy combo, and the oiliness gave it that indulgent edge without going overboard. Spunky, rich, and wildly satisfying. Lampo isn’t just a pizza spot—it’s a whole flavor experience.

We've ordered delivery and ate bar side at Lampo and both times have been very impressed. The bar tender made some delicious drinks for us and the food came out quickly and perfectly done. Arriving 30mins after opening on a winter Friday night, it was already 100% seated with standing room in the back. Definitely get there early, especially with a large crowd. The specials, including my the salad, sounded really good. We did order it along with bread and never got them so that will have to be on a future visit. Regardless, really good quality food and a cool atmosphere.

This place does not take reservations and had an outdoor greeter (thankfully it is not usually too cold around here). While I arrived around opening, getting in was not a speedy process, and indeed it was a half hour past opening before I finally had a pizza (that spends ninety seconds in the oven), which matters because I was hungry from my hike. However, an excellent shredded kale appetizer sated my hunger, and the quality was there. A DOC margherita, with imported buffalo mozzarella, was only a small increase in price from the basic one, and buffalo mozzarella is hard to find. The crust had a fine note of char, and was easily cut with their fancy pizza scissors. This menu included a few other intriguing options and they do offer pizzas without cheese for those in need, but I was not disappointed that I picked the standard by which Neapolitan pizzas are judged, and you'd go a long way before you find another such pizza at this level of quality.

Came to Lampo during my sister's Bachelorette Party. We had a whole mix of food including: Cesar Salad - 3/5 - Basic Ceasar nothing crazy here Porchetta Sandwich - 10/5 - I still think about this sandwich months later. Can't find anything like this in Austin. Was the perfect sandwich. Absolutely a must-order. Margherita - 4/5 - Super good! Pepperoni - 4/5 - Super good! Well worth the visit if you're in town!

Lampo is one of our favorite pizza spots in town. It's constantly busy, so get there before opening to wait in line for a table if you want to eat first thing. Otherwise, put your name in and head over to Bar Baleno next door for a cocktail prior. There isn't a ton of seating, but they've done a nice job of using the space they have. It's a very intimate setting; going with large groups might be a challenge, but they'll make it work! Their cocktails are delightful, pizza is tasty and perfectly Neapolitan style. We have enjoyed their specials, salads, and meatballs too. Everyone is quite friendly and welcoming. They've got the perfect package!

The space itself is pretty small but it feels cozy. The service at the bar was really nice and we were well taken care of. The pizza order did take a while to come out but this was due to a lot of orders and each pizza is handmade and cooked in the pizza oven. The pizza dough was cooked well and the meatball topped pizza was great. Would come again and the wait for the pizzas is well worth it.

Pizza at Lampo is SO. FREAKIN. GOOD. Best pizza I've had in a while!! We didn't have reservations but luckily we grabbed the last 2 seats in the small dining room. I do not recommend coming with a large group. There is plenty of seating outside but we got there on a 92° day so we needed AC!! Service was great and friendly. Of in Charlottesville again I will absolutely go back or get take out!!

We had a fantastic dinner at Lampo! We were visiting Charlottesville for the weekend and heard from multiple friends that we needed to check out this cozy little pizza spot - it absolutely didn't disappoint. The staff are very friendly (our waitress gave us some great recommendations for other spots to eat and explore), and the vibe is warm and inviting. Food-wise, we started with a small meat & cheese board (loved their homemade bread on that!) and the meatballs in pomodoro sauce (super flavorful and juicy), then we split the DOC Margherita pizza, which was absolutely perfect (chewy crust, deep flavor, extremely fresh, and fun to cut with pizza scissors). We ended with the chocolate pudding, which was surprisingly elevated and unique - the pudding was rich and had a sweet cream mixed in to tone it down a bit, then it was topped with hazelnuts and crunchy caramelized sugar... incredible. Would absolutely recommend Lampo to anyone who loves Neapolitan pizza!

This restaurant was phenomenal! There's usually a bit of a wait...because they are amazing, but well worth the wait! There is seating outside while you wait and they serve drinks to help with the wait. The pizza is simple and fresh ingredients that are delicious. Their dessert was the bomb as well. My fiancé and I got to sit at the bar and were very well attended to. Recommend this place all around.

I love living in Charlottesville. But I am often reminded of the old saying from NYC: "Little Italy is no place for a hungry man". There's a fuss about Lampo. And I think the crust and pizza is generally a yummy thing. They don't put much on their pizza for topping. That's always a disappointment.

