Kawartha Localist is an editorial series from kawarthaNOW sharing trusted local recommendations, hidden gems, and favourite discoveries from people who know and love this region. It’s what we love about where we live. Kawartha Localist is sponsored by Kawartha Financial Services.
When you’re planning a family gathering, headed out for a picnic, having an intimate date night, or just looking for a quick bite on the road, you can’t go wrong with a good ol’ fashioned pizza.
Often made with days-long fermented dough, signature sauces, ooey gooey cheese, and locally sourced vegetables, pizza is a favourite meal for residents and visitors exploring the Kawarthas. Across the region, you’ll find pizzas with ingredients imported from Italy, pizzas that are vegan or celiac-safe, pizzas made from recipes passed down through the generations, and pizzas with innovative toppings.
Here are just a few beloved places to dine on pizza, as voted on by kawarthaNOW readers.
This specialty pizza at Formerly Tony’s in Lindsay is a big deal … and a big dill
Greg Andrews is currently the fourth owner at the helm of Formerly Tony’s, and yet the Lindsay pizza joint hasn’t strayed far from the legacy it has built for itself since 1996.
Previously known as Tony’s Best Pizza and Wings prior to its 2023 relocation, Formerly Tony’s pays homage to its roots and remains true to some of the original recipes. All the dough at this pizza joint is made in-house and topped with fresh local ingredients.
A bestseller is a specialty dill pickle pizza done with a ranch dressing from Lindsay’s Fresh FueLL. What was originally supposed to be a limited time offer has turned into a dill-icious staple that people come back to time and time again.
Like its namesake, Formerly Tony’s is not only about the pizza, as they also serve up award-winning chicken wings and recently began serving specialty Nitro coffees.
Formerly Tony’s is located at 169 Queen Street in Lindsay. To learn more and browse a menu, visit lindsaypizza.com.
Get a taste of Night Kitchen Pizzeria’s signature stinging nettle pesto in downtown Peterborough
Another pizza recipe that has stood the test of time can be found at Night Kitchen Pizzeria, which has been slinging pies in downtown Peterborough for nearly 28 years.
When it first opened in 1999, longtime pizza lover Tim Weatherup was on a mission to bring high-quality pizza to Peterborough. Years later, taking a mobile wood oven to farmers’ markets and events helped elevate the business by streamlining connections with local farmers. Those connections led to Night Kitchen Pizzeria implementing unique flavours, like making a pesto from stinging nettle in place of basil — a signature creation Night Kitchen continues to do today.
At Night Kitchen Pizzeria, the slogan is “pizza that never plays by the rules” and that, Weatherup says, is the secret sauce that has made these pies so beloved over decades. Everything is made from scratch and warmed on a stone oven, with some innovative toppings being added to pizzas over the years — from strawberries to blueberries, dates, and unique cheeses. One of the most popular is the bugle, made with the signature pesto, spinach, caramelized onions, pear, goat feta, and chili flakes.
In addition to the main staples, which include vegan and gluten-free options, you’ll find weekly specials that could be entirely new pies or the return of signature favourites.
Night Kitchen Pizzeria is open at 168 Hunter Street West in Peterborough. Find out more by visiting www.nightkitchen.ca.
Savour upscale pizza with Italian ingredients at Juna in Haliburton
Juna only opened its doors in 2025 but it has already become a local favourite in Haliburton for high-quality pizza.
Coming from Terri Mathews and Executive Chef Christoph Carl, the owners of Rhubarb Restaurant in Carnvarvon, Juna offers an upscale intimate dining experience and secret garden patio perfect for intimate dates and special occasions.
All the pizzas served at Juna are made in house from scratch. We’re talking dough made with double zero flour imported directly from Italy and having undergone a minimum 24-hour fermentation process. Cheese and meats are similarly imported from Italy and paired with sauces, also made from scratch using local ingredients.
Every day on the menu, you’ll find a new special pizza of the day that’s crafted depending on what’s in season, while classics like mushroom, margherita, and Italian meat pizzas are always available and drawing local customers time and time again. Juna also has vegan and dairy-free pizza options and, with Chef Christoph eating gluten-free, you can be confident in Juna’s dedication to serving a suitable alternative.
Juna is located at 210 Highland Street in Haliburton. Learn more at www.junahaliburton.com.
Find wood-fired pizza with a view at Rolling Grape Vineyard in Bailieboro
Rolling Grape Vineyard has been inviting residents and visitors to enjoy wine country in The Kawarthas since 2018, but did you know this spot is loved for more than its wine?
