On the Richmond Pizza Trail: 23rd Street's Navarro’s Italian Deli

Welcome to Grandview Independent's pizza quest, Richmond Pizza Trail. The GI staff has turned our sights on pizza while the Richmond Burrito Trail observes a 40-day hiatus.

Navarro’s Italian Deli may be best known for its sandwiches, but its pizza holds its own with a mix of satisfying flavors. The cheese is rich and creamy — almost decadently so — while the crust offers a pleasant crunch. Toppings are fresh and well-portioned, and while the deli’s early closing time limits dinner plans, it’s a great option for a hearty lunch or an early bite.

One standout feature of the pie is the cheese. Described on Yelp as some of the “creamiest” cheese around, it melts beautifully, though some reviewers found it to be a bit much. The cheese tastes like mozzarella, with maybe some provolone, but it is also ooey, gooey, and creamy like baked brie. 

Daniel Navarro, owner of the deli, told Richmond Standard last year that he had been using a pizza recipe from a famous chef in France. So…maybe?

The crust at Navarro’s is another strong point. It’s not a fancy crust but delivers a satisfying bite with a nice crunch and a pleasant texture. Unlike some pizzas that drown in herbs, the seasoning here is balanced, though there’s a noticeable kick of herbiness as you eat your way out of the center, where the cheese thins a bit near the crust.

The combination pizza comes loaded with classic toppings — pepperoni, olives, peppers, mushrooms, onions, and sausage — all in good proportion. The vegetables tasted fresh, and the sausage had a solid, savory bite. The sauce was well-executed, complementing the cheese and toppings without overpowering them.

The combination pizza tends to get soggy toward the center, so the next time we order, we will probably ask for a classic bell pepper-onion mushroom pie. 

The pepperoni pizza was loaded with cheese and just the right amount of pepperoni slices. The right amount of pepperoni is somewhere between not enough and too much. A good start is when there are multiple slices of pepperoni on each slice. It is OK if they kind of overlap. We especially appreciate it when they get all crispy, and that fat-soluble pepper flavors start permeating the rest of the pie. 

The only real letdown is the early closing time. The deli closes at 6 p.m., which limits its appeal as a traditional dinner option. That said, if you’re looking for a solid, affordable lunch or an early dinner, Navarro’s pizza is an excellent choice.

Final verdict? Navarro’s delivers a high-quality, well-balanced pizza at a reasonable price. It stands out in Richmond’s pizza landscape and is worth a try, especially if you’re already a fan of their well-regarded sandwiches. Our tab for two large pizzas was only $43, and we loaded up the toppings, increasing the combo pizza’s overall price.

Would we eat here again? Absolutely.

As the Richmond Pizza Trail continues, we’re eager to discover more standout pies across the city.

Let us know where to eat next, and check back next week for another stop on the trail as Grandview Independent attempts to find the best pizza in Richmond.

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