Although I have known one of the owners for over 20 years, this is the first time stopping in. And I must say we were thoroughly impressed with the service ambience and the exceptional food preparation. Come early as there is limited seating, both inside and outside. We arrive shortly after 5 PM after they had opened it still had to wait as the mass of people wanting to get in there with us. We tried two appetizers two different pizzas, salad, and both desserts all of which were extremely delicious I'm sorry it's taking me so long to make it by but Andrew and the staff are doing exceptionally fantastic job. Bravo.

I cannot emphasize how good Lampo is. I showed up 15 minutes before they opened and the line was already starting up, so I knew I was in for some great food! The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful in picking out what we wanted from the menu, and the food came wickedly fast. The brussels sprouts are a can't miss. The dressing is delicious and zesty, and the hazelnuts are the perfect complement. And of course, you can't go wrong simply dumping a pile of freshly grated parmesan on anything. The main event of course is the pizza. We tried two: the Margherita D.O.C. and the Prosciutto. The difference between the classic and the D.O.C. is in the cheese, the classic is the house mozzarella and the D.O.C. is imported straight from Italy. I am sure both are amazing, but the D.O.C. did have an unbeatable creamy and buttery texture that was perfect on the pizza. The Prosciutto was an incredible bite. The meyer lemon perfectly complemented the arugula and other ingredients. The staff brought over fresh parm and red pepper flakes as well, and that added a great kick. And if you go here, do NOT miss the ricotta donuts. They are perfectly soft inside, with a delicious crunch. They're also served with meyer lemon, and that squeeze cuts through the richness to create a perfect bite. I swear, everything I ate here was better than the last. I cannot wait to return, and in the meantime I have ordered from their takeout a few times!

Absolutely love this place - ambiance/vibe was perfect. Limited seating but super wholesome vibe exactly what you want to catch up with a bestie or for a date night. Everyone loved the pizza they got - we tried the prosciutto and funghi. All the employees were super kind and personable. With a group of five we had no problem getting a table on a Saturday night.

The love of my life! I was heartbroken when the restaurant closed for renovations but I welcome it back with open arms. For appetizers, I recommend the meatballs AND the Brussels sprouts salad. The melted cheese on the meatballs melts my heart. The crisp salad is the perfect palate cleaner before the pizzas arrive. The Margherita DOC is everything I want and more. The fungi is also a solid choice and I also peruse the specials menu for a fun change of pace. I love Lampo's crust because it's thin and yet so chewy. I sneak the crust with charred bits for extra flavor. Pro tip: save the leftover meatball sauce and dip the crust in it. Lastly, do not skip on the dessert. The chocolate pudding is so dreamy... I mean creamy. I love the sweet and crunchy candy bits that compliment the rich and slightly bitter chocolate. Truly the perfect finish to the best meal in Charlottesville.

I will start by saying I really like Lampo. We try to hike up in Raphine once a year and we always stop at Lampo on our way back home to Chesapeake - it has become a little tradition. We went yesterday and I was a bit disappointed. I'll start with service. Waitress was a bit cold. Not very friendly. I usually don't care about that. I go for the food and servers can have bad days. But when the food is off AND the service... then I mention it in the review. Now on to the food. The Margherita pizza is my favorite but this time had barely any cheese on it. I feel like I paid 19 dollars for sauce and bread. When I mentioned how the cheese was lacking, the waitress said " I can bring you some grated cheese". Not really what I was hoping for, but I said ok. To add insult to injury ... the bill came and I was charged 2 dollars for the grated cheese. On top of the 19 dollar "sauce bread". Really Lampo? Who does that??!! You serve pizza. Cheese comes with pizza!!! Not cool. The olives are also one of my favorite dishes. Ordered that too - no complaints there. The ginger beer was very refreshing. But the ending was the kicker. We asked for TWO separate checks. We were a party of three. Waitress told us it couldn't be done. But told us we could figure out who owed what and could use two separate cards for one bill. ( how is that any easier?) So now we had to pull out a calculator and itemize all our charges including the taxes and service charges and the added tip. I think after this experience we will be looking for a new "after hike meal" to add to our tradition.

The pizza here is incredible! We had bread, Brussels sprouts and a salad and pizza. Absolutely delicious. The crust held up beautifully and passed the fold test. 10/10 recommend. The ambiance and service were wonderful as well. We loved how the timing of our food came out.

