Moonlight Pizza Company

A walk across the threshold into Moonlight’s lounge-like lobby with walls clad in lime green is a fine greeting into the hip, fun locale.  Whether you see it as a local watering hole with regulars seated at the casual bar on any given night or a family-friendly favorite hosting standing Moonlight “dinner nights” on a weekly basis, it’s a super option for diners desiring an easy-going, relaxed spot for creative pizzas and zippy beverages.

By day, it serves as a familiar lunch spot drawing many from surrounding area offices and nearby college students.  By night, it populates with those in search of a much needed end-of-day libation paired with mouth-watering carbs or the popular salads served with Moonlight’s fresh, homemade dressings.

Locals and staffers all have their own personal favorites, so ask a few people for their opinions and expect several different answers ranging from pizza to pasta to calzones and stromboli.  For some, it’s the Lunar Eclipse Stromboli packed with grilled chicken, avocado slices, purple onions, roma tomatoes and pepper jack ($11), while others may name the Big Bang Calzone ($11), a meat lover’s feast, filled with Canadian bacon, pepperoni, Italian sausage, yellow onions and peppers with ricotta and mozzarella cheese.

Then of course there’s the made-from-scratch pizza.  The menu is filled with appetizing toppings for you to build your own, or you can defer to their tried and true specialty combinations.  For the veggie lover, the Harvest Moon Pizza ($16/$20) may spark your interest -- roasted corn, eggplant, yellow squash, zucchini, pepper medley, shiitake mushrooms, roma tomatoes, fontina, mozzarella, and tomato sauce.  Then, for the person that can’t seem to choose among the lengthy list of toppings, there’s the Four Seasons Pizza ($16/$20) -- ¼ spinach, artichoke hearts and fresh oregano, ¼ shrimp, roma tomatoes and fresh basil, ¼ shiitake mushrooms, black olives and fresh rosemary, and ¼ prosciutto, pine nuts and fresh sage.

The various options will tempt you to return time and time again to dine-in or take-out. The outdoor patio is a particularly coveted spot for dining on comfortable days and mild evenings, not to mention it’s a friendly spot to bring your four legged pal along as well. 

The next time you're in the mood for a gourmet spin on beer and pizza, think Moonlight.  Just off the beaten path of busy Glenwood South and Hillsborough St., it's one gem of an eatery slightly hidden from the masses but certainly not forgotten. 

HelloRaleigh Tip:  Moonlight offers its fair share of nightly drink specials, not to mention it's known for its bartenders’ mixology skills.  Curious?  Ask your tender to make you the “Garden Party” (think gin and basil).  If beer is your thing, mark Wednesday nights for $2.75 pints.

- by Angela Risko, Raleigh Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Angela Risko

Angela Risko is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Formerly in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale and Manhattan specializing in the film industry, additionally, she has developed multimedia content for the retail sector. A media relations professional and freelance writer, she believes inside everyone is a story worth telling. Angela is based in Raleigh with a concentration on lifestyle, culture, and human interest profiles.