The 9 Best Pizza Restaurants in Minneapolis
As both a pizza lover and Minneapolis resident, I’m always on the hunt for the best pizza joints in the city. Minneapolis has a fantastic pizza scene with tons of variety – from classic New York-style and Neapolitan to inventive signature pies. Here are my picks for the top 10 best pizza restaurants in Minneapolis.
1. Lola Pizza – Inventive Pizza Creations
Address: 5557 Xerxes Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410
Contact: (612) 424-8338, pizzerialola.com/
Lola Pizza is a local favorite thanks to its deliciously unique pizzas that put creative twists on traditional flavors. They offer both thin crust and double dough options. My personal recommendation is the Sweet Italian pizza topped with their iconic red sauce, fennel sausage, mozzarella, provolone, red onion, and peppadew peppers. The blend of sweet and spicy is simply unforgettable. Another standout is the Korean BBQ pizza with succulent beef short ribs, scallions, and soy chili sauce. Lola’s also has great vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free pizza choices so they truly have something for everyone. With an ultra-light and crisp crust, Lola’s pizzas are crave-worthy.
2. Boludo – Argentine-Style Pizza Pockets
Address: 8 W 38th St, Minneapolis, MN 55409
Contact: (612) 353-5574, boludo.com
For a taste of South American-style pizza, check out Boludo in south Minneapolis. Their oblong pizzas are made with a fluffy, airy dough that gets filled with creative ingredients. The Peras pie comes topped with sweet pear slices, gorgonzola, crunchy pine nuts, and fresh dill. Their Campo pizza packs the perfect amount of heat with spicy chorizo, mushrooms, and tomato sauce. The thin outer crust provides a satisfying crunch. Boludo’s relaxed, lively environment matches their unique fusion cuisine. Expand your pizza horizons at this Argentine-inspired hot spot.
3. Mesa Pizza – Late Night Pizza Spot for College Crowds
Address: 1323 4th St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Contact: (612) 436-3006, mesapizzamn
Mesa Pizza is a popular late night pizza joint located near the University of Minnesota campus. With over 40 creatively topped pizzas to choose from, you’ll surely find something to satisfy those midnight munchies. Some customer favorites include the Tortellini Pesto, Philly Cheesesteak, and Spicy Chicken Quesadilla pizzas. While Mesa mostly focuses on meat-based pies, you can request veggie-only toppings too. The thin crust has just the right amount of crispiness without being cracker-like. It’s the perfect way to soak up Mesa’s flavorful red sauce and gooey cheese. With quick delivery throughout campus, Mesa Pizza is the top choice for U of M students.
4. Wrecktangle Pizza – Detroit-Style Pizza
Address: 729 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Contact: (612) 695-6525, wrecktanglepizza.com
Wrecktangle Pizza brings authentic Detroit-style pizza to Minneapolis – and they do it extremely well. These square pies have a thick, deep-dish crust that somehow still comes out light and crisp. You get those amazing crispy edges from the baked-in cheese. Wrecktangle dreams up fun ingredient combos like the Hot Honey Emmylou (hot honey, soppressata, jalapeño) or the Pope of Green Gables (creamy mushroom sauce, spinach, artichoke, feta). For vegan diners, they offer dairy-free cheese and meat alternatives. The friendly staff and laid-back atmosphere make Wrecktangle a great neighborhood spot.
5. Young Joni – Fantastic Pizza and Upscale Cocktails
Address: 165 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Contact: (612) 345-5719, youngjoni.com
From James Beard-nominated chef Ann Kim, Young Joni in northeast Minneapolis has earned nationwide acclaim for its exceptional wood-fired pizza. The Umami Mama pie with mushrooms, parmesan, truffle pecorino, and egg is a standout. Beyond pizza, Young Joni excels at seasonal New American cuisine and handcrafted cocktails. There are plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options across both the food and drink menus. Young Joni does get busy so reservations are recommended if you want to secure a coveted pizza spot. It’s absolutely worth a slight wait for these creative Neapolitan-style pies with the perfect leopard-spotted crust.
6. Pizza Upstairs at Surly Brewing – Award-Winning Pizza and Beer
Address: 520 Malcolm Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Contact: (763) 999-4040, surlybrewing.com/pizza-upstairs
Famous local brewery Surly is home to Pizza Upstairs, winner of City Pages’ Best Minneapolis Pizza multiple times. It’s the perfect spot to pair Surly’s stellar craft beers with incredible pizza. Pizza Upstairs offers fantastic vegan and vegetarian pizza options in addition to meat pies. I’m partial to the Hungarian Hotdish pizza with spicy sausage and jalapeños along with the Upstairs Margherita with heirloom tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and fragrant basil. The cornmeal-dusted crusts are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside – pizza perfection!
7. Fat Lorenzo’s – Old School Italian Icon
Address: 5600 Cedar Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Contact: (612) 822-2040, fatlorenzos.com
For authentic Italian-American pizza in Minneapolis, Fat Lorenzo’s is a must-visit spot. This neighborhood icon has been serving delicious pizzas since 1988. The Fat’s Combo is loaded with Italian sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, peppers, and olives. Their spot-on New Haven-style clam pie brings a taste of coastal Connecticut to the Midwest. From classics like pepperoni to adventurous specialties like the Philly cheesesteak pizza, Fat Lorenzo’s truly has something for all pizza aficionados. While they don’t offer strictly vegetarian pies, you can build your own veggie pizza from their topping selection. The well-seasoned red sauce, gooey cheese blanket, and perfectly crisp crust make Fat Lorenzo’s a top choice.
8. Pizza Luce – Creative Pizza and Local Craft Brews
Address: 119 N 4th St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Contact: (612) 333-7359, pizzaluce.com
Pizza Luce is a local mini-chain with locations across the Twin Cities. Their downtown Minneapolis outpost features one of the most eclectic and creative pizza menus around along with excellent local craft beer pairings. Some of their signature pies include the Baked Potato (garlic red mashed potatoes, broccoli, bacon) and the Pizza Maximus (Italian sausage, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, muffuletta mix). Veggie lovers have plenty of options with their selection of vegan and vegetarian pizzas. The crust at Pizza Luce achieves that ideal balance of chewy yet crisp. With so many inventive options, you’ll want to come back to try more.
9. Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza – Crispy Thin Crust Neapolitan Pizza
Address: 600 Washington Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Contact: (612) 342-2625, blacksheeppizza.com
For an eco-friendly coal-fired pizza experience, check out Black Sheep Pizza in downtown Minneapolis. They use natural Anthracite coal which burns cleaner than traditional pizza ovens. This specialized cooking method allows their thin crust pizzas to cook quickly while retaining moisture and achieving those signature leopard char spots. Black Sheep has classic Neapolitan pies like margherita and marinara as well as creative additions like the spicy Diablo Shrimp. Build your own custom pizza or go for one of their chef-designed specialty pies – you really can’t go wrong! They also offer vegan cheese and gluten-free crust options.
Minneapolis Pizza Offers Something for Every Palate
Minneapolis excels at creative takes on classic pizza while staying true to traditional styles like Neapolitan and New York. Whether you go for a thin crust or thick crust, vegan or meaty, the pizzas at these top Minneapolis restaurants all share high-quality ingredients and skillful preparation. I’m so grateful to live in a city with such a vibrant, diverse pizza scene. There’s always a new spot to try or beloved favorite to revisit. Whatever your preference, the Minneapolis pizza restaurants on this list will leave you satisfied and eager to return.