Best Pizza in Upper Kirby, Houston: 7 Pizzerias by Style

The best pizza in Upper Kirby comes in four styles: wood-fired Neapolitan pies at Bollo Woodfired Pizza and Amore, brick-oven pizza until 2 a.m. at Capone's Oven & Bar, personal-size pies at Luna Pizzeria, and family-run classics at Star Pizza and Carrabba's The Original on Kirby. All seven places below sit inside the Upper Kirby District, between Westheimer Road and Bissonnet Street, west of Shepherd Drive and east of Buffalo Speedway, and each one was confirmed open on its own website in November 2026.

Here's the fact to send your group chat: Carrabba's, the Italian chain that grew to more than 250 restaurants nationwide through a 1993 partnership with Outback Steakhouse, started on Kirby Drive in Upper Kirby. The family says it opened on December 26, 1986, with $500 in the register, borrowed from Johnny Carrabba's dad, plus 94 seats and seven barstools. The original concept centered on an open kitchen and a wood-burning pizza oven. The original outgrew its 3,000 square feet and moved to a larger space, and the family still runs it as Carrabba's The Original on Kirby, now at 3115 Kirby Drive.

The quick list

• Neapolitan, wood-fired: Bollo Woodfired Pizza on West Alabama.
• Date-night pizza with a wine list: Amore on South Shepherd.
• Pizza after midnight: Capone's Oven & Bar on Richmond.
• Cheapest good weeknight: Luna Pizzeria on Kirby, especially on Mondays.
• The neighborhood original: Star Pizza on Norfolk, family owned since 1976.
• Pizza with Houston restaurant history: Carrabba's The Original on Kirby.
• Delivery at 1 a.m.: Papa Johns on South Shepherd.

Where is Upper Kirby, exactly?

For this guide, Upper Kirby means the area the Upper Kirby District itself uses: Westheimer Road to the north, Shepherd Drive to the east, Bissonnet Street to the south and Buffalo Speedway to the west. The district's redevelopment zone covers roughly 839 acres, so every pick here is a short drive from every other one.

That definition rules out some well-known neighbors. Pizzerias north of Westheimer belong to River Oaks, those east of Shepherd to Montrose, and those south of Bissonnet to Rice Village, so look for them in our Montrose pizza guide and Rice Village pizza guide. Two of our picks, Amore and Papa Johns, have South Shepherd addresses, right on the eastern line. Star Pizza sits at Norfolk and Shepherd, a corner both Upper Kirby and Montrose claim.

How we chose

We started with every place that serves pizza inside those four streets, then kept the ones with a clear reason to go: a real oven, a style you can name, a deal worth planning around, or late hours. Each pick had to post current hours or live online ordering on its own official site when we checked in November 2026. We left out restaurants whose menus we couldn't confirm include pizza, and chain stores just outside the boundary.

The neighborhood is honest about its size: Upper Kirby has a handful of real pizzerias, not dozens, so this is a list of seven rather than a padded ten. Hours, prices and specials change, so treat everything below as "typically" and check the restaurant's site before you go.

Neapolitan and wood-fired

Bollo Woodfired Pizza

2202 A West Alabama St · Neapolitan · full bar · closed for lunch Mondays

Bollo Woodfired Pizza on West Alabama in Upper Kirby is the neighborhood's most traditional pizzeria. It bakes what it calls authentic Neapolitan pizza in an 800-degree wood-fired oven, so expect a soft, puffy, leopard-spotted crust rather than a crisp one.

What to order: the Bianco de Bollo, a white pie with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil, or the Cotto Funghi with prosciutto di Parma, capers, cremini mushrooms and truffle oil. The Shrimp Scampi pizza with Gulf shrimp and thin-sliced lemon is the one to try if you've had a lot of margheritas. Bollo also serves fresh pasta made by Fabio's.

Insider tip: Bollo runs two happy hours on weekdays, a regular one from 4 to 7 p.m. and a reverse happy hour from 9 p.m. to close, Monday to Friday. Lunch sandwiches are typically served Tuesday to Saturday until 3 p.m.

