Ricotta was the last thing I expected to fall for at a plain little pizza counter, yet one bite of a sauceless slice changed my whole idea of a road trip. Across Pennsylvania, white pizza quietly hides on menus next to the red pies everyone orders out of habit.
It is creamy, garlicky, and a little bit rebellious, and the best versions are worth putting real miles on the car. Grab your keys and an empty stomach, because these nine shops make a strong case for skipping the sauce.
1. Driftwood Oven, Pittsburgh, PA
Sourdough changes everything. At this Lawrenceville favorite on Butler Street, the crust has a crackly, crunchy bite with that gentle tang only a slow-fermented dough can give.
The Bianca is the white pie to order. Creamy ricotta, quality cheese, and garlic sit on top of that sturdy base, and the balance is so good that finding a better white slice in Pittsburgh feels like a tall order.
The shop grew from a buzzy pop-up concept into this brick-and-mortar spot, and it still has that fun, creative energy.
Save room for a salted chocolate chip cookie or a rotating cruffin. Weekend mornings open at 8 AM, so a brunch pizza run is totally possible.
It closes Mondays, gets packed on Friday nights, and street parking can be tricky, so a quiet Wednesday lunch is a smart move.
2. Brooklyn Pizza – Grill, Lancaster, PA
Lancaster County is famous for farm stands and shoofly pie, but a New York vibe lives along Oregon Pike. This low-key pizzeria turns out thin, crispy pies that would feel right at home on a Brooklyn corner.
Whipped ricotta is the secret star here. The white slice pairs that cloud-soft cheese with fresh garlic, and plenty of regulars order it and nothing else.
It holds its own against the best pizza found in the Philly suburbs.
Round things out with a grandma slice and a few buttery garlic knots. Prices stay friendly, parking is easy, and kids have their own menu.
After a spring drive past blooming Lancaster farmland, it makes a satisfying stop.
3. NYC Village Pizza, Bethlehem, PA
Anchovies on a white pie? Bold, yes, and totally worth trying.
On West 4th Street in Bethlehem’s South Side, this casual shop builds its white pizza with ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and garlic, with anchovy as a salty, savory option.
That little briny kick lifts the creamy cheeses in a way plain toppings cannot. Fans of classic flavors can skip the fish and still enjoy a slice that beats most in the area.
The menu also wanders into kebabs, gyros, and Philly cheesesteaks, so mixed groups stay happy. Service moves fast and the room stays fairly quiet.
Pair a visit with a stroll around historic Bethlehem, especially when the town glows with winter charm.
4. The Crust Pizzeria And Restaurant, Allentown, PA
Variety runs wild on this Allentown menu, from taco pizza to cheesesteak pies. Even so, the white slice is the one people keep circling back to.
Fresh ricotta crowns it generously, and the crust hits that sweet spot of soft and crunchy. The Roma pizza, with garlic and ricotta, is another creamy pick worth sampling.
Garlic knots deserve their own paragraph. They come crisp outside, pillowy inside, and studded with big chunks of fresh garlic.
A comfy setting on West Emaus Avenue, free parking, and outdoor seating make it an easy family outing. Just remember it closes Mondays.
5. Two Brother’s Pizzeria – Italian Market, Harrisburg, PA
Garlic can be a bully on white pizza. Here, it plays nicely, adding flavor without stomping over everything else.
Bountiful ricotta is what makes this Harrisburg slice disappear fast. The New York style crust stays thin and sturdy, carrying all that creamy cheese without flopping.
Beyond the white pie, the Sicilian and grandma pizzas earn loyal fans, and the stromboli is hearty. Service at the counter is quick, the space is clean and relaxed, and parking is plentiful.
Open seven days until 10 PM, it is a handy stop after a day near the state capitol.
6. Dino’s Pizza (Wyoming Valley Mall), Wilkes-Barre, PA
Mall pizza rarely makes anyone’s travel list. Dino’s happily breaks that rule.
Inside the Wyoming Valley Mall, this unpretentious parlor serves a Ricotta white that stands tall among Northeastern Pennsylvania slices, a region that takes its pizza very seriously. Creamy, simple, and satisfying, it turns a shopping errand into a treat.
Curious eaters should also try the Upside Down Sicilian or the Sicilian Trifecta, and the garlic knots are a crowd favorite. There is even a salad bar.
With free parking and a kids’ menu, it is a stress-free lunch on a chilly winter day.
7. Pizza Lupo, Pittsburgh, PA
A few blocks up Butler Street from our first stop, a family-run shop is making its own case for Pittsburgh’s best white pie. The crust is thin and charred just right.
Heavenly dollops of ricotta and plump cherry tomatoes top a garlic base that stays mellow instead of overpowering. It is fresh, bright, and quality from edge to edge.
Pizza Lupo works mainly as a takeout spot with counter service and no restrooms, so plan on eating nearby or at home. The Grandma Pie is another worthy order.
Hours start in the afternoon on weekdays, and it closes Mondays.
8. 20th Street Pizza, Philadelphia, PA
Lemon on pizza sounds odd until the first bite. This Center City parlor tops its white pie with a lemony cashew ricotta that tastes bright, creamy, and surprisingly close to the real thing.
Everything here is plant-based, including homemade cashew mozzarella that actually melts. Even diehard dairy lovers find the thin, crispy crust and soft cheese hard to resist.
Some pizza fans travel from other states just for a slice. Square and round pies, organic dough, and desserts fill out the menu.
Open daily from 11 AM, it pairs nicely with a walk around Rittenhouse Square.
9. Italian Family Pizza, Philadelphia, PA
No slices, no apologies. This husband-and-wife shop on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway sells whole pies only, in a 24-inch large or a 12-inch small.
The white pie comes to life with toppings sliced fresh every day, such as mushrooms, onions, roasted red peppers, and basil. Mushrooms, artichokes, and garlic make a delicious combo.
The family runs everything themselves, and that personal touch shows.
Start with a homemade meatball, then finish with a cannoli, just like the house motto says. Parking nearby can be tricky, so walking over after visiting the museums along the Parkway makes sense.