15 Must-Try Pizzerias Scattered Across Ohio’s Cities And Small Towns
Ohio might be known for buckeyes, roller coasters, and endless debates about which city has the best sports fans, but the real hidden treasure is something far cheesier, its incredible pizza scene.
Tucked between bustling city neighborhoods and laid-back small-town main streets, the Buckeye State dishes out pies that can hold their own against any big-name pizza destination.
Whether you’re craving crispy thin crust that snaps just right, gooey cheese that stretches for days, or creative toppings that make your taste buds do a happy dance, Ohio has you covered.
These fifteen pizzerias are proof that when it comes to great pizza, the Heartland knows exactly what it’s doing and then some.
1. JT’s Pizza & Pub
Tucked away in the charming Linworth and Grandview Heights neighborhoods, this local favorite has been slinging spectacular pies for years.
JT’s doesn’t mess around when it comes to quality ingredients and perfectly baked crusts that strike the ideal balance between crispy and chewy.
Their menu reads like a pizza lover’s dream journal, featuring everything from classic pepperoni to adventurous specialty combinations.
The pub atmosphere makes it perfect for gathering with friends over cold drinks and hot slices.
Location: Multiple Columbus locations in Linworth & Grandview Heights
2. Terita’s Pizza
North Linden’s best-kept secret serves up pies that’ll make you wonder why you ever settled for chain pizza. Family recipes and neighborhood pride combine at Terita’s to create something truly special that keeps locals coming back week after week.
Every bite tastes like it was made with genuine care and attention to detail.
The sauce has just the right tang, the cheese melts beautifully, and the crust provides that satisfying crunch everyone craves.
Location: 3905 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH 43224, United States
3. Rubino’s Pizza
Bexley residents know they’ve struck gold with Rubino’s sitting right in their backyard.
This suburban gem delivers authentic flavors that transport you straight to a traditional Italian kitchen, where recipes get passed down through generations and nobody cuts corners.
The aroma alone will have your mouth watering before you even order.
Their commitment to quality shines through in every perfectly topped slice, making it worth the drive from anywhere in the Columbus area.
Location: 2643 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43209, United States
4. Harvest Pizzeria
Farm-to-table meets pizza perfection at this rapidly expanding Ohio favorite with locations sprinkled across multiple communities.
Harvest takes the concept of fresh ingredients seriously, sourcing locally whenever possible to create pizzas that taste like edible celebrations of Ohio agriculture.
Their seasonal menu keeps things exciting, with rotating specials that showcase whatever’s freshest at the moment.
The wood-fired cooking method adds that irresistible smoky flavor that’ll haunt your dreams in the best possible way.
Location: Columbus, Bexley, Clintonville, Dublin, and Granville, Ohio
5. Hounddog’s Three Degree Pizza
Campus legends are born at Hounddog’s, where the motto seems to be “go big or go home.”
This Old North Columbus institution serves pizzas so loaded with toppings, you might need architectural support to hold a slice upright without everything sliding off in glorious chaos.
Their famous Smokin’ Joes pizza has achieved cult status among students and alumni alike.
Late-night cravings meet their match here, where creativity and generosity collide on every pie that comes out of the kitchen.
Location: 2657 N High St, Columbus, OH 43202, United States
6. Il Rione Pizzeria
Gordon Square’s culinary crown jewel brings New York–inspired pizza to Cleveland’s Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood, known for its blistered, charred crust baked in high-heat deck ovens rather than traditional Neapolitan or wood-fired methods.
The leopard-spotted crust alone deserves its own standing ovation.
Simple ingredients transform into something magical here, proving that sometimes less really is more when executed with skill and passion.
Location: 1303 W 65th St, Cleveland, OH 44102, United States
7. Citizen Pie
Cleveland’s Ohio City and Waterloo neighborhoods host this artisan pizza haven where sourdough dreams come true.
Citizen Pie elevates pizza-making to an art form with fast-fired Neapolitan-style dough, not a sourdough fermentation, creating beautifully blistered crusts topped with inventive combinations.
The tangy complexity of that crust paired with inventive topping combinations creates flavor explosions that’ll ruin regular pizza for you forever.
Fair warning: once you experience their craft, there’s no going back to mediocrity.
Location: Ohio City & Waterloo neighborhoods, Cleveland, Ohio
8. Mama Santa’s Restaurant & Pizzeria
Little Italy wouldn’t be complete without Mama Santa’s serving up old-world charm and pizzas that taste like someone’s beloved nonna made them.