It’s become a go-to for indulging in wood-fired pizza while enjoying live music and views of the 150-acre Bailieboro family farm.
At Rolling Grape, the majority of the pizza-making process is done in-house, from stretching the dough to marinating meats, with vegetables sourced as close to home as possible. Standout customer favourites include the sweet and spicy chicken topped with grilled chicken breast, peppers, goat cheese, and a house-made hot honey. Newer pies include the Thai One On and a Capo loaded with shaved Yukon Gold potato and caramelized onion.
Rolling Grape is constantly reinventing their pizzas and ensures they cater to diners by serving gluten-free crusts and dairy-free cheese.
Rolling Grape is located at 260 County Road 2 in Bailieboro. To find out more, visit rollinggrape.com.
Have a mighty bite of the Mighty Caesar at Pizza Alloro in Buckhorn
If you’ve spent any time in Buckhorn, you may have heard about the famous Mighty Caesar pizza being served at Pizza Alloro.
Topped with creamy dressing, mozzarella, chicken, spinach, bacon, and parmesan cheese, this pizza has become a tradition for many people spending time in or driving through Peterborough County.
Since Endrit Karaj opened it in 2008, Pizza Alloro has built a reputation for crafting pies loaded with toppings. Outside of the beloved Mighty Caesar, other favourites include the Alla Diavola with Italian sausage and hot peppers, and the Balkan special that takes inspiration from Karaj’s Albanian mother.
Pizza Alloro also serves a dairy-free cheese as well as a gluten-free crust and a cauliflower crust pizza.
There is much for foodies of the Kawarthas to look forward to in Buckhorn, as Karaj is currently in the process of building Pizza Alloro’s sister eatery, the Buckhorn Burger Company. Serving up burgers, chicken burgers, wraps, fries, and more, the grab-n-go burger joint will be opening in early 2027 right behind the pizza restaurant.
Pizza Alloro is located at 5 Main Street in Buckhorn. You can view the menu and order online at pizzaalloro.com.
Indulge in sourdough pizza at The Barn Chefs in Coe Hill
The Barn Chefs is an in-demand hotspot in Coe Hill run by two food lovers who have travelled, eaten, and cooked across the world — from Kenya to Italy to Hong Kong and beyond.
Chef Luca Molteni was born in the food culture of Italy, while Sarah Woods was a pastry chef. Together they founded The Barn Chefs, where you’ll find handcrafted Italian cured and cooked meats, fresh pasta, cheeses, organic breads, and ready-to-go meals.
The pizza recipe here has been passed down for generations through Molteni’s family of chefs. The handmade, natural dough takes up to a week to ferment, then gets topped with handmade sauce, cheese made by The Barn Chefs, and other fresh ingredients. Popular pies are those topped with braised onions and pancetta, and the weekly specials.
Pizza is available on Saturdays only from the May long weekend to Thanksgiving. There are limited quantities available, so advance booking is recommended.
The Barn Chefs is located at 5543 Highway 620 in Coe Hill, south of Bancroft. To learn more, visit thebarnchefs.kitchen.
From “porch pizzas” to selling out at Pies by Zach in Millbrook
What began as a hobby has morphed into one of the region’s favourite pizza joints.
Before settling in downtown Millbrook just last year, Zach Washburn began making pizzas for the love of it. It was only after friends and family showed interest in his pies that he begin to sell them. He had people picking up “porch pies” from his home every week before he eventually began doing pop-ups and serving pies out of a trailer at Lost Cannabis Company in Cavan.
Now, at his downtown pizzeria, Washburn often sells out when serving up more than 100 pizzas every day. All the dough is made by hand, fermented for 48 to 72 hours, and topped with sauces made from scratch and toppings sourced from Canada where possible.
The most popular item on the menu is the peach pizza made with local hot honey, mozzarella cheese, pesto, sliced peaches, and goat cheese. A classic favourite is the spicy pepperoni, while the new garlic fingers are quickly stealing the spotlight, and new customer favourites emerge every two weeks when all new pies drop.
Pies by Zach is located at 16 King Street East in Millbrook. To see what’s on the menu, visit www.piesbyzach.com.
Taste the legacy of Jim’s Pizza and Pasta in Port Hope
Trevor Causton first started working at Jim’s Pizza and Pasta in Port Hope on his first day of high school back in 1989. Since then, he has carried on the legacy of the beloved eatery, first founded in 1970, and has been the owner since 2006.
