Merlino's Pizzeria — Restaurant in Cranston

Recently, my wife and I stumbled upon Merlino's Pizzeria, a hidden gem that's so new they haven't rolled out paper menus yet. Nestled in a quaint strip, the exterior greets you with warm lighting, creating an inviting glow against the evening's backdrop. Once inside, the cozy ambiance envelops you, a harmonious blend of wooden finishes and a simple yet chic interior. The sight of stacked pizza boxes hints at their bustling delivery business, and the digital menu illuminates the space with a modern touch. Plants add a touch of freshness, complementing the dark tabletops and the sea-green chairs. I've got a photo of the menu for the inquisitive folks. Our adventure here came on a tip from a little birdie named Pires. Now, let's dive into their Funghi Pizza - priced at $23, it's a tantalizing blend of mozzarella, fontina, garlic butter, mixed mushrooms, and parmesan that serenaded our taste buds. The bottom? Crispy as a fresh autumn leaf. With just a handful of tables, it's clear Merlino's is gearing up for the pick-up and delivery league - smart play. And a shoutout to the welcoming face at the front! This place is easy to miss, but trust me, it's a discovery...

Merlino’s Pizza: A Love Story in Cheese, Spice, and Dough

I thought I knew pizza. I thought I had experienced all that cheese, dough, and sauce had to offer. Then I met Merlino’s, and my whole world changed.

First, the Spinach Calzone—a glorious, golden, cheese-stuffed pocket of happiness. It’s like a cozy blanket made of dough, wrapping up spinach and ricotta in a warm embrace. Popeye himself would ditch his can of spinach for this masterpiece.

Then, the Italian calzone. Listen, if there’s a better way to eat cheese and meats wrapped in pillowy dough, I don’t want to know about it. It’s like a pizza burrito from heaven.

And let’s talk about the Dolce Piccante pizza. Sweet? Spicy? Unreal? Yes, yes, and yes. This pizza has the range. One bite, and I was questioning my life choices—why had I wasted so many years not knowing about this flavor explosion? It’s the kind of pizza that makes you reevaluate your priorities.

Long story short, Merlino’s isn’t just making food. They’re creating edible works of art. If loving this pizza is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

5/5 stars. 10/10 would eat until I...

The other night, a few friends and I ordered here for the third time. Off the bat, the conversation I had with the gentleman (i unfortunately couldn’t recall his name) taking our order exemplified the knowledge and passion each member of the Merlino’s team brings to its customers. We ordered the classic cheese, and an off-menu burrata pie, both of which were excellent as always. It was so good in fact, we called back to thank them. I’m a pretty tough critic when it comes to food in this state, especially Italian food (of which there’s often too many choices), but am consistently happy with Merlino’s. What’s best about their menu is that you can totally avoid anything pizza-related and s have an excellent meal. The city of Cranston is truly lucky to have this hole in the wall, and I’d put it up there among the top three (in no particular order) pizza stops in the state alongside Pizza Marvin and Jeff’s Pizza. Seriously, this place deserves far...