Despite its proximity to Chicago, the best pizza in Minneapolis isn’t just deep dish. Instead, the midwestern city in Minnesota is home to everything from thin-crust New York-style pizza to thick, rectangle Detroit-style pizza.
While Minneapolis may not be known for a specific classic pizza style, the city is making a name for itself in adventurous creations that weave in global inspiration for something totally new.
Pizza places like Young Joni, Red Wagon Pizza Company, and Boludo take inspiration from New York slice shops and old-school Italian pizzerias, giving them international flair, whether it be Korean, Argentinian, Vietnamese, Caribbean, Brazilian, French, or beyond.
Keep reading for all of the best pizza in Minneapolis.
Ordering pizza delivery in Minneapolis? Click here for $5 off your first Doordash order.
Red Wagon Pizza Company
5416 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
A modern pizza parlor in Minneapolis, Red Wagon Pizza Company specializes in American thin-crust pizza. The South Minneapolis pizza institution has garnered national attention thanks to a feature on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
Red Wagon Pizza Company’s most popular pies are far from traditional. Lately, the Banh Mi pizza has become a favorite of locals. The pizza emulates the traditional Vietnamese sandwich through sweet soy-glazed pulled pork, house cheese, ginger-pickled carrots, radishes, cucumber, jalapeño, cilantro, and Sriracha aioli. The McLovin’ It and Red Woods BBQ are also popular choices.
Vegans can enjoy some of the best pizza in Minneapolis also. Red Wagon Pizza Company offers a rotating vegan pizza for plant-based diners to sink their teeth into.
Reviews for Red Wagon Pizza Company emphasize that the pizza joint is good for a lot more than inventive pies. Along with pizzas, the restaurant’s wood-fired chicken wings and pasta plates are also popular.
I haven’t made it to Red Wagon Pizza Company yet, but I’m sure I’ll find my way there soon. If you want to try it yourself, reservations can be made on Tock.
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Boludo
Boludo El 38: 8 W. 38th St, Minneapolis, MN 55409
Downtown Minneapolis: 530 S 4th St, Minneapolis, MN, 55415
Como: 1519 Como Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Uptown Minneapolis: 2935 Girard Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55408
Born in Minneapolis’ Kingfield neighborhood and now operating four locations in Minneapolis, Boludo seeks to bring a taste of Buenos Aires to Minneapolis through their counter-serve pizza spots.
The diamond-shaped pizzas feature a pillowy crust and are topped with heaping amounts of freshly grated cheese. While most pizzas stick to classic Italian toppings, some, like the Campo, feature ingredients like chorizo that demonstrate the pizza restaurant’s Latin flair.
You won’t find pizza sides of pasta or breadsticks here. Instead, Boludo offers some of Minneapolis’ best empanadas, as well as a house or Caesar salad.
I tried Boludo’s beloved Peras pie, made of pear, gorgonzola, pine nuts, and dill. My boyfriend ordered the pepperoni pizza, which was piled with small, perfectly cupped, crispy pepperoni.
I fell in love at first bite. The tangy, earth gorgonzola grounded the soft, sweet pear and was supported by a fluffy crust almost akin to a crispy focaccia.
I’ll be returning.
Young Joni
165 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
The brainchild of James Beard award-winning chef Ann Kim, Young Joni is one of the Twin Cities’ go-to pizza restaurants for innovative-yet-comforting pies.
Young Joni’s industrial space has a cozy glow, feeling trendy but approachable. The upscale casual restaurant’s menu is inspired by wood fire cooking, offering a menu of pizzas that bridge cultures with gastronomic topping combinations.
The Perfect Pickle Pie is a must-order. Made of fermented pickles, mozzarella, fontina, smoked onions, chili, ranch dressing, potato chips, and dill, biting into each slice felt like an incredibly elevated taste of the Midwest.
Appetizers at Young Joni elegantly pay homage to typical pizza joint fare. Pork spare ribs are topped with gochujang bbq sauce and pickled vegetables, while grilled chicken wings skip the buffalo sauce in favor of zhoug, tahini yogurt, and cilantro.
Pro tip: If you can’t manage to snag a reservation at Young Joni, or enjoy a good cocktail, head around back to Back Bar, Young Joni’s vintage living room-themed speakeasy. Back Bar features all the delicious pizza from Young Joni, plus a bar-exclusive cocktail program. Find out how to get in Back Bar in my guide to the best date night restaurants in Minneapolis.
Young Joni reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made on Tock.
Rosalia
2811 W 43rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410
It’s tough for me to walk into Rose Street Patisserie’s former space in Linden Hills without thinking of the airy, flaky pastries that once were, but after sitting in front of Rosalia’s warm wood-fire oven on a chilly spring night in the Twin Cities, those memories slipped away.
Rosalia is Twin Cities chef-restauranteur Daniel del Prado’s casual Mediterranean pizza spot. DDP has a growing hold on the best pizza in Minneapolis, also serving up well-praised pies at Josefina and Sanjusan.
The space is casual enough for a weekday dinner with friends, but chic enough for date night. Don’t even get me started on the expansive outdoor patio out front, which would be fantastic for laughing over pizza and drinks on one of Minnesota’s unparalleled summer nights.