With its central location in downtown Port Hope and comfortable, casual seating, you can tell Jim’s Pizza and Pasta is made for families. As for the pizzas, everything is made fresh in house including the original sauce that comes from a family recipe.
Customers return time and time again to sink their teeth into the deluxe Jim’s Combination and gourmet Tuscan Chicken, topped with sun-dried tomatoes, feta, spinach, red onion, and balsamic drizzle.
At Jim’s, you can make the pizzas entirely your own with thin crusts, cauliflower crusts, gluten-free crusts, dairy-free cheese, and vegetarian pepperonis all available.
Jim’s Pizza and Pasta is located at 22 Walton Street in Port Hope. For more information and to order online, visit jimsporthope.ca.
Enjoy new pizzas every few weeks from Lowlands Fire Foods at 100 Acre Brewing Company in Peterborough
Not long after opening, 100 Acre Brewing Co. in Peterborough formed a tasty partnership with Lowlands Fire Foods and is now a popular destination for wood-fired pizza.
Though Lowlands Fire Foods was founded by Max Barill out of a pizza wagon, executive chef Jamie Kohls takes the lead at 100 Acre Brewing Co., bringing years of fine dining experience in Toronto to the more casual and relaxed environment of the local brewery.
The organic sourdough wood-fired pizzas are made with the “not-so-secret” dough ingredient of Red Fife, which was first grown in Peterborough, and 100 per cent Empire Co-op mozzarella, a high-quality cheese from Campbellford.
One of the most popular pies you’ll find on the menu is the sesame chicken pizza, made with chicken and mushrooms from Kendal Hills Farm in Orono, as well as locally grown sunflower sprouts. Kohls uses seasonal ingredients from local farms to make noteworthy and new seasonal pizzas, with new one dropping every two to three weeks.
Lowlands Fire Foods can be found at 100 Acre Brewing Co. at 390 Ashburnham Drive in Peterborough. To learn more, visit 100acrebrewingco.com/pages/food-vendors.
Visit Kawartha Country Wines in Buckhorn for wood-fired pizza with gluten-free and dairy-free options available
Kawartha Country Wines in Buckhorn is all about making your pizza entirely yours. After all, what could be a better way to end a wine tasting or tour than sitting out by the orchard and sipping on a glass and snacking on pizza?
At this stunning winery, you can order 12-inch, eight-slice wood-fired pizzas and choose any three toppings from a selection of more than 10, with additional toppings for an added fee. Doughs, sauces, and vegetables are sourced from Canada, with dairy-free options also available.
Kawartha Country Wines promises their gluten-free pizzas are entirely celiac safe, as they take extra precautions to ensure there is no cross contamination across ingredients or cooking equipment.
Pizza is available Fridays to Sundays during the summer and Saturdays and Sundays in June, September, and October until the Thanksgiving weekend.
Kawartha Country Wines is located at 2452 County Road 36 in Buckhorn. To learn more, visit kawarthacountrywines.ca/pages/live-music-pizza.
Feast on Neapolitan-style pizza at Burnt Crust Pizzaria in Minden
If the opening of Juna in Haliburton and Burnt Crust Pizzaria in Minden over the past year tells us anything, it’s that Haliburton County is amping up its pizza offerings.
A family-run pizzeria, Burnt Crust serves authentic Neapolitan-style pizza with a thin crust made from dough that’s naturally fermented for three days and cooked in a rotating stone oven. The sauce is made with tomatoes sourced from Italy, just like many of the toppings.
Customers have found an early favourite with the hot honey pepperoni pizza, though there are often new weekend specials that steal the spotlight.
Owners Katrina McCallum and her husband Avi Berger acknowledge that the proper spelling of “pizzaria” is “pizzeria” — they didn’t notice the word had been misspelled on their sign and decided to just go with it.
Burnt Crust Pizzaria is located at 1-12667 Highway 35 in Minden, in the former Algonquin Outfitters building. To learn more, visit www.burntcrust.ca.
Kawartha Localist is an editorial series from kawarthaNOW celebrating the places, experiences, businesses, and communities that make our region extraordinary. Written by people who live here, work here, and have spent nearly 30 years exploring the Kawarthas and surrounding region, each edition shares trusted local recommendations, hidden gems, and favourite discoveries from across Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, Haliburton County, and Hastings Highlands.
Whether you’re looking for your next hiking trail, favourite patio, scenic drive, farmers’ market, or weekend adventure, Kawartha Localist is what we love about where we live.
Kawartha Localist is sponsored by Kawartha Financial Services.
