Ask around Iowa about the best pizza, and you may accidentally start an argument.
That is partly because everyone seems to mean something different by “good pizza.”
In Marshalltown, crisp square cuts have generations of fans. Davenport does long strips.
Des Moines somehow made Crab Rangoon work on a pie, and Urbandale flips the usual order by putting the sauce on top.
I like that there is no single style dominating the conversation. Every town seems to defend its own favorite, usually with the kind of confidence reserved for sports teams.
These ten Iowa pizza places are the ones that keep coming up when locals start naming names. Bring an appetite, pick a side, and see which slice earns your vote.
A & A Pagliai’s Pizza, Iowa City
Some pizzerias earn fans. Pagliai’s earned a whole voting block.
In a statewide pizza survey, Pagliai’s Iowa City and Grinnell locations together collected the most endorsements, and one bite explains why.
The pies here lean on thin crust, which means every slice has a crisp snap before the cheesy part arrives. Toppings are piled on generously, so sausage, pepperoni, and fresh vegetables never feel like an afterthought.
Picture a table of college students, families, and longtime residents all reaching for the same pan. That mix says a lot.
A pizza that pleases a first-year student and a grandparent at once is doing something right.
The recipes are traditional, and that is the whole charm. Nobody is trying to reinvent the wheel here, or the pie.
They are just making the pizza that people in town have trusted for decades.
If you want a simple plan, order a classic sausage pie and let the crust do the talking. Then add a few vegetables for color and a little crunch.
Thin crust holds up well to fresh toppings, so you get balance in every bite.
Bring friends, because a large pie disappears faster than you would guess. Take leftovers home if you can resist them, since cold thin crust the next morning has its own devoted fan club.
Pagliai’s proves that a steady recipe can beat flashy trends every time, one crisp slice after another.
Address: 302 E Bloomington St, Iowa City, IA 52245
Mabe’s Pizza, Decorah
The business that became Mabe’s Pizza began as a Decorah lunchroom in 1953, long before its name became shorthand for pizza night.
That is a long run for any restaurant, and it shows in how comfortable the place feels.
The pizzas here are cut into squares, which makes sharing easy and keeps the crispy edge pieces from starting any family fights. Well, mostly.
The crust is made from scratch, with a texture that stays sturdy under the toppings. The tomato sauce brings a flavorful, savory note that ties everything together without overpowering the cheese.
The menu is refreshingly short on fuss. You pick a pizza, you get a good pizza, and you leave happy.
Plenty of diners in northeastern Iowa would say that is exactly how it should work.
Decorah itself is a pretty town, so a pizza stop fits nicely into a day of exploring. Walk the downtown streets first, then settle in for a hot pie when your appetite arrives.
Try ordering a pizza with a few favorite toppings and notice how the square cut gives you more bites with crust on the edge. Fans of crunchy corners will feel right at home.
Mabe’s shows how a simple menu, made well for decades, can turn a restaurant into a hometown landmark.
Address: 110 E Water St, Decorah, IA 52101
The Great Plains Sauce & Dough Company, Ames
Crust choices usually mean thick or thin. In Ames, the menu gets more adventurous.
The Great Plains Sauce & Dough Company has been serving pizza in historic downtown since 1979.
This locally owned shop lets you pick from several crusts, including hearty whole-wheat, traditional thin, and an oat-based option. That variety makes it a smart stop for groups where everyone wants something different.
The dough is freshly prepared, and the toppings come out generous. A slice here feels substantial, with enough weight to be a real meal and not just a snack.
Whole-wheat crust has a nutty flavor that pairs nicely with vegetables, so it is a good place to start if you like a lighter feel. Thin crust, on the other hand, is ideal when you want the toppings to be the star.
Downtown Ames makes the visit even better. You can stroll past shops before dinner, then settle in with a pie that has been part of the neighborhood for more than four decades.
For a fun table experiment, order two pizzas on different crusts and trade slices. You will quickly find out which dough fits your taste.
Great Plains proves that a little choice can turn a regular pizza night into a tasting adventure.
Address: 129 Main St, Ames, IA 50010
Wig & Pen Pizza Pub, Iowa City
A pizza called the Flying Tomato sounds like a dare, and Iowa City diners have happily accepted it.
Wig & Pen is known for serving more than one pizza style under one roof.
You can go for Chicago-style stuffed pizza when you want a fork-and-knife kind of evening. Or pick the crispy thin crust when you want something lighter and snappier.
The signature Flying Tomato is the pie that gets the most chatter. It is loaded with generous mozzarella and topped with fresh tomato slices, so every bite feels creamy and bright at the same time.
Regular customers love it, and that kind of loyalty is hard to fake. When a menu item turns into a ritual, you know the kitchen is doing something right.
Here is a good game plan for a group. Order a stuffed pizza to share, add a thin crust pie for contrast, and ask the table to vote on a winner.
Expect a tie, and a lot of laughing.
The pub setting is relaxed and casual, so you can show up hungry and in comfortable clothes. Nobody here expects fancy.
Wig & Pen turns a pizza night into a friendly taste test, and the Flying Tomato is the reason to keep coming back.
Address: 1220 Highway 6 W, Iowa City, IA 52246
Harris Pizza, Davenport
Forget triangles. In the Quad Cities, pizza comes in strips.
Harris Pizza has been a local favorite since 1960, and its look is instantly recognizable.
The pie is cut into long, narrow pieces, which makes it easy to grab with one hand and chat with the other. It is a regional style, and Davenport wears it proudly.
