Inside a lovingly restored former Coca-Cola bottling plant in Uptown Greenville, two owners trained in Italy create authentic Neapolitan pizza that’s won locals’ hearts since 2018. 🍕
Co-owners Richard Williams and John Jefferson studied at the Bivero Pizza Academy in Italy before opening Luna Pizza Cafe in January 2018, bringing hand-stretched pizzas baked in an 800-degree brick oven to North Carolina, along with a five-day fermentation dough process that creates some of the highest quality pizza in the state.
How Luna Pizza Cafe won Greenville’s hearts
The Luna story began when Richard Williams retired from academia after learning to make Neapolitan pizza at the Bivero Pizza Academy in Italy and partnered with John Jefferson, an experienced restaurant professional.
John then attended the Bivero Pizza Academy himself, and the duo opened Luna Pizza Cafe in Greenville in January 2018 with a clear vision of authenticity, sophistication, and fun. 🇮🇹
They chose the former Coca-Cola bottling plant in Uptown Greenville as their flagship location, transforming it into a space with eye-popping architectural detail that provides a lovely setting for wonderful dining.
Luna’s commitment to going the extra mile became immediately apparent—they source many ingredients locally and craft their dough from scratch through a five-day fermentation process that creates authentic Neapolitan texture.
The 800-degree brick oven became the heart of the operation, baking made-to-order artisanal pizzas in mere minutes with perfectly charred crusts.
Using organic tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella plus a selection of toppings highlighting fresh and local ingredients, Luna proved that authentic Italian pizza could thrive in Greenville NC. 🌿
The commitment to quality won immediate recognition—Luna was proudly named Best Pizza in 2023 in the “Best of JoCo” readers poll.
Food Highlights
- Shiitake Mushroom and Sausage Pizza: A popular specialty featuring shiitake mushrooms, pork sausage, crushed tomatoes, and mozzarella.
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Margherita Pizza: The test of authentic Neapolitan—crushed tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil with fresh basil and tasty mozzarella chunks, plus extra sauce provided for crust dipping.
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White Eggplant Pizza: Loved by customers, this crisp eggplant pizza on a white sauce base showcases Luna’s ability to execute creative vegetarian combinations.
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Prosciutto Pizza: A sophisticated option featuring delicate prosciutto on their signature five-day fermented dough.
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Pizza Rosso: A vegan pizza with pomodoro sauce, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and your choice of two vegetable toppings.
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Roasted Chicken Pizza: Featuring tender roasted chicken as a topping option that provides protein without overpowering the delicate Neapolitan crust.
- Jalapeño Bacon Pizza: A bold creation with spicy jalapeños and crispy bacon for customers seeking heat and savory satisfaction on Neapolitan crust.
Atmosphere
The lovingly restored Coca-Cola bottling plant in Uptown Greenville features eye-popping architectural detail that creates a stunning backdrop for dining.
The classy interior with a great-looking bar creates an upscale yet cozy environment perfect for date nights or family dinners.
It’s a small place that’s more fun than intimate, with staff that’s absolutely wonderful and friendly, creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. 🎉
Bottom Line
Experience authentic Neapolitan pizza from owners who trained at Italy’s Bivero Pizza Academy and craft dough through a five-day fermentation process.
The 800-degree brick oven creates perfectly charred, chewy crusts that satisfy even the pickiest pizza snobs from New Haven and NYC.
Named Best Pizza in 2023 with organic tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and locally sourced ingredients in a stunning restored Coca-Cola bottling plant.
Address:
632 S Pitt Street, Suite 100, Greenville, NC 27834
📞 (252) 751-0900
🕔 Mon: Closed | Tue-Thu: 5:00 PM–9:00 PM | Fri-Sat: 5:00 PM–10:00 PM | Sun: 5:00 PM–9:00 PM