145 Russell Ave, St. Catharines, ON L2R 1W2, Canada
All I can say is WOW!! My boyfriend discovered this place with his friend and said it was the best pizza in the region, so I had to go and try it. I suggest making a reservation since it’s a pretty small place. It looks unassuming, but it’s hands down the best pizza in the region. I got the asiago and prosciutto pizza and my boyfriend got the cup n char pepperoni pizza and they were phenomenal! The flavour of the crust alone is amazing. It’s a quaint hidden gem and we’re lucky we live so close! If you’re looking for a pizza spot in St. Catharine’s, this is it!!
If you drove past you wouldn't even recognize this place, but it's truly a hidden gem. We got the pepperoni and meatza, both were incredible. The toppings were bountiful and fresh, and the dough was phenomenal. If you want a larger size pizza (16") you have to call ahead, but we found that two 12" did the trick for 4 people. If you're someone who appreciates a good pizza this is a great spot to check out.
A truly fantastic speakeasy pizza joint, where the passion of the chef/owner comes through in every slice. Had both the pepperoni pizza and the hot pineapple pizza along with a couple beers, and my friend and I almost considered ordering a third one after stuffing ourselves, as a testament to how good it was. The atmosphere was quiet, and the restaurant itself probably only seats about 20 people, which I absolutely loved.
Found this hidden gem after shopping at the Niagara Outlet mall. It is everything and more! We had the Asiago & Prosciutto pizza and the Pepperoni and they were to die for! I live in Toronto, so we have our fair share of great pizzas however, this certainly is an easy favourite now! I will definitely make the venture back! The ambiance is also great! Music playlist was definitely on point and set the vibe. Thank you!!
The best pizza I’ve had in ages! Highly recommend getting a reso if you plan to visit after 4/5pm as it’s a small and popular place. You can absolutely tell the owner enjoys what he does. Even with the slight wait we had, the service was excellent. We had the hot pineapple and meatza pies.
Really great local pizza!! The dough is SO good, and is similar to a sourdough flavour. I got cheese with basil and my boyfriend got pepperoni, and we absolutely loved it! What a hidden gem. Inside is very cute and the service was had a friendly community vibe. You can really tell how much is put into this for the quality you receive. Thank you Robby!
Absolute terrific experience! This hidden gem is one amazing eatery. Disguised as an appliance store, this discreet, Hip, Neopolitan style pizza joint is simply the best! Fresh, quality ingredients all formulated by a master chef that has amazing skills. The owner is super friendly and down to earth and even took the time to not only tell me what products he uses, but also his processes to create these masterpieces. This is a must try!
This is the absolute best pizza experience you can treat yourself too. The dough is a 3 day process, all the ingredients are fresh and made in house. Reservations are a great idea as I can see this place filling up. It is disguised as an appliance store. This pizza is an absolute must. I had the hot pineapple pizza and everything about it was perfect. The crust on this pizza is the star of the show. Great place to bring someone. A pizza experience you will never forget.
Some of the best pizza Ive had, would definitely visit again!
Fantastic pizza! Highly recommend it.
Great food, amazing atmosphere. I would go again.
A wonderfully intimate setting, welcoming staff, and an amazing pizza experience. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Literally such a little gem and definitely some of the best pizza I ve ever had in my life!
Legitimately the best pizza. I have ever had in my life. We made the trip from Hamilton when my mom found this place through social media (tik tok I think). And I was blown away. The size of the pizza is perfect. The dough, the toppings, all of it. Just absolutely incredible. Will definitely be back.
Among, the best pizza Ive had!! Made by a passionate owner who cares. Fantastic experience all around!! Will be back when I am in the area!! Showed up a bit later close to closing time and felt very welcomed!
Fantastic pizza
Amazing pizza and great atmosphere for date night! Hidden spot that wont disappoint!
This is one of the best hidden gems in Niagara! A must try! The za was incredible ! The atmosphere was a vibe.
