At a competition that featured nearly 700 of the world’s top pizza makers, a spot near Columbus took everyone by surprise.
No, it’s not a spot flaunting Columbus-style pizza (which was just in the national headlines… you can read that here if you missed it).
This one comes from a place you probably didn’t expect.
About an hour south of Columbus, Ohio’s former state capital has quietly built a serious food scene.
And honestly… it deserves more credit than it gets.
Meet Lievita, The Spot Turning Heads Worldwide
The restaurant making all this noise is Lievita, an Italian spot that has been quietly serving up some seriously unreal pizza in Chillicothe, Ohio. The kind of pizza where you take one bite and fight through the pain of boiling cheese to quickly take another bite.
And their secret ingredient? It all starts with the dough, baby.
Lievita uses a cold ferment sourdough process, which gives their crust that perfect balance… light and airy on the inside, with just enough crunch on the outside to make you stop mid-bite and just soak it in.
It’s not overly heavy. It’s not trying too hard. It’s just really, really good.
And apparently, the rest of the world is starting to notice.
Chillicothe Might Be Ohio’s Most Underrated Food City
I know, bold statement.
But when you think about it…
This is the same town that gave us Crispie Creme, the old-school donut shop that helped inspire what eventually became the global Krispy Kreme empire.
From Chillicothe to the World Stage
At the International Pizza Expo, where nearly 700 of the best pizza makers on the planet come together to compete, Lievita didn’t just show up…
They made people pay attention.
Which is kind of wild when you think about it. A relatively low-key spot from southern Ohio standing shoulder to shoulder with some of the biggest names in pizza worldwide.
Not New York. Not Chicago. Not Naples.
Chillicothe.
Planning Your Visit
If you’re thinking about making the trip (and you probably should), here’s when you can grab a pie:
- Monday through Thursday & Sunday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
It’s about an hour from Columbus, which makes it dangerously doable for a spontaneous food run… or a very intentional one.
So while Columbus-style pizza might be having its moment right now, this is your reminder that Ohio’s pizza scene goes way deeper than one style. And sometimes, the spots that aren’t screaming for attention are the ones quietly dominating on the biggest stages.
📍 Lievita | 85 N Paint St, Chillicothe, OH 45601
Food & Drink News
Attention Central Ohio Business Owners!
We built the Step Out advertising program for local businesses that want to get in front of locals in Central Ohio — people actively looking for places to eat, shop, and explore.
A business we advertised even had to hire 2 more people after working with us.
Curious if we’re a good fit for your business?
👉 Learn about our audience
Already thinking, “This sounds perfect for us”?
👉 Learn more about our ads
