Food is always delicious. Servers are always helpful with recommendations and suggestions. And now with a bar space to enjoy when waiting for a table... read more

The pizza here was amaaazing. I was working in the area for several weeks in a row during the summer of 2019, and my boss said I absolutely had to stop by here before I left. I almost didn't come because I was really intimidated by how small the space seemed to be and the lack of reservations, but I decided to take advantage of the fact that I was around on weeknights when the restaurant would (theoretically) be less packed. I arrived at just before 7:30 PM on a Thursday evening, and the restaurant was very, very busy. I was seated immediately at the bar because I was dining solo and they happened to have that odd seat available, but if I had been in a group or even a couple, I would've had to wait. The restaurant is definitely very small and cramped, tables and bar seating included. Since I'm really petite, I would describe it as cozy, but I imagine anyone bigger than me might say it was uncomfortable. My end of the bar was also where the bartender set the drinks before the servers came around to take them out; I had a small space to set my wallet/pocketbook next to it. I was afraid it might be in the way, but no one said anything and all the staff seemed very adept at working in the small space. I decided to order the pizza special of the day, which was a pizza with white anchovies and capers. It took a little while for the pizza to come out, but not unexpected given they were being made to order and the place was absolutely heaving. While I waited for my food, I had a very close view of the kitchen and was able to watch the kitchen staff very diligently stretch dough, sprinkle cheese on various orders, and load up their huge pizza oven. I felt like the huge pizza oven really added to the rustic and "authentic" atmosphere of the restaurant. It was also the star of the kitchen; everything from pizzas to meatball appetizers went in there. I was so happy when my pizza came out, along with the "scizzas" to cut it up. The pizza was definitely one of my favorite things I ate during my time in Charlottesville. I've had pizzas in both Rome and small villages in Italy, and I would honestly say Lampo held its own even when compared to those. The anchovy and capers were super flavorful and the amazing dough complimented the toppings beautifully. I definitely inhaled my pizza because I didn't eat lunch in preparation for pigging out, but the portions are large enough that you could reasonably expect to take part of the pizza home with you, especially if you have appetizers to start. For dessert, I was torn between the budino (chocolate pudding) and the zeppole (ricotta doughnuts). Normally, I think I would go for the zeppole because I'm a carb monster, and they looked very attractive when some of the tables around me ordered them. But I decided to go for the budino since it was more unique compared to my normal dessert options and I wanted to try something new. The pudding was delicious and the hazelnut brittle added a lovely texture. It was served with a layer of olive oil drizzled on top--I can't honestly say it added much to the flavor or texture of the dessert in my opinion, but I definitely wasn't against it. The bartender was super friendly and quick to refill my water throughout the meal. At one point during the meal, one of the kitchen staff caught me making eyes at the pizza oven and seemed amused; he also asked how I liked my food after I'd finished my pizza. Everyone seemed very quick and efficient. For the quality of the food, I thought the prices were reasonable; this meal wound up being one of my pricier ones during my stay in Charlottesville, but I did get a lot of extras (dessert, a cappuccino), and I think if you came for just pizza, $16 for the size and quality of the pizza is really reasonable. My experience might be helped by the fact that I didn't have to wait for a seat, but now that I've tasted the food, I think a 45-minute wait would've been worth it to me. I think that's something to be prepared for if you're coming here in the evenings, even during the week. When I left the restaurant around 8:30 PM, it was dark out, and couples were still putting their names down to be seated. The restaurant and its environs aren't much to look at from the outside, but the atmosphere is so warm and bustling on the inside. (If you don't like cramped seating or get claustrophobic easily, this might not be the place for you.) read more

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Tried twice to call for a take out pizza. They have an automated system. Followed the directions both times and no one would answer. They say they're open until midnight, but this was before 10 on a Friday night. read more

GREAT PIZZA!! 18% gratuity......not so good. Charge for grated cheese....not so good. Bread with salad.......$5.00...really? Food was fresh and delicious, but not cheap. read more

Found this place as a must see on tik tok. Doesn't seem like a great part of town, but it's worth it. Doors open at 5pm. Line was already building at 4:45pm. We chose to sit inside. It's quaint and intimate. The pizzas are all wood fired. Rather small menu, but a diverse menu. We did pizzas and salads. DOC pizza is made of the most rich, and hearty ingredients. The pizzas are delivered as they come out of the oven. Sometimes different times than your other table mates. The service was great. Very trendy spot. The pizza scissors are GENIUS!!! read more

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Out-of-this-world pizza, easily top 10 pizza I've ever had. Lovely environment with great service!

