Are you looking for the best pizza in Chicago? You are in the right place.
In this article, I will walk you through all you need to know about Chicago pizza so you can find the best pizza restaurant for you.
There is so much to see and do in Chicago and going to one of the many pizza restaurants should be high on your list.
Planning your trip to Chicago last minute?
Make sure to book ahead. Hotels and tours often sell out the closer you get to your trip. Here are our top pics for Chicago!
Top Experiences And Tours In Chicago:
- Chicago River Architecture Cruise (Skip the Ticket Office!)
- Willis TowerSkydeck & The Ledge Ticket (Elevator express entry!)
- Navy Pier Centennial Wheel Ticket (Panoramic views of Chicago!)
- Big Bus Hop on Hop Off Sightseeing Tours (24, 48, or 72-hour options available.)
Hop Hotels In Chicago:
- Eurostars Magnificent Mile (In the heart of Chicago!)
- The Peninsula Chicago (Near museums)
- Club Quarter Hotels Wacker (Overlooking the Chicago River!)
- Hotel Blake (Close to Millennium Park.)
Chances are when you think of Chicago pizza you think of the deep dish pizza which is, after all, synonymous with this city.
However, Chicago pizza restaurants have much more to offer and you might be surprised by the choices.
If you love pizza you are going to love Chicago. When it comes to where to get the best pizza in Chicago everyone has a different opinion.
Where to find the best pizza really depends on what kind of pizza you like.
From New York-style pizza, thin-crust pizza, vegan pizzas, and gluten-free pizzas, Chicago pizza restaurants have them all.
Just after pizza and beer, no problem. Looking for the best deep-dish pizza in Chicago I have loads of options.
In this article, I will walk you through where to find the best Chicago pizza. Each serves a slightly different style of pizza so choose the one that most suits your tastebuds.
So grab a drink, pull up a chair, and let me walk you through where to get the best pizza in Chicago.
15 Places To Get The Best Pizza In Chicago
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
Most agree that the best deep-dish pizza in Chicago can be found at Lou Malnati’s.
With over seven locations within the Chicago area and 60 in Illinois, this place certainly has a great reputation.
What makes these pizzas so special? Most agree it’s the buttery pizza crust. The tomatoes are vine-ripened and the cheese from Wisconsin are also worthy of a mention.
Oh and the toppings span the entire pizza, right to the edge.
This family-led pizza chain started in 1971 and now has numerous dine-in restaurants, carryout, and delivery-only locations.
They also do a Chicago thin crust pizza here which has one of the most beautiful flakey bases you have ever tasted.
They also serve a selection of salads. pasta and sandwiches but you really come here for the pizza.
Lou’s is definitely one of the best pizza places in Chicago.
Homeslice Pizza
If you are looking for a Chicago restaurant that serves beer and pizza then Homeslice is for you. Here they serve a great Chicago thin crust pizza in a rustic-style lodge environment.
If you are big on atmosphere then this is the place to come. It’s trendy, comfortable, and designed for large groups of friends with big tables and comfy couches.
Pizzas are split into meats, chickens, and veggies. Menu items include such things as a Pulled Pork Pizza, Blackened Chicken Pizza, and Spinach and Red Peppers.
You can also build your own pizza.
This is also a great place to get vegan pizza in Chicago and they also serve gluten-free pizzas.
If you are after a great place for a relaxed evening with friends then this is the place for you.
Giordano’s
One of the best pizza places in Chicago Giordano’s is known for its stuffed deep dish pizza. If you love your pizza with lots and lots of cheese and filling then this is the place for you.
The restaurant has an updated Italian old-school style feel which adds a certain nostalgic feeling.
The cheese is produced for them in Wisconsin and the pizza sauce is homemade and fresh every day.
The menu is extensive with thin crusts and the extra thin crust getting great reviews. Also expect classic Italian dishes, sandwiches, and salads.
Their famous Chicago pizza comes in a variety of options and you can build your own. This is also a great place to get gluten-free pizza in Chicago and vegetarian and vegan pizza.
Next, you might want to explore some of the best coffee shops in Chicago.
