Picture it: Your kids just finished their soccer game; it’s around dinner time; they’re tired and hungry, and the last thing you want to do is go home and cook. You want to hit up a restaurant with a cozy, fun atmosphere, good vibes, and exceptional food that will please even your pickiest eaters. Thankfully, there’s a family-owned Italian pizza restaurant that ticks all of those boxes and more in Mister O1 Pizza.
Founded by Master Pizza Chef Renato Viola, Mister O1 Pizza is dedicated to exceptional pizza, quality, and authenticity. With a vibrant, multi-faceted menu, even the pickiest kids can find something they’ll happily devour.
Bringing artisanal pizza to the US
Chef Viola was born in Italy and has had culinary aspirations since he was 11, when he began to apprentice with master chefs. “It allowed me to refine my skills in Italian cuisine,” he explains. And refine he did.
A recipient of the prestigious O1 Visa, which recognizes extraordinary ability, Viola brought his culinary expertise to Miami with plans to give Florida the best pizza possible. Since founding Mister O1 Pizza — named for the visa that got him here — Viola has been busy building a restaurant empire that has become known for high quality, consistency, unique offerings, and the finest ingredients. Their signature thin crust is created with no additional sugars or preservatives and allowed to rest for 72 hours for natural levitation before serving.
Now Michelin-recommended and recognized by Food and Wine Magazine as the “Best Pizza in Florida,” and voted “The Best Pizza Nationwide” by PMQ Magazine, it has become clear why someone found Viola’s skills exceptional enough to warrant the O1 visa and his pizzas indeed extraordinary. His innovative combination of flavors and atmosphere has set Mister O1 Pizza far apart from the competition.
Community and connectedness
What makes Mister O1 Pizza a perfect choice for a family dinner or after-practice pizza run is its dedication to remaining family-owned and committed to a community atmosphere. Each Mister O1 location built after the initial Miami restaurant was opened through intentional growth and remained authentically dedicated to Viola’s initial vision.
Today, Mister O1 Pizza has restaurants throughout Florida, Georgia, Texas, and even overseas. Its next location is opening in Oviedo, Florida, a popular, family-oriented suburb of Orlando.
“We seek out family-friendly, diverse areas for our locations,” says Viola. The restaurant’s goal is to become an integral part of each community they enter.
Each restaurant offers its signature 13-inch pizzas and specialty pizzas, such as the unique “Star Luca,” a star-shaped pizza that won two Pizza World Championships. There are also offerings for those who may want something other than pizza, such as calzones, salads, and an antipasto and burrata bar. The restaurant even offers vegan and gluten-free options, catering to not only different palates but also dietary needs.
The restaurants are bright, cheerful, and comfortable, with fun music and knowledgeable, attentive staff. But where it really matters for families with kids is the taste of the pizza — which is exceptional. From pizzas topped with spicy sausages, heaps of ricotta cheese, and even the divisive ham and pineapple, everyone can find something to enjoy from the selection of traditional Italian offerings.
A cut above
With their distinctive star-shaped pizzas and their unique combination of flavors, Mister O1 Pizza isn’t concerned about direct competition. Their goal is to delight customers, not worry about the other pizza places up the street.
Chef Viola knows he has something special. “Our artisanal focus, with premium, often imported Italian ingredients, and our focus on a memorable dining experience with a community-driven atmosphere sets us apart from the rest,” he explains.
However, Chef Viola is not content to simply rest on his laurels. With the Grand Opening of his Oviedo, Florida location happening on March 4, 2025, the Master Chef is just as dedicated to excellence as he was when he applied to come to this country and start his pizza empire.
“This is the realization of my American Dream,” Viola says. Each new restaurant allows a new community to discover his particular brand of artisanal Italian pizza and fall in love with it, as thousands of others have.
Chef Viola and the team at the multiple Mister O1 Pizza locations want to encourage families to consider the restaurant the next time they are looking to get the kids out of the house or get them fed after their school or sports event. With healthy options, a variety of toppings and pizza types, and excellent vibes, Mister O1 Pizza is the perfect family-friendly restaurant.