Hellboy Pizza was delicious. Was just in the Napoli region of Italy and honestly this pizza is very good and holds it own however I think it is a bit overpriced. The ambiance is great in this tiny restaurant and transports you to Italy read more

Lampo - Italian Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

The pizza is amazing. We got a pepperoni and margherita pizza and we weren't disappointed with either. The dough and sauce both looked homemade and tasted amazing. Plus leftovers warm up great. Definitely a go to if you haven't been yet. read more

Food was tasty and ingredients were very fresh. We split a mozzarella salad with fresh tomatoes, then split a pizza with mushroom and it was excellent! We were lucky to arrive just in time to get a table on the patio which made for a pleasant evening. Service was attentive and our waitress was friendly. read more

Really bizarre place. Came on a nice day. Asked to sit outside. Despite lots of people sitting outside and free tables the hostess said she was not sitting anyone outside. When asked for an explanation she did not provide one. Clearly don't care about customers. Can definitely get an overpriced pizza elsewhere. read more

Fungi pizza was good, would have liked a little saucier. But flavor was great. Brussels salad was excellent, I ate it all. And meatballs were worth going back! read more

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5 stars all around. The atmosphere was my favorite in Charlottesville so far. Very intimate environment with about 6 tables and a bar that seats around 8-10. The lighting is low and the mood is super chill. I was there with my daughter on a Tuesday night around 9 and they were busy but no wait. It has the feel of a neighborhood spot and the food was rustic and delicious. We had the clam pizza and the shaved Brussel sprout salad. Both were made to perfection and very filling. The pricing is perfect (pizzas 12-18 dollars and enough for two) and the experience was made complete with bread and a glass of wine! My favorite spot in C'ville to date! read more

Lampo - Shaved Brussel sprout salad - Italian Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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Great food, cocktails, and service. It just keeps getting better. Fantastic salads and pizza.

dioblo pizza !!!! w spicey honey - yall rule. Love ur delicate pizzas, those flavors, everyone who eats here should get their own pizza and split it w ur friends at the table. The olives were always legit here i didnt get them this time around hut the pizza was deicate as a snowflake and amazing as allways read more

Easily one of my favorite restaurants here in Charlottesville. I am a pizza fanatic and this place is at the top of my list. Their pizza is amazing and I LOVE the crust on their pizza. All of their ingredients taste very fresh. Normally I visit this place for dinner, they are always packed and I often have to wait either outside or in the small room in the back. The waiting time always varies so either get there when they first open or be prepared to wait. They always offer wine or drinks while you wait. When you sit down the food normally comes out pretty fast and the staff are really friendly and accomodating. The best part of this place are the pizza scissors! If you want to try Lampo with no wait, I went yesterday (Thursday) for lunch and we got a table right away and the service was fast again! read more

Lampo - Margarita D.O.C. with Rose wine - Italian Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

This has become our Friday night pizza spot! The pizza and meatballs are like the best warm Italian hug this side of the world!

The most amazing pizza and meatballs you will ever taste in the area. Never disappoints.

Lampo is from far the most truthful, aligned and flavorful italian pizza in town. The food feels like a extraordinary tasteful relief from the ordinary "pizza services" cause unfortunately I can't call them real food nor restaurants. The service provided by any staff from the establishment is refreshing and helpful. The ambience is mainly provided by the IX Park, where the restaurant is located, which can keep your mind occupied with all the arts exposures, creative museums and etc. I am not sure to call the ambiance of the park completely 'underground' however it does resemble 'young' and 'adolescent'. read more

I miss dine-in lampo and I hope one day we return pre covid times where we can enjoy the cozy ambiance of this local Neapolitan pizza spot. My favorite pizza of theirs, that I find myself occasionally crazing is the Hellboy. It's ingredients include san marzano tomato, housemade mozzarella, soppressata piccante, calabrian chili, scorpion pepper honey. It has a nice kick of spices mixed with a hint of sweet from the honey. Love the combinations. read more

So I can't speak to the pizza yet because when I came I was doing the keto diet so no pizza BUT I can say that it looked and smelled delicious. I do plan on coming back eventually to try to pizza. With that said, there were actually plenty of things in the menu that were keto friendly. I got a plate of different spreads which included fresh mozzarella, three year Parmesan, and some meats. I found it very filling. The wait was lonnnng. Not sure if they take reservations. When it's a nice day, sitting outside is ideal. Plenty of doggies outside. One of them was playing with a stick/root that was buried in the ground. The reason why I'm mentioning this is because I actually ended up tripping on it on our way to sit down later. So if someone from the restaurant reads this... you guys should probably make sure that there aren't any trip hazards for your patrons outside because someone could get hurt. read more

