Varasano's Pizzeria

After a recent visit to New York City and stumbling into what I thought the best pizza ever at Grimaldi, and then again at Motorino, my search started for the holy grail of pizza here in Atlanta. After tasting different variations of this classic oven-baked flat bread that?s topped with tomato sauce, I felt my search hit a dead end and I had to return to NYC to fulfill my craving. I couldn?t have been more wrong. After one visit to Varasano?s Pizzeria on Peachtree Road in the South Buckhead, I found it, a pizza with personality: my search was over. Fortunately, owner and master pizzaiolo, Jeff Varasano, a former New Yorker who moved south for a job opportunity as a software engineer brought with him his passion for pizza. In March 2009, Jeff opened Varasano?s Pizzeria giving all of ATL the opportunity to enjoy his take on the classic Neapolitan style thin crust pie, and what an outstanding pie it is. This is a must destination for pizza lovers! more

I really wanted to like this place, it's in my neighborhood and more than a few times each month I need a good pizza or pasta in a convenient location. The pizza is not even marginal (first visit) and the pasta is plain awful (second visit). And the 'donuts' they tout for dessert are just pizza dough wedges rolled in sugar and fried on the grill-gross, really, really gross...served with really runny raspberry sauce. The stellar reviews here must be from the owner's friends and family because people who know good food wouldn't keep going back. Atlanta has too many good places to eat and spend your money to waste on this place. more

Want thin crust pizza, Want pizza that?s fresh and flavorful, Want pizza that?s piping hot, quality ingredients, Want a pizzeria with excellent customer service, Well, you go it @ Varasano?s Pizzeria?s. My dining guest and I were starving as usual, we decided on Pizza, I rarely eat Pizza, my stomach said Yes. Now, I didn?t just want any Pizza, that?s when Varasano?s crossed my mind, let?s see what the fuss is all about. Varasano?s is directly across the street from Justin?s, on the lower level of a condo building with ample parking in the back of the building. I decided on the traditional Margherita pie (fresh mozzarella, tomato & basil), I added shrimp, they prefer that you add 1 extra ingredient, to keep the natural flavor, of course, you can try as many you like. The pizza is crisp, with a fresh sauce, high quality ingredients, lightly charred crust, it?s pizza bliss. We decided to also have a house made salad, it?s big enough for 2 people.(romaine lettuce topped with , cheese, olives, sun dried tomatoes, light vinaigrette). I think this is really cool, you can sit, sip on your favorite wine at the Pizza bar and watch the masters at work. The restaurant has an extensive wine list, guests can also feast on Salads, Sandwiches and Dessert. Did I mention, it?s Kid friendly? So if you want hand crafted Pizza that?s Pure, head on over to Varasano?s, you?ll be glad you did. Save me a seat at the Pizza Bar! more

It was the best pizza I've ever tasted !!!!!!! Jeff you're amesome! more

I took my wife and 2 kids (ages 10 & 11.5) to Varasano's while on vacation in Atlanta. We were looking for a ""pizza joint"" to change things up a bit (we had a lot of BBQ & Mexican food thus far on our trip..). After doing some web research I decided on Varasano's. It was about a 15 minute drive from downtown Atlanta. We parked across the street, (although there is valet parking) and walked in at about 8:30 p.m. on a Friday night. The restaurant's interior was modern and slick, yet not overdone. We ordered 2 pizzas; one with pepperoni and one with sausage & mushroom. Each pizza was about $15 from what I recall and about 12 inches or so. The style is what I would call ""rustic"" New York thin. Everything was VERY fresh and we ate every last scrap of food. I would recommend Varasano's if you are looking for an ""upscale"" pizza experience with excellent pizza. Pros: Fresh, tasty, great pizza Cons: A bit expensive more

Important dates in Atlanta history: November 11, 1864: General Sherman orders the city to be burned to the ground May 8, 1886: Dr. John Stith Pemberton invents Coca-Cola January 15, 1929: Martin Luther King, Jr. is born December 15, 1939: Gone With the Wind premiers at Loew's Grand Theater September 18, 1990: The IOC announces that the 1996 Summer Olympics will take place in Atlanta October 28, 1995: The Atlanta Braves win the World Series March 25, 2009: Varasano's opens in Buckhead Life as we knew it in this city changed forever. Those of us who thought we knew the difference between pizza and great pizza but had never traveled to Naples or sampled pies from the authentic pizzerias found in New York or even New Haven, Connecticut were now being shown just how naive and sheltered we were. If Atlanta is currently playing host to its own ""Pizza Wars"" as many have said, then Jeff Varasano fired the first and loudest shot. Was it the best pizza in Atlanta at the time of its opening? Definitely. Is it still? Possibly. The one thing I know for sure is that Varasano's upped the ante for Atlanta pizzerias, and for that I am grateful. Pros: brilliant pizza Cons: subpar beer list more

