Raleigh–Durham, NCPizza

The News & Observer and INDY Week recognize Pizzeria Mercato for seasonal cooking expressed through pizza. The Weaver Street kitchen treats crust and market produce with equal attention, so the menu changes as ingredients move through the year. Choose a pie built around the current vegetables rather than defaulting immediately to the most familiar combination.

The News & Observer and INDY Week both include Pizzeria Toro in Durham dining coverage. The Chapel Hill Street restaurant centers a wood-fired oven, producing blistered pies in a busy shared dining room. Order one restrained pizza that lets the crust show, then add the kale salad or another vegetable plate to balance the table.

The News & Observer's Raleigh guide calls attention to the deeply flavored crust at Oakwood Pizza Box, while local coverage keeps the Person Street shop in the city's pizza conversation. The menu is compact and the pies are direct. Start with a cheese pie or a simple topping combination so the dough stays central.

INDY Week's Durham County coverage names Hutchins Garage in the local pizza field. The converted Geer Street garage serves pies in a casual room that fits groups and walk-in meals. Share one classic combination and one of the kitchen's less conventional pies, allowing the table to compare how the crust handles different toppings.

INDY Week's Orange and Chatham coverage names Napoli Pizzeria & Gelateria among Carrboro's pizza choices. The East Main Street restaurant combines Neapolitan-style pies with a gelato counter, making the meal easy to carry from savory to dessert. Choose a lightly topped pizza from the oven and save room for a scoop afterward.