Very cozy with a welcoming staff. They were attentive but they didn't hover. The food was simply outstanding. A perfectly sized salad to start followed by an authentic pizza that I would return to again in a heartbeat. We finished with gelato over berries. The meal was absolutely right sized. Neither of us left hungry, nor did we feel stuffed. If you like authentic woodfired pizza, a welcoming Iowa farm atmosphere, and a small restaurant vibe that simply makes you feel at home; all at a very reasonable price, this is your place. Food? Service? Ambience? This place has it all. read more

The worst pizza I've ever had Toppings were pretty basic. Crust was way overcooked. Someone recommended it and it was terrible. I threw it away. read more

Nathan cooks the pizza. Kama waited for first and second visits. Shannon waited the third time. Ok, this is the fourth time I have been here. The pizza is fabulous. I have become spoiled to this amazing pizza, the relaxing atmosphere and the excellent service. Isabelle did a fantastic waiting on us this evening. Tonight was wifeys birthday and she requested this pizza specifically. She got the Bianca and I got the PBR. Both were beautiful in presentation and tasted perfect. If you haven't already been here, get over here and find out what a fired brick oven does for traditionally made pizza. read more

Food is excellent. The salad is great. My favorite pizza is the Bianca. Ambiance is good! Service: the server was very kind and personable, but it was really slow. We had a reservation and we were one of only 3-4 tables in the whole place at the time, but no one came to take our drink order for over 15 minutes after we were seated. Food was out really quick after ordering. Then the server never returned to see if we wanted to order another drink or anything. Server was sitting at the bar eating. Again, she was really nice though. Maybe it was just an off day because we'd been there a couple times before and had only excellent experiences. Would still go back but will plan for a larger timeframe. read more

Sfumato Pizzeria - Bianca - Pizza Near Me - Alton, Iowa

Amazing pizza, sauce and ingredients are fresh and homemade and super chill atmosphere! Met the owner and she was the sweetest person ever! She offered tips for RagBrai and encouragement Pizzas were out quick, their oven is custom made from Italy! If I lived in Orange City this would be a regular for me! read more

I love the salad to go with my pizza. I also love the balsamic on my pizza! So good! There is always great service! This is one of my favorite places to eat! read more

Sfumato does Neopolitan right. This place has the food, the staff and the vibe to make your evening great! Delicious pizzas made with the freshest ingredients, (mostly made in house) by food lovers. Don't miss the wine list and Ann's wonderful dessert menu! read more

Wonderful pizzas. So many excellent choices, very well prepared. Excellent service and great prices. Enjoy! read more

OMG OMG OMG. THERE ARE NO WORDS. ITS 100% THE BEST PIZZA IN THE MIDWEST. I JUST CANT SAY HOW BEAUTIFUL THE TASTE, THE VIBE, THE SERVICE. I MEAN WOW!!! I had the honor of meeting the owner, Shannon and she was an absolute delight. So welcoming and cheerful - I can see why her buisness is so successful. We will be back (and we drive 45 minutes from Sioux City) ITS WORTH EVERY DRIVING MINUTE! We order all the pizzas! They were all great. I think my favorite was the basil and the fig and capers!!! read more

See all

Let's just say I no longer have a need to go to the east coast for pizza! Such a fun surprise in Iowa. Everything we had was delicious. Literally everything! My favorites were the Basil and the Fig and Caper. Don't forget to save room for the in house gelato! read more

See all

Fabulous pizza! Loved it!! Food was amazing and so was the atmosphere! We had the fig and capers pizza, delicious!! read more

amazing pizza, from the sauce to the crust literally amazing. the service was so nice and everyone seems happy to be there. 100% recommend next time you want the best pizza around read more

