My husband and I had our first date at Ironside Pizza. Two and a half years later, he proposed to me in the same spot, and we still go back around our engagement anniversary each year. Recently, I returned recently for one of its Tuesday game nights, and the pizza was as good as I remembered and the space was just as charming.
Ironside Pizza opened in 2014 inside Miami Ironside, the indoor-outdoor design complex (that frankly, I’ve never fully understood) in the Upper Eastside. It was the first expansion from behind Toscana Divino (RIP), and it was serving Neapolitan pies here welllllll before Miami’s latest onslaught wave of Italian restaurants. It’s an OG that’s still as good as it was 12 years ago — and honestly, that’s saying something.
Is it still worth the hype? Sure. On my latest visit, the pizza came out with the same chewy, crisp, fluffy crust I’ve loved for years.
The Space: Ironside Pizza sits inside Miami Ironside complex, with an indoor dining room and tables spread through the leafy courtyard. The outdoor setup works especially well for families because kids have room to play while their parents eat a normal meal. On Tuesday nights, the bistro side turns into game-night headquarters and serves the same food.
What to Eat & Drink: The Involtini Salumi come as ricotta and parmacotto pizza rolls finished with truffle oil and Grana Padano, plus enough arugula to pretend you ordered a salad. They’re delicious, and the pile of arugula keeps them from feeling too heavy. If you want actual greens, order the Crunchy Cabbage with shredded cabbage, carrots, cherry tomatoes, and lemon tahini. It gives the table something crisp between all that cheese and dough.
The pizza is obviously the star here, and still all these years later, still slaps. The crust has enough chew and crunch, the center stays fluffy, and none of it overwhelms whatever sits on top. I’m a sucker for the pepperoni pizza version, because, I have never met a pepperoni pizza I didn’t like, but the Parmacotto & Ananas surprised me on my last visit. It’s Ironside’s version of Hawaiian pizza, made with ham and pineapple. I’m well aware that people have their ~feelings~ about Hawaiian pizza, but I don’t really care, because I like it.
The panini are massive, so split one unless you arrive hungry. The wood-fired mains impressed me too, and the prime ribeye costs $32. That is prim-o Matt Meltzer territory, if you ask me.
One thing I miss is the BYOB policy. They don’t offer it anymore, and I’m not going to pretend that wasn’t a big part of the original appeal for me. BUT, on Tuesdays, Aperol spritzes are $6 during game night, so I’ll take that as a consolation prize for now.
Perfect For: Families, low-key date nights, groups that want a lot of pizza, and anyone who’d rather play a board game over a spritz on a Tuesday.
Pro Tip: Bringing at least six people? The $29-per-person Giro Pizza includes two starters and unlimited rotating pizzas for two hours.
Expect to Pay: Plan for around $30 to $50 per person with drinks.
How’s the parking? There’s a lot attached to the campus just north of Ironside, but the front section doubles as a very popular Tesla charging station, so don’t count on those spaces. Right behind it, there’s ample metered parking that you pay for by phone, usually a couple of bucks an hour. You’ll also find paid street parking throughout the surrounding neighborhood.
@ironside_pizza // 7580 NE 4th Court, Upper Eastside