The food was simply delicious. Amazing and delicious pizzas. The salad was a perfect mix of creamy with a bite of sweetness and acidity to cut through. Very delicious. Tried pepperoni, prosciutto, and mushroom pizzas and loved all three. Would absolutely return and 100% recommend. Depending on number of guests, you may have to wait a little for your food. We thought the wait time was reasonable, as you can see everything happening right in front of you, and most importantly, it was worth the drive and the wait. Thank you again for an awesome experience!
really good pizza
Simply put , if you havent been youre true missing out .
Genuinely the best pizza Ive ever had. Like words dont even describe it.
Best pizza ever!
Great pizza. Only one small pizza oven, but well worth the wait. Food and atmosphere more than make up for it.
I stopped wishing for Makers pizza to open up in Niagara region after visiting The Tangerine Tortoise. I have found my pizza sanctuary
Probably the best pizza I ve had in North America. The mushroom pizza is ridiculously good.
Quaint and great atmosphere. Great food. Will be back.
Best pizza in town. Lovely spot, Robby is doing amazing work. Thank you for having us.
What an awesome little place! Atmosphere was beautiful, chef was so friendly and the pizza oh my gosh.. 10/10, it was so fresh and delicious. Make sure you make a reservation to avoid disappointment! We will be back, regularly
Excelkent as usual. The pizza was excellent. Understated but inventive interior.
Best pizza in the city
No words are good enough for this pizza or the personn that makes it ! It is defo in my top 3 pizzas ever Ring ahead like a day or so, Food : 5/5
I like the fact that the restaurant is a little bit small and theres not a million people to deal with Ronnie the owner is a really nice guy and the food was beyond good will be definitely heading back there quite often.
This appeared on my for you page for tiktok as its an old appliance store on the outside but great pizza on the inside. Pre-ordered my pie showed to up on time. Pizza and pop. Have to say it was a very good pizza. Very good service. They use the grate tomato sauce from California and the owners seems very passionate. The pie was very very good
Independently run by a chef who knows and loves pizza. The crust is to die for and the toppings absolutely delicious. Your first bite will make you close your eyes as you savour the experience of homemade flavour. The music is awesome. I also love that rather than focus on branding and commercialism, the chef lets his food speak for itself. This place has a following and I suggest getting there before it s so well-known that you can t get a seat Parking: Parking at rear of the building and anywhere along the streets
Best pizza in St. Catharines.
Outstanding pizza and salads made by the friendliest proprietor.
Best pizza I ve ever had! Highly recommend
Absolutely incredible pizza! We cant wait to go back and try them all!!
Unless this was a fluke, this HAS TO BE one of THE BEST made pizzas around. That sauce....That salty, greasy cheese!!!
Amazing pizza, amazing vibe. His mushroom pizza is the stuff of dreams! And you can have a beer, as the cherry on top!
Moved into the area and have been dying to try this spot. The family wasn t disappointed . We ordered a few different pizzas and all of us agreed prob the best pizza we have had. Cant recommend this spot enough. Nice to see an owner operator in the neighbourhood. Will defo return
From NY to Italy, Ive tried it all and this is one of the best pies Ive had the privilege of eating. I could curl up in one of those delicious pepperoni cups. I dream about this pie. Ive never craved crust - I crave this crust. Its perfection. Keep up the great work.
What a gem! I am so glad I found this gem of a restaurant after reading about them on an app called Many Seeds. I ordered a large cheese pizza for take out, ordering was very some, took a very reasonable amount of ye, was ready when I arrived. The owner was friendly. Nice vibe inside, maybe Ill eat in next time. Price was reasonable for what I consider to be a hand-crafted pizza. Great sauce, amazing crust, all around great experience! A big hit for me!!! Support small businesses in your area!!! Thanks for a great treat, I shared it with several people! Parking: I parked in a small area behind the restaurant.