We recently stopped to try Sfumato's pizza. Parking here is a little scattered and there was a random dog that was running around greeting you as you got out of your car. Plenty of seating and mismatched Corelle dishes. Our waitress was just kind enough and our pizza arrived at our table no less than 2 minutes after ordering. I have literally no idea how the pizzas were done that quickly. I ordered my margarita with extra cheese, it arrived with hardly any (photo). I do expect wood fire pizza to have burnt edges. I was not expecting the bottom to be burnt and every bite to taste of black bitterness. I think the ovens needed to be cleaned. Pricing was a little high for the quality, service and surroundings. For us, it seemed like they were trying to churn out pizzas a little too quickly and needed to take more time to ensure the quality and cookery of the pizza. read more

Sfumato Pizzeria - My margarita pizza with 'extra' cheese - Pizza Near Me - Alton, Iowa

See all

Sfumato is the best pizza in Sioux County! It is the craziest little place in a village of maybe 10 people? But it is so, so good. Every pizza is delicious, even the basic Margherita. Great service in a funky little location. read more

Great place! Not your typical pizza! Wood fired, fresh ingredients, flavorful pizzas. Love the PBR and the Bianca. Order every time. The salad is delicious too. Homemade desserts - dark chocolate cake, the berries and salted caramel ice cream or the ice cream on its own-it's a given we will order dessert!! One pizza not enough for 2 people. 4 people-order 3 pizzas. read more

Great Napoleon pizza, wood fired. Fast service. 2 lovely dogs outside. Quaint little business in the country.only downside; no iced tea. Should really try to correct that. Otherwise, big thumbs up! read more

Absolutely incredible scratch made pizza! Cool location. Come eat here, you will not be disappointed!

Good pizza! Good ambiance. The service is always good. They do Neapolitan pizza better than anywhere else I've been.

EXCELLENT! What a find out here in the middle of nowhere Iowa. Great tap beers. Super good thin crust. We had a pepperoni and another Fig and Capers, different but very good. If you're passing by it's a must stop read more

Who would have thought a world class European feeling pizza restaurant would exist in semi-rural Iowa? The ambiance is truly amazing - hand built by the owners. Everything from the moment you walk in is hand crafted. The ingredients, the art, the architecture. Amazing food. Amazing people. Amazing atmosphere - the timber frame structure feels of rural Europe. If I could give it an "11" I would. It's worth the drive if you are anywhere within a couple of hours. read more

Extraordinario!" Check my other reviews, I know pizza. I drove 100 miles out of my way to try this pizza in Alton Iowa, and it was worth every mile. Not only does the joint have an authentic pizzaiolo, they have an authentic Italian brick oven va bene! You would have to drive to Damiano's in Los Angeles to find a pizza that even approaches the flavor of this classic Margherita, and even then it wouldn't be nearly as good or fresh. Iowans have no idea what a gem they have here, you would have to drive to NYC, New Haven Connecticut or Coney Island to find a pizza as good anywhere in America! Gino di Florida read more

See all

The pizza did not disappoint! It was a bit of a drive for us to get here, but it was well worth it. The restaurant has a casual but warm and inviting feel. The staff truly cares about your experience. One of the owners, Ann, was there waiting tables and helping customers, and although we didn't have her for our table, the server we did have was fantastic! Very personable and great with recommendations. They have a nice beer and wine selection, and even specialty NA sodas. I ordered the fig and prosciutto pizza and it was deliciousness on so many levels. The crust was a perfect marriage of crispy, light, and chewy. The pizza itself had a wonderful salty garlic flavor with just the right amount of olive oil. All balanced out by the creamy mozzarella, sweet figs, the tart capers, and spicy arugula. We will definitely be back! read more

Great surprise, worth the drive. The pizza is off-the-hook delicious! Waitstaff is professional, and on top of everything, even with a packed house. The building is perfect, and the decor fits the name! We loved Sfumato, and we'll be back soon. Cheers! read more

Sfumato Pizzeria - Margherita and a PBR my 2 new besties! - Pizza Near Me - Alton, Iowa

