The new Gios Pizzeria Napoletana is a little slice of heaven on the corner of Deville and Reed streets in The Market Common. This pizzeria joins the family of Gios Italian Kitchen restaurants in the north end of Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, which are owned by the powerhouse Hoxha family: brothers/chefs Klodjan and Renato and their sister Eri, who runs the front of the house. 

And the Hoxhas, originally from Albania, run their trifecta dining dynasty here flawlessly. For Gios Pizzeria, they gutted the former Ultimate California Pizza and transformed that pizza shop into a beautiful, sexy space. The bar was moved to be a sleek centerpiece along the back wall from the entrance; funky, modern chandelier lighting with Old World charm was installed, along with upscale booth and tabletop seating, hardwood floors, a coffered ceiling, and wallpaper featuring cool illustrated black-and-white scenes of Italy wrapped around the industrial high beams.

Aligned with Gios’ delicious surrounds are the unbelievable authentic Italian dishes crafted from fresh ingredients that they all proudly serve from their kitchens. This newest Gios menu focuses on Neapolitan-style pizzas fresh-made daily. But this isn’t your typical pizza place that caters to kiddos; this is an elevated pizza dining experience, where Mom and Dad can claim it for date night with a glass of wine and a classy personal pizza.

The menu here is simple, but refined, without the arrogance of fine dining. Starters feature the Cutting Board (triple crème brie, smoked gouda, hot sopressata, and prosciutto), Bruschetta, Shrimp Cocktail, Prosciutto and Melon, and a delightful bowl of warm Marinated Mixed Olives. Salads are a tossed mix of choices, including Burrata Caprese, Mediterranean, and Caesar.

Choose from nearly 20 creative pizza combinations, a personal (four slices) or shareable size (eight slices), and regular (light and airy) or gluten-free crust. I don’t think you can go wrong on which one you decide on. Options include the Margherita (tomato base, garden basil, and fresh mozzarella), Gios Fave (spicy olive oil base, mozzarella, hot sopressata, sundried tomatoes, and caramelized onions), Forest (topped with mozzarella, wild portabello mushrooms, button mushrooms, goat cheese, and mixed greens on an olive oil base), White Clam Pie, and many more. You can also build your own pizza from a list of standard and premium toppings.

A visit to Gios Pizzeria should also include a sweet ending with dessert—Basque Cheesecake, Tartufo, or Tiramisu—and a strong pairing from the bar in the form of a cocktail, beer, or glass of wine. 

Gios is a refreshing addition to The Market Common dining scene, stealing it as the stirring storytellers they are. As they describe it on social media, “At our restaurant, every ingredient tells a story, and every dish is a chapter waiting to be explored.” 

4003 Deville St., Myrtle Beach
Web: Giospizzerianapoletana.com
Phone: (843) 701-1101
Hours: Sunday, noon to 8 p.m., and Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.