Chicago is known for its deep-dish pizza, but the city also has a thriving scene of thin-crust, tavern-style pies. Here are 36 of the best pizza places in Chicago, to help you explore this delicious culinary world.
Art of Pizza
This family-owned pizzeria has been serving thin-crust pies since 1987, using fresh ingredients and a secret recipe for its famous sauce. Located on both State street and Ashland, Art of Pizza holds multiple location to share their pizza lovin’! Pizza lovers from all over check out Art of Pizza for the most well known Chicago pizza! Ranked #1 for the Chicago Best Deep Dish Pizza by the Chicago Tribune, now everyone has an incentive to try Art of Pizza! Check it out!
Aurelio’s
Take a trip to Italy as you visit Aurelio’s. This family owned restaurant, which is slowly expanding across the Chicago-land area, is emerging into anyone’s home away from home. With carefully created pastas, burgers, pizzas and so much more, Aurelio’s is sire to have anything for anyone! Check out Aurelio’s South Loop location, and explore authentic Italian rooted cuisine.
Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza is another awesome oven fired pizzeria located in South Loop, as well as other neighboring neighborhoods. This California based casual dining creates the best meal if you want to grab a quick bite, or even dine it with some friends! With a model after Chipotle’s made-to-order approach to serving customers, Blaze ensure costumers get their pizza in no time! Check them out!
Bonci Pizzeria
Looking for some pizza almost as similar to ones you’ve had in Italy. Then Check out Bonci Pizzeria. Known for having Rome-based Italian imported ingredients, one is sure to take that trip right back to Italy with every bite! With the idea of great tasting food coming from great caring chefs and artist, Bonci Pizza is sure to make you already planning your next trip! Check out Bonci, for possibly your cheapest trip to Italy!
Burt’s Place
The small, family-owned pizzeria is known for its caramelized crust and cheesy, saucy pies. Pan-style pizza fans must check Burt’s out!
Coalfire Pizza
This popular pizzeria serves Neapolitan-style pies cooked in a coal-fired oven for a crispy, charred crust.
Connie’s Pizza
If you’re a frequent Chicago visitor, or even a local, then you must place an order at Connie’s Pizza. Known for being the “best pizza place in Chicago”, Connie’s Pizza holds affordable prices for enough food to fill you up! Connie’s pizza, cocktails, and decorations cohesively add to the Chicago pizza experience you didn’t know you needed! Check them out, or order here! Available for delivery, pickup, and dine in!
Exchequer
Dine in, or order carry out at Exchequer. Exchequer holds historically some of the best Chicago pizza, as well as ribs! Voted #6 in best pizzas of Illinois, Exchequer is bound to become a restaurant you return to. Located on Wabash, right in the loop, Exchequer allows you to create a memorable, intimate dining experience! Check out Exchequer here for more!
Flo and Santos
Flo and Santos is a hybrid restaurant specializing in Polish-American food, as well as a pub and pizzeria atmosphere. Holding delicious foods such as kielbasa, pizza, and even polish draft beer, Flo and Santos is sure to be a South Loop pizzeria like never before. Even holding their own outdoor beer garden, Flo and Santos is sure to have a drink to go along with your meal! Check it out!
Gino’s East
Specializing in deep dish pizza, this Magnificent Mile pizza shop is sure to have you experiencing a traditional Chicago dinner! Gino’s east also holds frozen pizzas, for later of course, as well as catering and even has their pizzas in local grocery stores. Check out Gino’s “legendary cheese pulls” and taste Italian cuisine like never before.
Giordano’s
Specializing in Chicago-style stuffed pizza, Giordano’s is an expanding pizzeria which has expanded to over 60 locations! Serving more than just Chicago-style, Giordano’s also serves thin crust, salads, sandwiches and desserts! Hand crafted, carefully created meals for everyone! To obtain the whole Chicago experience, every Chicago visitor must check out a local Giordano’s!
Lou Malnati’s
A Chicago institution, Lou Malnati’s is famous for its buttery, flaky crust and generous amount of cheese and toppings. Known for having the Best Chicago Deep Dish Pizza! With over 61 locations in Illinois, Lou Malnati’s served to the high demand of it’s visitors. Lou Malnati’s also serves frozen pizzas, and can be ordered online here! Check them out for all your traditional Chicago dining needs!
Luke’s Italian Beef
Luke’s Italian Beef not only has Italian beef, but a variety of pizzas, fries, wings, chicken and so much more. If you love appetizers and quick food, then you will love Luke’s Italian Beef. Giving off an almost New-York style to their location, which is found on Jackson Blvd in South Loop, Luke’s is sure to be your favorite place to eat on demand.
Nella Pizza e Pasta
This authentic Italian pizzeria serves Neapolitan-style pies cooked in a wood-burning oven, using fresh and simple ingredients. Located in the beautiufl Univeristy of Chicago, Nella Pizza e Pasta will surly be a pleasing dining experience!
Paisans Pizzeria
With a new location opening up in West Lawn, its clear to see how quickly Paisans Pizzeria is growing! Over 5 locations to choose from, Paisans, which is the Italian word for ‘friends’, Pizzeria is a family owned restaurant that concerns themselves with the importance of family and friends! Food crafted with the intent of creating beautiful memories, memorable bites, and future plans to visit! So grab your friends, and possibly the whole family to check out Paisans Pizzeria!
