13 Spots for the Best Pizza in Chicago
Deep-dish cravings don’t have to end with the usual tourist traps. Chicago’s pizza scene is layered with local gems that tell stories from every neighborhood.
If you’re hungry for the city’s most iconic and irresistible slices, start with these top spots for the best pizza in Chicago.
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1. Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
Lou Malnati’s sits atop Chicago’s deep-dish pizza food chain, perfecting their buttery crust recipe for decades.
This family-owned chain is legendary among locals and out-of-towners for thick, flaky crusts that hold mountains of cheese and toppings.
They specialize in authentic Chicago-style deep dish, but you’ll also spot classic Italian dishes and thin-crust pies on the menu.
Location: 439 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654
Website: Visit Website
2. Pequod’s Pizza
Pequod’s Pizza is a deep-dish legend in Chicago, famous for its caramelized crust that forms a crispy, dark edge around every pie. Since the 1970s, they’ve been perfecting a unique cooking method that sets them apart.
The sports bar vibe is relaxed and perfect for casual dinners or family outings. Watching a game while you wait (about 45 minutes for a pizza) is tradition here. Getting a table can take some patience, especially at dinner, so reservations help.
Location: 2207 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Website: Visit Website
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3. Giordano’s
Giordano’s has been Chicago’s stuffed pizza champion since 1974. Their famous deep-dish pies feature a double-crust design that creates the perfect pocket for layers of cheese, sauce, and toppings.
Instead of just a thick crust, they wrap fresh ingredients between two layers of flaky pastry. The result is a hearty, satisfying slice that’s more meal than snack.
The Millennium Park location puts you right in the heart of tourist central, but locals love it too. They even ship frozen pies nationwide for those late-night cravings.
Location: 130 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
Website: Visit Website
4. Pizzeria Portofino
Authentic Italian flavors meet the Chicago riverfront at this breezy spot. Hand-stretched pizzas are the star, crafted with traditional techniques that really do channel the Italian coast.
The riverfront terrace offers dreamy views of the Chicago River; it’s a prime place for craft pizzas and coastal wines. The decor is Italian Riviera, with a relaxed atmosphere that’s great for date nights or casual hangs.
The pizza menu features creative toppings and classic favorites, all about quality ingredients. There are also vegetable antipasti and charcoal-grilled seafood to round things out, especially with a glass of wine in hand.
Location: 317 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
Website: Visit Website
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5. Piece Pizzeria and Brewery
New Haven-style pizza takes center stage at this Wicker Park brewpub. The thin-crust pies stick to Connecticut tradition: crispy texture, simple toppings, and a big focus on top-notch ingredients.
The brewery deserves a shoutout; Piece has racked up 29 medals at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup.
Live bands and karaoke nights add to the fun (check event calendar), and the sports-bar energy makes it an easy place to linger over pizza and a pint with friends.
When available, the Heirloom Tomato Pizza features produce from local Nichols Farm—worth a try if you catch it on the menu.
Location: 1927 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Website: Visit Website
6. Gino’s East
Gino’s East is a deep-dish spot that’s become legendary—two taxi drivers started it in 1966, and now it’s a pizza empire.
Thick, buttery crusts are loaded with cheese and chunky tomato sauce; you’ll probably need a fork and knife for these slices.
They’ve nailed the art of deep-dish over decades, with cheese pulls that stretch for miles. Signature pies are packed with mozzarella under a robust tomato sauce, toppings layered Chicago-style.
There are thin-crust pizzas and Italian sandwiches if you want something lighter. Vegan cheese and gluten-free thin crust are on offer too.
Location: 162 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611
Website: Visit Website
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7. Spacca Napoli Pizzeria
For nearly two decades, Spacca Napoli has been Chicago’s home for real-deal Neapolitan pizza. Owner Jon Goldsmith is a certified pizzaiuolo, and he puts serious care into the dough every day.
The wood-fired oven (built by artisans from Naples) makes all the difference. Thin-crust pies come topped with carefully sourced ingredients, and you can taste the attention to detail in every bite.
The cozy spot on Sunnyside Avenue feels straight out of Italy, with patio seating where you can soak up the neighborhood while you eat.
Location: 1769 W Sunnyside Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
Website: Visit Website
8. Bonci Pizzeria
Roman pizza gets a Chicago twist at Bonci, the U.S. outpost of legendary pizzaiolo Gabriele Bonci.
Specializing in pizza al taglio, they serve rectangular slices cut with scissors and sold by weight—super fun if you ask us.
Expect 12 to 15 varieties daily, from classic Margherita to creative combos like pumpkin with speck and caciocavallo. The lineup changes throughout the day, depending on what’s fresh and local.
The dough is something else—a 72-hour fermentation with organic heritage Italian flour makes it airy yet crisp. Toppings are all about fresh, natural ingredients, no shortcuts.
Location: 161 N Sangamon St, Chicago, IL 60607
Website: Visit Website
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9. Robert’s Pizza and Dough Company
Robert’s Pizza and Dough Company serves up artisan thin-crust pizza in Streeterville, with a waterfront setting that’s one of Chicago’s best-kept secrets.
The restaurant sits right along the Ogden Slip, complete with a dock and an outdoor patio for prime people-watching or boat-spotting.
Creative pizza combos blend global flavors with classic techniques. The brick oven pizzas come from a dough recipe that took two decades to perfect, giving each pie a soft center and crunchy crust.
Location: 465 N McClurg Ct, Chicago, IL 60611
Website: Visit Website
10. Chicago Pizza And Oven Grinder Company
Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company sits tucked inside a historic Victorian brownstone on North Clark Street, quietly serving up its famous pizza pot pies for over half a century.
The specialty here is upside-down pizza creations in individual bowls that flip your whole idea of what pizza even is.
The signature pizza pot pies come out bubbling hot, personal-sized, with the crust baked right on top and all the good stuff hiding underneath.
Dark wood panels and vintage touches transport you somewhere between Prohibition-era Chicago and your grandma’s living room; it’s got real character.
Location: 2121 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
Website: Visit Website
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11. Homeslice Pizza + Patio
Thin-crust pizza magic is alive and well at this Lincoln Park spot. The log cabin-style dining room sets a cozy scene with neon lights, tree-trunk tables, and just enough quirk to keep things interesting.
The creative thin-crust pies go hand-in-hand with a solid craft beer lineup. Out back, the beer garden is a go-to for group hangs and celebrations.
Happy hour runs Monday through Friday, 3-6pm. And special events bring a little extra buzz to pizza night.
Location: 938 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Website: Visit Website
12. Milly’s Pizza In The Pan
Milly’s Pizza In The Pan shakes up the Chicago-style pizza scene with a fresh twist you won’t get anywhere else.
It’s a straightforward take-out spot, nothing flashy, focused on quality, not quantity. Only a limited number of pies come out of the oven each day, so when they’re gone, that’s it.
Every bite reflects their commitment to using fresh ingredients from local farmers and purveyors. The family-owned vibe pays tribute to Grandma Emily and Grandpa Joe, but there’s still plenty of room for new ideas and bold flavors.
Location: 925 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Website: Visit Website
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13. Vito & Nick’s Pizzeria
Chicago hides its best thin-crust secret on the South Side at this family-run spot that’s been slinging pies since 1932. The crust is so thin it practically shatters under your teeth—no kidding.
Big names have noticed; Dave Portnoy from Barstool Sports gave it his stamp, and Guy Fieri rolled through for Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. One bite and you’ll get the fuss.
Vito & Nick’s keeps it old-school; cash only, just pickup or dine-in, and the focus is all on pizza.
Location: 8433 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60652
Website: Visit Website