In the last year or so, Atlanta has gone crazy over pizza and the gossip that comes with it. From Fritti shuttling in Italian pizza czars who didn't speak any English to Concentrics getting in the game with a coal oven pizzeria downtown, it hasn't just been Atlanta's freak-out over Antico that's been buzzy. But the reason why Atlanta's pizza stock has risen 1000% in the last 18 months, has been because of one man, Jeff Varasano. The brainy, passionate and slightly neurotic restaurant owner was in the NY Times before the restaurant even opened. His at-home pizza parties became legendary. And in the year it's been open, despite being blanketed in both praise and scrutiny, the man hasn't stopped trying to improve his restaurant. In the last two years, we've gotten incredible upgrades with not one good pizza spot, but 3 or 4 GREAT pizza spots. And we have Jeff Varasano to thank for that. more

Pros: phenomenal pizza, incredibily knowledgeable owner Cons: limited beer selection, limited variety in pizza offerings more

Finally, a Wonderful Pizza Bar. Great food, wondeful Flat Crust Pizza and the Best Sauce. Luv the Salumi Pizza, the Spiced Olives andSauce are Wonderful. Great Fun Bar with two Big Screen TV,s for BallGames and Fun Bar Atmosphere. Wonderful Jeff !!! And Big hugs to Michelle, Jen and Bartender Tony....Cruise Director Pros: Best Sauce, Fresh Dough and Great Service Cons: No Pasta more

Varasano's Pizza is, hands down, the best pizza I have ever eaten. The crust is amazing, because Jeff has perfected his own yeast formula which makes for a perfectly cooked, scrumptiously charred, pizza. My favorite is the Nana's by far because of the exquisite blend of spices used in the pizza sauce itself. And I can never get tired of the Nana's cuz I can add pepperoni or their really good sausage... Next, my favorite would have to be the Salumi which is their meats pizza. They use the highest grade cuts of salumi and the pizza is just to die for. And if you are looking for something lighter, try the Carmelized Onion -- mmmm especially with sausage; or try the Chica Bella! Pros: Best thin crust, best pizza dough, best atmosphere! Amazing! Cons: Small place, cramped bar area more

The caramelized onion pizza is hands down my favorite pizza in Atlanta. It's not your typical pizza - it's a white pie with emmanthaler cheese, caramelized onions, and fresh thyme. The freshness of the herbs make a big difference in the overall presentation and taste/aroma of the pizza. I've also had the Nana's (with fresh oregano on it) and the Margherita (with fresh basil). Freshness is a key word here, because that's what everything is. From the sauce to the cheese to the herbs, everything tastes really carefully selected and prepared. Ignore all the hype about this restaurant - just go and experience it with an open mind. Whether you think it's the *best pizza ever* or not, for the quality you get and the reasonable prices, it's pretty hard to beat it. Pros: Knowledgeable staff, open 7 days, lunch, late nights Cons: No draft beers more

This is the closest thing to a true NYC thin-crust pie that you can get in Atlanta. Great thin crust, great sauce, perfect cheese. Indeed, Varasano's works with this medium the way other artists might work on canvas or with clay. Pros: Pizza as an art-form Cons: A little pricey more

Went to Varasano's with a friend and we tried a margarita pizza and another with sausage both were delicious. I love the super thin crust pizza and it is much better than pizza I have had in New York. Pros: Fresh Ingrediants, Flavor more

Very rude service. Never heard of a pizza joint that will NOT allow you to take pie to go. Good luck with that. Pizza was decent for Atlanta but mediocre at best by NYC standards. more

All of us in the Buckhead/Brookwood area having been waiting for Varasano's. Even those of us, who were invited to Jeff Varasano's home for pizza, and it was great, were waiting to open. The space is hip, great bar area. And the servers are right on. But alas, the pizza's just didn't deliver. They were all soggy in the center, with liquid in the pizza serving pan. The crust around the pizza was very dry, and remined us of Matzo! Maybe it has something to do with using electric ovens. Atlanta has many great pizza joints, and hopefully with some tweeking, Varasano's will rightfully take it's place among them.l Pros: Great Space, Wonderful Smells, Nice Bar! Cons: Soggy Pizza! more

We've been searching for great pizza for over 4yrs. since we relocated here, in atlanta. But what we found in our previous search was close but not quite right. So my sister saw this news segment of a new restaurant the day before her birthday and wanted to give this place a try...maybe they have good authentic NY style pizza! But what we found was authentic Italian pizza which is a much better find. The ingredients were fresh and each bite was delectably light. We had two desserts and they were soooo good! If you're looking for authenticity and a pleasant atmosphere, you have to visit Varasano's...see you there! Pros: Delicate and Delicious more