While we might have our go-to pizza spots nearby, we’re always on our own personal quest to find the perfect slice. From Cleveland-style to wood-fired, New York to New Haven, check out all the different pizza pies outside your doorstep just waiting to be devoured.
Boom’s Pizza
14370 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
Partners Ben Bebenbroth formerly of Spice and Jonathan Bennett of Moxie and Red started hosting “doughball Fridays” at Keep the Change Kitchen Collective, the now-closed virtual food hall from Spice Hospitality Group, during the pandemic. The pizza became so popular that they decided to open a brick and mortar space which opened in Lakewood in January as Boom’s Pizza. The Neapolitan-style pizza shop has quickly become one of the most popular eateries in town, and for good reason. It’s phenomenal. Credit: Agape PhotographyETalian
13 Bell St., Chagrin Falls
The transformation from blacksmith’s shop to spa to farmhouse-chic pizzeria is complete. Months of construction have netted an open, airy and attractive space with exposed brick walls, cathedral ceiling, original beams and new windows that look out onto the upper Chagrin Falls. Filling the kitchen in a 6,000-pound imported Italian wood-burning oven that bakes pizzas in around a minute and a half. Pizzas can be ordered unsliced, sliced or folded “wallet-style” for mobile enjoyment from a paper pouch.
Photo by Douglas Trattner Credit: Scene ArchivesBiga Wood Fired Pizza
9145 Chillcothe Rd., Kirtland
You might call Kirtland’s Biga’s pizza style neo-Neapolitan. While the restaurant doesn’t adhere to the strict rules of the Vera Pizza Napoletana, they do their own version and knock it out of the park. The homemade desserts are also worth the trip. Credit: Scene ArchivesFarinacci Pizza
Multiple Locations
When you’ve been around since 1971, you must be doing something right. Whether it’s from their Hudson location or their Northfield one, you’re gonna get a tasty pie. Credit: Scene ArchivesFlour
34205 Chagrin Blvd., Moreland Hills
Flour might be named after a simple ingredient, but the Italian food cooked up by the culinary dream team of Paul Minnillo and Matt Mytro is anything but basic. While Flour has tons of great dishes on their menu, the thin-crust pizzas are sublime and needed to be included here. Credit: Scene ArchivesCredit: Scene ArchivesA Slice Above
8788 Pearl Rd., Strongsville
If you’re looking for a slice in Strongsville, this is your spot. They have their own style along with New York and Chicago so you really can’t go wrong. Credit: Scene ArchivesOhio City Pizzeria
3223 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
This Ohio City spot is a non-profit opened by a graduate of EDWIN’s Leadership program. They provide training to those who need essential job skills. And they make a damn fine pizza. Credit: Scene ArchivesAngelo’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. Credit: Scene ArchivesPizzeria DiLauro
17800 Chillicothe Rd., Chagrin Falls
Pizza lovers in Northeast Ohio got to know Adam DiLauro and his pies thanks to the Pizzeria DiLauro food truck, a mobile trailer with a built-in wood-fired oven., DiLauro parked the rig to refocus his attentions on a brick-and-mortar pizzeria of the same name. When it opened in 2021 in Bainbridge, Pizzeria DiLauro brought a little taste of the East Coast to the far East Side. Credit: Scene ArchivesCity Slice Pizzeria
12021 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
City Slice Pizzeria might be the closest thing Cleveland has to a neighborhood slice shop in Brooklyn, Staten Island or any of the five boroughs for that matter. This sliver of a storefront is loud, bustling and filled with the unmistakable sights and sounds of an old-world pizzeria. Heck, they even have a pizzamaker named Mikey. Open since February, City Slice has attracted an enthusiastic fanbase of New York-style pizza lovers. Cleveland has no shortage of pizza places, but we’re sorely lacking in slice shops, the kind of places where a hungry shopper can be in and out in a few minutes with zero advance planning. Credit: Doug TrattnerCrumb and Spigot
16783 Chillcothe Rd., Chagrin Falls
Head out far east, past downtown Chagrin Falls, and you’ll find one of the most popular restaurants in town. At this neighborhood tavern, the pizzas are truly the stars of the show. Try the Speck, with smoked prosciutto, pineapple, pickled jalapeño, fresh mozzarella, aged provolone and parmesan. Credit: Scene ArchivesGeraci’s
Multiple Locations
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. In the last couple years, they’ve expanded to Pepper Pike, Mayfield Heights, Willoughby and downtown but the pizza stayed just about the same, with some updated toppings. The thick-cut pepperoni is the star of the show here. Credit: Scene ArchivesVero Pizza
12421 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights
It might just be pizza to us, but to owner Marc-Aurele Buholzer, it’s a way of life. First you make the dough, then you stoke the fire, and finally you feed the neighborhood. There’s only so much of that naturally leavened dough to go around, so admiring diners know to get here early to secure one or three of those fly pies. They exit the wood-burner with a textbook puffy, chewy, tender crust spotted like a leopard with slightly bitter bits of char. Credit: Scene ArchivesCrust
2258 Professor Ave., and 3000 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland
This Tremont pizza joint got a second lease on life when they reopened in January of 2018 below Visible Voice bookstore. Expanding from their previous counter, they still have their mouthwatering pizza, but they added beer, appetizers and homemade subs to turn into a more full-service restaurant. They also opened a second location in midtown in 2021. Credit: Scene ArchivesNoce
125 Main St., Chardon
This mom-and-pop shop may be out in the cut, but any pizza this good is worth the drive. The New York style slices boast some of the best ingredients and quality of any spot around. Credit: Scene ArchivesGina’s Pizza
622 Dover Center Rd., Bay Village
“I’m gonna go get me a New York slice,” Michael Scott, the Office. He walked into Sbarro (that’s the joke). But if you want a real New York slice, one as good as you’ll get anywhere outside of the Big Apple, this Bay Village carry-out spot is what you’re looking for. Credit: Scene ArchivesDanny Boys Pizza
Multiple Locations
This local chain, with six locations, is one of the most underrated pizza places in town. The Nashville Hot Chicken pizza is as good as it sounds. Credit: Scene ArchivesMama 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? Credit: Scene ArchivesGray House Pizza
14201 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Detroit-style pizza is certainly having a moment right now. And nowhere is doing it better in town than Gray House in Lakewood. Their Detroit-style pie has the light and airy consistency of downy-soft focaccia. The contrast between that tender crumb and the crispy, crunchy edges and corners is what sets this variety apart from all others. Gray House pies are ringed with a golden-brown, cheese-melted exterior that ensures that no crust is left behind. Credit: Doug TrattnerHumble Wine Bar
15400 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
A wine bar with some of the best ‘za in town? Yep, we’re not kidding, the Neapolitan style pizzas here are anything but humble. Credit: Scene ArchivesCredit: Emanuel WallaceMario Fazio’s
34400 Chardon Rd., Willoughby
Out in Willoughby, this old school Italian joint serves up some of the best pies around. Try their house specialty, the Annie, that comes with Italian sausage, spinach and caramelized onions. Credit: Scene ArchivesScorpacciata Pizza Co.
