The 12 New York Pizzerias Worth Pulling Over For On A Fall Foliage Drive

Fall in New York already puts on the main show outside your windshield. Red maples, gold hillsides, and lakes that look freshly painted. Still, a long scenic drive builds a very specific hunger, and gas station snacks rarely fix it.

So I went looking for pizza along the leafiest roads in the state. Some stops fold neatly into a hike. Others are worth the detour all on their own.

Which one lands on your route first?

For example, a pizza place in a Catskills hamlet of fewer than 400 people opens at 8 AM on weekends. Breakfast comes first, and wood-fired Neapolitan pies show up later. I love that kind of small-town logic.

That stop is just one of a dozen on this list. An Adirondack pizzeria offers a fireplace and rooftop seating. A Finger Lakes dining room is styled like an Italian piazza, with countryside murals on the walls.

1. Catskill Mountain Pizza Co, Woodstock, NY

Overlook Mountain does the hard work, and this Woodstock pizzeria hands out the reward. It sits on Mill Hill Road, an easy roll down from one of the Catskills’ best-known autumn hikes.

Thin crust is the headliner here. The pies come out crisp, which is exactly what you want after a climb in chilly mountain air.

You aren’t locked into pizza, though. The menu also covers burgers, subs, and Italian dishes, so a mixed crew of eaters can find common ground.

Start with the meatball appetizer if you’re splitting things. It’s one of the house favorites, and it buys you a few minutes while the pie bakes.

Plant-based travelers get real options too. The kitchen offers a full vegan menu and a full vegetarian menu, not just one lonely salad.

Bringing the family? There’s a kids’ menu and high chairs, which makes the stop easier on tired little hikers.

Leaf peepers with dogs can grab a seat outside. Pups are welcome at the outdoor tables, a nice perk on a crisp fall afternoon.

Some evenings come with live music, adding a little Woodstock flavor to dinner. Fitting, right, for a town so tied to music history?

Plan for a casual walk-in visit, since reservations aren’t accepted. Doors open at 11 AM most days and at noon on Sundays.

Free parking at 51 Mill Hill Rd, Woodstock, NY 12498, makes the pull-over painless. Your biggest decision is whether to eat before or after the mountain.

2. Pizzeria Posto Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck, NY

Somebody shipped an oven from Italy and rebuilt it, piece by piece, in a Hudson Valley village. That’s real commitment to crust.

Pizzeria Posto opened in Rhinebeck in November 2012. Its wood-fired oven was imported from Italy and reassembled right on site at 43 E Market St, Rhinebeck, NY 12572.

The payoff is classic Neapolitan pizza with a charred, blistered crust. Fresh, high-quality ingredients keep the toppings simple and confident.

Go straight for the Margherita with basil leaves. It’s the pie that shows off what the oven can really do.

Pair it with the arugula salad for some peppery crunch. It’s a light balance to a hot, bubbly pizza.

The setting stays simple and laid-back. An open kitchen lets you watch the pizza action instead of waiting blindly.

Posto earned top honors in 2018 on a list of the best pizzas outside New York City. Not bad for a small-town storefront.

Rhinebeck itself is a treat in fall. The historic village sits along Route 9, lined with tree-shaded streets and old architecture.

Reservations are accepted, which helps on busy weekend evenings. Families get high chairs, and dogs are welcome at outdoor seats.

Check the calendar before you go. Posto is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with lunch and dinner service available on its other operating days.

3. Baba Louie’s, Hudson, NY

Sourdough isn’t only for bread bakeries anymore. On Warren Street in Hudson, Baba Louie’s builds its whole pizza identity around it.

The pies are wood-fired with a sourdough crust. Expect a thin base with a slight tang and gourmet toppings layered on top.

The prosciutto and fig pie is a crowd favorite. Salty meets sweet, and fall flavors suddenly feel right at home.

Prefer something punchier? The puttanesca pizza brings bold flavor, while the BBQ chicken pie leans comfy and familiar.

Gluten-free diners get special attention here. There’s a separate gluten-free pizza crust, plus dairy-free cheese for anyone avoiding dairy.

A full vegan menu sits alongside the vegetarian options too. It’s a rare pizza stop where almost anyone can order freely.

Salads come family-style, so the table can share. The Caesar and Greek salads both appear among the highlights.

Sandwich fans, take note of the Reuben. It wins serious praise, even from folks with high standards.

Desserts round out the meal nicely. Hudson’s antique shops and river views make a great after-lunch stroll from 517 Warren St, Hudson, NY 12534.

Timing matters at this spot. Baba Louie’s serves lunch from noon to 3 PM, then reopens for dinner at 5 PM, and it closes Wednesdays.

4. Cold Spring Pizza, Cold Spring, NY

Hikers coming off the Hudson Highlands trails tend to have one thing on their minds. Cold Spring Pizza sits at 120 Main St, Cold Spring, NY 10516, ready for exactly that craving.

The village hugs the Hudson River along Route 9D. In autumn, the surrounding hills turn that riverside drive into pure eye candy.