This place is very amazing. A very small restaurant in an interesting location. The crust is absolutely amazing, and so is the rest of the pizza but the crust stands out. Come by this place for sure!
By far the best pizza we have had in a very long time. Great quality and great price. Definitely worth a try. Definitely going back.
Did a take out pizza. Owners is super nice and the pizza was delicious. Crust is nice and fluffy. The sauce is amazing. You can really taste that its home made and the basil is fresh on the cheese!
This is a nice little find. This establishment is a pretty cool spot. The pizza is Deee-licious! The owner is very friendly. This is a perfect spot to grab a pizza and a drink and have a quiet, cozy evening out. A must visit when youre in St. Catharines. Food
Tried this for the first time today and I can say by far the best pizza in the area. I had the meat pizza. Crust and ingredients are second to none and as unique in taste as the name of this place itself. I urge anyone to give them a try as you wont be disappointed. It definitely has that right from Italy taste. An absolute gem in the city.
Finally stopped in for a pepperoni slice. Amazing! Best crust Ive ever had on a pizza. I cant wait to come back and try his other creations.
Fantastic little hole in the wall that serves the best pizza St. Catharines has to offer. The gentleman in there working was as nice as could be and I will definitely be back.
Run, dont walk to try this resto! The restaurant is a charming hidden gem, nestled on a quiet residential street, in an old appliance store. The rustic atmosphere when you enter is super inviting and casual. The curated menu, on a chalkboard wall, is thoughtful, creative and and each item you see makes it very difficult to choose from as they are all so intriguing. My goal is to order them all over the course of the year. Decided to have a Caesar salad, a mushroom pizza, and a bottle of wine. The Caesar salad was awesome, the homemade dressing paired with the chefs made pancetta and croutons, the perfect mix! The pizza, I dont know where to start...or how to even speak to it, that would give it the credit it deserves! Ive been privileged and blessed to have travelled all over the world, and had some of the best of the best pizzas. I have to say, this pizza, is within the top I can count on a hand! From a crust thats divine, to ingredients that have you savouring every bite, the pizza in one word, is WOW! Great job chef, I cant wait to come in to try the rest of the menu. Bravo!
The owner/chef are super nice, absolutely loves what he does. Cosy, relaxing vibe, great music. We ordered the spinach salad (which was the best ever) and the Asiago prosciutto pizza which was absolutely delicious, right down to the last crumb! Can t wait to go back!!
What a hidden gem - probably some of the best pizza I ve ever had. Worth checking out & supporting a local business.
Best pizza in the region
Be honest it was so random that we visited this place. We were passing by St Catherines and saw this cute place with good reviews. And all of them didn t disappoint us at all. Even pizza made in electric oven - it s the best pizza I ate for a while! Handmade but it s so delicious! Unfortunately we visited in a day only pizza was available. I would try something more from the menu! Absolutely recommend! Cozy atmosphere with good music and friendly service. Parking: Parking on the back of the building. And free street parking 2-3 minutes from the place.
Grabbed some pizza this weekend. Service from phone call for some info to picking it up, very impressive. Za was delicious!
Excellent little pizza spot. The quality is beyond your imagination. The atmosphere is very condusive to conversation. The owner is friendly. Its one of those places that puts a smile on your face as soon as you walk in. Its become my new go-to place.
I must say I have been a pizza eater for years and years and have never experienced pizza like this. Price is a little higher then some others but once you taste it money means nothing. Just seeing a picture on Facebook I drove from Niagara on the lake to get one. It will be my only pizza place from now on. Made with the best ingredients and you can see and feel his passion. Thanks for the best culinary experience Ive had in years. Definitely a pizza you cant afford not to try. Thanks again
Tried The Tangerine Tortoise for the first time tonight after hearing several people rave about it. Got a large pepperoni pizza just to see this guy s take on pizza. After years of disappointment from other shops, I was very pleasantly surprised. The crust is amazing! The texture, freshness and overall flavour of his pizza is exactly what pizza is supposed to taste like! I also wanted to mention the ambiance of this restaurant. Though it is quite small, the lighting and the music provides a quaint, romantic feel, perfect for a date night. Quite a positive, unique experience, especially these days.