Delicious! I'm from Omaha and Had dinner here with some friends and was so impressed with the amazing pizza! The ingredient combinations were amazing! Have had a lot of thin crust specialty pizzas in larger cities and this was honestly puts many of them to shame! Great craft beer selection too with some Iowa beers as well. read more

I have to say, for NW Iowa, this is a true gem. I grew up around here, & now live in Nor Cal and travel a lot, always on a quest for outstanding pizza. You could definitely say I am spoiled, as far as my food tastes go. As far as quality and care for ingredients, Sfumato's gets an A+. They get their flour from Italy, and make their cheese from scratch. After eating several slices, I didn't feel heavy or foggy, like I usually do after pizza. However, the 900 degree oven may be a little intense for my liking. The crust of my pizza was VERY charred. This is their style of pizza, most say is authentic & they like it. I, too, enjoy the occasional char every now & again. But I did feel it to be a bit overwhelming. Hey! Different strokes for different folks! All in all, I would try this place again, and if I'm ever visiting family & they want pizza, this is where I would go. read more

Great pizza, sauce has lots of flavor along with the crust. Great service, waiters were friendly

Worth the drive! Sfumato Pizzeria is located at a rural crossroad between Alton and LeMars on Hwy 60 at the Hwy 75 turnoff. This is not your usual pizza place, so expect to be pleasantly surprised with their excellent wood-fired pizza, fresh ingredients and interesting combinations, along with salad choices. The menu includes craft beers, wines and beverages. Hours of operation are limited, so call ahead. read more

Very impressed with the pizza and cocktails. Friendly waitstaff too. Wish I lived nearby so I could visit often!

This is truly a gem of Iowa. First, the facility if modern, a little funky and a wonderful display of carpentry craftsmanship. The main dining hall has a large ceiling with knotty pine wood and beams. It reminds one of an alpine lodge found in Germany, Switzerland or Austria. Note that the beams are connected and secured without the use of nails or metal. Once seated, the staff is very attentive and extremely friendly and helpful. The menu is simple, not extensive but a good selection and options of Neapolitan type pizzas. We had the arugula/prosciutto ham with mozzarella cheese and the Italian Sausage with a tomato base and extra toppings of olives and cherry smoked bacon. Because they cook the pizzas in a 900 degree oven, the time for the pizzas to be completed is minutes. We first had their salad. It is a mixed green salad with a wonderful dressing and of moderate size. The pizzas are made with flour from Italy, their own home made mozzarella cheese and fresh vegetables. The tomato sauce is a little spicy but has great flavor and fullness and is made with tomatoes from Italy. The crust is thin and has that wonderful slightly burned base and edges. It was done to perfection. When eating, the crust is soft but has a buttery taste. It is not a filling crust and seem light and slightly doughy. The flavors of the toppings are spectacular and the cheese is a world class contender. The pizzas come in 11 inch size which is almost to much for one person and not quite enough for three people. We had two pizzas for our party of three which was just right. They also have a good selection of craft beers and sodas. All the food and beverages are reasonably priced. In summary, I have eaten at many great Italian Pizzerias, Bianco's in Phoenix, Una Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco among others. I think that Sfumato's is one of the best in the USA and competes well with the Italian pizzerias. Iowa...you have a gem and if you are a true pizzeria foodie, it is worth a visit to NW Iowa read more

See all

Being an Italian from NY/NJ I was quite skeptical when deciding to try pizza in Iowa, especially on the prairie, but I figured, what the heck. Well let me tell you, the pizza was Fabulous as was the whole meal and experience. As good as any artisan pizza in the NY/NJ area as well as the ones I have tried, and there are many, up and down the east coast and in the Midwest. I am blown away at how good it is! The freshness and flavor of the marzano tomato sauce (seasoned perfectly), the homemade (daily on the premises) mozzarella cheese and the crust (made with flour imported from Italy) cooked to perfection (light, thin, not to soft, not to hard) make for the perfect tasting plain cheese pizza and/or the perfect foundation for a pizza with your choice of any of the many fresh toppings available. The place is warm and welcoming and the owner/manager/waiter is just great! They have a great selection of rotating tap beers (ask the owner for her suggestions she was knowledgeable and spot on) and desserts (Dark chocolate cake - moist / not to dense or overly sweet, Gelato - Salted Caramel - flavorful but not overpowering - just right!) What a find, a pearl in the prairie! read more

Worth the 40 minute drive from Sioux City. This place is a gem! Excellent service and the pizza is amazing!