Best for: pizza purists and a quick bar-seat dinner.

Amore

3310 S Shepherd Dr · wood-burning oven · lunch, dinner and weekend brunch

Amore on South Shepherd Drive in Upper Kirby is the sit-down choice. It's a full Italian restaurant, and its menu gives pizza its own section: hand-made pies from a wood-burning oven.

What to order: the Taleggio Pear for something sweet and funky, the Sausage Greens, or the Margherita made with mozzarella di bufala. A simpler Romana is typically the lowest-priced pie on the list. The restaurant also posts a seasonal truffle menu that has included a truffle pizza.

Insider tip: Amore lists pizza classes on its website, a good gift for the friend who has everything. It has valet parking, and it serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Book through the restaurant's site for dinner.

Best for: date night, a birthday dinner, or parents in town.

Wood-fired and late-night

Capone's Oven & Bar

2303 Richmond Ave · wood-fired, brick oven · open until 2 a.m. Wednesday to Saturday

Capone's Oven & Bar on Richmond Avenue in Upper Kirby is a 1920s speakeasy-themed bar that takes its pizza seriously. It opened in 2007 and calls its pies gourmet wood-fired pizzas from a brick oven. The kitchen typically stays open until midnight Sunday to Tuesday and until 2 a.m. Wednesday to Saturday.

What to order: The Godfather, a spicy pie with pepperoni, Italian sausage and fresh jalapeños, which Capone's names as a signature dish. The house Capone's pizza goes the other way, with pesto Alfredo, prosciutto, arugula, pears, goat cheese and white truffle oil.

Insider tip: Capone's weekly dine-in specials include 50% off pizzas, so check its site for the current day. Happy hour typically runs 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and all day Sunday. Ask about the hidden rooms and the tucked-away patio.

Best for: late nights, live music and groups.

Personal pies and deal nights

Luna Pizzeria

3435 Kirby Dr · personal-size pies · open daily

Luna Pizzeria on Kirby Drive is Upper Kirby's easiest weeknight pizza. Its signature pizzas come as 9-inch personal pies at $12, and you can build your own with up to five toppings, so everyone at the table gets exactly what they want. Large pies are available too.

What to order: the Mushroom pizza with four kinds of mushrooms, spinach, rosemary and whipped ricotta, the Spicy Andouille with fresh jalapeños, or the Prosciutto & Arugula with lemon vinaigrette. Finish with a cup of gelato.

Insider tip: Luna's daily specials are why locals plan around it. They have included half-price pizzas on Monday, $3 beer and house wine on Tuesday, and a large pizza with a bottle of house wine for $30 on Wednesday. A lunch special runs until 4 p.m.

Best for: families, budget dinners and picky eaters.

Houston classics

Star Pizza

2111 Norfolk St at Shepherd · family owned since 1976 · dine-in, pickup and delivery

Star Pizza at Norfolk and Shepherd in Upper Kirby has been family owned since 1976, making it the longest-running pizzeria in this guide. The owner says the dough is made fresh every day from unbleached, untreated flour, and the sauces and dough come from the company's own commissary kitchen.

What to order: your usual. Star's menu lives on its online ordering page, so pick a classic, and ask about the homemade gluten-free crust if someone at the table needs it.

Insider tip: Star warns on its site that its pizzas take a little longer to prepare properly, so call ahead when you're hungry. It typically closes at 9 p.m. Monday to Wednesday and at 10 p.m. the rest of the week.

Best for: a casual family dinner, or delivery in the neighborhood.

Carrabba's The Original on Kirby

3115 Kirby Dr · Italian-American · open daily

Carrabba's The Original on Kirby is where the Carrabba's name began in 1986, and the family-owned restaurant still serves pizza alongside its pastas and grill dishes. It's separate from the national chain's own menu, so expect its own specials.

What to order: the Fig, Arugula and Prosciutto pizza with lemon preserves, goat cheese, pine nuts and balsamic glaze, or the Rustica with sausage, eggplant and sweet peppers. The Bianco, with béchamel, mozzarella, Romano and the house herb mix, is our pick. Kids get their own cheese or pepperoni pizza.