The most amazing pizza. Robby was super friendly and a top notch chef. Loved everything about this place! Will definitely be back.
The chef/owner is a major talent - absolutely fabulous food, great music and hip vibe. Parking: Lots of complimentary parking on Russell Avenue.
Just ordered pizza for first time. Absolutely amazing, fresh ingredients, dough was cooked perfectly. Will definitely return
Awesome place. So nice and warm family spot.
What can I say the food is fantastic!
Super friendly owner/chef makes amazing pizza! Lots of TLC in that dough.
The food was amazing. What a great experience. Robbie, the owner is very friendly. He is a true food artist and a great chef. We ordered the Asiago Prosciutto Pistachio Garlic Cream Pizza and it definitely one of the best Pizzas we have had. The baby spinach Salad was also. Great. Note that the building doesnt have the restaurants name. It has the sign of an old appliance store. This restaurant is a must try if you visit the area. Looking forward to next time
Finally got in and tried this restaurant. So glad I did. Ordered a soup and salad and both were very good. Portion sizing is perfect. Will definitely be going back. Highly recommend.
Thank you!
Stopped by after work to try out their pizza, it did not disappoint - I like my cheese pizzas, and this was super delicious! The cheese mix and the super fresh dough with slight char-ing ! I ll be back for sure!
Quality Quality Quality. You can taste it in every bite. A fantastic slice of pizza. Well done Robbie. Will be back soon!
Absolutely the best pizza I have ever tasted! The ingredients are so fresh and it literally melts in your mouth. The dough is next level. I was hooked after the first bite. I ordered the veggie pizza and it was amazing. Highly recommend!
Great pizza!
Our first experience at Tangerine Tortoise could not have been any better. We ve been meaning to go for a while and finally had an early evening to make our way over. First impression is warm and cozy with the wood interior and Edison lighting, a nice touch. The menu is short - several personal pizza options, a couple salads, a variety of beers and some local wines. For the two of us we ordered the cheese pizza, pepperoni pizza, and the veggie. A glass of red for the lady and a beer (tall boy) for me. THE PIZZA IS INCREDIBLE. Full fat mozz just so silky soft and melts in your mouth. The crust is soft, fresh, light - it s like fresh baked bread perfect thickness and texture. Pepperoni pizza was well stocked, and cup-n-char, ends were nice and sizzled with the fat collected in the cup . Veggie pizza drizzled with pesto, and a wonderful combo of roasted red pepper, onion, cheese and mushrooms. $70 or so for the two us, this was with a tall pour each, and THREE hand-made pizzas. The sizes are perfect, two people could easily share one pizza, this would bring a bill for two under $40. This is artisanal cuisine. Robbie is a craftsman. Everything about the Tangerine Tortoise deserves your indulgence.
On the way from Niagara, they wanted to have a snack. Very tasty. Private pizzeria. Im not afraid to say that I havent eaten tastier pizza in the couple of years Ive been in Canada
Rob makes the best pizzas! Great variety too.
Just tried this today! Absolutely amazing . As soon as I walked in, I fell in love . Such a beautiful, intimate, cozy little place . Got a 16 inch pepperoni and it was perfect. Crispy, turned up pepperoni with the perfect crust. The owner is super nice. Id love to come back and eat in with a glass of red.
The pizza is great
Enjoyed some personal size pizzas - vegetarian with pesto, posted red pepper and Ricotta cheese and a Meatza (meat lovers). Both were delicious! Looked like an excellent craft beer selection - just missing a non-alcoholic choice like Partake IPA. Nice selection of wines and at least one cider. Owner/chef is very friendly and professional! Its located in an almost residential area. One parking spot in front and three at the rear. More parking on the side street. Dont let the non-descript exterior fool you - its a diamond in the rough - inside is lovely - Speak-Easy style, jazz music playing and slightly industrial decor. Definitely worth checking out!
