7 Outstanding Pizza Spots in Cleveland
There’s nothing better than a slice of pizza. No matter what the occasion, weather, or time of day, pizza is always an option. What you get on a pizza says a lot about a person. As does the type of pizza that they prefer. Thin crust or deep dish? Pineapple or not? Each person can only answer these existential questions for themselves. However, the question as to where you should go in Cleveland to get the best slice or a whole pie can be answered right here, right now. So let’s roll into it; here are the best pizza spots in Cleveland.
Editor’s Note: this article was first published on May 6, 2023 and last updated on October 23, 2023. For more recommendations on where to eat and drink in the city, check out our Cleveland page, here!
Athens Pizzeria
4341 Rocky River Drive, Cleveland, OH 44135
(216) 476-1944
Athens Pizzeria is ready for you to get hungry. Not only does this local pizza shop offer up delicious pizzas with over a dozen different topping options, but they also offer pasta, subs, wings, stromboli, and more! While their pizzas are some of the best in the city, their wings and stromboli are also incredibly popular and filling. With affordable prices, why not just go for a pizza, some wings, and a stromboli? Not only will every bite be delicious, but you’ve already got lunch planned out for the next day!
Cent’s Pizza + Goods
5010 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44102
(216) 862-6427
Owner Vincent Morelli was inspired to create Cent’s after spending time working at New York City’s, Roberta’s. At Cent’s, you get the best wood-fired American-style pizzas you could ever want. House specialties like the meatball and pecorino Sunday Gravy or that Gorfunkel with hot soppressata are excellent options to give you a taste of what Cent’s is all about. The whole restaurant is low-key and relaxed, with a cozy outdoor eating space behind the restaurant. You can also buy all sorts of eclectic house items inside. The wonder bread is a must order here no matter what you’re getting.
Crust
2258 Professor Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 583-0257
Crust has been a Cleveland staple for over ten years. Their signature is the “Monster Slices,” which weigh over 1.5 lbs! What’s even better is that you can get a Monster Slice for only $4.50. Talk about a deal. In addition to that, they also offer delectable subs, salads, burgers, small plates, and pasta. The move at Crust is to go during happy hour. You can get Monster Cheese Slices for only $3, plus you save $1 off their entire selection of rotating draft beers. With nearly 30 different toppings available to boot, Crust is a one-stop shop for mouthwatering pizza.
Pizza Whirl
1822 West 25th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 242-6464
Pizza Whirl knows what’s up, and keeps it simple. Pizza, salads, and calzones are the specialties here and boy, does it deliver. All of the dishes feature fresh, locally sourced ingredients that add that extra bit of love and flavor that will delight your tastebuds. Your order is turned around quickly with their brick oven pizzas cooking in just 3 minutes. They also have gluten-free options, which is incredibly convenient for a food that is usually pretty gluten heavy. Pizza Whirl also offers 10% off of your first order, and to be honest, once you try it, you’ll be back for more!
Il Rione
1303 West 65th Street, Cleveland, OH 44102
(216) 282-1451
Il Rione is located on the West side of the historic Little Italy neighborhood. What Il Rione set out to do was to create a neighborhood pizzeria that honors the immigrants who moved to the area, while at the same time creating a place for locals and visitors to enjoy the authentic Italian flavors from the old country. Well, they absolutely crushed that goal and have created one of the best pizzerias in not just the neighborhood but the entire greater Cleveland area. The menu keeps it simple with salads and pizzas. If you want to build your own, you can; however, their five suggested pies are all absolutely mouthwatering and are a good place to start. The restaurant itself is small but homely. They don’t take reservations, so you’ll have to be smart about when you go because this place can fill up fast!
Vero Pizza Napoletana
12421 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44106
(216) 229-8383
Vero Pizza Napoletana creates the type of mouthwatering contemporary Neapolitan pizzas that you only dream of. Owner and pizza maker Marc-Aurele believes in keeping tradition simple. Fresh ingredients and simple recipes are all he needs to create his masterworks. His passion is pizza and making pizza the right way, his way. Each day he makes dough for about 100 pizzas which often sees him sold out towards the end of the night. Vero Pizza Napoletana is unique because it’s as close to its Neapolitan roots as a pizzeria can be. It also has a delicious gelato bar so that you can help yourself to a tasty desert after dinner! The flavors Marc-Aurele has crafted have led Vero Pizza to be one of the best pizza shops in Cleveland and one of the best food spots, period.
Citizen Pie Roman Cafe
2057 East 4th Street, Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 394-0155
There’s nothing better than pizza and there’s no better way to eat it than by the (rectangular) slice. Citizen Pie Roman Cafe has the right idea, offering an eclectic variety of slices, both classic and unique. Two of the finest options are the Little Italy (topped with red sauce, fresh mozzarella, shallots, Holiday sausage (local to Cleveland), peppadew peppers, shaved pecorino, basil, and oregano) and the Cacio E Pepe (with garlic cream sauce, fresh mozzarella, burrata, black pepper, shaved pecorino, and basil).
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