Antico

I absolutely love this place!!! They do have family style seating which is iffy, but I have never had a bad experience. The pizza is so good! Also, the pizzas come out very quickly so no long waits. Plus Avalon is super charming.

As a recently transplanted person to the Atlanta area, this was the place I heard the most that I had to try. Someone had even sent me a list of the top pizza joints in all of America, and Antico came in in the top 15. Pretty impressive.
So one of my first places to visit when I arrived a few months ago was Antico. I originally visited the midtown location, which honestly is a 5 star rating. I’m reviewing this particular location because it’s the one I frequent most and the location we go to when we bring visitors from out of town.
So as far as the pizza goes, this place lives up to the hype. I always preface my reviews with my decade long stint in DC. It’s close proximity to the NY C-​I-​T-​Y allowed me dozens and dozens of trips there. Plus I did live in the city for a couple of years when I was younger. I saw this because I’ve had my share of good pizza. NY style of course. We can debate about deep dish and NY all day but I think most people are familiar with NY style.
Well the thing about this pizza is it’s hard to compare because they are close but not the same. The toppings for one are not traditional cheese, pepperoni etc. No, in fact they’re dangerous. Dangerously good. I mean that lasagna pizza! Whaaat? That was the first thing I tried and I’ve never looked backed. The San Genaro is great too. The specialty one with truffle oil. That was a disappointment honestly. I felt I wasted money getting that one. But that was a choice from one of our family friends visiting. Stay with lasagna and san genaro and you can’t go wrong.
The place itself is clean and nice. the only reason I’m docking this location a star is b/​c it is quite small. It’s hard to get a spot if you’re a larger group. I’m all for table sharing and that’s part of the appeal but if you’re a big family, come during off peak hours. I’ve seen some people get pushy and annoyed there b/​c of this. It actually takes away from the experience if you ask me. So much so that I almost gave this location 3 stars. But the pizza itself carries the place and it’s so good that you really can’t give it less than 4.
If you’re in the mood for great pizza and you’re in the Avalon area, this is a must visit without a doubt. Just be prepared to fight for seats if you’re in a large group. Happy table hunting! lol.

Came here on a cold, Thursday afternoon around 5:30 pm. The employees were standing around and didn’t look thrilled to be there, and there weren’t very many customers there at the time. I had a better experience at the other Antico’s in Atlanta and wish the pizza wasn’t so oily or messy to hold up, but the Lasagna pizza with meatballs, ricotta, and romano was still delicious.

ANTICOOOOOOOOOOO i love love love love you
i am ALWAYS in the mood for antico pizza!!! although it is pretty pricey for a college student, it is sooooo worth it. seating style is pretty hectic but i think it adds to the vibe~~~
i always get allllll the basil and garlic and parmesan and red pepper and hot sauce! all the condiments are located by the kitchen in front of the person who is kneading the dough.
keep in mind that the restaurant closes whenever they run out of dough!!!
you can also bring your own wine!!! :-)

This pizza was seriously the best pizza I’ve ever had. I was hoping for a white pizza, but had my kids and husband with me so tried the meatball pizza and the margarita pizza with italian sausage and they were both AMAZING! We went on a Friday night, so the seating was very chaotic, so there were 6 of us cramped in a table with another family of 4. That was the only downside to this experience.

This is the best pizza I’ve ever had. The crust has just the right amount of crisp and chew. The toppings are yummy (I love the basil, which gets a slight char) and I just discovered the little olive oil seasoning station they have set up to make the perfect dip to dip your crust in. You can add Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, garlic, and two different types of peppers to two different types of olive oil. They also have a good variety of sodas and sparkling waters.

We came here with some friends and it was very enjoyable.
The atmosphere was nice and I liked how the water was infused with water and not out of a soda machine.
It was also nice that you could get garlic, olive oil, parmesan and peppers from that area.
The only reason I am giving it a ⁴⁄₅ stars is because you can not get the half toppings.
My husband likes meaty pizza and normally he just adds it to his half because there is no since in him and I each getting our own large pizza. Especially at $ 20 per pizza. We each ate off of one pizza, gave a couple slices to friends and still was left with 3 slices to take home — just from one large pizza.
Another odd thing that I really liked was the temperature their sodas were kept at — almost icy.
The calzones looked fantastic, we’ll try them out next time :)

My first experience was WOW… I had the best pizza… Coming from NY I’m kind of a snob for a good pizza… I have to say if this is the Italian way I’ll take it!!! My pizza was delish! Can wait to return and try something new!

