Even if you aren’t planning to catch a Braves game at Truist Park, it’s worth visiting The Battery—the city’s best proof that a giant mixed-use district can be equally loved by locals, tourists, and folks whose age doesn’t end in "teen." And in that complex is Antico, Atlanta’s Michael Jordan of pizza. They’ve nailed the perfectly charred, chewiness of the Neapolitan pie like no other, and much like legendary “flu game Jordan,” they never disappoint (probably because they keep the menu short and have a strict no-substitutions rule). Pizzas topped with imported Italian meats and cheeses will come to your table minutes after you’ve placed an order at the counter.

Opened in 2009, Antico is widely regarded as some of the best Neapolitan pizza in town. Before the pandemic, locals and tourists alike would flock to Gio Antico’s “Little Italy” complex in West Midtown and wait in long lines for some pizza and gelato. Now there’s a location at the Battery and Alpharetta’s Avalon -- and the wait times aren’t quite as crazy.

Giovanni DiPalma’s pizza empire features some of the best Neapolitan pizza in town. Pizzas are lovingly-crafted using old-school techniques and baked in a 900-degree over for the perfect flavor and texture. You’ll find traditional versions of both red and white pizzas including the margherita, diavola and bianca, all topped with fresh ingredients.

This wood fire pizzeria is family owned and run, a Midtown project near Atlanta’s Georgia Tech campus kicked off by Giovanni Di Palma, who hails from Naples, Italy. The Napoli style pizza is as authentic as it gets, making Antico one of Atlanta’s gems for pizza.

Antico offers a big slice of cheesy, saucy, chewy, Naples-style heaven. The communal tables, as well as the Italian opera on the stereo, give the place a convivial vibe. The best seats are inside the kitchen, where you can watch the wood-burning ovens.

They are Antico Pizza Napoletana, Arepa Mia, Banshee, Bomb Biscuit Co., The Busy Bee, Estrellita, Fishmonger, Heirloom Market BBQ, and Little Bear.

Die-hard food fans (and even our own review from July 2012) will say that Antico has lost some of its shine. But try telling that to the long lines that still form every single afternoon and evening (save for Sunday) at this Westside hotspot, or to anybody in the 404, who, whenever a new pizza place opens, immediately asks with a smirk, "Yeah, but how is it compared to Antico?". Owner (and mini-empire-builder) Giovanni Di Palma hit an over-the-stadium-wall-and-into-the-parking-lot (which this place needs, BTW) grand-slam home run with Antico, a bare-bones cinderblock building that features three imported Acuntos in the back room turning and burning pies that are sometimes ready before you've even found your seat at one of the communal tables.

Atlanta's standard-bearer for authentic Italian-style pizza now has multiple locations. The original Antico, located in owner Giovanni Di Palma's Little Italia neighborhood just north west of Georgia Tech, boasts the highest score in Zagat's first-ever pizza survey of "Best Pizza in 23 U.S. Cities" (beating out New York City), a Zagat Atlanta food score of 28 (making it the highest scored restaurant in the city), and they took home the International "Top in Class" Award for the United States during a worldwide, two-day pizza festival in Salerno, Italy.

What started as Giovanni DiPalma’s initial pizzeria location off Hemphill Avenue has now flourished into a Little Italia powerhouse, offering an array of delicious treats such as gelato, Gio’s Chicken Italiano, and more. With additional locations in Alpharetta’s Avalon development, at The Battery in Cobb County, and the newest addition in Tucker, Antico’s tasty creations are now within reach no matter where you are. Location: West Midtown location - 1093 Hemphill Ave NW; Website: littleitalia.com; Contact: 404-724-2333

Giovanni Di Palma’s “Little Italia” is a little Italian food haven on the west side of the city, and Antico Pizza is at the heart of the enclave. Sitting at communal tables in Antico’s open dining room is like being at a show; the chefs adeptly spin, sauce, and sprinkle pizzas at an impressive pace. Though Antico’s menu offers several red and white pizzas with a variety of toppings, the specialty of the house is the “Sophia” and it is a must-eat.

When this Naples-style pizza joint opened in 2009, it was a novelty, with its bring-your-own-wine policy and picnic tables set up in the warehouse-style open kitchen. Now, it’s an Atlanta institution serving the city’s best pizza in the classic, wood-fired style perfected in Naples, Italy. The process is simple: Stand in the often lengthy line, order from the small menu of pizzas and calzones, and find a seat.

Think Naples, Italy, authenticity and serious eating, and you have the vibe at Antico. Atlanta has a number of great pizza options, but one you won't want to miss is Antico's bubbly, slightly scorched crust with traditional toppings. Seating is communal, and you'll always find lots of Georgia Tech students (it's walking distance to campus) drinking beer, eating pizza and enjoying the rustic ambiance.

