20 Cleveland Spots with Better Pizza Than Papa John's

Noce

125 Main St., Chardon, 440-279-0303

What started off as a mom-and-pop pizza shop out in Chardon has expanded into two locations, with the original full-service restaurant, plus to-go spots in Beachwood. The New York style slices boast some of the best ingredients and quality of any pizza around.

Photo via Scene Archives

Il Rione

1303 West 65th St., Cleveland

It's safe to say that there are no other pizza joints in town quite like Il Rione. The warm lighting, stylishly weathered interior and upbeat soundtrack spinning out tracks combine to create more of a pizza lounge than pizza shop. But here’s the kicker: the New York/Jersey style pizza is phenomenal.

Photo by Emanuel Wallace

Crust

2258 Professor Ave., Cleveland

In January, this Tremont pizza joint reopened just below Visible Voice bookstore. An while they still have their mouthwatering pizza, they also added beer, appetizers and homemade subs to turn into a more full-service restaurant.

Photo via Scene Archives

Angelo’s

13715 Madison Ave., Lakewood

Debate the merits of deep-dish versus thin crust all you want, but it's hard not to be won over by Angelo's Chicago-influenced pies. We recommend ordering deep dish with the tender meatballs for a topping. At a time when ordering delivery has never been easier, an impressive draught beer selection and a friendly, neighborhood vibe make Angelo's, a frequent winner of Scene’s Best Of Best Pizza award, a worthy spot to dine in.

Photo via @AngelosLakewood/Instagram

Bar Cento

1948 West 25th St., Cleveland

Bar Cento, attached to Bier Markt, is one of the older restaurants on West 25th Street, the main drag of Ohio City. And ever since it opened in 2007, it’s been one of the best late night eateries in town. If you haven’t had an order of the thick cut frites and, of course, the Sunnyside pizza, topped with provolone, housemade pancetta, blue loon farm eggs, black pepper, you’re missing out on Cleveland staples.

Photo via Bier Markt & Bar Cento/Facebook

Citizen Pie

Multiple Locations

With wood-fired pizza ovens straight from Naples, Citizen Pie isn’t messing around with their pies. They originally opened in Colinwood in 2015 but then expanded to Ohio City in 2017, so now Clevelanders on both sides of town can enjoy their mouthwatering Neapolitan slices.

Photo via Scene Archives

Edison’s

2373 Professor Ave., Cleveland

When it comes to late night pizza and a beer, you can’t go wrong with Edison’s. It's the quintessential Tremont bar, the quintessential Cleveland bar — a real bar's bar, you dig? But they also have great, greasy pizza, so you should definitely hit this place up.

Photo via Scene Archives

Geraci’s

2266 Warrensville Center Rd., University Heights

For over 60 years, Geraci’s, which has been owned by just one family throughout its storied history, has been serving up delicious pizzas to University Heights residents. This Summer, they’ll expand further east to Pepper Pike, but the pizza will stay the same. The thick-cut pepperoni is the star of the show here, and the 3x2 pizza is to die for, with triple pepperoni and double sauce.

Photo via Scene Archives

Mama Santa’s

12301 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland

Mama Santa’s has been serving up pies at the same Little Italy location since 1961. With its retro vibe, cheap wine, and stunningly inexpensive Italian eats, there’s no need to change much. Thin, greaseless, crisp-crusted pizza is the specialty of the casa; when you and the gang can score a 15-incher for less than 10 bucks, who cares if there's a wait for a table?

Photo via Mama Santa’s Pizzeria/Facebook

Marotta’s

2289 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights

This upscale traditional Italian joint has some of our favorite pizza in town. Large slices resembling New York-style pizza and delicious pastas are just some of the wonderful options in this intimate setting. Enjoy your meal with their extensive Italian wine list.

Photo via Marotta’sFacebook