This place is packed so if you’re with friends, a pro tip is to have someone order while the other (s) snag a table to sit at. Twenty dollars for a pizza is pretty hefty but if you come with three other friends and split a pizza, 5 bucks for 2 huge slices isn’t too bad.
The pizzas are baked in a wood fired oven which gives the crust a nice char. The crust is still soft enough that it doesn’t cut your mouth but crisp enough to withstand the toppings and still give you a little bite.
We got the magherita and added pepperoni and we also got the lasagna pizza. They were really generous with the pepperoni so that each bite of pizza had some pep. The pizza is simple and delicious.
The lasagna pizza was also really good. The best parts are the globs of ricotta. Rich and creamy, they help cut the saltiness of the sausage.
They also have a small condiment bar with olive oil, spicy oil, fresh raw garlic, and hot peppers. All really good accompaniments of the pizza.

Not as good as the original location, but a nice option for us OTP folk. Located in the bustling Avalon shopping center, this pizza place has a great selection sure to please even the pickiest eaters. The inside has been packed each time I have come, but it is understandable why once you take the first bite of your pie. I like the white pizza here, which is surprising since I normally hate that everywhere else I go. You cannot go wrong by eating at Antico!

Sad day for me. I love Antico in Midtown… but the one in Avalon is OK.
Parking — there is a parking deck available luckily! I think it’s right across from Antico. I forgot. But it’s super close by.
Space — Place is bigger than the one in Midtown and not as crazy. Major plus.
Service — Pizza comes out fairly quickly. We went during lunch & it was somewhat empty. Took maybe 10ish mins for us to get our pizza
Why a 3…
Pizza doesn’t taste as amazing as it does in Midtown. I was so sad. I was extremely excited about all the other factors (Major improvements when compared to the Midtown location) and so I was really hoping the pizza would the on the same bar or higher.
Dough wasn’t good at all. Ingredients were so so. Smell was good though! When eating the pizza, it tasted bland. :(Bummer. Maybe it’ll improve… for now, I’ll stick with Midtown.

When pizza is good I can pass on it but when it is great I crave it non stop! The latter is true for this pizza! Heading there for your first visit? Walk in and u can grab a drink out of the cooler then to counter and order. Tables are long community style. If you have small kids pray you get an end section to roll up that stroller. Remember there is lemon water to your left… As well as a condiment station. The pepper and like my new crack rock! I am fully obsessed!!!

I’m born and raised in the Hudson Valley, New York. Have had plenty of my share of pizza in NYC. Forget any and all pizza you have had in the Atlanta area, THIS is what pizza is supposed to taste like. Antico lives up to the hype.
It all starts with the ovens. No nonsense, sturdy, wood fired ovens. There’s nothing fancy about them, they look like boilers from an old war ship, but the oven is where the magic starts. Then the crust, just so incredibly good. I thought the whole thing about the Italian imported flour was a gimmick to be honest, but the flavor shines through. And the crust is cooked to Italian perfection with just a bit a char both underneath and around the edge. That’s when you know the oven is well fired when the pizza is cooked perfectly and you have that light char. It’s the char that adds that extra nutty flavor as you eat around the crust.
We went with the basic Marghertia DOP pizza, your basic tomato, mozzarella and basil pie. First bite and we knew it was one of the best pizzas we’ve ever eaten. Took me right back to Arthur Avenue in NYC. The sauce is divine, there was just the right amount of garlic underneath, the mozzarella incredibly tasty and some ripped basil on top. There’s really no way to describe it other than this is the way pizza is supposed to taste.
The restaurant itself is a very basic café with family style seating so expect to eat with some new friends. You order first from the counter and then go find a seat. Service is no nonsense with the pizzas brought out on basic flat cooking pans. Drinks are serve yourself from the coolers where you wait to order. There are additional toppings, forks and such at a small bar station on the far left of the restaurant.
Save room for dessert too as Antico has a gelateria attached. Wow, so glad to Antico move up here to the suburbs. We will be regulars.