Pat’s Pizza
Pat’s Pizza is a well known family owned Chicago pizzeria located near Grant Park on Clark! Acknowledged for having the Number #1 Thin Crust Pizza, Pat’s specializes in non traditional Chicago-style pizza, as stated by local media including Channel 2 News! So if deep dish is too much, you have to check out Pat’s Pizza!
Piece Brewery and Pizzeria
This brewpub serves New Haven-style thin-crust pies, along with craft beer brewed on-site. Piece also holds a variety of entertainment including karaoke nights as well as live band performances. Check it out!
Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta
This family-owned pizzeria serves deep-dish and thin-crust pies with a variety of toppings, using a recipe passed down for generations. Pizano’s also has a local celebrity working on their team! Uncle Chach is an iconic Pizano server with only the best hospitality. Known as “the best Chicago server”, The Chach crates just the warm welcome you need when visiting Chicago. For a serving experience like no other, check out Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta.
Pizza East
This trendy pizzeria serves wood-fired pies with creative toppings and a thin, crispy crust.
Pizza Metro
This upscale pizzeria serves Roman-style pies, with a crispy, airy crust and a variety of toppings.
Pizza Nova
Located in Pilsen, Pizza nova is not your typical pizza place. Holding appetizers such as fries, wings, burgers, chicken sandwiches and so much more, Pizza Nova is sure to have you fed even on your wildest cravings! Known for their publicly acknowledged “pizza pies”, Pizza Nova continues serving Chicago for over 25 years. Pizza lovers, make sure to check out such an iconic, yet affordable Chicago pizza!
Pizza Serio
This casual pizzeria serves New York-style thin-crust pies, with a wide variety of toppings and a friendly atmosphere.
Pizzeria Bebu
This cozy pizzeria serves creative pies with unique toppings, using high-quality ingredients and a crispy, chewy crust. Pizzas are prepared in brick ovens to create the most authentic, traditional pizza!
Pizzeria Due
With an emphasis in pizza, pasta, steak, and burgers, Pizzeria Due is the prefect sister company to Pizzeria Uno. Due to the popularity of Pizzeria Uno, Pizzeria Due was build to hold more taste for more visitors! This River North pizzeria is sure to being you to a little town in Italy, as you enjoy some delicious Italian food, and restaurant favorites!
Pizzeria Uno
Pizzeria Uno, also known as Unos, is a Chicago deep dish pizza shop! Another Chicago institution, Pizzeria Uno is famous for inventing the deep-dish pizza in the 1940s, with a buttery crust, thick layer of cheese and hearty toppings. Welcoming you to “the birthplace of deep dish pizza” Pizzeria Uno is sure to have you experiencing a typical Chicago experience.
Robert’s Pizza
Don’t cut corners. Cut triangles at Robert’s Pizza. Known for having a variety of traditional and creative pizzas, you’ll be in love from the first, to the last bite! Robert’s carefully considers visitor’s eating experience and holds their love for taste whole heartedly! Robert’s also serves appetizers, wings, and a variety of other dining options. So weather its to catch the big game, or just a pizza date with some friends, Robert’s Pizza is sure to be a new favorite!
Roots Handmade Pizza
This pizzeria serves square, Detroit-style pies with a crispy, caramelized crust and a variety of creative toppings.
Rosati’s
Looking for a meal but everywhere is already closed? No worries! Rosati’s has your back. Open late hours, Rosati’s is just the place you can get some traditional Chicago meals for some late night cravings. With multiple locations across Chicago, and even delivery/pick-up options, anyone is sure to be fed in Rosati’s! So stop by, grab a slice, and watch Rosati’s become your next favorite pizza stop!
Sono Wood Fired
This upscale pizzeria serves wood-fired pies with creative toppings and a crispy, charred crust. Located in South Loop, this Good Eats reataurant is sure to have you eating more than just “good”. Currently, Sono operates under pick up and delivery options only, but make sure to enjoy some uniquely prepared Italian pizza!
Spacca Napoli
This pizzeria serves Neapolitan-style pies cooked in a wood-burning oven, with a soft and chewy crust and simple, fresh toppings. Enjoy Spacca Napoli’s nostalgic, rustic environment and enjoy pizza you’ve never tried it!
The Boiler Room
This casual pizzeria and bar serves New York-style pies and cheap beer, with a fun and laid-back atmosphere.
The Fifty/50
This sports bar and pizzeria serves tavern-style pies with a crispy, thin crust and creative toppings. Recognized as the “#1 Sports Bar in the US”, The Fifty/50 is sure to make an impression on any sports-bar enthusiast.
The Pizza Parlor
This cozy pizzeria serves thin-crust pies with unique toppings, using high-quality ingredients and a friendly atmosphere.
The Promontory
This upscale restaurant and live music venue serves thin-crust pies with creative toppings and a crispy, charred crust.
The StopAlong
This casual, playful pizzeria serves thin-crust pies with a variety of toppings, using fresh ingredients and a crispy crust.
Vito & Nick’s
This family-owned pizzeria has been serving thin crust pizza for over 90 years. Vito & Nick’s has even been recognized by Barstool! “You HAVE to eat it, it lived up to the hype!” – Dave Portnoy (President of Barstool Sports)
Written by Paulina Czupryna and Leentje De Leeuw