13 Best Pizzerias Across Michigan’s Big Cities And Great Lakes Shores
Michigan takes its pizza seriously – and deliciously. Think crispy-edged Detroit squares that could win over any skeptic, or bubbly wood-fired pies fresh out of ovens near the Great Lakes.
Big city or small lakeside town, you’ll find slices worth bragging about. These 13 pizzerias prove the Mitten State isn’t just part of the pizza conversation – it’s leading it.
1. Buddy’s Pizza – Detroit’s Original Square Sensation
The birthplace of Detroit-style pizza since 1946 sits unassumingly on Conant Street, forever changing pizza history.
Steel pans originally borrowed from automotive factories give these squares their signature crispy, caramelized edges that pizza lovers travel miles to experience.
The pepperoni square remains their crowning achievement – cheese to the edges, sauce on top, with a crust that’s somehow both airy and substantial.
My family has celebrated every major milestone here for three generations.
2. Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant – The Other Detroit Pizza Origin Story
Hidden in Eastpointe lies a crucial piece of Detroit pizza history. The Guerra family legacy continues at Cloverleaf, where they claim to serve the original Detroit-style recipe, stone-baked to perfection.
Their cheese and pepperoni square features a slightly different interpretation than Buddy’s – with a crispier bottom and generous cheese-to-sauce ratio.
The vintage bar atmosphere transports you back to the 1940s when this regional style was just taking shape.
3. Michigan & Trumbull – New School Detroit Squares
Named after the former Tigers stadium intersection, this New Center pizzeria brings youthful energy to Detroit’s pizza tradition. The industrial-chic Dreamtroit space houses pizza magic that respects tradition while pushing boundaries.
Rotating specials keep regulars coming back – one week featuring local cherries and goat cheese, another showcasing house-made sausage with honey drizzle.
When I brought out-of-town friends here last summer, they insisted on returning three times during their week-long visit.
4. Supino Pizzeria – Eastern Market’s Thin Crust Champion
Breaking from Detroit’s square tradition, Supino brings East Coast thin-crust expertise to Eastern Market’s bustling atmosphere.
The simplicity of their Margherita showcases owner Dave Mancini’s commitment to perfect fundamentals – just the right chew, char, and balance.
The City Wing Thing, topped with smoked turkey, cherry peppers, and ricotta, demonstrates how creative toppings elevate simple foundations.
Their expansion to a second location on Woodward speaks to their well-earned popularity.
5. Amar Pizza – Hamtramck’s Spice-Forward Fusion
Tucked within Hamtramck’s diverse community, Amar Pizza creates flavor combinations you won’t find elsewhere in Michigan.
Their legendary Naga pizza incorporates ghost pepper heat with Bangladeshi spice profiles that attract heat-seekers from across the region.
Beyond the famous Naga, their tandoori-inspired creations merge pizza structure with South Asian flavor profiles.
The modest storefront belies the culinary adventure waiting inside, where cultural fusion creates something truly unique in Michigan’s pizza landscape.
6. The Mitten Brewing Co. – Grand Rapids’ Baseball-Themed Pizza Haven
Housed in a historic firehouse, this baseball-obsessed brewery pairs craft beers with standout round, hand-tossed gourmet pizzas (not Detroit-style squares). The vintage baseball memorabilia covering the walls creates an atmosphere as enjoyable as the pizza itself.
Their “Curse of the Goat” pizza (a nod to Cubs history) features goat cheese, dates, and prosciutto – a combination that knocked me out of the park during my first visit.
I’ve since made it a tradition to try their seasonal specialty pizza each time the Tigers play in Detroit.
7. Mani Osteria & Bar – Ann Arbor’s Wood-Fired Wonderland
Just steps from the University of Michigan campus, Mani Osteria’s copper-clad wood-burning oven turns out blistered, Neapolitan-inspired pies that transport diners straight to Italy. The restaurant’s warm brick interior creates the perfect backdrop for pizza artistry.
Their Soppressata pie achieves perfect balance – spicy cured meat, honey drizzle, and crushed red pepper atop that distinctive charred crust.
The dough ferments for days, developing complex flavors that make each bite memorable.
8. Erbelli’s – Kalamazoo’s Gourmet Pizza Institution
Serving Western Michigan for decades, Erbelli’s expansive menu offers something for every pizza preference – from traditional hand-tossed to their more recent Detroit-style addition. The bustling Stadium Drive location hums with energy from nearby WMU students and locals alike.
Their signature gourmet combinations elevate pizza beyond the ordinary, with fresh ingredients piled generously across their various crust styles.
During my college years in Kalamazoo, their late-night delivery saved many study sessions, creating memories tied to their distinctive flavors.
9. Luigi’s Restaurant – Flint’s Thin Crust Institution
Since 1955, this Flint landmark has perfected the art of tavern-style thin crust pizza, cut into squares rather than triangles. The vintage interior remains largely unchanged – a testament to the timelessness of their recipe.
Their sausage pie features house-made Italian sausage generously scattered across a whisper-thin crust that somehow supports the weight.
Luigi’s represents pizza as community cornerstone, weathering Flint’s economic challenges while remaining consistently excellent across three generations of ownership.
10. The Filling Station Microbrewery – Traverse City’s Railway Pizza Destination
Housed in a converted railway depot along Boardman Lake and the TART Trail, this microbrewery serves wood-fired flatbread pizzas named after railway terminology. The outdoor seating area offers lakeside views that complement their creative pies.
Their track-named specialties pair perfectly with house-brewed beers, creating the quintessential northern Michigan dining experience.
When my family rented a cottage nearby last summer, we found ourselves returning nightly for different pizza-beer combinations, watching sunsets over the lake between delicious bites.
11. Bernie O’s Pizza – North Muskegon’s Twist on Tradition
Along Lake Michigan’s shore, Bernie O’s has developed a cult following for their signature creation – the Twist pizza.
This unique pie starts with a tangy yellow sauce, crispy chicken and bacon, and mozzarella; it’s baked, then finished with fresh pineapple, tomatoes, yellow pepper, and jalapeño. It is a combination that redefined “house specialty” across western Michigan.
Beyond the Twist, their innovative pies incorporate local influences and fresh ingredients. The laid-back atmosphere reflects the nearby lakeshore vibe, making it a perfect stop after a day at the beach.
Their house-made ranch dressing has inspired many unsuccessful attempts at home recreation.
12. The Ambassador – Upper Peninsula’s Copper Country Favorite
Perched above the Portage Canal in Houghton, The Ambassador offers breathtaking water views alongside their legendary thin-crust pies. Michigan Tech students and locals have made this a UP institution since long before pizza became trendy.
Their Tostada pizza merges Mexican flavors with pizza structure – a unique creation that regulars swear by.
The remote location means many Michiganders never experience this hidden gem, but those who make the journey north understand why generations of Yoopers consider these pies worth the drive.
13. Brooklyn Boyz – Bay City’s New York Slice Outpost
In the heart of Bay City’s Midland Street district, Brooklyn Boyz brings authentic New York-style pizza to the shores of Saginaw Bay. The massive slices require the traditional fold to eat properly – a technique the owners are happy to demonstrate for first-timers.
Every component is scratch-made, from the thin, hand-tossed dough to the slow-simmered sauce. During the tall ship festivals that bring thousands to Bay City, the line stretches down the block as visitors and locals alike crave these massive, perfectly proportioned slices.