This place is located in a shopping plaza called the Avalon. It is a really nice area to walk around and shop it. The pizza shop only adds to the the plaza.
The place
It isnt very big but it is really nice. You can see them whole process as they make your pizza so no need to worry. I was impressed with how clean the place was. When I think pizza joint I don’t think nice and clean.
The food
The pizza was stellar we ordered two pie’s everything we had was so fresh. They brought them out freshly made and hot! We had the San Gennaro and the Margherita both were high quality. I don’t think you would ever have to worry about the quality of anything at Antico.
The staff
I only really talked to the guy who took our order but he was very patience. Sometimes when you go to places were you order at the counter you get the stare that says «hurry up moron.» Not here he was really helpful being our first time. He gave us some suggestions which I always appreciate at new places.
The verdict
I love the place I cant wait go back here when I am in the area. As someone who values quality ingredients in my food this only adds to the fact it tasted amazing. Places like this don’t give you that sick full feeling because of all the crap some places put in your food.
Bonus
They have a coffee/​desert place attached which only makes this place more amazing. I had a croissant and a latte both of which were REALLY GOOD!!! They use Illy coffee which is you didn’t already know is amazing!

My first time at Antico’s in Midtown was years ago and I wasn’t impressed with their Margherita pizza. Fast forward, years laters in Avalon, I finally see and taste what it’s all about.
Instead of just the plain Margherita pizza, my family and I shared two pizzas: the original San Gennaro and the Verdura. My favorite thing about the SG pizza is probably the peppers: they’re spicy and sweet. My favorite thing about the Verdura, besides the fact that it’s all veggies, is that I like the bitterness of the broccoli rabe. There’s a good chew to their pizza dough that I don’t think you could appreciate with a plain Margh.
Service/​ordering is fast, but in Alpharetta, customers tend to be table hogs. I like that Antico is trying to make people embrace sharing tables, but it’s still something that’s not going to fly for some. I suppose there’s more parking at this location than Midtown, but on a Friday night, it’s busy. The Whole Foods lot has more availability of spaces, but if you’re not there to shop, they can ticket or put a boot on your car.

Good pizza! Mind you this place is pricy though. This place isn’t for the individual on a food budget. Even splitting it with a friend (along with a drink), the aftermath was about $ 15 each.
The pizza was fresh, hot, and came out super quick though so it was worth it on occasions. The size of that thing was huge; it was on the border line of an extra large. About 10 mins or so later, the pizza came out. You can add additional fresh ingredients from a small table if you want to load up the pizza even more.
Aim for the movie theater, and Antico will be will be on the left side.

I want to start by saying that I’m over all the condescending and sanctimonious remarks about OTP people that seem to be a theme in many of these reviews. OTP people do get out to restaurants that aren’t chains. And they may even go *SHOCK* ITP for some of their meals. Insulting thousands of people based on their geographic location is just poor taste.
Speaking of taste…
The pizza here is good. This isn’t your standard NYC-​style pizza. These pizzas are large and are enough to feed two people. Families of four probably should order two pies. Prices for a whole family tend to get expensive at around $ 20 to $ 25 a pie. I give the edge to Campania based on that alone. Their pies are less expensive, and I give them the slight edge on taste too. This is why Antico gets just 4 stars.
I get what other reviewers are saying when they mention a «pretentious» vibe at Antico. I think Antico is emulating the vibe from Avalon as a whole, but that’s a review for a different time. The prices in Euros really accentuate that vibe. I had to laugh when I saw it. With the constant fluctuations between Euros and Dollars, the prices are wildly off. I guess that makes me pretentious for noticing…
I found the staff to be friendly albeit very young. I think that might be the cause of the snootier vibe in that you have younger employees who aren’t going to feign enthusiasm if they’re bored or don’t want to be at work.
4 stars from me!