Lampo - Cheese and meats! - Italian Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Best pizza in town. Have tried most of the pizzas and the funghi is probably my favorite, with the Diavola as a close second. Loved the flavors of the Hellboy (a special), but it was a bit soggy due to the honey or oil. The cheese slid straight off! Brussels sprouts salad is a must, and meatballs app if you're not getting a meat pizza. Go for lunch and you might not have to wait! read more

Lampo - Hellboy - Italian Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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I don't typically like eating pizza, but Lampo's Funghi pizza is my absolute favorite! It has pioppini and oyster mushrooms, garlic, cream, provolone, and grana padano. I've ordered this every time I've come because it's just so good. I've also tried their Cavoletti di Bruxelles, which is shaved brussels sprouts with chives, fennel, roasted hazelnuts, maple garum vinaigrette, pecorino. I was a bit disappointed with this because I thought the brussels sprouts would be cooked and warm, but it wasn't. I would still wholeheartedly recommend Lampo though! There's also a parking lot in the back which is amazing for the Belmont area. Come on a weekday to avoid the crowd. read more

Lampo - Funghi pizza - Italian Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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I've been to lampo a few times over the past few months and they never disappoint! The water buffalo mozzarella was served with warm bread and a drizzle of olive oil and was light but still flavorful. The funghi pizza is my personal favorite, but the vongole pizza was the winner this time. I highly recommend getting both! Prosciutto was a little too salty for my taste. Abruzzo pizza is basically margherita with some meatballs on top and is a safe choice if you don't like venturing out of your comfort zone too much. I recommend getting there near opening time if possible, as they don't take reservations and do it by a paper waitlist! Sometimes they'll let you stand on the side and snag the bar seats if the waitlist party doesn't show up. read more

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Lampo consistently has exceptional service, great food and a wonderful vibe. The regular menu never disappoints and we have been loving their specials! Adds some great variety to the menu and always a treat. Recently we've enjoyed the seasonal vegetable specials and last fall the different hummus offerings were over the moon with their baked on site bread. The team is welcoming and gives excellent recommendations based on what you are looking for. While they don't take reservations, with their Bar Baleno open next door (indoor and outdoor) for waiting for a table, it's a great place to spend an evening. read more

Lampo is one of my absolute favorites in town. Pizza is to die for. Big tip here is that the weight is almost always was less than they tell you so don't let the weight time read more

After 2+ years, I finally returned to Lampo. It was one of favorite eateries in Charlottesville pre-pandemic. I can safely say it is still one of the best places to eat here. The owner's comittment to quality of food and to customer service are still present. Anyone new to authentic Neapolitan-style pizza should give Lampo a try. I promise you will leave raving about it. This is pizza the way it is made where it originated in Naples, Italy. It is very small so plan to get there before they open at 5:00 PM to get a table. Or, there is limited seating at the bar. I really don't have anything negative to say about Lampo. Highly recommended. read more

Delicious pizza but very small establishment. I believe they have outside seating but the weather has to be nice for that.

The service here was very poor. The staff was very rude to my Latino friend and exhibited multiple micro aggressions during our pick up time. When he asked for jalapeños on the side, the server said "no we only have Italian food". We had a 2+ hour wait for our food and when we arrived at the time indicated our food would be ready, we were met with hostility and passive aggressiveness. So we had a lighter skinned person in our group pick up the food to avoid more hostility. The server was incredibly nice and attentive to him. We will never be ordering from here again. read more

What did we order: meatball pizza and mushroom pizza. Smells: heavenly. Visual appeal: appetizing. Food quality: top notch stone fire pizzas, highly recommend the mushroom pizza - super flavorful and packed with umami. read more

Still no Howie Long or David Baldacci sightings...can only hope! Returned here after our first visit here last year. We were thrilled to return. Jackpot: only had to wait 15 minutes - late lunch. Mary: great server. Smiling, helpful and truly nice. Brussel spouts: shaved, with hazelnuts, garlic and only $5! Pizza: the Funghi - with ricotta cheese it whips everything into a perfect pie. that charred crust. We asked for the chili oil to spice it up - outstanding. Wine: two glasses of white - the Pinot Grigio was very reasonably priced at $9. Perfect temp too. LOVE this place. read more

Lampo - Believe me...this great pie was split between my fiancé & me! - Italian Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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If you're looking for a Neopolitan pizza place in Charlottesville, this is it. You can tell each dish is made with fresh ingredients and has a lot of thought put into them - the dishes are simple but with complex flavors. I'd recommend the Prosciutto pizza personally. 1 pizza can be shared between two people with an appetizer. Very reasonably priced but with a fancier feel. The only thing I would say is you can't make reservations so be prepared to wait if you're going on a weekend. read more

Lampo - Italian Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Considering I prefer a more well done New York pie, Lampos margarita pie was flavorful with very fresh ingredients with a good char, we also had the meatballs which were the best I've ever had. Will definitely be back! read more

This restaurant is 10/10 a cute and cozy date night spot. Great music, great lighting, great service. Food is simple but oh-so delicious!