This Cleveland institution has been feeding families for generations, maintaining recipes and traditions that refuse to bend to modern shortcuts or trends.
Walking through the door feels like stepping into a time machine that takes you straight to authentic Italian-American dining.
The pizza here isn’t trying to be fancy, it’s just honest, delicious, and exactly what comfort food should taste like.
Location: 12301 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States
9. Taglio Bar & Pizzeria
Detroit-style pizza takes center stage at this Cincinnati hotspot, with locations in Columbia-Tusculum, Over-the-Rhine, and Montgomery.
Taglio is renowned for its caramelized cheese edges, airy yet structured dough, and inventive topping combinations.
Their constantly rotating selection means every visit brings new discoveries.
The airy, light dough somehow manages to be simultaneously crispy and tender, creating textural magic that keeps people coming back for more.
Location: Columbia-Tusculum, OTR, and Montgomery, Cincinnati, Ohio
10. Saint Francis Apizza
New Haven-style apizza finds a passionate advocate in Cincinnati’s Hyde Park and Oakley neighborhoods at Saint Francis.
The high-heat gas ovens here mimic the signature char and blistered texture of New Haven’s coal-fired pies.
Thin, crispy, and loaded with flavor, these pies represent pizza purism at its finest.
The slightly charred edges aren’t mistakes, they’re badges of honor that signal authentic coal-fired perfection achieved.
Location: Hyde Park & Oakley neighborhoods, Cincinnati, Ohio
11. Fireside Pizza
Walnut Hills found its pizza soulmate when Fireside opened its doors and started serving pies that warm both bellies and hearts.
This neighborhood spot embodies everything great about community pizzerias, friendly service, consistent quality, and that intangible feeling that you’re eating somewhere that genuinely cares about its customers.
Their straightforward approach to pizza-making focuses on getting the fundamentals absolutely right before worrying about fancy innovations.
Sometimes the classics endure for good reason, and Fireside proves that point with every perfectly executed pie.
Location: 773 E McMillan St, Cincinnati, OH 45206, United States
12. Avalanche Pizza
Athens knows how to party, and Avalanche Pizza fuels those good times with delicious slices.
Avalanche is celebrated for its wildly creative whole pies, unique toppings, and chef-driven combinations that have become legendary among Ohio University students and locals alike.
Generous toppings pile high on crusts sturdy enough to support the weight without turning into floppy disasters.
Ohio University students consider it a rite of passage, but honestly, people of all ages appreciate pizza done this well.
Location: 329 E State St, Athens, OH, United States, Ohio
13. Benny’s Pizza Pub & Patio
Marysville’s favorite gathering spot combines great pizza with cold beverages and a patio perfect for Ohio’s fleeting nice-weather days.
Benny’s proves that small towns can absolutely hold their own against big-city pizza joints when passion and quality ingredients enter the equation.
The pub atmosphere keeps things relaxed and welcoming, whether you’re catching the game or celebrating a Little League victory.
Their menu offers enough variety to please everyone at the table while maintaining the high standards that earned them loyal local following.
Location: 968 Columbus Ave, Marysville, OH 43040, United States
14. Luigi’s Restaurant
Downtown Akron’s dining scene wouldn’t be complete without Luigi’s serving up traditional Italian-American fare and pizzas that have satisfied generations.
This restaurant carries the torch for old-school Italian dining, where red sauce flows freely and portions make you question whether you’ll need a wheelbarrow to get back to your car.
The pizza here tastes like it was pulled straight from 1950s America, in the absolute best way possible. Luigi’s represents stability and tradition in a constantly changing food landscape, remaining reliably excellent decade after decade.
Location: 105 N Main St, Akron, OH 44308, United States
15. Wedgewood Pizza
Boardman residents in the Youngstown area have been flocking to Wedgewood Pizza for years, and one bite explains exactly why.
This local favorite delivers consistently excellent pizza that embodies everything people love about Ohio-style pies—generous toppings, quality cheese, and crust that provides the perfect foundation for all that deliciousness piled on top.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or fueling up after exploring the Youngstown area, Wedgewood delivers satisfaction guaranteed.
Their reputation speaks for itself through decades of happy customers who keep coming back for more.
Location: Austintown, Boardman, and Howland, Ohio