South Main’s Pizza Renaissance Is Officially Underway
For years, South Main has been known for natural wine bars, cocktail bars, and chef-driven small plates. But over the past few months, something else has quietly taken over the neighborhood: pizza.
Within a six-month window, three new concepts, and one existing concept have either doubled down, opened, or are preparing to open, each bringing a different style and energy to the walkable neighborhood of South Main. What used to require a drive across town is now consolidating along a few walkable blocks.
Here’s what’s happening:
Nappotex at The Holly
Nappotex quietly launched at The Holly last year and was the first to bring pizza to the South Main area. They brought about a focused, craft-driven approach to pizza inside one of South Main’s most distinctive natural wine bars, The Holly.
The pairing makes sense. Pizza and wine have always worked together and the execution feels intentional and well done. It also helped lay the groundwork for what now feels like a broader pizza wave moving through the area.
Felina (Just Opened)
Felina opened its doors this past week, immediately adding momentum to the South Main pizza conversation. The concept comes from the brothers behind one of the top restaurants in Fort Worth, Bocca Osteria romana. The space leans intimate and energetic, and early feedback suggests it’s not just another spot that has pizza on the side, pizza is their core focus.
Reservations are now available for the weeks to come. And we recommend you snag one now, because they’ll go quick!
One Trick Pony (Opening Soon)
Set to open soon on South Main, One Trick Pony adds another dedicated pizza concept to the neighborhood’s growing lineup. While details are still emerging, the anticipation alone signals something bigger: pizza is no longer a side offering in this district. It’s becoming a draw on its own. The concept comes from Fort Worth power duo, Travis and Emma Heim, who could be credited to injecting energy into the Fort Worth BBQ scene several years ago.
With the existing foot traffic from bars and late-night spots nearby, this opening feels positioned to capture both dinner and after-hours crowds.
Southside Cellar Joins the Mix
Southside Cellar
Southside Cellar begins serving pizza next week, expanding its existing expertise of beer into full food territory. With a great interior space and patio and a strong neighborhood following, this move adds another layer to South Main’s walkable dinner scene.
It also reinforces the pattern: established spots are adding on and listening to their regulars, and new concepts are leaning in.
The expansion into food will also include fresh made hoagies (with bread provided by James Beard award-winning bakery: La Casita Bakeshop) and a full menu of appetizers. They will also be slinging their pizza and full menu from a new street-side window for easy grab and go access!
Why South Main?
South Main already had the density. It had the foot traffic. It had destination bars and cocktail programs that kept people in the area late.
What it didn’t have, until recently, was a concentrated pizza presence. Now, within just a few months, the neighborhood is positioned to offer:
- Dedicated pizza restaurants
- Pizza inside natural wine bars
- Pizza inside craft beer-focused spaces
- Late-night pizza adjacency to nightlife
That’s not accidental. It signals a shift in how South Main is evolving. Less niche, more rounded. Still chef-driven, but increasingly accessible.
What This Means for Fort Worth
Fort Worth has never lacked for pizza, but the clustering of new concepts in one of the most walkable neighborhoods is new.
Instead of driving between neighborhoods, you can now realistically build an entire evening around pizza on South Main. Dinner at one spot. Drinks at another. A slice somewhere else.
Whether this becomes a long-term identity or just a seasonal spike remains to be seen. But right now, the momentum is real.
South Main isn’t just expanding. It’s appealing to its regulars and drawing in new visitors and making a stake as one of the best dining neighborhoods in all of Fort Worth – And pizza is helping lead the charge.
All images and information were sourced directly from the businesses listed. For additional credits, please reach out to our team at fortworthfounded@gmail.com.