Well, there is pizza and then theres Orange Tortoise pizza. I can say unwaveringly that this is the best pizza Ive ever had. It is a one-of-kind experience to eat this work of art. The building, ambience, French jazz music, friendliness, customer service, dough, sauce, cheese and toppings harmoniously work together to create something you do not want to end. Spread the word, the search is over! Niagara Regions best pizza is here!
Absolutely delicious food .from the salad with goat cheese to the smoked salmon spread to the superb pizzas! The crust on the pizza is chewy and flavorful, the mozzarella succulent, the tomato sauce nuanced. All the toppings are excellent( we had three!). The music and atmosphere really perfectly matched to the cuisine. Bravo!
After seeing some great reviews, I knew we had to try out the Tangerine Tortoise, can t believe it took this long. Very neat, industrial restaurant, the atmosphere makes you feel very much at home. The owner Robbie was very friendly, accommodating and great to talk to. The pizza was delicious, all ingredients were fresh and high quality. The dough was excellent, you could tell it was fresh, it had a nice crisp and chew to the crust and underside. The sauce was great, mozzarella was fresh and the cup n char pepperoni were cooked very nicely. If you re looking for a high quality pizza in the St Catherine s area, this is place you need to check out. Highly recommended and I will definitely be back to try some of the other toppings.
I only live across the street, but this was my first visit with my grandsons. And oh my, the pizza is amazing.
Definitely recommend a trip here! INCREDIBLE PIZZA!! Great quality ingredients and the crust is crisp but still has a soft interior perfect for dipping.
Fast and friendly service. And really delicious pizza
Cosy little hidden gem in st Catherines. Friendly staff and great pizza
My wife and I had a great experience at The Tangerine Tortoise. The food was amazing and the atmosphere was terrific. Great music, lighting and all around vibes. Will definitely be coming back. That mushroom pizza was unreal! In briefly chatting with the chef, you can tell a lot of love and thought was put into his dishes. Bravo!
We got two pizzas, asiago & prosciutto and the sweet cheese. We liked the asiago and prosciutto but werent fans of the sweet cheese. We regretted not trying the hot pineapple instead as it seemed more interesting in hindsight. Otherwise, its pretty nice for what it is. Its just the owner cooking and serving by himself, so depending on how busy it is there might be a fairly long wait until you get your food after ordering but again its just one guy.
I have to say I am a HUGE pizza lover, and pretty picky when it comes to a good slice, today I was shown a new place by a friend and it didnt disappoint I had a personal size pizza, the service was friendly, quick and the atmosphere was light and easy going. Only waited about 10min for 3 pizzas to get to the table and what arrived was the most beautiful creation, the crusts was airy fluffy and the pepperoni was just the right amount of greasy, the bottom of the pizza was cooked perfectly and the cheese oh dont get me started I wont stop, Just know all the flavors meshed together perfectly and had the perfect amount of cheese pull. I would.come back anyday and would highly recommend to anyone to come by. Rob thanks again for an amazing lunch. Ill see you soon my friend...ps I will sat theres one downside ( nothing to do with the food though ) ... theyve got a small parking lot only fits three cars, so if its full youll have to find a spot on the street.
We had the pleasure of experiencing the pies at The Tangerine Tortoise and let me tell you, we were far from disappointed! A quaint establishment, nestled in the heart of a small neighbourhood, you can taste the passion chef puts into each of the pies he crafts. We were lucky enough to savour The Meater (I may be remembering the name incorrectly - but I am sure I wont forget the depth of flavour!), the perfect balance of cheese, meat and crust. Balanced that with the Asiago and Prosciutto pie, also a true star! Try them out, you wont regret it. Nothing better than finding a local gem and being pleasantly surprised. Cant wait to return and try the rest!
