Ask an Iowan who makes the best pizza, and you may need to clear your afternoon.
The answer usually comes with a hometown recommendation and a surprisingly strong opinion about the crust.
I’ve followed enough of those recommendations to know that Iowa’s pizza scene has a few surprises.
Who would expect a decades-old family recipe in a small town to compete with a Des Moines creation topped with crab rangoon?
Some places have earned loyal followings by keeping their recipes nearly unchanged for generations.
Others are taking familiar favorites in unexpected directions, which made narrowing down the contenders considerably harder than I anticipated.
After plenty of delicious deliberation, 12 pizzerias made the final cut. So, did your favorite earn a spot, or is there a new slice worth adding to your next Iowa outing?
1. A & A Pagliai’s Pizza, Iowa City
Some recipes get passed down like heirlooms, and this one has been feeding Iowa City since 1962.
A & A Pagliai’s Pizza feels like a place where time slowed down on purpose. The booths are simple, the lighting is warm, and the smell of baking dough hits you before the door even closes.
The star here is the crispy thin crust. It snaps a little when you bite it, then gives way to a generous layer of cheese and a tangy sauce that tastes homemade because it is.
I ordered a sausage pie and watched a table of college students next to me demolish two pizzas in what felt like five minutes. Nobody talked much.
That silence said everything.
My tip is to go during a weeknight if you want a quieter booth. Weekends get busy, especially when the university is in session and hungry students roll in.
Family recipes like these do not need fancy toppings to shine. Sometimes the classics win simply because they never stopped being good.
Address: 302 E Bloomington St, Iowa City, IA 52245
2. Mabe’s Pizza, Decorah
Squares beat triangles in Decorah, and nobody here is open to debate.
Mabe’s Pizza has been making pies from scratch since the 1950s. Generations of families have grown up on its thin crust, and many of them still bring their own kids back for the same order.
The pizza arrives cut into neat little squares. That means you can sample the crispy edge pieces and the cheesy middle pieces in one sitting without any guilt.
I asked my server which piece is best, and she laughed and said the corners start arguments at family dinners. I tried one.
I understand the drama now.
The crust is thin but sturdy, so toppings stay put instead of sliding into your lap. The sauce has a gentle sweetness that balances the salty cheese.
Decorah is a charming town to wander, with shops and trails close by. Plan a walk before dinner so you can justify ordering a large.
Leave room for one more square, because you will want it.
Address: 110 E Water St, Decorah, IA 52101
3. The Great Plains Sauce & Dough Co., Ames
Whole wheat crust sounds healthy, but trust me, it eats like a reward.
The Great Plains Sauce & Dough Co. opened in downtown Ames in 1979. Since then, it has become a regular stop for students, professors, and families visiting campus.
The menu offers thick and thin crust options. The whole-wheat version gets the most attention, with a nutty flavor and a hearty bite that holds up to piles of toppings.
My friend, a loyal thin-crust fan, swore she would not like the thick one. She ended up stealing my last slice and pretending it was an accident.
The dining room has a laid-back, lived-in feel. You can tell people have celebrated birthdays, graduations, and late study nights at these tables.
If you are new, try a half thick and half thin pizza if they allow it, or bring friends so you can split both. Comparing them is half the fun.
Some pizzas fill you up, and this one keeps you full until breakfast.
Address: 129 Main St #101, Ames, IA 50010
4. Fong’s Pizza, Des Moines
Crab rangoon on a pizza sounds like a dare. In Des Moines, it became a legend.
Fong’s Pizza is famous for creative Asian-inspired pies, and the Crab Rangoon Pizza is the one everybody talks about. It comes loaded with a creamy crab filling, crunchy wonton strips, and a sweet chili drizzle.
I went in skeptical. My first bite turned me into a believer, and my second bite turned me into the person telling everyone at work about it the next day.
The space has a fun, quirky personality that matches the menu. It feels lively and a little playful, which suits a place that likes to bend the rules.
Not into seafood? The menu offers plenty of other inventive choices, plus classic options for picky eaters in your group.
My advice is to order one wild pizza and one familiar one. That way, everyone leaves happy, and the adventurous eaters get bragging rights.
Fusion food rarely tastes this fun, so go hungry and curious.
Address: 317 E Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
5. Harris Pizza, Davenport
Scissors, not a pizza wheel, define the Quad Cities style.
Harris Pizza has served Davenport since 1960, and it helped make strip-cut pizza a local tradition. Instead of wedges, the pies come sliced into long, skinny strips that are easy to grab and share.
The sausage is the headline act. It is spread across the pizza in a thick, flavorful layer, and the seasoned sauce has a little kick that keeps you reaching for more.
A local at the counter told me his grandfather ordered the same sausage pizza every Friday. He still does it, just with his own grandkids now.
The malty, nutty crust is part of what sets this style apart. It has a gentle chew that works well with all that hearty meat.
If this is your first Quad Cities pizza, keep it simple and get the sausage. You can experiment on your second visit, and there will be one.
Strip by strip, this pie wins people over.
Address: 524 E Locust St, Davenport, IA 52803
6. Need Pizza, Cedar Rapids
Charred edges are not a mistake here. They are the whole point.
Need Pizza brings New Haven-inspired pies to downtown Cedar Rapids. This style is known for a thin, slightly blistered crust with crispy spots that add a smoky flavor.
The toppings taste fresh and well chosen. You can build your own combination, which is perfect for people who like a little control over dinner.
I went with a simple tomato and cheese pie to judge the crust first. It crackled, then chewed, and I immediately ordered a second pizza loaded with extras.