Best thin crust pizza I have had. I ordered the pepperoni and added pineapple on top. The staff was friendly and our food was out quick even though it was a busy Valentines Day. Would recommend to all who considerr this fine establishment. read more

We took our staff there for our holiday party and it was a blast! Great food (try the fig & capers pizza) and excellent beer (Sam smith's chocolate stout). The staff is friendly. The space is cozy. The homemade gelato is the besssssst! read more

We went in shortly before Christmas with 6 people on a Sunday evening after hearing about this place in the local papers. We really enjoyed ourselves. It is conveniently located right off the highway, with good prices and fantastic food. The pizza is very Italian, cooked in a wood-fired oven, and reminded several of my more well-traveled companions of pizza in Italy. They make the mozzarella from scratch, and it shows. The rest of the ingredients were very fresh as well. This place really seems to the embrace the "do one thing and do it well" mantra, I hope they keep it up. We thought the prices were pretty reasonable. They had a small but good beer and wine selection, including a couple of good local Iowa wines, some beers from Colorado and Texas, as well as all the usual domestic beers. We'll definitely be going back, possibly next weekend. read more

Literally, this place is the greatest. Top notch beers and beautifully crafted wood-fire oven pizzas? What is not to love. Every time we go I order an IPA and the classic margarita type pizza with tomatoes, fresh arugula salad and plenty of olive oil. The crust is flavorful and crisp, the tomato sauce bursts with homemade quality and the prosciutto just cannot be beat. I also love that they have options for with and without meat or cheese. It makes all the vegetarians and lactose intollerant folks in the area really happy. The setting is rustic, if you peak out a window you'll see the sun set over the cornfields surrounding the village of Carnes. It's a bit romantic, the perfect place to impress a date. Or just feed your hunger for some amazing pizza. read more

I felt like I was back in Rome! Came to visit friends and what an amazing treat. Everything was great and save room for salted caramel gelato. read more

I've been here about 3 times, and every time it was amazing. The pizza is very thin and a great size for the price you pay. The only negative is that service took a bit longer than expected, but that's made up for by how good the food is. Definitely worth the money and the stop. read more

Delicious gourmet pizza! Pizza cooks super fast because it's a 900 degree oven. We had our three pizzas within minutes! Delicious. I enjoyed the fig & caper pie, though I wonder if the arugula was baked or wilted, would it be a little easier to eat? Nonetheless, entirely delicious. We also had the pepperoni and Italian sausage. Both received rave reviews, and our 2yo even ate two slices of the sausage despite a strong spicy zip. Nice beer selection, enticing salad (though you may consider not ordering, the pizza comes so fast and ours were forgotten...) and scrumptious looking desserts. A funky, eclectic interior with nice bar, cozy books, and comfortable family-sized eating areas is all housed in an inconspicuous building nestled between Hwy 75 and some grain elevators. I can't wait to go back again! read more

Sfumato Pizzeria - Little Pizza Parlor on the Prairie. - Pizza Near Me - Alton, Iowa

My friend rolled up a pizza slice and ate it in one bite, so the food must be pretty good.

We stopped in here with a group of friends just to grab a quick bite to eat. We all found ourselves wide eyed at all the things to look at. They've really got some creative decorating. Our waitress had a great personality..had us smiling and laughing! The pizza was perfect! This is a handy place to swing in quick if you're heading down the highway. I'd encourage you to stop!! read more