Ordered on Grubhub and I paid dearly but IT WAS WORTH IT!!!! I got the mushroom pizza, chop salad and the ricotta donuts. The pizza was amazing because I love mushrooms and the crust had the perfect pull and char. That chop salad was equally delicious with absolutely no complaints. I thought that I didn't have enough salad dressing, but it was the perfect amount actually. The donuts are a MUST try. They look funny, but looks are deceiving. I can't remember how many came with the order because I basically inhaled them. They were a little crunchy on the outside with the cinnamon and sugar while super soft on the inside! Delicious! I don't want regular donuts anymore. I want some more!. I am keeping Lampo on the list and will visit every time that I'm in town. Charlottesville has some great food and I put Lampo up at the top for pizza.

I had passed Lampo dozens of times heading in and out of C'ville and was eager to go. And finally we did. First the vibe inside is great - a lot of energy and just fun. Second - we ordered the white mushroom pizza off the menu and it was very good - not great (could have used more toppings). Unfortunately the third element was the porchetta sandwich- made with pizza dough, with very tasteful and well prepared broccoli rabe - but devoid of the namesake roasted pork! Now it was a bit dark inside, so I could not see perfectly but the sandwich was essentially rabe and cheese - well flavored but some porchetta would have been a nice touch. There probably were trace amounts..... but why just not rename the sandwich "broccoli rabe with cheese" and I would have ordered the meatballs Maybe stick to the pizza

Absolutely incredible and a must-go-to establishment! We visited this intimate and charming restaurant as it was one of the few places open late with a full menu and drinks. When we arrived we were greeted and seated quickly right inside the door. The space is small yet vibrant and cozy and we immediately felt at home despite being from out of town. The pizza selection - all Neapolitan style, perfectly sized for yourself or sharing if you're generous - was delightful. A flavor profile and taste for every palette, with local and exotic farm-sourced ingredients. After ordering beautifully made cocktails (again with the most considerate ingredients and combinations), our pizzas arrived. While I don't recall the name of mine it was the "spicy" one, with a beautiful simple red sauce that was perfect, complete with amazing dollops of cheese and a beautiful chili oil to round out the flavor and texture. I love leftovers and I try to eat mindfully most of the time but all of that was out the window here because the pizza was THAT GOOD. I couldn't stop and ate the entire thing with pride. Perfectly flavored crust was cooked to perfection with salty blisters on the edge. The center was paper thin yet cooked and held the simple sauce and cheese perfectly, making you cradle it just so as you prepared for a bite. Slicing the pizza with the fun pizza scissors they give you was also a blast and something I've never done before! We were in Charlottesville for 4 days and every day I wanted to go back here and sadly we were unable. I still think about this pizza often and crave it - that's how perfect it was! If it wasn't a 7 hr drive away, I'd be here every week. Do yourself a favor and stop in for a beautiful meal that is a cut above the rest. Cannot recommend highly enough!

Good pizza, even better atmosphere. Great cocktails, and the pizzas are made seriously. The classic Margherita D.O.C. was delicious, and the funghi (mushroom) pizza less so (although the funghi pizza tasted better as a leftover. Opens late at night, and is a great option to have especially when most other businesses are closed.

Food is all good pizza is tasty. Service is superior and they know what they are doing over there.Servers are can't do enough for you. The inside is small and cozy and you don't feel crowded they also have outdoor seating. I like AC so we sat inside. Definitely recommend this place, you won't be sorry.

The ambiance is so lovely here and the pizzas are absolutely delicious! We got the pizza with hot honey without the meat since we were vegetarian, the margherita, and the funghi pizza and they were all so good!! Their hot honey is the perfect sweetness with a kick! Also their donut holes for dessert are so warm and fluffy, absolutely delicious but would probably not recommend them cold/to go. I would say 2/3 of a pizza is a meal for an average person who doesn't eat a lot but on a hungry day, I could finish a whole!

Tried twice to call for a take out pizza. They have an automated system. Followed the directions both times and no one would answer. They say they're open until midnight, but this was before 10 on a Friday night.

Our family ordered FIVE appetizers and two pizzas and every single bite was delicious! As a vegetarian, I appreciate the variety in flavors and ingredients. Truly, everything is unique! We will definitely be back!

I'm just passing through town and needed a place to eat dinner. When checking places near me, I saw the Neapolitan pizza and had to go! The place is tiny so there was a wait but it didn't take long to be seated. I sat at the bar, so I had a view of the pizza oven. The music seemed to only be in the kitchen and was a strange choice for the vibe of the restaurant but the place is tiny and charming. The pizza was so good; if I lived here, I would definitely be back!