Amazing food, very chill lowkey vibe, staff was super friendly. The fried artichoke special was fantastic. read more

Lampo - Italian Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

I'm just going to say it. This is the best pizza I've ever had that wasn't in Italy or Brooklyn. The two places I consider the Mecca of pizza in US and Overseas. So, I think this place is amazing. Plain and simple. The pizzas were perfect in every way. This WILL be my MUST stop places whenever in C'ville for work. Thought the scissors were going to be a turn off, but I now love pizza scissors. Side note, saw someone order a chop of some sort and it was massive and looked like the best hunk of meat I've ever scene at a mainly pizza spot. Also, they have a real deal Italian stove that takes up the whole center of the restaurant. It's the amount of care to detail and perfection that makes this place amazing. read more

Lampo - So. Damn. Good - Italian Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Lampo was nice, probably the best pizza you'll find in Charlottesville. The space is so small which is why there's always a wait - they do have tables outside if it's a nice day. We tried a couple cheeses and meats from the charcuterie menu, nothing out of the ordinary, but prices were good at $3/serving. For entrees, we went with the mushroom pizza and the porchetta sandwich. The pizza was ok - crust was a little too doughy for me, and I wish the pizza had more garlic and less cream. Mushrooms were good and had great texture. The sandwich was pretty good - the porchetta was tasty, but there was too much broccoli rabe which overpowered if you got the wrong bite. Also, wish the bread would've been thicker as the sandwich fell apart it was so messy. The bread though was also really good, cooked in the wood burning pizza oven. Overall a nice place for a meal, but I wouldn't wait more than 20-30 minutes. We got lucky and were seated immediately read more

Lampo - Mushroom pizza - Italian Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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Lampo is a Charlottesville icon! It's renowned for it's small menu of Italian appetizers and pizzas that are famously served with kitchen shears to literally cut your pizza into slices yourself. The pizza itself is another story: crust is perfectly crisp and hot, olive oil base or housemade marinara flavorful, and the various toppings and cheeses perfectly balanced and crafted for a delicious ensemble. the prosciutto with the lemony arugula and garlic and olive oil blew my mind. we had no leftovers to take home! You can't make reservations here, but if there's a wait at dinner, it's well worth it. There's a full bar for a quick drink or glass of wine if you want to wait inside. The restaurant itself is small, but in a cozy and intimate setting reminiscent of family places and hole-in-the-wall dining in Europe itself. read more

Lampo - proscuitto, lemon, and arugula pizza on a white base - Italian Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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A proper Italian thin pizza- Neopolitan, Florentine, etc. Reminds me of the pizza I ate, knife and fork, in a small shop in Naples. Or the made-to-measure pizzas I ate three nights in a row at the San Lorenzo Market in Florence. Thin crisp crust. A delivery vehicle for ingredients above. Anchovies floating on a briny sea of capery oil and light cheese and tomatoes. I'm a sucker for the hairy fish, and all umami. But the rest of the pizzas look equally fab. Start with a bowl of olives, some blue cheese and salami and plan your assault. Alas, Lampo has been long 'discovered' so it's best to arrive at an off-hour, a blistering hot day, or with a bag of patience. Don't settle for eating a cardboard box and blurry orange sauce, er PapaJ. Open the eyes once and they'll never shut.. read more

This was one of the only place that closes @12 midnight . I can't write enough of this place. The food & the people are simple amazing. Went to celebrate my daughter 18th in UVA and we had the meal of the month there. Ordered almost everything from the menu, which are tapas style, but still shareable. Each and every dish was "dish licking " worth ( if that is even a word) . The Brussels sprouts, the roasted cauliflower, roasted escarole , Tuscan kale, shishito peppers as their pizzas especially the Funghi . Oh , and I forgot to mention me had our big furry baby with us and they took care of him so well. They got him his cold water before they got us ours ... that melted our hearts right away... We will be going there ourself and not wait for the kids to join us next time read more

Great gourmet pizza, salads and wine list. Food 5 stars. Is quite small inside and tight. Great for 2-3 people. Outdoor seating is better for slightly larger groups. Great late night hours. read more