Small neighborhood restaurant. Excellent pizzas. Best Ive had in a year. Well priced beer. Limited wine options.
Highly recommended. Chef Rob creates a great, personable experience. Top quality all around.
The goat cheese flatbread was fantastic and theres a great selection of beers!
Top notch service, passion and food! I frequent the Tangerine Tortoise several times a month, always sampling various things on the menu and have never been disappointed.
Food is top drawer. A St Catharines hidden gem! Update: Felt this needed adding to Food: 10/10 Atmosphere: 10/10 Robby: 10/10 We come at least twice a month. The menu has favourites but also new items every week and never misses. If you could only go to one restaurant in St Catharines this is the one. Dont miss it.
Great experience! Food was great, service was friendly. Would highly recommend this place to anyone. The menu is creative and the chef makes much of it from scratch.
Great food made from scratch. Fantastic pizza dough, and an inventive menu. Looking forward to going back.
Beautiful spot, great atmosphere and delicious food. Cant wait to go back!
The best at atmosphere Best food Good service
Small niche neighborhood eatery. Great soups ,salads and sandwiches. Owner Rob prepares entire menu from scratch. Treat yourself you wont be disappointed!! Food
The food was great. As it was only takeout hard to rate...but the owner is awesome!
Nice layed back atmosphere Amazing food! Everything we ate exceeded our expectations drinks and food where very reasonably priced. Makes for a nice date night!
Dont let the storefront sign fool you -- this place is not Heinz Appliances. Whether or not the facade is preserved to honour neighbourhood history, I cant say, but the restaurants interior is trendy and cozy. Theyre operating on a limited menu until Covid restrictions lighten up, so we ordered cheeseburgers. Everything was homemade, from the pickles to the brioche bun, and the flavours blew us away. The presentation was thoughtful -- especially for takeout -- and the service was impeccable. I cant wait until lockdowns ease so we can explore the full menu. Recommended!
Such a lovely dinner! The portions were generous, everything was cooked perfectly, especially our sous vide beef, it was so tender! Melted in your mouth. The owner took time to speak with us and mentioned that the meat was cooking for 48 hours prior! Not to mention the environment was relaxing, and the staff were so friendly and personable it was a great vibe. They even were okay with us bringing our dog to sit with us on the patio which was really awesome! One of the best hidden gems in St. Catharines
Fantastic find! Delicious small plates and convivial atmosphere.
Wow ! So good! Came to Niagara for wine tastings found this gem! Small intimate atmosphere but great service and amazing food!
Absolutely great. All the food was of superb quality. If youre in the area, its definitely a must to stop in and experience the food.
Affable service, delightful and filling food, off the beaten path. A hidden treasure awaits those determined to find one.
Wonderful little local spot. Food was great, drinks were great, service was great. If youre thinking of going to a chain spot over here, dont. Go here. Its just straight up better
Small place, but so authentic and delicious! The owner/chef creates very homy environment. We recommend.
Absolutely tasty, and wonderful service !
Amazing food and environment! The constantly changing menu consists of small plates, and the owner creates a lovely environment that creates an intimate dining experience. A fine dining option at an affordable price.
Very disappointed
Good food, good atmosphere. I will definitely return.
Always delicious, and the owner/chef is fabulous.
Excellent!
Great food, great service. I was pleased with the local wine selections. I will definitely go back.
Amazing experience! Tangerine Tortoise has a small but eclectic menu that includes something anyone can enjoy! We will definitely be back!
Don t miss out on this charming little bistro. Went here for dinner recently and the attentiveness/friendliness of the staff was only outdone by the quality of the food itself. Because it s small plate, I was able to try several things and can vouch for the sliders and pork belly tacos as being prepared masterfully. To have this little gem inconspicuously located on Russel is a huge boon for the neighbourhood and I m extremely excited to return and try more of the menu.
What a great local restaurant! Great food, and fantastic staff!