«Let’s skip out the wiki facts and focus on the food. I’m trying to find out what to order on the Unilocal app before the server gets back.»
[Time & Date of visit]: Multiple weekday and weekend lunches
[Party Size]: 2 – 3
[Location/​Ambiance]:
Parking — There’s usually plenty on the open parking on the far right when entering into the Avalon. Though construction of the parking deck has sectioned off a bit of spaces.
Location — In the same alleyway of the Regal movie theater. Look for Marlow’s and then diagonally across from it.
Inside — Seating is a lot more spacious than the original Midtown location I believe. And less stuffy. Maybe it’s the higher ceilings that alleviate the hot air from the brick ovens. Busy-​ness seems sporadic, sometimes they are a full house for prime time lunch hours, but around 2pm, it’s nearly empty on a weekday. Weekends also seem to fluctuate. Big groups can easily be seated, when there’s a table opening up.
Ambiance — Old world Italian restaurant feeling with the simple, rustic décor. Boxes and boxes of food supplies /​sauces littered around the restaurant walls. Usually older Italian songs are playing but not enough to mask a conversation. Unless the restaurant is fully loaded, then it’s loud and tables are raising voices over each other.
[Service]:
Fast casual setup — Grab your drinks before ordering. Prepay at the counter. Remember your order number! The food is brought out to you after the food runners run around yelling the numbers. Clean up is handled by the staff.
Aside from grabbing your drinks — near the Caffe Gio /​Antico double doors is a self service station for condiments. Such as grated cheese, chopped garlic, peppers, etc.
[Food Highlights]:
Drinks — I usually grab a tangerine or blood orange San Pellegrino drink and pace how much I drink through out the meal. These flavors aren’t too sweet to my taste.
San Gennaro — Honestly this is the first pizza I tried at the midtown location and what I constantly keep ordering. I have sampled a slice or two from others when they order another kind of pizza, but this has always been my favorite. Especially when taking those who have yet to try Antico’s. And they approve, even non-​pizza lovers from that collective. The subtle sweetness of the peppers and the mildly salty sausage are a great combination. I’m big on cheese so sometimes I wish they would be more generous, but it’s still: A MUST TRY.
Diavola — Not as great as the San Gennaro, and some might think all the toppings are a little salty altogether. Generally, I thought it was ok.
[Total Bill w/​Tip & Tax]:
Usually with two drinks and a pizza rings up close to $ 30 or slightly over.
{Summary}:
I think Roswell and Alpharetta locals aren’t used to paying this much for a thin and visually bare toppings kind of pizza place when compared to say Crust, CPK or other chains. And granted, the value might not be there for some. One pizza is probably going to fill up two people at best. Trying to feed an entire family, that’s two pizza’s and already hovering for $ 40+. But since I’m flying solo in life, to me Antico’s is about quality over quantity. It’s something different. But different good in my opinion. This pizza lover gives it 4 stars.

I love the original Antico’s, but glad they opened up a second location for people like me living OTP. It has the same taste as the midtown location, but it’s definitely not the same atmosphere. Finding a seat is so much easier and the convenience of being located in a shopping center makes it the perfect date night… pizza and a movie!
The midtown location allows you to BYOB, but I’m not sure if this place allows it.

I have yet to visit the original, highly-​acclaimed, Antico Pizza in Midtown, but I did find the opportunity to try their new location at the Avalon development in Alpharetta.
Truth be told, I’m not typically a fan of Neapolitan pizza, even if it is the origin of modern pizza. My Americanized palate yearns for an abundance of sauce, cheese, and meat. Neapolitan pizza in contrast, is far more restrained with their toppings. One ladle of sauce, made only from San Marzano tomatoes, will do. A scant few globs of mozzarella di bufala Campania is all you will get. The crust, no doubt using only «00» wheat flour, has a moderate char giving it a rather bitter flavor.
(Momentary Rant Alert): There’s a certain arrogance to Neapolitan pizzerias, and I could certainly detect it here. It’s the kind of place that figuratively puffs out its chest touting their use of «Denominazione di Origine Protetta» (D.O.P.), or protected designation of origin ingredients (San Marzano, mozzarella di bufala Campania, etc.), but then are not able to produce a noteworthy pie. Their prices also reflect that arrogance. Must I turn in my figurative «foodie card» when I say that I believe a typical American pizzeria can crank out a pizza twice as good for half the cost? (End Rant)
Having ordered the Margherita D.O.P. ($ 19), our pizza also came with a few leaves of basil (a few of which had been charred away into nothing more than black flecks). We opted for pepperoni (a $ 4 upcharge) on our pizza to give ourselves a little more flavor to work with. That turned out to be a good decision, as the pepperoni was abundant (albeit unevenly distributed) on our pie. It was also the highest quality, flavorful pepperoni that I had ever had the pleasure of consuming. That was the only positive that I derived from this experience.
$ 23+tax for a pizza easily consumed by two, felt like a ripoff. I can also attest to the aloof and uninterested demeanor of the employees taking orders at the counter — no smiles, just get the order done and move on to the next customer. The indoor seating was pathetically scarce, especially for the volume of customers that they were receiving. It was absolute dumb luck that we were able to secure seats at around the same time that our order number had been called out. Believe me, there were many others who weren’t so lucky.