Bird Pizzeria

There’s no mention of sourdough, hand-crushed San Marzanos, or wood-fired anything at Bird Pizzeria by partners in work and life Kerrel and Nkem Thompson. Rather, the couple lets their plain, white, and vegan pizzas – which you can customize with classic toppings like pepperoni and Calabrian peppers – speak for themselves. But instead of specializing in a particular style, Kerrel bases Bird’s versions “off of characteristics I loved when I was little.” That means refreshingly fuss-free pies with crispy, foldable crusts, bright tomato sauce, and mild mozzarella.

Bird Pizzeria, which you can find at 510 E 15th Street, is a place where you can get incredible pizza. There are three pies to get, which you can then customize by adding the toppings that you like. You can go for the “Plain Pie”, which comes with tomato sauce, basil, and fresh mozzarella, the “White Pie”, which is made with fresh mozzarella, butter garlic, ricotta, olive oil, and basil, and the “Vegan Pie”, which comes with tomato sauce, a choice of veggies, basil, and an aged cheese alternative.

Bird Pizzeria was recently named one of Southern Living’s best new restaurants in the South. After serving slices as a pop-up, co-owners Kerrel and Nkem Thompson opened their brick-and-mortar in late 2021. Nestled in a small takeout space in Optimist Park, the couple’s local pizza shop is known for its East Coast-style pies made that you can personalize with your choice of meat and veggies.

Owners Kerrel and Nkem Thompson opened Bird Pizzeria as a pop-up restaurant in October 2020 before establishing the shop in December 2021 in Charlotte’s Optimist Park neighborhood. But pizza has been part of the husband-and-wife’s love story long before they opened a pizzeria. In fact, they enjoyed pizza on their first date, proving that “love at first slice” is, indeed, a thing.

You know a pizzeria is good when the menu options are limited—every item must be a standout. That's the case at Bird Pizzeria, a low-key shop with a simple menu of whole, Neopolitan-style pies (plain, white, and vegan) and simple toppings. Owned by husband-and-wife team, Kerrel and Nkem Thompson, Bird has gained a steady local following and national praise since opening in 2021.

It’s tempting to say Bird Pizzeria makes the best pizza in Charlotte, but that implies there’s even a competition. This tiny shop sticks to the fundamentals: a naturally leavened dough, just the right amount of char, and toppings that don’t overcomplicate things. Get the pepperoni or the mushroom, but don’t sleep on the kale salad, which somehow has a cult following.

Literal hole-in-the-wall, pick-up-only pizzeria with some of the best pizza in the country, per the New York Times ( and us). Why we love it: Owner Kerrel Thompson used his time during the pandemic lockdown to perfect the craft of pizza-making. He made pizza every day, sharing the extra pies with friends and family, and eventually started hosting pizza pop-ups.

This Black-owned spot is the brainchild of spouses and co-owners Nkem and Kerrel Thompson. In June 2024, Bird Pizzeria was recognized by the New York Times as one of the 22 best pizza places in the United States. Besides Bird Pizzeria’s rave reviews, check it out for a perfect date or friend link up.

Forbes recognized this beloved pizza spot as one the best new restaurants in Charlotte. Savor delicious toppings and an airy crust. Husband and wife duo Kerrel and Nkem Thompson opened Bird in 2021 — the biz is expanding to Optimist Park in May 2024.

No one is making pizzas like Bird Pizzeria, one of the most loved pizza places in Charlotte. Head to Optimist Park along 15th Street to get to their location. Once you arrive, expect a simple seating architecture and limited menu.

If you are looking for some of the best pizza in Charlotte, look no further than Bird Pizzeria. It is a small, family-owned pizza shop near Optimist Hall, serving fresh, East-Coast Style pies.

- Rating: 4.2/5 (57 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 510 East 15th St. Charlotte, North Carolina - Categories: pizza- Read more on Yelp

Now open in Optimist Park, Bird Pizzeria serves to-go pies from a takeaway window. Dine al fresco on those warmer winter days.