G MDNC
Drove past one time and decided to give it a try. The pizza itself has some very nice Neapolitan dough, and even though it looks small at first, the pizza is quite filling. I recommend getting more toppings as well. The garlic bread was just ok, as it would have been better if they used thicker bread or made the bread in-house. Overall it was good, and a good option for those seeking a classic Neapolitan pizza.
… moreMario Molina
Pupatella (Columbia, MD) – A Genuine Neapolitan Experience
Pupatella in Columbia, Maryland, establishes itself as a premier destination for lovers of authentic pizza. Backed by the VPN (Verace Pizza Napoletana) certification, the quality is evident from the moment the pizzas emerge from the wood-fired oven, featuring the characteristic airy and slightly charred rim (cornicione).
To evaluate their range, we sampled two fundamental classics: the purity of the Margherita and the complexity of the Capricciosa.
The Margherita is the perfection of simplicity. It’s a testament that high-quality ingredients need no embellishment: the San Marzano tomato sauce is bright and balanced, combined with fresh mozzarella and a touch of fragrant basil. Each slice is a pure bite of Italian flavor, a gold standard for this iconic dish.
On the other hand, the Capricciosa is a delicious, multi-layered adventure. It comes loaded with classic ingredients—cured ham, mushrooms, artichokes, and olives. What’s noteworthy is how the base remains structurally sound under this variety of toppings; the dough is still tender but robust enough. It offers a wonderful contrast of salty, earthy, and umami flavors that make every bite a different experience.
If you’re looking for the unmistakable Neapolitan crust (soft in the center, crispy on the outside) and flavors faithful to tradition, both pizzas are an excellent choice and demonstrate why Pupatella has such a well-deserved reputation.
… moreDaniel Hanley
As a native of New England, I can confidently say this pizza is excellent and definitely one of the best I have had in Maryland. The restaurant has excellent vibes run by friendly and kind staff. I also highly recommend getting the meatballs as they were absolutely delicious.
… moreJeremy Bergolios
Margherita was good. Nice flavor and thin but chewy crust. Could have had more buffalo mozzarella but then again isn’t that always the case? Panna cotta was good as albeit pricy for what it was.
… moreErika Weaver
We had a nice family dinner. The food was delicious you can tell the meals are made with fresh ingredients, the staff was great and the atmosphere was so nice especially for my child. We loved the meatballs, cheese pizza and the Nutella Angioletti Fritti! We will be coming back again for more family dinners.
… moreLisa
Ordered a small pepperoni pizza and adult ziti. Both terrible! No flavor, lots of pasta noodles and not enough sauce. The meatballs (only 2) tasted like a ball of meat with no seasoning. The pizza crust was soggy and pepperoni tasted funny. Never again!
… moreEmmie Perseghin
Ok the service was great. Our server was super nice and very friendly. The food was not so nice. The prices were ASTRONOMICAL ($91 for a family of 3!!!!) for what was served and the pizza was undercooked and super doughy. The picture is of the Sampler Appetizer and the all meat pizza. I was so disappointed because I was hoping for a good local pizza place. Oh well, steak clear and go to eataliano instead!!!!
… moreRyan Wilkinson
Most of the negative reviews are from people who can’t differentiate between pizza styles. This isn’t a NY slice place, American chain pizza, or Detroit style, it’s the pizza style of Napoli! The service was great, outdoor dining was pleasant, drinks were good but pricey. The food is a very good facsimile of the pizza and antipasta you’d find in Italy, but it’s not quite 100% there. I wanted to love it, it looks the part, the flavor profiles of the pizzas are ones I haven’t seen in the US, the crust has chew, but it’s missing… something. Maybe it’s the Italian mineral water? Needs a few more seconds in the oven? I’m curious to try their original location to see if it has that special magic you find in Italy. Overall an enjoyable meal, some of the most authentic Napoli style pizza you’ll find in the area.
… moreLarry Rentkiewicz
Pupatella was fabulous for lunch today! The lunch size pizzas are just right (maybe a little too right ), the included lunch salad is a favorite of ours, crisp greens, kalamata olives, halved grape tomatoes, and oil/balsamic dressing. We had the onion tart and the ham/mushroom/mozzarella pizza wre done to perfection! We paired ours with a glass of the house chianti and the house super tuscan, and were amazed by the quality of the wines, and the pours. This may have been one of the best lunches we’ve had in recent memory, and we’ll be back next week to try another pair of their lunch special pizzas and other reds on thier wine list. A new tradition: weekly lunch at Pupatella!
I want to particularly commend the service! Sarah, our server, was fun, engaging, attentive, and generally a pleasure to meet. We felt well served, but never rushed or crowded. We really hope to have Sarah again as our server!
All in all, a stellar lunch experience!
… moreSridhar Nakirikanty
We just had a truly fantastic dining experience, and it was largely thanks to our server, Kevin. From the moment we sat down, Kevin was an outstanding presence, proving he genuinely enjoys what he does. He didn’t just take our order; he went above and beyond, checking in at just the right moments, anticipating our needs, and making us feel completely taken care of without being intrusive. His attentiveness and friendly demeanor really set the tone for a wonderful meal.
Of course, the stars of the show, besides Kevin, were the pizzas. We decided to try two very different options, and both were absolutely delicious. The spinach white sauce pizza was a revelation—creamy, savory, and perfectly balanced, with a wonderfully flavorful crust that held up beautifully. Then we dove into the tomato artichoke red sauce pizza, which was equally impressive. The vibrant red sauce, tangy artichokes, and fresh tomatoes created a burst of fresh flavors with every bite. You could tell both pizzas were made with high-quality ingredients and a real passion for flavor.
Honestly, between Kevin’s exceptional service and the incredibly tasty pizzas, we were thoroughly impressed. This spot has definitely earned a top place on our list for future pizza cravings. We’ll definitely be back for more of their great pizzas, and we’ll certainly be asking for Kevin again! It’s rare to find such a perfect combination of excellent food and outstanding service.
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