Top 10 Best Pizza Restaurants in Minnesota

Minnesota's pizza scene has serious range, from chef-driven Twin Cities standouts to long-running neighborhood institutions and small-town favorites that have built devoted local followings. This Discovery Matt ranking highlights pizza restaurants across the state that stand out for style, reputation, longevity, and overall destination appeal. The list includes wood-fired Neapolitan pies, creative modern pizzas, New York-style slices, historic pizzerias, and lake-country spots that have become memorable dining stops in their own right.

1. 1

   Pig Ate My Pizza

   Robbinsdale

   Pig Ate My Pizza takes the top spot with bold, chef-driven pies from the Travail Kitchen team. The brand officially returned to Robbinsdale in 2025, now pairing its playful pizzas with house-brewed Nouvelle beer, and it has since expanded to Bloomington as well. Its mix of creativity, culinary pedigree, and renewed statewide buzz makes it one of Minnesota's most compelling pizza destinations.

   Known for: Chef-driven specialty pizzas, Travail connection, Nouvelle Brewing beer

2. 2

   Pizzeria Lola

   Minneapolis

   Pizzeria Lola is one of Minnesota's most acclaimed pizza restaurants, created by James Beard Award-winning chef Ann Kim. The menu is built around wood-fired pizzas, with signature favorites such as the Lady Zaza and Korean BBQ, which has been identified as the restaurant's best-seller. Lola earns its high ranking for combining national-level recognition with a distinct personality that still feels deeply tied to Minneapolis.

   Known for: Wood-fired pizzas, Korean BBQ pizza, Ann Kim's signature style

3. 3

   Pasquale's Neighborhood Pizzeria

   Rochester

   Pasquale's Neighborhood Pizzeria brings authentic New York-style pizza to Rochester, shaped by Chef Pasquale Presa's journey from Bari, Italy, to New York City, and eventually Minnesota. The restaurant pairs pizza with traditional Italian comfort food and has become one of the state's strongest non-Twin-Cities pizza destinations. It stands out for having a clear, personal point of view rather than feeling like a generic neighborhood shop.

   Known for: New York-style pizza, Italian roots, Rochester favorite

4. 4

   Vitta Pizza

   Duluth

   Vitta Pizza has built a strong Duluth following around fast, wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza, served alongside salads, dessert, wine, and local beer. With locations in Canal Park and on Central Entrance, it has become one of the city's most recognizable pizza names. Its approachable format and crisp, quick-fired style give it a memorable identity on this statewide list.

   Known for: Wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza, Duluth favorite, Canal Park location

5. 5

   Red Wagon Pizza Company

   Minneapolis

   Red Wagon Pizza Company is a modern American pizzeria and scratch kitchen known for thin-crust pizza, pasta, craft beer, and draft cocktails. The restaurant has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and has received local recognition for pizza, beer, and family-friendly dining. It earns a top-five place because it balances creativity with a highly polished neighborhood restaurant feel.

   Known for: Modern American pizza, scratch kitchen, Food Network recognition

6. 6

   Pagliai's Pizza

   Mankato

   Pagliai's Pizza is the oldest pizzeria in Mankato, operating from its current location since 1969. The restaurant emphasizes house-made dough, daily-prepared sauces, chopped vegetables, sliced meats, and a custom mozzarella blend, giving its pizza a true old-school craft identity. Its longevity and local stature make it one of Minnesota's essential historic pizza stops.

   Known for: Mankato institution, house-made dough and sauce, longtime local loyalty

7. 7

   House of Pizza

   St. Cloud

   House of Pizza has been part of the St. Cloud pizza scene since 1964 and continues to emphasize hand-crafted pizzas made from start to finish. The restaurant's current branding highlights hand-kneaded dough, locally sourced tomatoes for sauce, and fresh mozzarella, while its St. Cloud location also leans into a social pizza-and-beer atmosphere. It earns a place here through history, consistency, and broad regional appeal.

   Known for: Long-running St. Cloud staple, hand-crafted pizza, pizza-and-beer atmosphere

8. 8

   Jake's Pizza

   Willmar

   Jake's Pizza is a longtime Willmar favorite that proudly promotes having been voted "Best Pizza Place in Minnesota" by KFAN. The restaurant has maintained its local identity with classic pizzeria appeal, a broad menu, and regular delivery service in the Willmar area. It stands out as one of the state's strongest small-city pizza institutions.

   Known for: Willmar favorite, classic pizzeria feel, KFAN recognition

9. 9

   Hotel Shoreham

   Detroit Lakes

   Hotel Shoreham offers more than pizza alone, but its Bar & Bistro & Pizzeria identity and historic lakeside atmosphere make it a memorable inclusion. The restaurant traces its setting back to the aura of an early-1900s grand hotel, while its pizza menu offers build-your-own options and specialty toppings in a distinctly destination-oriented environment. It earns its place because the experience is as important as the pie.

   Known for: Historic Detroit Lakes setting, pizzeria-bistro atmosphere, destination dining

10. 10

    Big Pine Lodge

    Perham

    Big Pine Lodge rounds out the list as a scenic lake-country favorite serving hand-crafted fresh-baked pizza alongside wings, burgers, salads, cocktails, and draft beer. Explore Minnesota notes its 1930s dance-hall roots, lakeside views, and expansive deck, which give it much more personality than a standard rural pizza stop. It closes the list as one of Minnesota's most charming pizza experiences outside the larger metro areas.

    Known for: Lakeside pizza, historic dance-hall setting, Perham destination dining