When it comes to Italian restaurants, Chicago doesn’t mess around. Our pizza is arguably some of the best in the world if you want a good slice. From deep dish to thin crust and everything in between, there are many options in the Windy City. Sure, there are a lot of opinions to account for because people are passionate about pizza. We’ve taken that into account. So, below, we’ve rounded up some of the best spots with the best pizza in Chicago.
Chicago is known for its deep dish pizza, which basically reverse-engineers a traditional pizza and puts the sauce on top of the cheese. Still, there are also plenty of other standout pizza styles available! Chicago’s true pizza is tavern style, AKA the opposite of a deep dish—crispy, flat, with ample cheese, and cut into squares instead of hulking slices.
1. George’s Deep Dish
If you’re a George fan, it’s probably related to the delicious sourdough crust, the playful pizza names (all named after a famous George!), or the melty cheese that’s somehow also caramelized! They’re a carryout-only place, so pick up and head out with a pie or two.
📍Address: 6221 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60660
2. Paradise Park
Whether it’s a day out with friends or date night, Paradise Park is where you come to have a good time. Between giant patios, disco balls, and delicious food, there’s truly no better place for a combination of pizza, booze, and a convivial atmosphere. You’ll come here to party, but stay for the cheesy, gooey Tavern-style pizza.
📍Address: 1913 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
3. Vito and Nick’s Pizzeria
This staple has been around since 1946, serving delicious tavern-style slices to the masses! They’re known for their super thin and crispy crust, so if that’s your jam, you’ll want to head over! We have already mentioned this place as one of Guy Fieri’s favorite Chicago restaurants.
However, more recently, you may have seen them on Barstool Founder Dave Portnoy’s Instagram account, as he finds the best pizza in the country.
📍Address: 8433 S Pulaski Rd. Chicago, IL 60652
4. Bungalow by Middle Brow
Wooden beams and string lights cover the patio of this delightful bucolic-decorated restaurant, giving a refreshing aura. Take a seat at one of their picnic tables and enjoy their happy hour menu, which includes $5 beer, $6 wine, and a selection of bread, salad, and pizza that range in price. On Wednesdays, stay past 6 PM and become drenched in the music from live performances.
5. Jimmy’s Pizza Cafe
This casual eatery serves New York-style pizza by the pie. Founded by Jimmy Kang, this establishment was originally situated in Lincoln Square, where it gained fame for its delectable New York-style pizza. Located on West Montrose Avenue in Chicago, Jimmy’s Pizza Cafe is a renowned eatery with a rich history and is a beloved destination for locals and tourists alike.
6. Zazas Pizzeria
Zazas Pizzeria is the quintessential place to head to after a Cubs game or a long night on Clark Street. You’ll find delicious one-in-a-kind pies, such as the Gold Medal Pie, a red sauce, whole milk mozzarella, fresh mozzarella, partanna olive oil, shaved parmesan, and Gotham greens basil, or the Vodka pie, a vodka sauce, mozzarella, fennel sausage, gotham greens basil, and parmigiano.
7. Paulie Gee’s
8. Pat’s Pizza
If you couldn’t tell, we’re thin-crust fans over here, and Pat’s has some of the best thin-crust slices in the city. The locally-owned shop has been around since the 1950s and was created by a guy named Nick! The legacy lives on, with an extensive pizza menu that hits all the marks.
📍Address: 2679 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
9. Burt’s Place
The Morton Grove spot is well known for its caramelized crust and low-key dining setting. There’s a large patio to sit under and enjoy your pie; whether you opt for a deep dish, stuffed, or a charred crust, odds are you’ll be back for more soon enough. You really can’t go wrong with the signature pan pizza. While the shop is not technically in Chicago, it’s worth a drive to Morton Grove.
📍Address: 8541 Ferris Ave, Morton Grove, IL 60053
10. Proper Pizza
If you’re in the mood for a proper slice, head to Proper Pizza! The shop has been around since 2002 and has become known for its tasty sauce, bubbling cheese, and incredible crust. They also serve vegan options for anyone looking!
📍Address: 2459 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
11. Uno Pizzeria and Grill
Thought to be the birthplace of Chicago deep dish, Uno’s has been around since 1943, attracting tourists worldwide. We’re including it because it’s a legendary place with a long history in Chicago, sprinkled throughout the city. We guarantee there’s one nearby, and this is a pizza in Chicago; everyone has to try out Uno’s at least once!
📍Find your closest Uno Pizzeria location here.
12. Lou Malnati’s
While it’s a hotly debated topic, Lou Malnati’s serves top-notch deep-dish pizza, and many consider it the best pizza in Chicago. You’ll find a Louis in Fulton Market, Lincoln Park, Gold Coast—almost anywhere. And you’ll probably need a fork and knife to get through the towering slices.
They’re known for using butter to grease the pans instead of oil. This makes the crust more like a flaky pastry. They’ve also collaborated with Portillos in the past to serve up a limited edition pizza.
📍Find your closest Lou Malnati location here.
13. Wow Pizzeria
The Edgewater pizzeria is synonymous with its delicious flaky crust. Formerly known as Tedino’s Pizzeria, they’ve since rebranded, changing names to WOW Pizzeria. The cool thing about stuffed pizza is the order in which it’s made, which sees cheese between the crust! The order goes from crust to cheese, to more crust, tangy sauce, and then parmesan. The pies take about 30 minutes to cook but are 100% worth the wait.
📍Address: 5335 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60640
14. J.B. Alberto
The Rogers Park staple has become an institution in the neighborhood, offering incredible slices of crunchy, thin-crust pizza! The local favorite also recently made the news, helping to break the world record for the largest pizza party. All hail the thin crust!
📍Address: 1326 W Morse Ave, Chicago, IL 60626
15. Coalfire Pizza
Coalfires in River West may be your go-to spot if you’re a crispy tavern-style fan. The best pizza in Chicago, they’re known for their coal oven that churns out endless thin-crust creations that are sure to satisfy. Whatever you’re feeling, you know that Coalfire will do it right.
📍Address: 1321 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
16. The Slice Hut
The Slice Hut has just opened in Lincoln Park’s Neon Gardens, featuring New York-style pizza, fab cocktails, and popular arcade games that take us back to the 90s. The lush space, adorned with vibrant street art, serves up delicious specialty pies and gelato. We indulged in several slices of their most popular pizzas, like the Carne Sausage, Chicken Bacon Ranch, and the Bianca, topped with parmesan, cream, onion, and garlic confit.
📍Address: The Slice Hut, 2580 N Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60614
The pizza in Chicago is some of the best in the country, and any place on this list will satiate your pizza cravings.