The Best Pizza
We are spoiled with great pizza options throughout the Chicagoland area. Everything from deep dish and tavern style to Detroit squares and wood-fired pizza can be found throughout the suburbs. Our list includes places that have been around for decades along with newcomers that are impressing locals and critics alike. Whatever your pizza style preference, we encourage you to check out our favorites below.
NORTH SHORE
Burt’s Place
Founded by legendary Chicago pizza-maker, Burt Katz, who also started the famous Pequod’s Pizza in Lincoln Park. Burt’s makes some of the best pizza around and has been recognized by Eater, Food & Wine and many others. Anthony Bourdain visited years ago and said “Burt’s was the only Chicago-style pizza he ever loved.”
Barnaby’s
A North Shore institution has been serving their famous thin and crispy corn meal crust pizza for over 40 years. Dave Portnoy on One Bite Pizza Reviews gave their pizza a solid 7.8 rating. Whether dining in or carrying out, Barnaby’s is a great option on the North Shore.
Grateful Bites
Half and Half Pizza
A North Shore pizza spot from the same group behind Everett Farms and Inovasi. They serve delicious wood-fired pizzas and have a great wine selection that is available to grab and go. On the traditional side, you can’t go wrong with the Margarita Our Way. For untraditional, try the No Sleep... Till... Brooklyn!
Lefty’s Pizza Kitchen
Lefty’s comes from the Burt’s pizza lineage and offers a similar style of caramelized deep pan crust. The owner was one of the two guys who bought Burt’s Pizza from the man himself, but later split off to start Lefty’s. They also make a delicious thin crust pizza.
Locations in Wilmette and Highland Park (see map for details)
Pizza by Sal
New York style pizza with crisp crave-able crust that allows each slice to be perfectly folded. Pizza by Sal is next door to Buck Russell’s Bakery and part of the Ballyhoo Hospitality Group. A great spot for a weeknight dinner, team event, watching the big game or hosting your next celebration.
Union Squared | Union Pizzeria
Union Squared makes some of the best Detroit style pizza in the burbs, which is basically a hybrid of pan style pizza and deep dish, baked in a rectangle. The space is small but tables turn over quickly and in the summer you can enjoy their back patio. They have a second location in Evanston called Union Pizzeria which is connected to SPACE and serves wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas.
NORTHWEST SUBURBS
Georgio’s Pizza
Known for their deep dish pizza but we love their tavern style thin crust as well. Georgio’s has two locations that are both great spots for a family dinner or to watch a game. Georgio’s was recently profiled by The Food Guy on NBC Chicago.
Locations in South Barrington and Crystal Lake (see map for details)
Mockingbird
Mockingbird is much more than a pizza place but they make some of our favorite wood-fired pizzas in the burbs. Also featured in our Best Date Night spots, the cozy restaurant offers several creative pizza options along with top notch cocktails. We recommend the Hot Honey Pepperoni and Pig & Fig.
neoteca
Pequod’s Pizza
The infamous pizza place in Lincoln Park, often crowned as the best pizza in Chicago, also has a suburban outpost in Morton Grove. Pequod’s famous caramelized crust is created by placing a ring of mozzarella around the rim of the deep dish pan which caramelizes as the pie bakes. If you can’t make it to one of their locations, they deliver to several suburbs through their partnership with Dwell Social.
Uncle Jerry’s Pizza Company
Started by a former carpenter in 2021 and recently received a 8.3 rating by Dave Portnoy on One Bite Pizza Reviews. Uncle Jerry’s pizza has been getting rave reviews from both diners and the press including Eater, Chicago Mag, Chicago Tribune and Time Out for serving some of the best deep dish in all of Chicagoland.
Village Pizza
A local favorite that has been serving pizzas since 1978. Their pizzerias and pubs provide a rustic, cozy atmosphere that is perfect for a family dinner, birthday party or team meal. A go-to for classic thin crust pizza that tastes just as good for carry out or delivery.
Locations in Elgin and Carpentersville (see map for details)
Woodfire Pizza
Woodfire started as a mobile wood-fired oven that made pizzas for parties and weddings but has since expanded with two restaurants where you can not only enjoy their delicious wood-fired pizzas, but also great cocktails, salads and pastas. Definitely try the classics here but if feeling adventurous go for the lobster pizza that is surprisingly good.
Locations in West Dundee and Rockford (see map for details)
WESTERN SUBURBS
Al’s Pizza
The Western suburb institution has been serving their delicious pizza since 1959. They keep it simple and focus on their thin crush pizza that can be picked up or enjoyed at their Warrenville location with a cold beer. Al’s has been featured on WGN’s Chicago Best and Dave Portnoy’s One Bite Pizza Reviews.
Gia Mia
A popular Italian spot throughout the Western Suburbs makes a great Neapolitan style wood-fired pizza along with creative small plates, fresh pasta, and hand-made mozzarella, and craft cocktails. They are part of the BG Hospitality Group which also runs Fire + Wine, Moto Imoto and other popular restaurants.
Locations in St. Charles, Geneva, Downers Grove and Elmhurst (see map for details)
Fire + Wine
A cornerstone of the downtown Glen Ellyn dining scene, they serve much more than pizza but we had to include their delicious wood-fired pizzas on the list. They are part of the BG Hospitality Group which also runs Gia Mia above, Moto Imoto and other popular restaurants.
Kim’s Uncle Pizza
Opened in 2022, Kim’s Uncle Pizza has quickly taken the suburbs by storm with their tavern style pies that perfectly crisp crust, flavorful sauce and high quality toppings. The New York Times recently named them one of the Best Restaurants in Chicago.
Little Pops
When we ask around about the best pizza in Naperville, Little Pops is usually the answer. The New York style pizza received a 7.6 rating by Dave Portnoy on One Bite Pizza Reviews. Be sure to try the Mighty Mason pizza with garlic, pepperoni, sausage, and topped with whipped ricotta, shredded romano, and fresh basil.
Locations in Naperville, Lisle and Aurora (see map for details)
Nemec Brother’s Pizzeria
The suburban outposts from the brothers behind popular Chicago pizzeria, Zaza’s. Namec Brothers make excellent New York style pizza that has been given solid reviews by Dave Portnoy and Steve Dolinsky. We recommend trying the Gold Medal Pie and Hot Pepperoni.
Locations in Geneva and Glen Ellyn (see map for details)
Pie Life Pizza
Hidden along Roosevelt Road is one of the best East Coast slices you will find in the suburbs. Pie Life Pizza comes from a New Jersey native who brings their signature thin crust style to the Midwest. They were recently featured by the Food Guy, Steve Dolinsky.
Locations in Glen Ellyn and Carol Stream (see map for details)