Antico Pizza Napoletana – with three locations in the metro area – offers a small but very authentic menu. They do not allow substitutions or specific toppings on half of your pizza, but if you are willing to trust their pizza expertise, your tastebuds will be pleased. Giovanni Di Palma, Antico’s founder and chef, centers all of his culinary decisions around what would be true to Italian cuisine.

Located within Westside’s Little Italia district, Antico Pizza serves up some of the best damn pizza you can ever hope to eat. Always thronging with long queues and repeat customers daily, you’ll be trying some tasty wood-fired pizza fresh from the oven all the way till night, when the kitchen finally runs out of dough, and still want to come back again for seconds.

Antico is a cornerstone of the Atlanta food version of Little Italy, located on the margins of the Georgia Tech campus. Thanks to a pizza combo of two Italian favorites worth spending all your lunch money on, this college hang-out is bound to become your reference point for great Atlanta food. Antico Pizza Napoletana | 1093 Hemphill Ave., Atlanta, GA 30318 | $$

Since its debut three and a half years ago, this Westside spot has become a shining example of Atlanta excellence. Although there are many pies to choose from, the San Gennaro is tough to beat. Chunks of fennel-laced sausage intermix with gooey mozzarella, and those beautiful sweet, round peppers take this charred pie from good to great.

The 2023 Atlanta Bib Gourmands are: Antico Pizza Napoletana, Arepa Mia, Banshee, Bomb Biscuit Co., the Busy Bee, Estrellita, Fishmonger, Fred’s Meat & Bread, Heirloom Market BBQ, and Little Bear. The newest Michelin award—the Green Star—stands for sustainable gastronomy. Only 23 Green Stars have been awarded in North America to date.

Back in 2009 when owner Giovanni Di Palma opened Antico Pizza, he didn’t open just one more pizzeria in town. He created a “Little Italy” complex in West Midtown that has been flocking with locals and tourists ever since. They serve Neapolitan-style pizza made from high-quality ingredients, baked in a stone oven imported from Italy.

It’s an Italian delight with imported ingredients that elevate the experience. Don’t let the MICHELIN Guide status deceive you. This is a kid-friendly restaurant where you order your pizza from a small menu, head over to the “kitchen,” find a seat at a communal table where kids can watch the pizzas being made and let kids go at it.

Consistently touted as an Atlanta favorite, Antico has won multiple awards for most beloved pizza in the city. Antico is loud and boisterous, with communal, cafeteria-style seating. The atmosphere shouldn’t deter you — the huge pies and BYOB policy make Antico a front-runner in the Atlanta pizza game.

Elevate your next night in with Margherita, pepperoni, diavola and San Gennaro Naples-style pizzas from this Italian eatery. Pair your meal with tempting sides like ricotta meatballs, lemon vinaigrette salad and desserts like cannoli, hazelnut cake and limoncello raspberry cake.

much lauded; very strict adherence to Neapolitan-style pizza standards; open kitchen; newest location beside the Braves’ stadium. “A vibrant hub of classic Italian eateries and ambiance, founded in Atlanta’s Westside, offering a taste of Italy’s culinary heritage.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,049 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: Quick Bites, Italian- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 1093 Hemphill Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318-5450- Read more on Tripadvisor

Antico Pizza – It’s a bit of a surprise to some that the one of the most popular pizza spots for pizza in Atlanta has no traditional dining area. Well at least in the original location. Outposts at The Battery / Suntrust Park and Avalon in Alpharetta do.

For a taste of authentic Italian-style pizza, there's nowhere better than Antico Pizza Napoletana on the Westside. The restaurant uses San Marzano tomatoes and bufala mozzarella. The San Gennaro and Diavola are favorite pies.

Antico Italian Pizza makes some of the best pizza I’ve ever had outside of Italy. I told a few gay locals I went to this restaurant and their faces lit up as they asked me “did you absolutely love it?

1093 Hemphill Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318Phone: 404-724-2333 Visit Website. A post shared by Antico Pizza Napoletana (@gioantico). Antico Pizza is a family-owned restaurant near Georgia Tech.

The Battery Atlanta's very own Antico Pizza Napoletana is recognized in numerous media including Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Trip Advisor, Eater, Food Network and The Guardian.

Antico has the best authentic Italian pizza in Atlanta with an owner from Naples, Italy. We recommend getting the Margherita DOP and fighting anyone that wants you to share.

Antico Pizza: Just as tasty as the first location in West Midtown. You get your pizza fast, and there are several community tables. Perfect for bigger parties.

Antico does a fantastic job of driving on the pizza scene in the city, as well as Italian culture in general. What would we do without these pies?