Apizza Regionale has been serving authentic wood-fired pizza in downtown Syracuse since 2016. 🍕
Founded by John Stage, creator of Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, and his longtime friend Paulie Messina, this locally-owned pizzeria features a stunning handmade wood-fired oven imported directly from Naples, Italy.
The restaurant champions the Italian approach to regional cooking, sourcing ingredients from the finest growers and producers across New York State to create the perfect marriage between Neapolitan and New York-style pizza.
How Apizza Regionale won Syracuse’s hearts
The restaurant’s centerpiece — a magnificent 900-degree wood-fired oven built from volcanic soil near Mount Vesuvius — creates perfectly blistered crusts with a distinctive smoky flavor that sets their pies apart from ordinary pizza joints.
Both Stage and Messina trace their family history back to the Naples area, bringing genuine Italian heritage and passion to every dish they create.
The restaurant’s philosophy of “What’s good, When it’s good” means the menu celebrates seasonal ingredients at their peak freshness, ensuring every visit offers something special. 🌿
Their cozy wine garden-style terrace with brick columns and timber accents creates an inviting atmosphere that makes guests feel transported to a Neapolitan neighborhood right in central New York.
Food Highlights
- Calabrian Pizza: A bold flavor bomb featuring tomato sauce, soppressata, mozzarella, caciocavallo, fresh oregano, and Calabrian chili-infused local honey that creates an irresistible sweet-spicy combination. 🌶️
- Patata Pizza: A crowd favorite topped with Yukon gold potatoes, caramelized onion, aged Gouda, and fresh rosemary.
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Meatball Pizza: This hearty option features homemade meatballs made from grass-fed beef and local pork, layered with tomato sauce, mozzarella, pecorino, and fresh basil.
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Utica Nod: This creative regional tribute combines sautéed greens, prosciutto di Parma, roasted garlic, pepperoncini, breadcrumbs, mozzarella, and pecorino for a uniquely Syracuse experience that honors local food culture. 🎯
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Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza: Featuring smoked prosciutto, mozzarella, fontina cheese, fresh arugula, and red wine vinaigrette, this sophisticated pie delivers a perfect balance of salty, peppery, and tangy flavors.
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Colazione Pizza: A breakfast-inspired creation with local eggs softly scrambled, Italian peppers, prosciutto di Parma, provolone, and arugula.
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Salsiccia Pizza: This sausage lover’s dream features house-made fennel sausage crafted daily from local pork, topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, pecorino, and fresh basil for an authentic Italian experience that showcases their artisanal meat-making skills
Atmosphere
The dining room features a lively yet cozy environment centered around the dramatic wood-fired oven where guests can watch chefs craft their pizzas.
Bar-style seating surrounds the oven, creating an interactive experience where the artistry of pizza-making becomes part of the entertainment.
The brick-columned terrace with wooden timbers evokes the feeling of a Neapolitan wine garden, perfect for enjoying a bottle of vino alongside your meal.
The moderate-sized space seats about 70 guests and creates an intimate, authentic atmosphere that balances casual comfort with Italian sophistication. 🍷
Bottom Line
Visit Apizza Regionale for authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizza cooked in a 900-degree imported Italian oven, house-made mozzarella and sausage crafted daily, locally-sourced seasonal ingredients from across New York State, and an inviting atmosphere that transports you straight to Naples.
Address:
260 W Genesee St, Syracuse, NY 13202
📞 (315) 802-2607
🕔 Open Tue-Fri, 11:30 AM–3:00 PM, 5:00 PM–9:00 PM; Sat-Sun, 4:00 PM–9:00 PM (closed Mon)