Outstanding food and service. Just watch the open hours especially on holidays and weekends. Outside of that, highly recommend.

I have waited several days to write this review to see if my disappointment has tempered and dissipated somewhat. It has; I have decided to go from two stars to three. Our first taste of Lampo was when it opened ten years ago. It was wonderful. Lampo rivaled anything you could find in Brooklyn, LA or New York City that was modestly priced and of good quality. The pizzas were superb. The food was obviously prepared by individuals who loved their craft. Our recent experience in June of this year was the first one since the pandemic. Not the same. Ingredients still good by and large but the love is missing. I should add that the staff was never really top notch. Outside of Brooklyn, LA and the City you don't often find professional servers and that's the case at Lampo. However, the food more than made up for it. I've seen this happen often. Young, talented people initially motivated to bring quality to the dining experience soon flag after about seven years because restaurant work is tough. I know. My family started our first pizzeria in 1951. One of my first memories was going with my mother to Brooklyn to buy a Blodgett pizza oven. (Wood-fired ovens were still in future in this country.) On a positive note, I hope and think they can recover. Take my advice: Don't let the crowds of "thirty somethings" fool you; they still go to Taco Bell. Set your own standards, put your nose to the grind stone and make this your life. There can be no compromise with good food and devotion to hard work.

Food is always delicious. Servers are always helpful with recommendations and suggestions. And now with a bar space to enjoy when waiting for a table...

[Review from 2017] I came here with a friend one weekday evening. The place is kinda small so not good for groups. We sat at the 'bar' and could see the oven in the back. They have hooks underneath the counter to hang your belongings. We ordered a pizza and each had a glass of red wine. Pizza and wine was amazing, but how long it took to get our pizza was not. It took about an hour for us to get the pizza and there really wasn't that many people eating in. But man was the pizza delicious. Fresh dough flavorful toppings. The wine pairing was phenomenal as well, one of the best I've had. Stuff here is on the pricier side, but the quality is there. Maybe it was a one off on how long it took to get our food. If that improves, I would be more than happy to come back.

Nice little spot and really good pizza. If and when I move to c'ville im sure I'll be here a lot

Out-of-this-world pizza, easily top 10 pizza I've ever had. Lovely environment with great service!

I tried the pizza at Lampo's, hoping for a nice alternative to my usual choices. I got a *very* small pizza for the same price as a regular pizza, and there was nothing special enough in the presentation or serving style to justify the price. Quite disappointed!

Amazing Neapolitan style pizza!! My husband and I tried the fungi pizza (mushroom with white sauce) and it was incredible. The cream sauce on the pizza had so much flavor and paired well with the mushrooms. We also ordered the meatball pizza and it was equally awesome. The meatballs were so good!! This pizza was recommended by our waitress and it did not disappoint. They offer a variety of wine and beer as well as craft cocktails that looked amazing. Very cute inside and great ambiance. Highly recommend!!

My kids love fungi pizza here, it's quite delicious, we often organize pizza parties every weekend. Margherita Pizza and Fungi are the perfect choice

Best pizza in C'ville! Love the margarita pizza. My husband's fav. has mushrooms - nice salad too

I've been wanting check out Lampos for years - basically since I moved from the dc area. I was lucky enough to live in Italy and fell in love with true thing Christ pizza that still has a chew to the crust. Lampos more than met my expectations for what pizza should be - delicious texture on the crust, flavorful ingredients. We enjoyed a nice bottle of red to accompany the meal. I opted for the prosciutto pizza (mainly bc I love arugula on a pizza). It was everything I was looking for and more - the lemon added a nice brightness to the taste. We arrived at 5:30 and didn't have to wait as we snagged the last open table. After that there was a wait but they serve drinks next door while you're waiting. The pizza was ready maybe 10 minutes after we ordered so you don't have to worry about waiting long once you're seated. I want to go back and check out the fungi pizza next. Give this spot a try next time you're craving authentic Italian pizza!