3441 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights
Possibly the best New York slice in town can be found in the Van Aken Food Hall in Shaker Heights. What started off as a pop-up pizza place at Scorpacciata’s pasta turned into its own stand that has up to 3 hour waits on the weekend, and yes, it’s well worth it. They’re soon moving to a new location in Larchmere. Credit: Scene ArchivesSaucy Brew Works
2885 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
This “self-serve” pizza place and brewery is one of the shining gems of the new and improved Hingetown neighborhood of Ohio City. The former machine shop boasts a giant space that can fit close to 200 guests. They always have five or six beers on draught, with a current focus on sours and fruity beers like their Peach Guava American wild ale. The menu is designed around the famous New Haven, Connecticut style pizza and there’s a fire to have a beer and a slice of pizza around.
Photo via Saucy Brew Works/Facebook Credit: Scene ArchivesHarlow’s
14319 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Lakewood’s lesser known pizza joint should not be slept on. The 12-inch Neapolitan pies come in just five choices – Marinara, Margherita, Bianca, Salami and Leonardo, but they perfect every offering and so nothing else is needed. Credit: Scene ArchivesPizza 216
401 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
This is the place to get a slice downtown, especially if you’re looking for some wood-fired deliciousness. Try the pierogi pie for something fun.
Photo via Velvet Tango Room/Facebook Credit: Emanuel WallaceIl 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 so if you can snag a reservation, do it. Credit: Emanuel WallaceSauced Wood Fired Pizza
21984 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park
What started out as a mobile wood-fired pizza truck turned into a standalone restaurant in 2016, and Fairview Park residents are better off for it. Their thin crust pizzas are the perfect combination of cheesy and crispy. The Clevelander, topped with spicy red sauce, pepperoni, salami, ham, meatballs, garlic and ricotta topped with sriracha honey is a carnivore’s dream. Credit: Scene ArchivesSweet Basil
26235 Center Ridge Rd., Westlake
Westlake’s Sweet Basil is a favorite of West Siders. With a family atmosphere, fresh ingredients and some truly unique speciality pies – like a French Dip pie, or this “Mac Daddy” burger pie that’s pictured – you should hit up this joint. Credit: Scene ArchivesTomori’s Pizza and Subs
15621 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Tomori’s may get overlooked by other options in Lakewood, but that doesn’t mean they don’t make a damn good pie. These unique thin crust pizzas are arguably the best of that style in town. Credit: Scene ArchivesIn Forno Pizza
35840 Chester Rd., Avon
You’d be hard pressed to find a better slice of Neapolitan-style pie than Avon’s In Forno Pizza. Yes, you can load up a pie with toppings here, and it’s all very tasty, but if you stick to the traditionals – the margherita, the classic or the marinara, that’s really all you need to taste the perfection of these pies. Credit: Emanuel WallaceCredit: Scene ArchivesOhio Pie Co.
1315 ½ Pearl Rd., Brunswick
In a very crowded market, Ohio Pie Co. has made its presence known since opening two years ago. Pizza lovers routinely make pilgrimages to a colorful storefront in Brunswick to claim one, two, or more thick, square-cut pies. In fact, it’s not uncommon for the shop to run out of dough long before it runs out of daylight. Still, many in Northeast Ohio have yet to try it because 30 minutes is a long way to travel for pizza, regardless how delicious it might be. For those people, Ohio Pie Co. just teased out a bit of good news. A social media post hinted at a new location – its second – in what looks to be the former Pizza Hut in Rocky River, located in the plaza with Whole Foods Market.
Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene ArchivesSainato’s at Rivergate
1852 Columbus Rd., Cleveland
Down in the Flats, on the West Bank, is this hidden gem. This is Cleveland-style pizza, round pies, sweet sauce and a buttery crust. Credit: Scene ArchivesChatty’s Pizzeria
28611 Lake Rd., Bay Village
Two years ago, Matt and Melanie Harlan opened Chatty’s Pizzeria in Bay Village. The family-friendly restaurant serves hearty, approachable Italian foods like salad, pizza, sandwiches and dessert. To say that Chatty’s has been well received by the community since opening is an understatement. At Chatty’s, the name of the game is streamlined and uncomplicated. Diners have a choice of two main pizza styles — New York and Grandma. Grab one off the menu or build your own and see what’s made this a west side hit. Credit: Provided
