Look, I get it. You’re Googling "best pizza in Cleveland Ohio" because you're tired of mediocre pies. Maybe you just moved here, maybe you're visiting Grandma in Parma, or maybe you're a local whose regular spot closed down. Whatever brought you here – you want the real scoop without the hype.
Well, I’ve eaten my way through over 50 pizza joints in the past three years. Some were mind-blowing, some were cardboard tragedies. I’ve dragged skeptical friends to hidden gems in strip malls and waited in hour-long lines at popular spots. Let me save you the trial-and-error headache.
Cleveland Pizza Styles Decoded
First things first – what even is Cleveland pizza? We don’t have one signature style like Chicago or New York, but that’s our strength. Here’s what you’ll find:
Thin Crust Bar Pizza: Our unofficial signature. Crackery-thin crust cooked crisp in deck ovens. Cut into small squares. Perfect with a Great Lakes Dortmunder.
Artisanal Wood-Fired: Chewy blistered crusts with creative toppings. Usually smaller pies at higher prices.
Midwest Square Cut: Thicker than bar pies but still crisp. Hearty rectangle slices.
Detroit-Style Influence: Brick cheese, crispy edges, thick airy dough. Getting popular here lately.
Classic Northeast Ohio: Your standard round pie – neither thin NY nor deep dish. Sauce-forward with medium thickness.
The Heavy Hitters: Cleveland's Pizza Hall of Fame
These 7 spots consistently deliver. I’ve ranked them based on crust (40%), flavor balance (30%), uniqueness (20%), and value (10%). Fight me.
Eddy's Pizza (Multiple Locations)
My personal #1 for best pizza in Cleveland Ohio. Family-owned since 1959. Their thin-crust bar pizza? Perfection. The crust shatters when you bite it. Sauce has this subtle sweetness against salty pepperoni cups. Order the Eddy's Special (pepperoni, sausage, mushroom, green pepper). Large runs $22.50 – feeds three adults. Pro tip: Ask for extra crispy if you like crunch. Only downside? Locations aren't downtown.
Angelo's Pizza (Lakewood)
Don't let the unassuming storefront fool you. Their square-cut pizza is legendary. Thicker than bar style but still crisp bottom. Cheese blend is addictive. Try the Meatball Ricotta pie ($24 for large). Crust holds up under heavy toppings without getting soggy. Warning: Weekends get slammed. Call ahead. Personally find their subs overrated though.
Il Rione (Gordon Square)
Wood-fired Neapolitan style done right. Blistered leopard-spotted crust. Toppings like soppressata with hot honey ($18 for 12"). Small space, loud, always packed. Worth the wait? Absolutely. Not cheap, but ingredients shine. Their Margherita DOC is textbook perfect. If you want fancy pizza in Cleveland, start here.
Citizen Pie (Ohio City)
Modern take on classic styles. Offers both Roman al taglio (by the slice) and round pies. Their Detroit-style has cult followers – caramelized cheese edges, fluffy interior. "Motor City" ($22) with pepperoni and hot honey is killer. Brunch pizza Saturdays are insane. Parking nightmare – ride share.
Guarino's (Little Italy)
Old-school institution since 1918. Red checkered tablecloths, Chianti bottles. Their Sicilian grandma pie ($26) feeds four. Thick focaccia-like crust, chunky sauce, cheese lava. Feels like eating history. Cash only – seriously. Service can be grumpy but adds charm.
Vero Pizza Napoletana (Downtown)
Certified VPN (true Neapolitan). Imported Italian flour, San Marzano tomatoes. Bufala D.O.C. ($19) with buffalo mozzarella is ethereal. Cooked in 90 seconds at 900°F. Tiny spot – maybe 20 seats. Ideal pre-theater bite. Expensive for the size, but authenticity costs.
Master Pizza (Multiple Locations)
Your reliable workhorse. Solid Northeast Ohio style. Saucy, cheesy, medium-thick crust. Nothing fancy but consistently good. Large cheese $14.50 – unbeatable value. My go-to for kids’ parties. Stuffed breadsticks are crack.
| Pizzeria | Style | Must-Order Pie | Price (Large) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eddy's Pizza | Thin Crust Bar | Eddy's Special | $22.50 | Authentic Cleveland experience |
| Angelo's Pizza | Square Cut | Meatball Ricotta | $24 | Hearty toppings lovers |
| Il Rione | Wood-Fired Neapolitan | Soppressata & Honey | $18 (12") | Date night |
| Citizen Pie | Detroit/Roman | Motor City | $22 | Foodies |
| Guarino's | Sicilian Grandma | Classic Grandma | $26 | Group dining |
| Vero | True Neapolitan | Bufala D.O.C. | $19 (12") | Purists |
| Master Pizza | Northeast Ohio | Half-Pepperoni | $14.50 | Families on budget |
Neighborhood Pizza Hunting Guide
Where you are matters. Cleveland’s spread out. Here’s where to go based on location:
Downtown
Vero Pizza Napoletana for quick artisan pies. Pizza 216 (not in top 7 but decent) for late-night slices until 3am. Avoid tourist traps near the casino.
