With so many pizzerias and pizza restaurants to choose from, it can be hard to find a classic Chicago style pizza.
To help you out, we’ve pulled out the best pizza places in Chicago that we’ve been to, and come recommended by our readers, friends and family, that we think will appeal to a wide variety of pizza lovers!
Don’t worry if you prefer New York-style pizza, we’ve included one on this list. But only one! Come on, you’re in Chicago, not Brooklyn! Forget your thin crust pizza, it’s all about the deep dish!
10 Outstanding Pizza Places in Chicago
Whether you’re in town for a day or a weekend be sure to stop by one of these Chicago pizza places for a sensational culinary experience. It’s definitely one of the top things to do in Chicago !
1. Gino’s East Pizza
Gino’s East Pizza
If it’s your first time visiting Chicago, Gino’s East is a great place to go to experience what Chicago deep dish pizza is all about.
You’re in for a real treat if you’ve never tasted cornmeal crust. Chicagoan’s can all agree that having a solid cornmeal crust is part of what makes deep dish pizza so dang good.
Gino’s is a classic, famous Chicago pizza restaurant with two stores in Chicago, Magnificent Mile and South Loop , as well as a restaurant in Lake Geneva in Wisconsin, Wheaton in Illinois, Los Angeles and Singapore.
Their pizza is consistently delicious and makes for the perfect place to kick back after a day exploring Grant Park or The Art Institute. The pizzeria in South Loop is easily accessible on foot from the park.
Many people will tell you Gino’s East is where you go for the best deep dish pizza in Chicago. It’s a solid choice, however it isn’t my favorite…
Address: Gino’s East: 521 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60605
Hours: 11.00am – 9.00pm Sunday – Thursday, 11.00am – 10.00pm Friday and Saturday
2. Pequod’s Pizza (aka where to get the “REAL” best deep dish in Chicago)
Pequod’s Pizza
There is no better place than Pequod’s Pizza ! Trust me on this one.
The tomato sauce is perfection, toppings are plentiful, and I’ll tell you there is something so wonderful about the perfect amount of crunch to their golden crust.
Venture out to the Lincoln Park neighborhood for lunch or dinner at Pequod’s Pizza.
A word of warning: deep dish pizza takes around 40 minutes to cook so order one of their fabulous apps like the jalapeno peppers or a salad to hold you over until the pizza is ready.
Address: Pequod’s Pizza: 2207 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago IL 60614
Hours: 11.00am – 2.00am Monday – Saturday, 11.00am – 12.00am Sunday
3. Spacca Napoli Pizzeria
Spacca Napoli Pizzeria
In the heart of Ravenswood you’ll discover Spacca Napoli , which specializes in Neapolitan style pizza.
Typically, Neapolitan pizzas (pizza from Naples) have a flatter base, and usually go easy on the toppings. It’s prepared with a simple dough, raw tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and olive oil, and that’s about it!
Of course, you can add Italian beef, sausage, or ham if you love meat, or go for a spinach and ricotta for vegetarians.
Step inside and you’ll instantly feel as if you’ve been transported into an Italian grandmother’s home in Italy.
The aromas, the art, the carefully selected ingredients, wine and music selection create the perfect setting for your Neapolitan meal.
For starters I’m absolutely head over heels for the caprese with buffalo mozzarella and my go to pizza order is always the Capricciosa pizza with tomatoes, black olives, mushrooms and artichokes. Yum!
Oh and pre-warning, sometimes the base can get floppy so you may need to use a knife and fork!
Address: Spacca Napoli: 1769 W. Sunnyside Ave. Chicago, IL
Hours: 5.00pm – 10.30pm Monday – Thursday, 12.30pm – 10.30pm Friday – Sunday
4. Jimmy’s Pizza Cafe
Jimmy’s Pizza Cafe
I realize not everyone gets excited about deep dish pizza, and that is totally okay.
How many people do you know would turn down New York style pizza? Not one? My thoughts exactly.
That’s where Jimmy’s Pizza Cafe in Lincoln Square comes in.
Maybe it’s a bit crazy I’m recommending a New York style pizza joint in Chicago, but I strongly feel it would be a sin if I didn’t, because frankly this place is phenomenal.
At this casual eatery you can order pizza by the slice or whole pies. You can choose whether you want pan pizza or deep dish, and you can build your own pizza with your own toppings.
I like to keep it classic at Jimmy’s and order plain cheese or pepperoni, with a side of garlic knots. They also make really great beignets too!
Address: Jimmy’s Pizza Cafe: 5159 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Hours: 5.00pm – 9.00pm Monday, 9.00am – 9.00pm Tuesday – Thursday and Sunday, 9.00am – 10.00pm Friday and Saturday
5. Happy Camper Chicago
Happy Camper Pizza
For a trendy pizza joint, you must pay a visit to Happy Camper in Old Town (they have five locations across the city). Inside you’ll be wowed by the creativity of this place. Old school campers converted into seating, a bullet bar, and a neon sign of the great lakes. It’s the coolest!
Happy Camper serves fabulous cocktails and of course they make some killer pizza!
The menu is extensive with nearly 30 different creations to choose from, or you can create your own.
My favorite is the the Dime Piece topped with chicken, jalapenos, cream cheese, chili flakes, garlic and olive oil.
Luckily they are open for lunch, dinner and brunch on the weekends. Bonus! They are open until 3 am for late night pizza on the weekends.
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Hot Tip: If your order their hangover iced coffee at brunch it may come with a donut on the side. You can definitely count on having a great time at this Chicago pizza restaurant.
Address: Happy Camper: 1209 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610
Hours : 11.00am – 11.00pm Monday – Wednesday, 11.00am – 11.30pm Thursday, 11.00am – 1.00am Friday, 10.00am – 1.00am Saturday, 10.00am – 10.30pm Sunday
6. Robert’s Pizza and Dough Company
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