10 Michigan Pizza Places Locals Say Outshine The National Chains

Michigan may be famous for its auto industry, but locals know its pizza scene drives just as much pride.

Beyond the familiar national chains, there are pizzerias where crust, sauce, and cheese come together in ways that capture the heart of the state.

From deep-dish delights to perfectly crisp thin crusts, these spots deliver flavor and authenticity that keep residents coming back. In Michigan, pizza is more than food — it’s a local legend.

1. Buddy’s Pizza: Birthplace of Detroit-Style Pizza

Back in 1946, Buddy’s created something revolutionary at their Conant Street location – the now-famous Detroit-style pizza.

Their rectangular pies feature a thick, crispy crust, caramelized cheese edges, and sauce ladled on top.

What makes it special? The seasoned blue steel pans, originally used as automotive drip pans. Detroiters will drive across town in a snowstorm just for a taste of these legendary squares.

2. Loui’s Pizza: The Motown Pizza Institution

Hidden in Hazel Park, Loui’s feels frozen in time with its chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling and red-checkered tablecloths.

Founded by a former Buddy’s cook, this family-run spot has been perfecting Detroit-style pizza since 1977.

Their deep-dish squares come with perfectly crispy corners and a chewy interior that locals swear is unmatched. The walls covered in signed wine bottles tell stories of generations of loyal customers.

3. Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant: The Original Gus Guerra Recipe

Pizza history buffs know that Gus Guerra first introduced Detroit-style pizza at Buddy’s before opening Cloverleaf in Eastpointe in 1953. The original recipe lives on here in all its glory.

Families pack the wood-paneled dining room for those signature square pies with the crunchy cheese border.

The sauce has a slight sweetness that balances perfectly with the savory toppings. Three generations later, they’re still using Gus’s secret dough recipe.

4. Supino Pizzeria: Eastern Market’s Thin Crust Champion

Lines form early at this Eastern Market hotspot, where New York meets Detroit in perfect harmony. Owner Dave Mancini crafts thin-crust pizzas that manage to be both crispy and chewy in all the right ways.

The City Wing pizza with smoked turkey, cherry peppers and spinach has converted many a chain-pizza loyalist.

Supino’s minimalist approach lets quality ingredients shine, from housemade sausage to locally-sourced vegetables harvested just steps away at Eastern Market.

5. Pie-Sci Pizza: Midtown’s Creative Pizza Laboratory

Science meets pizza at this Midtown gem where experimental pies with quirky names rule the menu. Located in the old Woodbridge Pub space, Pie-Sci started as a pop-up before finding permanent digs.

Their rotating specials like “The Starchitect” (potato and rosemary) or “The Vegemath” showcase their playful approach.

Wayne State students pack the place for their weekly specials and student discounts. The chalkboard menu changes constantly as they experiment with new flavor combinations.

6. Fricano’s Pizza Tavern: Michigan’s Oldest Pizzeria

Serving pizza since 1949, this Grand Haven institution claims to be Michigan’s first pizzeria. The thin-crust pies come only one size with limited topping options because perfection doesn’t need complications.

Summer tourists mix with locals in the historic building, where pizza arrives on paper plates just as it has for 70+ years.

The crisp, almost cracker-like crust has a distinctive flavor that’s impossible to replicate. Cash only, no reservations, and always worth the wait.

7. Shield’s Pizza: Motor City Deep Dish Since 1937

Before Detroit-style was even a term, Shield’s was crafting deep-dish delights that became a metro Detroit institution. Their pizza features a medium-thick crust that’s both airy and substantial.

Generations of Detroit families have celebrated milestones in their wood-paneled dining rooms. The cheese stretches for miles when you pull a slice away.

Their signature Shield’s Special loaded with pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, and bacon has remained unchanged for decades.

8. Crispelli’s Bakery & Pizzeria: Artisan Pizza at Neighborhood Prices

Flames dance in the stone hearth ovens at Crispelli’s, where European bakery traditions meet Detroit pizza innovation.

Their Neapolitan-style pizzas feature that perfect charred-but-not-burnt crust that only comes from intense heat.

Founded by the Vicari family of Joe Muer Seafood fame, Crispelli’s brings fine dining attention to detail to casual pizza.

Metro Detroiters flock here for the fresh-baked bread and affordable artisan pizzas. The margherita pizza showcases their philosophy: simple ingredients done perfectly.

9. Silver Beach Pizza: Lakeside Pies in a Historic Train Station

Pizza with a view! Housed in the former Amtrak station overlooking Lake Michigan in St. Joseph, Silver Beach Pizza turns dining into an experience.

Their train-themed pizzas attract hour-long waits during summer months.

The Chicago-influenced pies feature a buttery crust that’s neither too thick nor too thin. Families gather after beach days, still sandy and sunburned, to refuel on legendary pizzas.

Their outdoor seating lets you watch stunning Lake Michigan sunsets while devouring their famous Chicken Bacon Ranch pizza.

10. Michigan & Trumbull Pizza: Detroit Natives Bring Pizza Home

Named after the former Tigers stadium intersection, Michigan & Trumbull began in Pittsburgh before the Detroit-native owners brought their concept back home to Corktown.

Their Detroit-style pies come with a twist – creative topping combinations that honor the city. The “Packard Pepperoni” features locally-made pepperoni cups that crisp perfectly in their electric deck ovens.

Their Corktown location’s industrial-chic vibe mirrors the neighborhood’s revival. Even the cocktail menu incorporates Michigan spirits to complete the homecoming story.