The space feels modern and friendly, a good fit for a quick lunch break or a relaxed evening downtown. Service moves along nicely, even during busy hours.
Here is a smart move. Ask the staff for their favorite topping combo, since they know which flavors pair best with that charred crust.
The name says it all. After one visit, you will truly need more pizza.
Address: 207 2nd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
7. Zeno’s Pizza, Marshalltown
Since 1952, Marshalltown has had a reliable answer to the question of what is for dinner.
Zeno’s Pizza is a true local landmark. It makes handmade thin-crust pies cut into squares, and the recipe has stayed loyal to its roots for decades.
The sauce is what people mention first. It has a distinctive flavor that is hard to describe but easy to crave, a little savory with a pleasant tang.
During my visit, an older couple told me they had their first date here years ago. They still sit in the same area and order the same pizza.
The atmosphere feels classic small-town Iowa, friendly and unfussy. Nobody rushes you, and the staff treats regulars like old neighbors.
If you are passing through central Iowa, this stop is worth a detour off the highway. Order a pepperoni and enjoy how the crispy squares make sharing simple.
Good pizza fades from memory fast, but places like this stick around for a reason.
Address: 109 East Main Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158
8. Pepp’s Pizzeria, Urbandale
Cheese on the bottom and sauce on top might sound backwards. At this Urbandale shop, it is exactly right.
Pepp’s Pizzeria specializes in upside-down New York-inspired pies. The cheese sits beneath the sauce, which keeps the crust from getting soggy and lets the bright tomato flavor shine.
The house crust is clearly a labor of love. It is thin enough to fold but has a satisfying chew, the kind of dough that tells you someone has tested it many times.
My nephew stared at his slice and asked if the cook forgot the cheese. One bite later, he found it and stopped asking questions.
The shop has a casual, neighborhood feel that makes it easy to grab a quick dinner. It works well for families and anyone craving something a little different.
Try a plain slice first to appreciate the layering. Then add toppings on your next round to see how the flavors change.
Flipping tradition never tasted so good.
Address: 4640 86th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322
9. Zoey’s Pizzeria, Marion
Deep-dish lovers in eastern Iowa have had a happy place since 1991.
Zoey’s Pizzeria in Marion is known for its Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. The crust rises high around the edges, holding layers of cheese, toppings, and sauce in a buttery golden shell.
Thin-crust fans are not left out, either. The menu offers lighter options for people who prefer crunch over height.
The pizza everyone points to is the signature NewZago. It blends ideas from two famous pizza cities, and it is a fun way to sample something you will not find just anywhere.
I made the rookie mistake of eating breakfast before my visit. Deep dish does not care about your plans, so arrive with an empty stomach.
The restaurant has a cozy, family-friendly mood. You will see kids, grandparents, and coworkers sharing big pans across the tables.
Plan for leftovers and ask for a box early. Tomorrow you will be glad you did.
Address: 690 10th Street, Marion, IA 52302
10. Sfumato Pizzeria, Alton
Northwest Iowa hides a wood-fired surprise in the small town of Alton.
Sfumato Pizzeria specializes in Neapolitan-inspired pizzas baked in a blazing oven. The crusts come out puffy and blistered, with leopard-like spots that add a toasty flavor.
The toppings are creative without being confusing. Each pie feels balanced, with fresh ingredients that let the dough stay the star.
I watched the cooks slide pizzas into the fire, and they were done in what felt like a blink. Fast cooking gives the crust that soft center and crisp edge.
This place has become a destination, so people often drive from nearby towns just to eat here. The trip through the countryside makes the meal feel like a mini adventure.
Arrive early on weekends if you can. Popular places in small towns fill up quickly, and this spot is no exception.
Neapolitan pizza is best eaten hot, so dig in right away. That first bite straight from the oven is pure magic.
Address: 4995 Carnes Drive, Alton, IA 51003
11. Basal Pizza, Waterloo
Can’t pick a pizza style? Waterloo has a spot that refuses to make you choose.
Basal Pizza offers Neapolitan, Detroit-style, and Chicago thin-crust pizzas all under one roof. It is like a pizza road trip without leaving your chair.
The dough gets serious attention here. Each style has its own texture, from the airy Neapolitan to the crispy, cheesy edges of the Detroit squares.
My group ordered one of each and held a friendly vote. The results were a three-way tie, which meant we had to come back for a rematch.
Creative topping combinations keep things interesting. You will find familiar favorites alongside a few unexpected pairings worth trying.
The downtown location makes it easy to combine dinner with a stroll or a show. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming for groups of any size.
Bring friends and share several styles to get the full experience. Variety really is the secret ingredient on this menu.
Address: 225 West 4th Street, Waterloo, IA 50701
12. Lopiez Pizza, Davenport
Big slices make big promises, and this downtown Davenport shop keeps every one.
Lopiez Pizza serves oversized New York-style slices that hang off the edge of the plate. The crust is thin and foldable, just the way New Yorkers like it.
The whole pizzas are huge, too. Ordering one for a group feels like hosting a party, even on a regular Tuesday.
Specialty toppings show real imagination. The menu mixes classic choices with fun combinations that make you pause and read it twice.
I folded my first slice in half, took a bite, and immediately understood why locals rave about this place. The cheese pull alone deserved a photo.
The vibe is lively and casual, great for a quick bite downtown or a fun night out with friends. Service is quick, so you are not waiting long for that first slice.
Try one classic slice and one specialty to taste both sides of the menu. It is the perfect final stop on this cheesy Iowa tour.
Address: 429 East 3rd Street, Suite 1, Davenport, IA 52801