Here you get New York style pizza done right. Think crispy crust, fresh sauce, and a sensible balance of cheese and toppings.

Slices are available if you want to keep moving. Whole pies with creative toppings work better for a hungry group.

The Grandma Spicy Pepperoni pie is a highlight. So is the Bianco, a white pizza for anyone skipping red sauce.

Not a pizza mood? Try the chicken parm roll, a sausage and peppers sandwich, or a bowl of creamy penne.

Calzones are on the menu as well. Finish with a cannoli and call the day a total success.

Early starters will appreciate the 11 AM opening time, which makes a late-morning pizza stop easy. That makes a late-morning fuel stop easy before the trails.

Parking along Main Street can get tight on busy days. Leave a few extra minutes to circle the block.

Families get a kids’ menu and high chairs. Outdoor seating lets you watch the village bustle with your slice.

5. Apizza!, New Paltz, NY

Coal, not wood, fires the oven at this New Paltz favorite. That one swap gives the crust its own personality.

Apizza! bakes its pies in a coal-fired brick oven. The result is a crust with serious char outside and a soft, airy interior.

Pizza nerds love the leoparding on the edges. Those dark spots signal a hot oven and a well-handled dough.

Toppings stay classic and fresh. Tangy sauce, fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil let the crust take center stage.

The regular pie is a smart first order. You’ll taste exactly why the oven matters.

Italian entrées fill out the menu nicely. Chicken parmesan, eggplant parmesan, and meatballs all make appearances.

Vegans aren’t left out either. There’s a full vegan menu, including an extra vegan Caesar salad.

Calzones and the antipasto della casa round out the choices. Splitting a few dishes is the move here.

New Paltz sits beneath the Shawangunk Ridge, a top fall color spot in New York. Routes 299 and 44/55 make for gorgeous drives that end at 121 Main St, New Paltz, NY 12561.

Plan around the schedule, since Apizza! closes Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Reservations are accepted, and dinner service runs until 10 PM.

6. Little Italy, Saranac Lake, NY

A fireplace inside and rooftop seating up top? For an Adirondack pizza joint, that’s a pretty great combo.

Little Italy is a long-standing, family-owned spot at 151 River St, Saranac Lake, NY 12983. It’s been feeding this lake village for years.

Thin crust and a tasty sauce are the stars. The slices run big, which matters after a long day outdoors.

Garlic knots deserve their own fan club. Order a batch while you decide between a pie and a calzone.

You can choose how you eat. Sit down in the dining room, or grab a slice at the front and relax at the counter.

The menu goes beyond pizza too. Baked ziti, bruschetta, and a veggie sub are all options.

Dog owners, this one’s for you. Service animals are permitted inside, while pet owners should check whether dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area.

Hikers often roll in after tackling peaks like Cascade and Porter. Route 86 makes the trip from the High Peaks pretty easy.

Need room for a group? There’s a private dining room, and reservations are accepted.

Little Italy closes Mondays and opens at 10:30 AM most other days. Free parking makes the stop simple.

7. Mr. Mike’s Pizza and Italian Kitchen, Lake Placid, NY

Two-time Olympic host Lake Placid knows a thing or two about feeding hungry crowds. Mr. Mike’s handles that job at 2742 Main St Unit 1, Lake Placid, NY 12946.

It’s a family-run mainstay with a roomy, relaxed setup. There’s even banquet space for bigger gatherings.

The pizza earns praise for a fully cooked crust. Sauce, cheese, and toppings land in nice balance, with generous portions.

Calamari is a solid opener. It arrives hot, crisp, and ready for sharing before the main event.

A salad on the side keeps things fresh. Then it’s pizza time, and nobody’s complaining.

Vegans and vegetarians get full menus here. That’s handy when your road trip crew has mixed preferences.

This is a dinner spot, so plan your timing. Doors open at 4 PM and close at 9 PM, with Wednesdays off.

Reservations are accepted, which is helpful in peak leaf season. Weekend evenings tend to be the busiest.

Lake Placid sits along Route 73, one of the prettiest drives in the Adirondack High Peaks. Fall turns those mountainsides into a patchwork quilt.

After dinner, take a lap around Main Street. Mirror Lake and the village lights make a lovely evening stroll.

8. Giuseppe’s Pizza, Lake George, NY

Since 1975, Giuseppe’s has been slinging pies on Canada Street. That’s decades of feeding Lake George visitors.

This family-operated Italian joint keeps things casual. Pizza leads the way, but pasta, burgers, and sandwiches share the spotlight.

The Sicilian pizza is a must for thick-crust fans. Its square slices make for easy sharing at a big table.

Prefer something classic? A small pepperoni pie hits that sweet spot of dough, sauce, and cheese.

Gluten-free pizza is available too. Kids get their own menu, plus high chairs for the little ones.

Don’t skip the sides. Cheese garlic bread, garlic knots, fried calamari, and onion rings all make strong cases.

Want something heartier? Eggplant rollatini and chicken parmigiana bring old-school Italian comfort.