I can’t say Rosalia’s burrata was a standout compared to Daniel del Prado’s other establishments (Cardamom wins that award). I’d skip it in favor of the mountainous Caesar Salad.
Seeking something light, I opted for the Bianca pizza, topped with mozzarella, lemon ricotta, garlic, arugula, pecorino, and chile flakes. My dining partner kept it simple, going for the pepperoni.
While we both agreed that Rosalia serves a very solid slice, our consensus was that the restaurant’s signature pizzas, like the Bianca, are the way to go here. Sister restaurant, Josefina, is a stronger choice for pizza purists. Compared to the Verdi pizza I had at Sanjusan, I’d pick Rosalia any day (I’m craving one right now).
Rosalia reservations can be made on Resy.
Need a pizza delivery promo code? Take $10 off your first Seamless order here!
Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza
North Loop: 600 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Eat Street: 2550 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
When Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza first opened its doors in Minneapolis, it was the talk of the town for months, years even.
Making waves as the first coal-fired pizza restaurant in the Twin Cities, the coal-fired pizza joint is still going strong, despite recently closing its St. Paul location. The restaurant believes that coal-fired pizza ovens define American pizza, firing their pizzas using Anthracite coal to fully honor the tradition.
If you ask a local what to order on the menu here, you’ll likely be directed to get the number five, made of fennel sausage, hot salami, onion, and cracked green olives.
Instead of opting for beer taps, Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza offers cocktails on draft. Cocktails are interpretations of familiar favorites, such as the MN Mule, Marcuya Margarita, and Poma Paloma.
I’ve yet to visit Black Sheep Pizza, but it’s a favorite of my family, giving it a spot on the list. I’m excited to give it a try on a future trip to Minneapolis.
Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza is available for delivery on Doordash. Take $5 off your delivery order here.
Punch Pizza
Lake Street: 3226 W Lake St Minneapolis MN 55416
Northeast Minneapolis: 210 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Several additional locations in the Twin Cities including St. Paul, Maple Grove, Vadnais Heights, Eden Prairie, Woodbury, Roseville, and Apple Valley
It’s tough to beat everything that family-owned pizza chain, Punch Neopolitan Pizza, has going for it. The longstanding chain of fast casual pizza restaurants offers amazing, wood-fired Neopolitan pizzas at really affordable prices.
Punch restaurants are casual and family-friendly. They’re perfect for a midday lunch break or grabbing pizza to-go for dinner. The chain offers tons of options for customization to their signature pies, along with the option to build your own from scratch.
My favorite pizza lately has been the Adriatico topped with feta, caper, onion, saracene olive, and oregano, customized with the addition of artichoke.
Locally, Punch’s salads are almost as loved as their pizzas. Any of Punch’s heaping salads can be made into a Pulcinella, which is a warm salad-filled foccacia.
How Punch has managed to maintain such a high-quality pizza despite all its locations, I couldn’t tell you, but I’ve never met a Minnesotan with anything less than a glowing reaction when the chain is mentioned. Perhaps it’s Punch’s employee-first staff policies, that pay employees fairly and promote internal growth and education opportunities.
Hear more about Punch Pizza’s Eden Prairie location in my guide to the best restaurants in Eden Prairie.
Mesa Pizza
Dinkytown: 1323 4th St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Uptown Minneapolis: 1440 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Mesa Pizza is a popular pizza chain feeding everyone from burned-out college students to the late-night crowd that rolls in around bar-close in Minnesota.
While I can’t say that Mesa Pizza is the most incredible slice in the Twin Cities, it absolutely delivers on unique pizzas that more than satisfy a late-night craving. Mesa Pizza is one of those familiar, homesickness-healing foods that I can’t resist ordering whenever I’m visiting my friends and family in Minnesota.
The pizza chain is most known for its macaroni and cheese pizza, which yes, is really topped with macaroni pasta. The slice has that oh-so-satisfying cheese pull and a creamy white sauce base that really helps seal the mac and cheese inspiration.
Also among Mesa Pizza’s unusual pizzas are chicken penne alfredo, tortellini pesto, gyro, and guacamole burrito (avocado on a pizza?).
For more on Mesa Pizza, read my guide to late-night food in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
Pizza Luce
Downtown Minneapolis: 119 N 4th St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Uptown Minneapolis: 3200 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Several additional locations across the Twin Cities and Northern Minnesota.
Love it or hate it, there’s no arguing that Pizza Lucé is a cornerstone of the best pizza restaurants in Minneapolis.
Started as a humble slice shop in Downtown Minneapolis, the longrunning chain is a local phenomenon, now operating in several locations across the Twin Cities and its suburbs.
Pizza Lucé’s rapid expansion and massive popularity have paved the way for the restaurant to experiment beyond traditional pizza toppings (the Elote pizza comes to mind), but it’s their staple garden veggie pie that’s still my go-to after all these years.
Pizza Lucé doesn’t prevent those with dietary restrictions from eating its pizzas. The restaurant has gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options.
