The best pizza in Salem, NH

Salem’s pizza runs the full range: wood-fired pies at Tuscan Village, coal-fired pizza next to golf simulators, Neapolitan pizza at an Italian market and neighborhood shops that have sold slices for decades. Here is where to find the best pizza in Salem NH, grouped by style.

Wood-fired and coal-fired pizza in Salem NH

OakCraft Pizza

At Tuscan Village, OakCraft Pizza makes its dough and sauces in-house and cooks in a wood-fired oven. You can build your own along a glass-fronted topping line or order a house pie in 12- or 16-inch sizes. A Classic Cheese is $14.99/$19.99. Try the Old World Margherita ($16.99/$21.99), the Hot Pep with Mike’s Hot Honey ($17.99/$23.99) or the Vodka Pie with prosciutto, peas and mushrooms ($20.99/$27.99). Gluten-free crust comes in a 14-inch size, and vegan cheese is available. Local beer and wine rotate. Hours: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Wednesday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Thursday–Saturday, noon–6 p.m. Sunday. 55 Central St., (603) 458-2510.

Balducci’s Wood Fired Pizza

On Route 28, Balducci’s calls itself an Italian family restaurant. Its Margherita comes with medallions of buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil ($16.95), and the Pesto Pie uses a nut-free basil pesto with ricotta and black olives ($16.95). The BBQ Chicken and the Super Pepperoni, loaded with extra pepperoni, are the same price. Order the wood-fired rosemary wings with caramelized onions ($12.95) and finish with a cannoli filled to order ($6.95). The restaurant’s own advice: judge a pizza shop by its cheese pizza. There is outdoor seating, first come, first served. Hours: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday, noon–8 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday. 419 S. Broadway, (603) 890-3344.

Rae’s Coal Fired at Par28

Rae’s Coal Fired is the kitchen inside Par28, an indoor golf and axe-throwing spot with TrackMan simulators, projected-target axe lanes and a 34-seat bar with six big TVs. That makes it a good pick when pizza is part of a night out, and Par28 also books corporate and group events for up to 200 guests. Par28 is open 3–9 p.m. Monday–Wednesday, 3–10 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.–midnight Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Sunday. It is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. 23 S. Broadway, (603) 458-7078.

Neapolitan pizza at Tuscan Village

Tuscan Market bakes Neapolitan pizzas you can eat at a table or take home. The list includes a Margherita with house mozzarella ($19), the spicy Picante with hot Italian sausage and soppressata ($20) and the Fichi, with Gorgonzola, fig jam, rosemary and prosciutto di Parma. The Polpetto adds meatball, garlic and a ciabatta breadcrumb ($21), and the Mortadella comes with burrata and basil ($20). At brunch there is a Breakfast pizza with eggs and hollandaise. Eat in the café or take it home. 9 Via Toscana, open from 8 a.m. daily.

Nearby, the menu at Tuscan Kitchen has a short list of pizze, including a Margherita ($22), a cacio e pepe pie ($23) and a prosciutto pizza with figs and arugula ($24). For a casual pie with a game on, Tavern in the Square serves a Classic Pizza ($16) and a Mushroom & Ricotta ($17), with a gluten-free cauliflower crust for $2 more. See all of the village’s options in our Tuscan Village restaurants guide.

Neighborhood pizzerias

Romano’s Pizzeria

Near the town center, Romano’s has had the same owners since 1994. It serves hand-tossed Italian-style pizza with 12 kinds of slices available every day, and it calls itself the home of the 20-inch submarine sandwich. You can take out, get delivery or sit down in a 45-seat dining room that also hosts parties, and there is a catering menu for bigger orders. 154 Main St., (603) 898-0788.

Amore Pizza

Amore Pizza on South Broadway was established in 1989 and makes its recipes from scratch. Its motto, posted on its site: “Good food takes time.” Hours: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon–8 p.m. Sunday. 314 S. Broadway, Unit E, (603) 894-4344.

More local favorites

• Blue House Family Pizza, 3 Hampshire St., (603) 890-1131: pizza, subs, salads and pasta dinners, for dine-in or online ordering.
• Tessi’s Pizzeria, 15 Ermer Rd., (603) 893-2818: a family-owned pizzeria with subs, salads and pasta dinners.
• Ralphie’s Cafe Italiano, 91 S. Broadway: personal flatbread pizzas, from cheese ($13.95) to meatball and ricotta ($16.95), at Salem’s red-sauce standby. More in our Italian restaurants guide.

Gluten-free and vegan pizza

OakCraft offers a 14-inch gluten-free crust and vegan cheese and toppings. It notes that gluten-free pies share an oven and stone with regular pizzas, so cross-contact is possible. Tavern in the Square makes its pizzas on a gluten-free cauliflower crust for $2 more and swaps in plant-based cheese for $1. If you have a serious allergy, tell your server or call ahead.

Tips for ordering pizza in Salem

• Mondays are tricky. Balducci’s is closed Monday, and Par28 doesn’t open until 3 p.m. on weekdays.
• Sunday nights end early. OakCraft closes at 6 p.m. on Sunday, and Balducci’s and Amore at 8 p.m.
• Feeding a crowd? Balducci’s and Romano’s both cater, and Romano’s dining room hosts parties.
• Bringing kids? Our list of family restaurants in Salem NH has more easy, kid-friendly picks.

Hungry for something besides pizza? Start with the full Salem dining guide. Prices and hours change, so check with each pizzeria before you go.