Save room for a cannoli. It’s a sweet way to wrap a lakeside afternoon.

Outdoor dining comes with Italian music, which adds a fun touch. On a crisp fall day, it feels like a mini vacation.

Giuseppe’s opens daily at 11 AM at 337 Canada St, Lake George, NY 12845, but closing times vary by season, so check the current schedule before visiting. Curbside pickup works if you’d rather eat by the water, and parking on the street is paid.

9. Caputo’s Pizzeria Saratoga, Saratoga Springs, NY

Indecisive eaters, rejoice. Caputo’s keeps a big lineup of pizza slices on display, so you can point and pick.

The shop sits right on Route 50 at 3039 NY-50, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. It’s a natural pull-over as you head toward the Adirondack foothills.

Grab-and-go slices are the fastest play. That’s perfect when the light is good and you want to keep driving.

Have more time? Order a whole specialty pie and settle in at a table.

The Sicilian pie earns special love. Thin-crust fans will also find huge slices worth folding.

Pizza isn’t the only option on the menu. Classic pastas and hot subs give non-pizza people plenty to choose from.

Garlic knots and bruschetta make great starters. Both are easy to share around the table.

Hours are refreshingly simple. Caputo’s opens daily from 11 AM to 9 PM.

The atmosphere stays laid-back and quiet. Families get a kids’ menu and high chairs, and reservations are accepted.

Parking is free and usually easy to find. That beats circling a busy downtown on a peak fall weekend.

10. Jerlando’s Ristorante & Pizza Co., Watkins Glen, NY

Countryside murals and a dining room styled like an Italian piazza aren’t what most hikers expect. Yet that’s the scene near Watkins Glen State Park.

The Purpura family, originally from San Giuseppe Jato, Italy, started this business in Montour Falls in 1994. The Watkins Glen location at 400 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891, followed in 1997.

Inside, you get a full-service dining room. A separate pizza area handles takeout for travelers in a hurry.

The pizza comes with a chewy, thin crust and fresh toppings. Cheese and sauce land in good proportion.

Garlic knots with marinara are a favorite opener. That marinara is good enough to deserve extra dipping.

The house salad with parmesan peppercorn dressing is another standout. It’s a nice change from plain Italian dressing.

Want a bigger meal? Veal parmigiana with spaghetti brings old-school comfort in generous portions.

Tiramisu makes a sweet ending. Think of it as a reward for climbing those gorge stairs.

Watkins Glen sits at the southern tip of Seneca Lake along Route 14. Finger Lakes foliage season makes it one of the prettiest stops in New York.

Doors open at 11 AM daily, and reservations are accepted only for parties of nine or more. Free parking keeps things easy.

11. Brio’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, Phoenicia, NY

Pancakes at 8 AM and wood-fired pizza by dinner sounds like a dare. In tiny Phoenicia, Brio’s pulls it off right at 68 Main St, Phoenicia, NY 12464.

The hamlet sits along Route 28, the Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway. Come October, those High Peaks surrounding town turn into a wall of color.

Brio’s runs from breakfast through dinner, seven days a week. Weekend doors open at 8 AM, perfect for early leaf chasers.

The pizza comes from a wood-burning oven in the Neapolitan style. Look for a thin crust dusted with sesame seeds and a pleasantly salty edge.

That sesame touch is a fun twist you won’t find at most pizzerias. It gives the crust a toasty, nutty personality.

The menu wanders well beyond pies. Italian and American plates share space, from a chicken feta salad to a much-loved macaroni salad.

Vegetarian pizza is a menu highlight, and there’s a full vegan menu as well. Mixed groups shouldn’t have trouble here.

Save a little room at the end. Desserts get plenty of praise, and a sweet finish fits a mountain drive nicely.

Weather cooperating? The patio has dog-friendly outdoor seating, so your four-legged copilot can join the lunch break.

Reservations are available for parties of eight or more, while smaller groups can visit without booking ahead. It’s an easy pull-over before heading deeper into the Catskills.

12. New York Pizzeria, Cooperstown, NY

A pizzeria called New York Pizzeria sets a high bar for itself. In Cooperstown, this roadside spot happily accepts the challenge.

You’ll find it at 75 Chestnut St, Cooperstown, NY 13326, right on the way into the village. That location makes it an easy first or last stop.

New York style slices are the main attraction. Expect a thin crust, gooey cheese, and flavorful sauce.

Garlic knots and mozzarella sticks are popular partners. Fried ravioli adds a crunchy, fun twist.

Curious types should check out the Chad Upside Down Pizza. The name alone makes it worth asking about.

Calzone fans can build their own. The large Hawaiian and the meat pizza also appear on the highlights list.

Subs round out the menu for sandwich lovers. Kids get their own menu, plus high chairs.

Sports fans will find TVs for catching a game. Outdoor seating is available on nicer fall days.

Cooperstown sits on Otsego Lake along Route 28. The surrounding hills glow during leaf season.

The pizzeria opens daily from 11 AM to 9 PM, and parking is free. It’s a tasty final pull-over before the drive home.