I was told this is the best pizza in Charlottesville, and it didn't disappoint. Started off with the meatballs for an appetizer. It was above average but not very memorable. We decided to split a pizza and a sandwich. The muffaletta had good quality meats and cheeses. The flavors were on point, but the bread was a pita like style, and I don't think it helped the sandwich. The real star of the night is the pizza. The 5 start review is for the pizza. It was great! We had the standard margarita with scissors to cut it. The crust had the correct amount of char and was cooked to give it a nice chew. The quality of the ingredients was clearly on display. Great sauce with bright tomato mixing with the creamy cheese. Just enough basil to add a little extra on those bites. It was very bright and left me wanting to order another for later. The place is small and seems to be a team effort for service. It was busy, and I think the service suffered a bit. They took our plates after the meatballs and stated she would return with clean ones, but that didn't happen. After dropping off the pizza and sandwhich, they didn't check in to ask about the food or even refill drinks. Maybe it was just an off night?

Pretty expensive but that scorpion pizza with the hot honey is top notch! I'm willing to pay for it every now and then.

Lived up to the hype! Pizza was EXCELLENT (we got the Hellboy). And we also enjoyed the shaved brussel sprouts (Cavoletti di bruxelles) as an app. The Midnight Stinger drink was delightful. Wish I lived nearby so I could have tried so many other things. Staff was friendly and helpful. But expect a wait on a Friday night.

My girlfriend and I love this place. It is our favorite pizza in Charlottesville and the cute tiny spot and cozy atmosphere in Belmont makes it even better! Daily specials.. you taste the difference and tell they truly care from the quality. Good service always.

Very rude and rigid. Can't recommend. On a downhill slope and that isn't the food. Servers, manager, hostess need lessons in courtesy and dealing with the public.

Best pizza I've ever had? Yes. My party of three were seated immediately (on a Friday night!) and service was attentive and fast. We ordered cocktails, the farro starter, and three pizzas: the special (a verde pizza which was to die for), the margherita doc, and the prosciutto. Everything was amazing; the crust was seriously the best pizza crusts I've ever had. I could have eaten a whole crust plain--delicious. Though I don't live in Charlottesville, I've been telling my friends that if/when they visit Charlottesville, they need to go to Lampo.

10/10 recommend! Such delicious pizza in Charlottesville. We waited over an hour because we didn't have a reservation on a Friday night, and it was definitely worth it. The wood fire pizza is incredible and even come with fun scissors to cut. The hot boy brings some heat and wakes up your senses in the best way.

Lampo was such an unexpected treat, I was happily surprised by the quality of the food. I love that you get a pair of scissors to cut your own pizza. I will dream about the zeppole we ate there, they were better than my grandmothers (don't tell her!). Seriously some of the best pizza I've had outside of Italy, this place really blew my mind.

Lampo consistently has exceptional service, great food and a wonderful vibe. The regular menu never disappoints and we have been loving their specials! Adds some great variety to the menu and always a treat. Recently we've enjoyed the seasonal vegetable specials and last fall the different hummus offerings were over the moon with their baked on site bread. The team is welcoming and gives excellent recommendations based on what you are looking for. While they don't take reservations, with their Bar Baleno open next door (indoor and outdoor) for waiting for a table, it's a great place to spend an evening.

Lampo is one of my all time favorite pizza spots and restaurants in Charlottesville, VA! Both their margherita and fungi pies are absolutely delicious. They are perfectly cooked well done without being burnt and have the perfect balance of cheese to sauce to topping. All the pies are nice and light and have the added fun of cutting it with their massive pizza scissors. The ambiance of the restaurant is also unique with their dim lighting and dark interior. Lampo will always be a must try whenever in Charlottesville!

Had a Friday overnight in Charlottesville and was in desperate need of good pizza and a drink, found it at Lampo, awesome pie and meatballs and great vibe sitting at bar. Very friendly place. Still thinking about it a week later.

GREAT PIZZA!! 18% gratuity......not so good. Charge for grated cheese....not so good. Bread with salad.......$5.00...really? Food was fresh and delicious, but not cheap.

Found this place as a must see on tik tok. Doesn't seem like a great part of town, but it's worth it. Doors open at 5pm. Line was already building at 4:45pm. We chose to sit inside. It's quaint and intimate. The pizzas are all wood fired. Rather small menu, but a diverse menu. We did pizzas and salads. DOC pizza is made of the most rich, and hearty ingredients. The pizzas are delivered as they come out of the oven. Sometimes different times than your other table mates. The service was great. Very trendy spot. The pizza scissors are GENIUS!!!

Hellboy Pizza was delicious. Was just in the Napoli region of Italy and honestly this pizza is very good and holds it own however I think it is a bit overpriced. The ambiance is great in this tiny restaurant and transports you to Italy