About Colony Grill
Colony Grill pairs a simple, pizza-forward menu with an energetic bar and outdoor seating.
Thin, razor-crisp crusts are the house style and the hot oil topping appears across many orders, giving pies a bright, spicy lift that regulars seek out.
Service gets frequent praise for being friendly and fast, though a few reviews note occasional waits.
The room is casual and lively, well suited to groups, college crowds, and anyone chasing a big-flavored, pared-down pizza experience.
Location & Contact
- Address515 West Ave, Norwalk, CT 06850
- Websitehttps://colonygrill.com
- Phone(203) 866-5252
- Links Order online · Get directions
What to Expect
The kitchen emphasizes thin-crust pies enlivened by the chain’s signature hot oil and optional stingers for heat.
Popular combos include pepperoni, sausage and onion, mushroom and onion, and anchovies—plus a standout salad pizza topped with a cold dressing.
Reviews also mention a reliable gluten-free crust option, inventive breakfast pizzas, and a cheese that diners say tastes distinct compared with other local spots.
Beer and cocktails complement the pizza-first menu.
Hashtag Pizza Fact's
The Sweet and Salty Debate: Hawaiian Pizza
Hawaiian pizza, topped with pineapple and ham, was invented in 1962 by Sam Panopoulos, a Greek-Canadian restaurateur in Ontario, Canada. The creation was named "Hawaiian" after the brand of canned pineapple used, introducing a controversial sweet-and-salty combination that has divided pizza lovers ever since. While some purists decry the inclusion of fruit on pizza, others relish the unique flavor profile, making it a staple in North America and Australia, and sparking ongoing debates over its rightful place in the pizza pantheon.
Culture
Menu Highlights
From the Community
Colony Grill’s Norwalk outpost has become a local go-to for fans of ultra-thin crusts and spicy finishing oils.
The restaurant keeps the menu deliberately focused: pizza in many permutations, a bright salad pizza, and a succinct drinks list featuring beer and cocktails.
Diners repeatedly praise the crust texture and the hot oil, which often defines the experience here.
As Michelle Pierre-Louis put it, "Thin-Crust Perfection"—a short, accurate praise echoed in many reviews.
Another customer summed it up simply as "perfect pizza," demonstrating how consistent execution translates into repeat visits.
The build-your-own approach is part of the appeal; toppings are visible and plentiful, and combinations like pepperoni with extra cheese or sausage and onion with hot oil are frequently recommended.
For those who want heat, stingers and hot oil are regulars on the table.
Staff and service earn credit too: reviewers call attention to friendly, attentive servers and a lively bar atmosphere that makes the place feel welcoming for groups or a quick bite.
While a few guests mention occasional waits or mixed luck with the gluten-free crust, most accounts celebrate Colony Grill’s reliably crisp pies and flavor-first focus.
Why Locals Love It
Customer Reviews
Shachar Ashkenazi
"The pizza was good with a great crunch. The thin crust and flavor were on point. The only downside was the long wait for our order, which tested our patience a bit. Will definitely come back, just hoping for quicker service next time!"
Mike T
"I recently had the pleasure of dining at Colony Grill, and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. The service was impeccable; the staff was attentive, friendly, and made us feel welcome from the moment we walked in. But the highlight of our visit was undoubtedly the pizza. Colony Grill has truly perfected their craft. The pizza was delicious, with a perfect balance of flavors and a crispy, thin crust that left us wanting more. Each bite was a delight, showcasing fresh ingredients and expert preparation. If you're looking for a place with great service and even better pizza, look no further than Colony Grill. Highly recommended!"
Emily P
"Absolutely love this Colony Grill location. The staff and servers are always friendly. Amazing pizza that is consistently good. You get to pick the toppings you want and can make your own combo of them. Mushroom & onion is my go to. You can’t beat the prices here either! Love the outdoor seating area they have as well!"
Kellie P
"Best Pizza! We went to the restaurant for pizza. It was a Saturday afternoon & it wasn’t too busy. They only serve pizza & the toppings are on the wall. The pizza was delicious & don’t forget the hot oils. We will definitely return to this place. Again this was one of the best pizza I’ve had."
