REVIEW: Hilltown Hot Pies
Hilltown Hot Pies, Hillsdate
224 Hillsdale Rd, Egremont, MA | hilltownhotpies.com
We like it for: Wood-fired pizza, seasonal small plates, house-made pasta, casual dinners with friends
Must try: Neapolitan-inspired pies (donât miss the margherita, seasonal vegetable & ricotta), wood-fired focaccia, house-made tagliatelle, seasonal desserts
Vibe: Rustic yet refined, communal and lively
Sound: Conversational buzz with light acoustic playlists
Style: Repurposed 18th-century farmhouse with vaulted ceilings, central wood oven, communal tables and a warm, approachable interior
Hilltown Hot Pies opened its first brick-and-mortar in late 2025 after years as a beloved pizza truck and farm event favorite. Owner and pizzaiolo Rafi Bildner applies his deep knowledge of wild-yeast fermentation and Italian pizza technique (learned in Italy) to Neapolitan-leaning pizzas with blistered, airy crusts. Donât skip the simple classics but do try seasonal specialties that spotlight Berkshire produce. Bildnerâs dough has a three-day fermentation for an incredibly flavorful crust thatâs crisp piping hot from the oven with a pillowy soft middle. This might be the pizza of our dreams. House-made pastas â perfectly al dente an swirled like a skein of wool are phenomenal in house sauce. Wood-oven-roasted small plates round out the lineup, along with simple italian snacks like citrusy Castelvetrano olives. The pro move â other than sharing a bottle off the wine list (if you donât have to drive) â is to settle in with a glass of chilled Di Pietro âFuorisquadroâ agliamico red wine. Rafiâs Italian soul brother Pasqualeâs lighter, energetic introduction to the flagship grape of Campania: Aglianico. The blackberry notes and acidity make this a perfect marriage with the pizza.
The farmhouse setting â exposed beams, plaster walls and an open kitchen centered around the oven â makes the space feel like a warm gathering spot in the middle of nowhere. An excellent bar is inviting in its own right; the bathrooms are adorned in Napoli soccer merch. Hilltownâs warm service and dedication to craft make it a destination whether you go on a weekend or weeknight.
Parking: Large parking lot
Nearby: 1. Hyâs Fried, Hillsdale 2. Half Rats Wine Bar, Great Barrington (All of Great Barrington restaurants are within a 15 minute drive.)
đ đ« Hot Intel: Fans of Two Tree Pie Co., a wood-fired mobile pizza staple at the Troy farmers market, might find owner Marco Testa on the line at Hilltown on occasional Friday nights where their shared passion for the perfect pie is the dough that unites!