Ohio City/Tremont
Citizen Pie is essential. Il Rione is walkable from here. Nano Brew has sneaky-good bar pies.
East Side (Cleveland Heights/University Circle)
Veralli's – their spinach pizza ($19) with lemon zest is underrated. Guido's for thick "sheet pizza" at dive bars.
West Side (Lakewood/Rocky River)
Angelo's reigns supreme. Romeo's chain does gluten-free well. Dina's for old-school counter service.
Specialty Pizza Scenarios
Different cravings demand different pies:
Late-Night Bites (After 10pm)
Master Pizza (multiple locations open until 3am). Harlow's in Lakewood – bar pies until 2:30am. Biga in Beachwood for East Siders.
Protip: Avoid "fancy" spots after 10pm – quality tanks when chefs leave.
Kid-Friendly Zones
Dewey's Pizza (Coventry) – loud, crayons, build-your-own. Rosati's (Strongsville) – arcade games. Master Pizza – cheap cheese slices.
Warning: Il Rione has zero kid patience. Don’t bring toddlers.
Gluten-Free Needs
Melt Bar & Grilled (multiple) – dedicated GF kitchen. Citizen Pie – $4 GF crust upgrade. Romeo's – entire GF menu. Eddy’s? Forget it.
Vegetarian/Vegan Options
Citizen Pie wins – cashew ricotta, vegan sausage. Vero does vegan cheese right. Eddy's has decent veggie pie but cheese-heavy.
Price Tier Breakdown
Let’s talk cash. What’s actually worth it?
| Budget Tier ($12-$16 large) | Mid-Range ($17-$24) | Splurge ($25+) |
|---|---|---|
| Master Pizza Value King | Eddy's Local Legend | Vero Special Occasion |
| Dina's Pizza | Angelo's | Il Rione |
| Jukebox Pizza | Citizen Pie | Guarino's |
| Honorable mention: Costco food court ($10 for 18" – can't beat it) | ||
Cleveland Pizza FAQs Answered Straight
These pop up constantly in pizza forums:
Is Cleveland-style pizza a real thing?
Yes, but not like "deep dish" defines Chicago. Our thin bar pizza with square cutting is uniquely Northeast Ohio. Eddy's embodies it perfectly.
Who has the best pepperoni pizza in Cleveland?
Angelo's for crispy cupped pep. Eddy's for classic thin-layer coverage. Citizen Pie for spicy 'roni cups.
Where can I get best pizza in Cleveland Ohio near downtown hotels?
Vero (5-min walk from Public Square). Pizza 216 (E. 4th St.). Uber to Il Rione (10 mins).
Who ships Cleveland pizza nationally?
Eddy's ships frozen nationwide. Guarino's ships Sicilian pies. Quality suffers though – eat fresh.
Best cheap pizza in Cleveland?
Master Pizza cheese slice: $2.50. Dewey's lunch special: $10 personal pizza + salad. Costco (no membership needed for food court).
What I Learned Eating 200+ Pizzas
After three years hunting the best pizza in Cleveland Ohio, here's my unfiltered take:
Don't chase trends. That hyped new spot? Probably overpriced with inconsistent crust. Stick to places that survive recessions.
Square cuts taste better. Fight me science – more crust edge = better texture contrast.
Sauce matters more than cheese. Too many joints dump cheap mozzarella. Angelo's sauce has depth you remember.
Wood-fired isn't always superior. Had "artisanal" pies with floppy undercooked centers. Il Rione nails it though.
Your childhood favorite probably sucks now. Sorry. Nostalgia lies. Revisited my teen spot last month – tasted like salt cardboard.
Cleveland's pizza scene punches above its weight. We’ve got diversity New Yorkers would envy. From $3 slices to $30 Neapolitans – all have merit.
The real best pizza in Cleveland Ohio? Depends entirely on your mood, wallet, and who you're with. But start with Eddy's. Always start with Eddy's.