Hashtag Pizza Fact's
Pepperoni: America's Favorite Pizza Topping
Pepperoni, the spicy cured sausage, is celebrated as the most popular pizza topping in America. Its roots lie in Italian-American culinary innovation, with the word "pepperoni" derived from the Italian "peperoni," meaning bell peppers. More than two-thirds of Americans favor pepperoni, making it a quintessential topping in U.S. pizza culture. The rich, smoky flavor and iconic red hue make pepperoni a beloved staple, despite its relative rarity on traditional Italian pizzas.
Statistics
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colony Grill known for a particular crust style?
Yes. The pizzas are thin and crispy—reviewers often describe the crust as razor-thin with a satisfying crunch that holds toppings without feeling heavy.
What is "hot oil" and how spicy is it?
Hot oil is a spicy, savory drizzle many diners add to their pies. It adds a noticeable kick but reviewers say it enhances flavor more than simply making the pizza unbearably hot. You can pair it with stingers for extra heat.
What is a salad pizza and why do people order it?
A salad pizza is a hot pizza topped with cold salad and dressing. Fans say the contrast—warm crust and cheese with cooled, dressed greens—is unique and satisfying. It’s a shareable option that blends pizza comfort with salad freshness.
Do they offer gluten-free pizza?
Yes. Several reviews mention a gluten-free crust option and at least one guest reported no issues after eating it, though experiences may vary by person.
Are there good vegetarian choices?
Yes. Vegetable toppings like mushrooms, onions, black olives, and peppers appear on the menu and in reviews, and a plain cheese or salad pizza is also a veggie-friendly pick.
What are some classic topping combos locals like?
Locals frequently order pepperoni with extra cheese, sausage and onion, or mushroom and onion. Anchovies and homemade sausage also get positive mentions from adventurous eaters.
Do they have any breakfast-style pizzas?
Yes—reviews mention breakfast pizzas as a unique offering. Details are limited, but diners note they’re different from the standard pies and enjoyable if you like breakfast flavors on pizza.
How does the cheese taste compared to other local pizzerias?
Several customers praise the cheese as distinct and especially satisfying—one reviewer said it was unlike other cheese they’ve had at local pizzerias—so many diners notice and like the difference.
Is Colony Grill in Norwalk known for spicy pies?
Yes. In Norwalk, many regulars seek out the hot oil and stinger peppers for a spicy boost, and those heat options are commonly recommended by reviewers who enjoy bold flavors.
What pizzas are most popular at Colony Grill?
From the menu, people often pick Signature Salad Pizza, Beer, Myrtle Ave Margherita, Peppers, Pepperoni Pizza, Bar Pie with Hot Oil. Reviews highlight consistency more than novelty, so these are safe, crowd-pleasing choices.
Pizza's Global Expansion and Cultural Adaptations
As pizza spread from Italy to the world, it underwent fascinating transformations to suit local tastes. In Japan, pizza toppings might include seafood or teriyaki sauce, while in India, paneer and spicy chutneys are popular. These adaptations highlight pizza's versatility and ability to bridge cultural culinary gaps. With variations found from Brazil's sweet dessert pizzas to Sweden's curry-topped pies, pizza has become a global culinary canvas for innovation, showcasing how diverse cultural influences can reinvent a classic dish.
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Connecticut's Premier Pizza Destinations
Current location in red, 8 nearest in blue, all others in gray
Colony Grill
515 West Ave, Norwalk, CT 06850
★4.6
(1000 reviews)
The Science of Pizza Dough: A Perfect Crust
Creating the perfect pizza dough involves a delicate balance of ingredients and technique. The traditional Neapolitan dough is made with just four components: flour, water, yeast, and salt, and requires a long fermentation to develop flavor and texture. The science behind dough lies in gluten development, which provides structure, and fermentation, which imparts depth of flavor. Properly proofed dough, combined with a high-temperature bake, results in the ideal thin, crisp crust with a tender interior, a hallmark of pizza craftsmanship.
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The Charisma of Coal-Fired Ovens
Coal-fired ovens contribute a unique flavor and texture to pizza, a technique that has been embraced by New Haven's famed apizza. These ovens reach temperatures upwards of 800°F, imparting a distinctive charred flavor and crispy edges to the crust. The high, dry heat creates a chewy, yet airy texture, making coal-fired pizzas particularly beloved in regions like New Haven and New York. Despite the labor-intensive nature of maintaining these ovens, the resulting depth of flavor and authenticity make it a cherished tradition among pizza aficionados.
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