Roots Pizza Chicago
With four locations in Chicago, these trendy and hip pizza restaurants serve authentic Quad Cities-style pizza. The pizzas are great and the atmosphere is even better.
The menu is a delight with so much more than just pizza.
You can build your own salad, sample one of their Serious Sandwiches, or try one of their appetizers with items such as Baked Ziti and Rock Island Lobster.
The pizzas are made with malt meaning this is the perfect place for pizza and beer. The ingredients are fresh and local, they even make their own sausage.
Oh, and the pizza is cut into strips rather than slices.
You can build your own pizza but some of the options here are very tempting.
Tikka Masala Butter Chicken Pizza, Rick Ortiz’s Antique Taco Chili Cheese Curd Pizza, and Korean Fried Chicken Pizza are all options.
Most come here however for the Taco pizza which is a specialty.
This pizza is covered in Taco-seasoned crumbled sausage, Roots Pizza sauce, mozzarella, and cheddar. Topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and taco-seasoned chips.
Pizzas can also be made gluten-free and vegan for a small extra charge.
If you are looking for more of a pizza and brewery-type vibe then this is the place for pizza in Chicago for you.
Gino’s Chicago Pizza
Since 1966 Gino’s has been serving the deep dish famous Chicago pizza and it’s so so good. Ginos is one of Chicago’s most loved pizzerias and locals love this place.
Some say the pizzas here are like eating a great sandwich, filled to the brim with a buttery crisp base. If you are after a great deep-dish pizza then Ginos is the place for you.
The deep dish pizza options are creative with options such as Burger and Fries, Chicago Fire, and the O.M.G. They do also serve thin crust pizzas and other items.
They were also one of the first places to offer vegan pizza in Chicago. This is definitely the place to come for the best Chicago pizza.
Coalfire Pizza
If you are wondering what a coal fire pizza tastes like then head to Coalfire Pizza. The pizzas are thin and crispy and emerge lightly charred and bubbly.
These pizzas don’t really fit into any category but they are delicious. There are two locations one in West town and one in Lake View and both have a laid back trendy vibe.
The ingredients are sourced from local artisan butchers and growers.
The menu isn’t huge but contains some lovely-sounding offerings. Vodka Meatball, Pistachio Pesto, and Lasagna are all featured.
When it comes to pizza the Honey And Salami and Bacon Jam offerings sound interesting.
The pizza tastes great, the offerings are creative and one piece of pizza is never enough. This is a great place for beer and pizza.
Art of Pizza
If you are looking for a piece of pizza in Chicago rather than a whole pizza then this is the place for you.
Here their award-winning pizza is served by the slice and many feel they serve the best deep-dish pizza in Chicago.
The crust is a perfect golden brown, the tomato sauce has the right consistency, and the herbs are not too overpowering.
There are always 16 varieties of pizza to choose from and you can get a thin crust, deep-pan, or stuffed crust and of course, add on extra toppings.
They serve all the usual suspects when it comes to pizza as well as a few more interesting options and there is always a vegetarian option.
Pizano’s Pizza And Pasta
In 1943 Rudy Malnati Sr. opened his first restaurant, Pizzeria Uno, and offered the original deep dish pizza. Pizano’s is owned and operated by his son.
Here they specialize in signature thin-crust pizza as well as deep-dish pies. They operate four restaurants in the Chicago area and they are always bustling.
As the name suggests they sell more than just pizza here with a huge range of appetizers, soups, Italian specialties, pasta, and of course pizza.
The pizza has quite classic offerings such as Rudy’s Special which contains Sausage, Mushroom, Onion, and Green Pepper.
Oh and fun fact Oprah voted this the #1 Thin Crust Pizza in Chicago. It’s also a great place to get gluten-free pies as well.
So if you like Oprah you want to taste the best pizza in Chicago then head to Pizano’s.
Vito and Nicks
If you are after a Chicago thin crust pizza then you will love Vito and Nicks.
Here for almost 90 years, this family-owned business has been serving the best pizza in Chicago if you love thin crust.
