If you think Norfolk is all about seafood shacks and dive bars, Sour Street Pizza is here to rewrite the script. 🍕✨
This wood‑fired sourdough pizza spot on East Ocean View Avenue has quietly become the kind of place locals talk about in hushed tones, like they’re guarding a secret beach only they know about.
From its early days as a beloved food truck roaming local breweries to its current brick‑and‑mortar home in East Beach, Sour Street Pizza’s wood‑fired sourdough pies have built a cult following one blistered, chewy crust at a time.
The Wood‑Fired Sourdough Pizza That’s Breaking Norfolk’s Heart (And Stomach)
Sour Street Pizza started as a two‑ton oven dream in a food‑truck format, serving wood‑fired sourdough pizzas at breweries and pop‑ups around Norfolk and Virginia Beach, a story local food lovers now revisit through news features on the pizzeria’s journey.
Reviewers kept talking about the chewy‑meets‑crispy sourdough crust, the bright San Marzano tomato sauce, and the way even the simplest Margherita feels like it belongs in Naples instead of Ocean View.
When the team finally landed a brick‑and‑mortar storefront at 4035 East Ocean View Avenue, longtime fans rejoiced and newcomers flooded in, snapping photos of the massive stucco oven and tagging friends after spotting the latest pie creations on the restaurant’s Instagram feed. 📸
Now, the same people who once whispered about “that pizza truck by the beach” are the ones telling out‑of‑towners, “You’re welcome here, but please don’t tell everyone,” even as more travelers discover it via local tourism guides to Norfolk eats.
Between the arugula and prosciutto pie, the spicy meatballs, and the rotating salads, Sour Street Pizza has turned casual visits into full‑blown pizza pilgrimages, inspiring repeat trips and glowing write‑ups on regional pizza roundups.
Food Highlights
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Arugula Prosciutto Pizza: A fan‑favorite pie featuring San Marzano tomato sauce, mozzarella, prosciutto, parmesan, peppery arugula, and hot honey drizzle, delivering that sweet‑meets‑salty, spicy‑meets‑fresh contrast that keeps showing up in five‑star reviews. 🥓🍯
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Three Cheese Pizza: A simple but rich blend of San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and parmesan that lets the tangy sourdough crust take center stage, a must‑order for purists who like their pies classic and cheese‑forward.
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Margarita Pizza: This house favorite layers San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, parmesan, fresh basil, and olive oil into a bright, balanced pie that feels both refreshing and deeply satisfying, perfect for first‑timers testing out the dough. 🌿
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White Pie: Built on a sauce‑less base, this pizza leans into ricotta, fresh mozzarella, parmesan, and a chili oil drizzle, creating a creamy, garlicky, gently spicy combination that regulars tout as a sleeper hit on the menu.
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Pepperoni Pizza: Loaded with San Marzano tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, and parmesan, this is the comfort‑slice champion, ideal for sharing with the table or pairing with a cold drink after a long day on the sand.
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Spicy Meatballs: A shareable plate of beef, pork, and veal meatballs with creamy ricotta in the center and Calabrian chilies for heat, often called “even better than the pizza” by guests who like bold, saucy starters with a little kick.
Atmosphere
Sour Street Pizza feels like a cozy beachside pizzeria where the oven hums louder than the conversation, making every visit feel like a relaxed neighborhood gathering spot.
Exposed textures, warm lighting, and the constant glow of the wood‑burning oven create an inviting room that feels casual enough for flip‑flops yet special enough for date night.
You might see families sharing pies after a walk on the sand alongside couples splitting a Margherita and a bottle, all soaking in the laid‑back, friendly energy.
Staff greet guests with genuine enthusiasm, answering questions about toppings and dough, which makes first‑time visitors feel like instant regulars.
Bottom Line
Sour Street Pizza is worth a detour for its wood‑fired sourdough crust, standout pies like the Arugula Prosciutto, and boldly flavored Spicy Meatballs.
Its relaxed beach‑adjacent vibe, consistent rave reviews, and cleverly balanced menu make it an essential stop for pizza‑obsessed travelers exploring Norfolk. 🍕
Address:
4035 East Ocean View Ave, Suite 400, Norfolk, VA 23518
📞 (757) 622‑0020
🕔 Tue–Wed, 4–9 PM; Thu–Sat, 11 AM–9 PM; Sun, 11 AM–8 PM (Closed Mon)