Three brothers from Mola di Bari, Italy, brought their Brooklyn-honed pizza craft to Clearwater, creating an authentic Italian trattoria that pays homage to traditional Italian cuisine. 🇮🇹
Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza has been serving coal-fired thin-crust pizzas since 2007, using intense heat that cooks pies in minutes while imparting a unique smoky flavor impossible to replicate.
Leonardo, Joe, and Marco Cristino grew up making homemade Italian food in Brooklyn, where they developed the passion and technique that defines every pizza emerging from their coal oven today.
From classic Margherita topped with fresh basil to creative specialty combinations, each pie showcases the fresh ingredients and authentic methods that make this family pizzeria exceptional. 🍕
How Cristino’s won Clearwater’s hearts
When the three Cristino brothers opened their pizzeria in 2007, they introduced Clearwater to something genuinely special—authentic coal oven pizza made the old-world Italian way.
Their decision to use a traditional coal oven rather than conventional gas or electric ovens created pizzas with a distinctive charred crust and smoky depth that locals had never experienced before.
The intense heat from coal firing allows pizzas to cook in mere minutes, creating a perfectly crisp thin crust with characteristic leopard-spotted charring that pizza enthusiasts appreciate.
Their Brooklyn background showed in every pie, bringing New York-style craftsmanship infused with authentic Italian heritage to create pizzas that satisfied both purists and adventurous eaters.
The cozy trattoria atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating made Cristino’s feel like a genuine Italian family restaurant where everyone receives warm hospitality.
The addition of cauliflower crust options and extensive customization with fresh toppings showed the brothers’ commitment to accommodating diverse dietary needs without compromising their authentic approach.
Food Highlights
- Quattro Formaggi Pizza: Four premium cheeses melted together, creating a rich, creamy indulgence—customers rave that this becomes even better when topped with crumbled sausage for perfect flavor balance.
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Margherita Pizza: Classic simplicity featuring homemade mozzarella, fresh tomato sauce, extra virgin olive oil, and signature aromatic basil leaves.
- Napoletana Pizza: Anchovies, capers, black Kalamata olives, and mozzarella on tomato sauce—this bold Mediterranean combination delivers authentic Italian flavors.
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Bianca Pizza (White Pizza): Creamy ricotta, mozzarella, garlic, and olive oil without tomato sauce—this elegant pie highlights the smoky coal-fired flavor.
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Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza: Delicate prosciutto and fresh arugula added after baking, topped with shaved Parmesan.
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Vegetarian Pizza: Sun-dried tomatoes, roasted peppers, mushrooms, onions, spinach, and artichokes on mozzarella.
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Meat Lovers Pizza: Sausage, pepperoni, ham, bacon, and meatballs loaded atop mozzarella and tomato sauce.
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Gorgonzola and Pear Pizza: Sweet caramelized pears paired with tangy gorgonzola cheese, creating sophisticated sweet-savory harmony.
Atmosphere
Step into this cozy Italian trattoria and experience the warm, family-friendly environment the Cristino brothers envisioned when opening in 2007.
The verdant outdoor patio provides beautiful al fresco dining perfect for enjoying coal-fired pizzas under Florida sunshine while savoring fresh Italian flavors.
Inside, the intimate dining room buzzes with energy and authentic Italian warmth, though the bustling atmosphere can get a bit noisy during peak hours. 🍷
The casual environment welcomes everyone from solo diners enjoying a quick slice to large family gatherings celebrating special occasions with traditional Italian hospitality.
Bottom Line
Visit Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza for authentic coal-fired pizzas made old-world Italian style, three brothers from Mola di Bari bringing Brooklyn craftsmanship to Clearwater since 2007, thin-crust pies with distinctive charred flavor from intense coal oven heat, fresh ingredients including signature aromatic basil leaves, and a warm family trattoria atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating.
Address:
1101 S Fort Harrison Ave, Clearwater, FL 33756
đź“ž (727) 446-6747
🕔 Mon-Thu: 11:00 AM–9:30 PM | Fri-Sat: 11:00 AM–10:30 PM | Sun: 11:00 AM–9:30 PM