This is a pizza and beer type of establishment with the crispy cracker-thin crusts going really well with an ice-cold beer.
Here is just all about the pizza no frills, no delivery, and nothing fancy. They stick to their Silician roots and serve a perfect pizza.
Many people rave about this place and if you love thin-crust traditional pizza this is the place to come.
Did you know there are several vegan restaurants in Chicago where vegan pizza is on the menu?
Dimo’s Pizza
If you are looking for a pizza that’s a little more creative than your usual then try Dimo’s. It’s also a great place to grab a piece of pizza as they serve slices.
The pizzas have great names like The Dad Bod which contains pulled pork, pepper jack cheese, and french fried onions, or try The Mac and Cheese.
They also have a great white pie made with whipped ricotta, fresh mozzarella, and homemade garlic purée.
And if you are a vegan many agree here they do delicious pizza with a huge choice for vegans.
They currently have two locations in Chicago and this is a great place for something a little different.
Middle Brow Bungalow
If you are looking for a pizza and brewery then this is it. Middle Brow Bungalow serves a great pizza and fantastic beer.
The pizzas are a little different with such options as Summer Potato Salad Pizza, and Sausage And Green Olive Pizza. People rave about the mushroom pizza here.
If you are after a great pizza in a slightly different environment then you might want to give Middle Brow Bungalow a try.
If you love beer you also might want to consider visiting one of the Chicago Breweries.
Spacca Napoli Offers The Best Pizza In Chicago
Here the pizza oven is from Naples, the owner is a certified pizzaiolo and the owners have a ton of passion.
This is great Neapolitan-style traditional pizza with lots of heart. If you feel pizza making is a craft then here they are artists.
The ingredients are quality sourced from small specialty vendors. This is authentic style Italian pizza and it’s oh so good.
If you are thinking of taking a trip here call before to inquire about availability as a reservation is often needed.
Burts Place
This unassuming pizzeria serves one of the best deep pan pizzas. They feature a signature caramelized crust developed by founder Burt Katz which makes these pizzas absolutely delicious.
While Burt was still alive this place was so busy you had to place orders two days in advance.
Since then the kitchen has been upgraded so there are no more long waits but Burt’s ethos and great-tasting pizza still remains.
Don’t expect anything fancy here it’s a build-you-own style pizza joint. Whatever you build it will be delicious.
Burt was the original man behind Pequod’s and Gulliver’s pizza restaurants and they do the same crusts there too. If you are looking for a Chicago delivery pizza company they do deliver here.
Visit Kitchen 17
If you are after vegan pizza in Chicago then this is the place to be. Opened in 2013 they serve the deep dish and pan pizza and it’s the place to come to get New York-style pizza in Chicago.
The restaurant is 100% vegan and everything they serve is made from scratch. It’s comfort vegan food. The menu is large with great choices of pizzas.
Think traditional style pizzas but vegan, they even have a cheeseburger pizza.
Most agree this is the best pizza in Chicago for vegans.
Jimmy’s Pizza Cafe
If you prefer your pizza to be more New York than Chicago Jimmys does some of the best New York-style pizza you can find in Chicago. The place even has that New York city feel.
This is also a great place to get a piece of pizza in Chicago as they sell slices. Many believe this is one of the most authentic New York-style pizzas in the area.
The menu isn’t huge but contains all the types of toppings you would expect. The white pizza and mushroom pizza get lots of praise here.
And if you are looking for a Chicago delivery pizza company they do that here too.
If you love a good New York Style this is the place for you.
As you can see when it comes to choosing Chicago pizza it isn’t easy.
This is just a selection of some of the places that served the best deep-dish pizza in Chicago but there are lots more.
Oh, and if you are looking for other restaurants in Chicago I have a post and I also have one on breakfast places in Chicago.
Whether you are looking for gluten-free, vegan, or New York Style pizza, Chicago has them all. I hope this list has somewhat helped you make a choice on where to eat your Chicago pizza.
Wherever you go I hope you have a great time and please come back and tell me about your experience.
If you are planning to vacation in Chicago here is some information on how to pack light using just a carryon.