Insider tip: Carrabba's sells pizza dough to go, so you can make pizza night at home. The restaurant closes on New Year's Day, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Best for: a family dinner where not everyone wants pizza.

Delivery and late-night

Papa Johns (South Shepherd)

2620 S Shepherd Dr, Suite B · delivery and carryout · open until 1 a.m. or later

The Papa Johns on South Shepherd Drive is the one national delivery chain store we found inside Upper Kirby's boundaries. It's the practical answer after 10 p.m.: delivery and carryout typically run until 1 a.m. Sunday to Thursday and 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Best for: late-night delivery when the independents have closed.

Save this: an Upper Kirby pizza week

Upper Kirby's specials line up neatly across the week. Screenshot this list, then check each restaurant's site the day you go, because specials change.

1. Monday: half-price pizzas at Luna Pizzeria.
2. Tuesday: $3 beer and house wine at Luna with a personal pie.
3. Wednesday: a large pizza and a bottle of house wine for $30 at Luna.
4. Thursday: reverse happy hour at Bollo, from 9 p.m. to close.
5. Friday: wood-fired dinner at Amore, then a nightcap at Capone's, open until 2 a.m.
6. Saturday: brunch at Amore, or a family pizza night at Star Pizza.
7. Sunday: all-day happy hour at Capone's, or pick up Carrabba's dough and bake at home.

Before you go: a quick checklist

• Check hours on the restaurant's own site. Bollo opens at 4 p.m. on Mondays, and Amore's hours differ for lunch, dinner and brunch.
• Capone's pizza deal is a dine-in special. Bollo's happy hours run Monday to Friday only.
• Need gluten-free? Star Pizza makes its own gluten-free crust.
• Driving to Amore? It has on-site valet. For the others, check each restaurant's site for parking.
• Out after 10 p.m.? Capone's is open late, and Papa Johns delivers until 1 a.m. or later.

More to eat and do in Upper Kirby

Make a night of it with our best restaurants in Upper Kirby and things to do in Upper Kirby, or take the kids to the playground at Levy Park before pizza. Thinking of moving here? Start with living in Upper Kirby. For the citywide picture, see the best pizza in Houston and our Galleria and Uptown pizza guide.

Last verified: November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best pizza in Upper Kirby, Houston?

For Neapolitan pizza, Bollo Woodfired Pizza on West Alabama bakes in an 800-degree wood-fired oven. For a sit-down dinner, Amore on South Shepherd has a wood-burning oven, and for late nights Capone's Oven & Bar on Richmond serves wood-fired pizza until 2 a.m. Wednesday to Saturday.

Where can I get pizza late at night in Upper Kirby?

Capone's Oven & Bar at 2303 Richmond Avenue typically serves until midnight Sunday to Tuesday and 2 a.m. Wednesday to Saturday. For delivery, the Papa Johns at 2620 South Shepherd Drive typically delivers until 1 a.m. Sunday to Thursday and 2 a.m. on weekends.

Which Upper Kirby pizzerias have Monday deals?

Luna Pizzeria on Kirby Drive has offered half-price pizzas on Mondays, and Capone's Oven & Bar on Richmond Avenue lists 50% off pizzas among its weekly dine-in specials. Check each restaurant's site, because specials change.

Did Carrabba's start in Houston?

Yes. The family says Carrabba's The Original on Kirby opened on Kirby Drive in Upper Kirby on December 26, 1986, and today it is at 3115 Kirby Drive. The family still owns and runs that restaurant, and its menu includes pizza.

What are the boundaries of Upper Kirby?

The Upper Kirby District describes its area as roughly Westheimer Road to the north, Shepherd Drive to the east, Bissonnet Street to the south and Buffalo Speedway to the west.

Is there gluten-free pizza in Upper Kirby?

Yes. Star Pizza at 2111 Norfolk Street, at Shepherd, makes its own gluten-free pizza crust, according to its website.