Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza brings coal-fired thin-crust pizza, hearty pasta, and comforting Italian flavors to Clearwater diners seeking an easy, satisfying meal.
Since opening in 2007, this family-owned Clearwater restaurant has welcomed guests with recipes and pizza traditions shaped by Italian roots and Brooklyn experience.
Its South Fort Harrison Avenue location offers a convenient stop for locals, downtown visitors, and beachgoers craving a comforting Italian lunch or dinner.
A simple pizza night becomes a memorable local ritual here, with warm food, familiar flavors, and plenty of reasons to return.
How Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza won locals’ hearts
Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza earned its Clearwater following through family recipes, coal-fired thin-crust pizza, and relaxed Italian comfort food made for sharing.
The restaurant is owned by brothers Leonardo, Joe, and Marco Cristino, whose family story gives every visit a warmer, more personal feel.
Born in Mola di Bari, Italy, the brothers later grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where pizza culture became part of their everyday lives.
Their journey connects Italian food traditions with the Brooklyn pizza experience, creating a menu rooted in familiar flavors and time-honored preparation.
That blend gives Cristino’s an authentic story that feels genuinely personal, welcoming, and rooted in family, rather than carefully manufactured for attention.
The brothers opened Cristino’s in Clearwater in 2007, serving the community from the same South Fort Harrison Avenue location ever since.
At the core of the menu, the coal oven gives thin-crust pizzas their distinctive texture, fast cook time, and memorable flavor.
High heat cooks each pizza quickly while creating the crisp, satisfying crust that keeps locals returning for another warm pie.
Fresh ingredients and basil support the restaurant’s pizza approach, keeping every bite simple, recognizable, and comforting without unnecessary fuss.
Cristino’s also serves pasta and panini, allowing groups with different cravings to enjoy a full Italian comfort-food meal together.
Its casual setup suits family dinners, weekday lunches, takeout nights, and relaxed meals after a sunny afternoon spent near Clearwater Beach.
Located near downtown Clearwater and less than three miles from the beach, Cristino’s offers an easy stop for residents and visitors alike.
Locals continue returning because the restaurant feels dependable, warm, and centered on generous Italian food made for sharing around the table.
Food Highlights
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Coal-Oven Thin-Crust Pizza: The restaurant’s signature pizza is cooked in a coal oven, giving the crust a distinctive texture and satisfying flavor. It is the essential order because coal-fired pizza remains the heart of Cristino’s menu. 🍕
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Pizza with Homemade Mozzarella: Homemade mozzarella is available as a specialty pizza topping, adding a richer and fresher finish to every slice. This is a comforting choice for diners who want a classic pie with an extra layer of creamy Italian flavor. 🧀🍕
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Pizza with Prosciutto: Prosciutto is a specialty topping that adds savory depth to Cristino’s crisp thin crust. It is an appealing pick for guests who prefer a meatier Italian-style pizza with bold, familiar flavor. 🥓
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Three Cheese Ravioli: Mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan ravioli are served with tomato sauce for a warm, comforting pasta dish. It is a delicious alternative for diners craving cheesy Italian comfort food beyond pizza. 🍅🧀
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Meat Ravioli: Beef-and-cheese ravioli arrives with bolognese sauce, creating a fuller and heartier Italian dinner. It is a reliable choice for guests who want rich meat sauce and a satisfying, home-style pasta plate. 🍝🥩
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Spinach Ravioli: Spinach, mozzarella, and ricotta ravioli are served with creamy white Alfredo sauce. The smooth, rich sauce makes this a rewarding choice for pasta lovers seeking a comforting and cheese-forward meal. 🌿
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Low-Gluten Cauliflower-Crust Pizza: Cristino’s allows diners to substitute a 12-inch pizza with a low-gluten cauliflower crust for an additional charge. It gives guests another way to enjoy coal-oven pizza while choosing a different crust option. 🥦🍕
Atmosphere
Cristino’s has the welcoming feel of a cozy, casual Italian trattoria, where families and friends can settle in over comforting plates together.
The restaurant offers indoor dining and a verdant patio, giving guests comfortable space for pizza, pasta, conversation, and unhurried meals.
Its warm, relaxed setting works beautifully for weekday lunches, casual dinners, or a convenient takeout stop before heading home.
Bottom Line
Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza is worth visiting for coal-fired thin-crust pizza, family-rooted Italian comfort food, and satisfying pasta dishes made for sharing.
Its relaxed Clearwater setting, inviting patio dining, and convenient location near downtown and Clearwater Beach make it an easy answer to pizza cravings. 🍕
Address: 1101 S Ft Harrison Ave, Clearwater, FL 33756
📞 (727) 443-4900
🕔 Open Sun–Thu, 11 AM–9:30 PM | Fri–Sat, 11 AM–10:30 PM