No matter how you slice it, pizza is one of the world’s ultimate comfort foods. Some love pepperoni, others are all about classic cheese, and then there are those who swear by veggies. Whatever you’re into, one thing’s for certain: a slice of pizza is more like a slice of heaven when that craving hits. And when that hunger strikes in the Grove, there’s no shortage of options to satisfy. Even with the recent (and tragic) closure of Harry’s Pizza, there are four dedicated pizza places within walking distance of campus: New York Roma Pizza, Mr. O1 Extraordinary, Pauloluigi, and Strada, each one promising to serve up the finest slice in town. And that’s not even including other spots that serve pizza on the menu.  

Even RE is serving up the good stuff. Located around the corner from the Bookstore, the new pizza pavilion on campus will have you feeling like you’re lunching in Italy—sort of. With Italian music playing and pizza baking, lots of students are saying grazie for this new dining option.  

“I think it was a great idea by the school administration and the people working to make the school better every day,” said Roan Hurwitz ’28. “It’s a nice addition to the lunch options.” 

But as the saying goes, too much of anything isn’t good for you, so maybe this Grove pizza party is feeling a little cramped. Let’s dig into what’s going on in the Grove, why pizza tops the food chain here, who’s serving it up, and how an oversaturation of the same style restaurant might leave a bad taste in a restaurant owner’s mouth. 

According to The Washington Post, people love pizza because of its “fatty, sweet, rich and complex” nature. The outlet also noted that 350 slices of pizza are eaten every second in the U.S. That’s equivalent to 1.25 million slices per hour. Chances are, a large portion of those consumers are high school students. 

So, what makes for that perfect slice? According to Austin Handler ’28, “I think you need the right combination of everything—the sauce, the dough, the cheese. Everything has to have the right balance.” In a foodie-friendly neighborhood like the Grove, students like Handler are sure to find their perfect pizza match. 

Local Favorites 

If you’re craving an off-campus pizza option that’s less classic Italian vibes and more NYC-style attitude, students like Handler know just the spot. “I’d say Roma Pizza is the best for a New York style slice. And it’s close to school so it’s easy for me to get there.” 

But if your pizza craving leans more creative than classic, head over to Cocowalk and let Mr. O1 show you what a star shaped pizza is all about. Server Ariana Menendez tells us why she thinks they reign in the pizza game. “I think it’s the quality and the originality of the pizzas,” Menendez said. “We use different toppings, and our dough has a special ingredient that makes it unique. It’s not like other pizza places; the flavor and texture are just different.” 

What might be hard to swallow is the number of places calling themselves the best slice in the Grove. According to Restaurant Business Online, too much isn’t always great, as over saturation in the market is one of the primary reasons why so many restaurants close. When an oversupply and high standards meet an oversaturation, bringing in the dough gets tough. 

New York Roma Pizza owner Tomas Euvin, however, doesn’t seem too fazed. “We’re not afraid of competition. We’re from Brooklyn, New York. We’re not afraid,” says Euvin. “Whoever makes the best pizza will do the best. Business is good.” 

The same can’t be said about Harry’s Pizzeria. Once located right across the street from Roma Pizza, the pizzeria’s Coconut Grove location shuttered after 10 years of being a neighborhood favorite. Hurwitz was disappointed to see the beloved restaurant close its doors. “It’s pretty tragic. I would have said Harry’s was my favorite. It honestly was the best. I don’t know if it was the absolute best tasting pizza in Coconut Grove, but it definitely had a nice char on the bottom, good sauce, and overall great flavor.” 

What’s Next? 

But even when we bid farewell to one pizza great, in comes another ready to fire up their oven. The Miami New Times confirms that Miami Slice, one of Miami’s hottest pizzerias, has announced plans to open a new location in Coconut Grove in 2026. We can see the lines wrapping around the corner before the first pie is even out of the oven. 

Whether your favorite spot is here today, gone tomorrow, there’s bound to be a slice waiting for you. When one pizza door closes, another one opens, perhaps making way for something fresher. So, let’s raise our fork to the fallen and preheat the oven for what’s next.