This Pizza Parlor In Cleveland, Ohio Is What Locals Say Is The Best In State
There is a pizza spot in Cleveland, Ohio, that people are willing to wait nearly two hours just to get a table at, and once you taste a slice, you will completely understand why. Locals rave about it, visitors drive in from neighboring states, and even seasoned pizza lovers say it changed their idea of what a great pie can be.
The thin, chewy crust, the carefully sourced toppings, and the charming space inside a renovated 1917 pub all come together in a way that feels almost too good to be true.
This article breaks down everything worth knowing about this beloved Ohio pizzeria, from its standout menu items to tips for beating the crowd.
So stay tuned and control your pizza cravings as much as you can.
The Story Behind Il Rione and Its Cleveland Roots
Some restaurants earn their reputation over decades, but Il Rione managed to become a Cleveland institution in what feels like record time.
Housed inside a beautifully renovated 1917 pub space, this pizzeria on the west side of Cleveland, Ohio carries a sense of history in every brick wall and worn wooden surface.
The name “Il Rione” is an Italian word meaning “the neighborhood,” which perfectly captures the local, community-first spirit of the place.
The team behind it set out to bring genuine New York City-style pizza to Northeast Ohio, and by nearly every account, they nailed it.
The address is 1303 W 65th St, Cleveland, OH 44102, and it sits in a neighborhood that feels lived-in and real, far from the polished sameness of chain restaurants.
That authenticity is baked right into the walls, and it shows up in every pizza that comes out of the kitchen.
The NYC-Style Crust That Started All the Buzz
Ask any regular at Il Rione what keeps them coming back, and the answer almost always starts with the crust.
It is thin, chewy, and just sturdy enough to hold its toppings without going limp, which is exactly what a proper New York-style pie demands.
The bottom gets a satisfying golden char that gives each bite a slight crispness before giving way to that soft, doughy interior.
One reviewer put it plainly: the ratio of cheese to sauce to bread was spot on, and that kind of balance does not happen by accident.
The dough is clearly made with care, and you can taste the difference between this and the mass-produced versions you find elsewhere in Ohio.
Regulars who have eaten pizza across the Midwest, West Coast, and East Coast have called this the best they have ever had, and that is not a claim most people make lightly.
Standout Pies You Need to Order
The menu at Il Rione is intentionally focused, and that restraint is one of its greatest strengths.
Rather than offering fifty options that are executed with mediocrity, the kitchen puts serious effort into a tight selection of pies, each one worth your full attention.
The Speck Pie is the one that comes up most often in conversation, featuring white sauce and a drizzle of honey that somehow works better than you would expect.
The Sausage Pie is another crowd favorite, with bold flavors from quality sausage and sweet red peppers that balance each other perfectly.
For heat lovers, the option to add Calabrian chiles brings a smoky, building warmth that elevates any pizza it touches.
The Green Pie and the Diavolo Pie are also popular enough that regulars have been known to order a half-and-half just to experience both in a single visit.
The Pepperoni and Hot Honey Combination Worth Knowing About
If you are the kind of person who believes that sweet and spicy belong together on a pizza, Il Rione has something made specifically for you.
The pepperoni pie here is built on a margherita-style base, which gives it a bright, tomato-forward foundation that lets the toppings shine rather than compete.
The pepperoni curls up into little crispy cups as it cooks, which means you get a satisfying crunch in every bite alongside the chew of the crust.
Add hot honey to the equation and the whole thing transforms into something that feels genuinely elevated without trying too hard.
Multiple reviewers have singled out this combination as a go-to order, and at least one person mentioned ordering the 13-inch version split half pepperoni and half sausage with mushrooms and Calabrian chiles on repeat visits.
That kind of loyal repeat ordering says more about a dish than any description ever could.
The Atmosphere Inside a Renovated 1917 Pub Space
The building that houses Il Rione has been around since 1917, and you can feel that age in the best possible way the moment you walk through the door.
Exposed brick, warm lighting, and a layout that manages to feel both intimate and lively make the space genuinely enjoyable to spend time in.
One group of reviewers was seated in a back area that reminded them of a small chapel, which sounds unusual but ended up being one of their favorite parts of the visit.
Large windows let in natural light and offer views of the surrounding neighborhood, giving the room an open, airy quality despite its relatively small footprint.
The patio out front adds an alfresco option during warmer months, which several diners described as charming and relaxed.
The whole space has a rustic-chic quality that feels earned rather than designed, and that honest character is a big part of what makes dining here feel special.
Service That Keeps Up With a Packed House
Running a small, high-demand restaurant without letting the service slip is genuinely hard, and the staff at Il Rione seems to understand that better than most.
Reviewers consistently praise the team for being quick and efficient even when the dining room fills up within minutes of opening, which happens regularly on weekends.
One group of eight noted that their server stayed on top of refills throughout the meal and that bussing happened promptly as plates were cleared, keeping the table feeling fresh and organized.
The bartenders have also earned specific shoutouts, with at least one regular crediting a bartender named Marcus for making excellent drinks and answering questions about the menu with genuine enthusiasm.
That kind of attentive, knowledgeable service is exactly what elevates a good meal into a memorable one.
A few reviewers did mention that peak hours can feel rushed, so arriving early and setting a relaxed pace for yourself is a smart move.
The Wait Times and How to Handle Them
The wait at Il Rione is real, and pretending otherwise would not do you any favors before your first visit.
On weekends, lines begin forming before the doors even open at 4 PM, and wait times for a table can stretch anywhere from one to two hours during peak evenings.
The smart move, according to several regulars, is to arrive at least ten to fifteen minutes before opening and claim your spot in line early.
If the dining room is full when you arrive, the bar area is worth checking because it offers full food service and tends to have more availability than the main floor.
Calling ahead for takeout is another solid option, though some reviewers noted that the phone line can be busy, so persistence pays off.
The restaurant is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday from 4 to 11 PM, and is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Salads and Starters Worth Saving Room For
Pizza is clearly the main event at Il Rione, but skipping the starters would mean missing out on some genuinely impressive supporting players.
The arugula salad comes up again and again in reviews, described as fresh, crisp, and perfectly balanced with just the right amount of peppery bite.
One long-time visitor called it a standout on its own terms, not just a side dish to fill time while the pizza cooks.
The meat and cheese board is another popular opener, arriving with three types of cured meats, three cheeses, sliced baguette, bread drizzled with olive oil, and a small selection of olives.
A group of two reported that even they could not finish half of it, which gives you a good sense of the generous portion size.
Starting the meal with the charcuterie board and a salad before the pizza arrives creates a genuinely well-rounded dining experience that feels complete from beginning to end.
Why Locals and Visitors Keep Coming Back to This Ohio Spot
There is a particular kind of restaurant that earns the loyalty of both locals and out-of-towners at the same time, and Il Rione sits comfortably in that rare category.
One couple from Southeast Michigan admitted they drive hours just to eat here regularly, which is the kind of dedication that tells you everything you need to know about the quality.
A visitor from Indiana left a review wishing there was one closer to home, and a musician who stopped in while performing autism-friendly concerts in Cleveland called it fantastic without hesitation.
The combination of an honest space, carefully made food, and a staff that clearly cares about the experience creates something that is genuinely hard to replicate.
With a 4.7-star rating across well over a thousand reviews, the numbers back up the word of mouth completely.
Ohio has no shortage of good food, but this particular corner of Cleveland has earned something that most restaurants spend years chasing: a reputation that holds up every single time.