If you’re searching for a late-night slice, Pizza Lucé is a reliable option that never seems to be far away in the Twin Cities. Even at its suburban locations, Pizza Lucé is frequently open well past midnight.
Pizza Lucé reservations can be made on its website.
Check out my guide to late-night food in Minneapolis and Saint Paul for more on Pizza Lucé’s other locations.
Pizzeria Lola
5557 Xerxes Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410
Named after her dog, Lola, Pizzeria Lola is the original pizza spot that introduced Chef Ann Kim as the Twin Cities’ pizza queen.
It’s safe to say that Pizzeria Lola is truly some of the best pizza in Minneapolis. Since opening its doors, Pizzeria Lola has gained attention from local celebrities and national media. The restaurant has been featured by Andrew Zimmern on behalf of Food & Wine; Guy Fieri for an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives; and on an episode of the Netflix series, Chef’s Table: Pizza.
The wood-fired pizza place quickly became a local favorite for its use of unexpected ingredients like kimchi and a soy-chili vinaigrette that pays homage to Chef Kim’s Korean heritage. Truly a neighborhood pizza spot, Pizzeria Lola’s popularity hasn’t waived over the years.
Pizzeria Lola reservations can be made on Tock. Tables frequently sell out during peak dinner hours.
Want to hear more about Pizzeria Lola? Visit my guide to the best restaurants in Edina.
Wrecktangle Pizza
Lyn-Lake: 703 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
North Loop: 729 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Malcolm Yards: 501 30th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Wrecktangle Pizza is a funky chain of local pizza joints bringing fluffy, Detroit-style rectangle pies to the Twin Cities.
The energetic pizza restaurant is spreading the sunshine through an eclectic menu of pizzas alongside sandwiches, salads, chicken wings, and Styx, the restaurant’s play on garlic breadsticks.
Pizzas are less-than-traditional, not skimping on the toppings. The restaurant’s Very Nice Breakfast Pizza was a winner of Good Morning America’s United States of Pizza competition, edging out Red Wagon Pizza Company. The unconventional pie is layered with cheddar jack cheese, soft scrambled eggs, sausage gravy, bacon jam, and fried sage.
Wrecktangle Pizza’s indulgent fare isn’t just for omnivores—this is one of the more vegan-friendly pizza places in Minneapolis. For an additional $4 each, pies can be made with gluten-free crust or vegan cheese.
As a vegetarian, I really appreciate that Wrecktangle Pizza clearly marks which pies are, or can be made vegetarian on their menu (and that there are tons of them). It made ordering so much easier!
Looking for pizza delivery in Minneapolis? Save $10 on your order using this Grubhub promo code.
Josefina
739 Lake St E, Wayzata, MN 55391
Cozy Josefina is practically built for a perfect summer night in Minnesota. The Italian restaurant from Daniel del Prado is more lowkey than his other ventures but doesn’t lack in style or flavor.
Located in the former Bellecour space in nearby Wayzata, Josefina’s warm green accents and backyard terrace are the background for fresh Italian fare. We put Josefina’s menu to the test by trying the classics: burrata, rigatoni, and a Margherita pizza.
All three impressed. The Margherita pizza was one of the best Margherita pizzas I’ve ever had in the Twin Cities, nailing the sauce and cheese (the crust could have been a little crispier).
Josefina reservations are in-demand during warmer months, but if you don’t have one, don’t fret. The restaurant accepts walk-ins and its close proximity to Lake Minnetonka makes it easy to pass the wait time.
Click here for more on Josefina’s non-pizza menu items.
Pizza Shark
2210 Hennepin Ave South Suite 100 Minneapolis, MN 55414
Delicious pizza doesn’t need to be expensive, and Pizza Shark seems to agree. The humble neighborhood pizza place has been praised by locals for its affordable pricing.
Pizza Shark offers a few of the classics like cheese, pepperoni, and Margherita, instead emphasizing their signature creations such as the APP (arugula, prosciutto, pear), and Mexican Chicken Tinga.
Reasonable pricing at Pizza Shark gets even better with the restaurant’s daily deals. On Tuesday and Wednesday, all pizzas are two-for-one. Daily, dining in means $10 wine bottles, or $3 wine and beer by the glass.
Guests love Pizza Shark’s chicken wings–$12 gets you a heavy six-piece box.
Pizza Shark is a relative newcomer to the pizza scene in Minneapolis, so I haven’t gotten a chance to try it yet. I’m looking forward to checking it out when the restaurant opens its second location along the Mississippi River.
Need a food delivery discount code to save on your late-night pizza order? Save $5 with this Doordash promo code.
Best Pizza in Minneapolis: FAQ
The most popular local pizza chains in Minneapolis are Pizza Lucé and Punch Pizza. National pizza chains such as Little Caesar’s, Domino’s, Papa Murphy’s, and Papa John’s are also popular.
Pickle pizza can be found in the Twin Cities at Young Joni, QC Pizza, Brisckworth Brew Co, Good Times Pizza, and Pizza Shark.
Looking for more incredible restaurants in Minneapolis and the greater Twin Cities area? Click here!
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xx,
E
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