The crust is handmade, and the tomato sauce has a zesty kick. The seasoned sausage adds a savory bite that fans talk about long after the pizza is gone.
Visitors from other parts of the country often do a double take when the pizza arrives. Then they take a bite, and the questions turn into compliments.
If you are new to the Quad Cities style, start with sausage so you can taste what the region is all about. The mix of sauce, crust, and seasoning is the heart of the experience.
Strip cutting also changes how you eat. You can share more evenly, nibble from the end, or stack a few strips on a plate for a quick lunch.
Harris Pizza proves that a slightly unusual cut can become a proud local identity, and a delicious one at that.
Address: 524 E Locust St, Davenport, IA 52803
Zoey’s Pizzeria, Marion
Dessert has a mascot here, and its name is the Zookie.
Zoey’s Pizzeria has been feeding Marion since 1991, just a short stroll from the historic square.
The menu covers a lot of ground. You can pick Chicago-style deep dish when you want a thick, hearty pie, or New York-style thin crust when you prefer a foldable slice.
Then there is the NewZago, a popular pizza that blends the spirit of both styles. The name alone tells you the kitchen likes to have fun.
That playful attitude carries through the whole meal. It makes the place easy to enjoy with kids, friends, or coworkers who cannot agree on a pizza style.
Plan your visit in two acts. Begin with a pizza that fits your mood, then save room for the Zookie, the well-known dessert that gives people a reason to linger at the table.
Marion is a charming spot for a walk, so you can tour the square first and let your appetite build. A pizza tastes better after a little fresh air.
Zoey’s shows that a menu with options, a smile, and a cookie can keep a town coming back for more than thirty years.
Address: 690 10th St, Marion, IA 52302
Zeno’s Pizza, Marshalltown
Few things beat the sound of a crispy crust cracking under a pizza cutter.
Zeno’s has been making that sound in downtown Marshalltown since 1952.
The pizzas are thin, crispy, and cut into squares, following the classic Chicago tavern-style tradition. Every piece has a snappy bite, so the crust feels light even when the toppings are generous.
Generations of families have made Zeno’s part of their routine. Grandparents bring grandchildren, and the recipe stays familiar, which is exactly why people trust it.
Tavern-style pizza is made for sharing. The small squares let everyone sample different pieces, and the crunchy edges tend to vanish first.
Try ordering a classic sausage pie and notice how the crisp crust balances the savory toppings. It is a good lesson in how simple pizza can be when the basics are done right.
Downtown Marshalltown adds to the charm. After dinner, a walk past the old storefronts feels like a nice way to wrap up the evening.
If you are putting together a tour of Iowa pizza history, Zeno’s deserves a spot near the top, with its square cuts and its seven decades of loyal customers.
Address: 109 E Main St, Marshalltown, IA 50158
Tomaso’s Pizza, Cedar Rapids
Choosing a pizza style at Tomaso’s can feel like picking a favorite superhero.
There is Detroit deep dish, Chicago deep dish, and New York thin crust, all ready to compete for your attention.
Detroit style brings a thick, airy crust with crisp edges. Chicago deep dish goes tall and hearty, while New York thin crust stays light and foldable.
The specialty combinations add even more fun. The Mombo Combo piles on the toppings for fans of a loaded pie, and the Tex-Mex Taco pizza brings a bold twist for people who want something beyond the usual.
That variety makes Tomaso’s a smart pick for a group with strong opinions. Everyone can order something different and still feel like they are sharing the same meal.
A good approach is to pick one deep dish and one thin pie. That way, you can compare textures and decide which style suits your mood this time around.
Cedar Rapids has plenty to see, but a hot pizza on a busy day is hard to beat. Come hungry, because deep dish has the ability to fill a table fast.
Tomaso’s proves that when a pizzeria loves variety, its customers get to enjoy a different adventure on every visit.
Address: 2706 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Fong’s Pizza, Des Moines
Crab Rangoon belongs in an appetizer basket, but Des Moines decided it also belongs on pizza.
Fong’s Pizza took that idea and turned it into a local legend.
The signature Crab Rangoon pizza starts with a creamy filling and adds imitation crab and crispy wonton strips. Flavorful sauces finish it off, giving the pie a sweet, savory, and crunchy personality.
It sounds unusual until you taste it. Then it makes perfect sense, and you start wondering why every pizzeria has not tried it.
Fong’s is known for inventive Asian-inspired pizzas, so the menu rewards curious eaters. Fans of bold flavors can have fun exploring combinations that never show up at a standard pizza shop.
If you are bringing someone who is nervous about unusual toppings, order one familiar pie and one Crab Rangoon pie. Chances are, the adventurous one will win the table.
The wonton strips are the secret to the texture. They add a crunch that makes each slice feel like a fun snack and a full meal at once.
Fong’s proves that a little creativity can turn a pizza night in Des Moines into a story people tell their friends.
Address: 317 E Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Pepp’s Pizzeria, Urbandale
Here is a pizza puzzle: what happens when the cheese goes under the sauce?
At Pepp’s Pizzeria, the answer is a delicious upside-down pie.
This locally owned shop specializes in New York-inspired pizzas built in that unusual order. The result is a slice with a bright layer of tomato on top and melted cheese hiding underneath.
The dough is freshly prepared, which gives the crust a pleasant chew. Weekly specials keep the menu lively, so regulars always have a reason to check what is new.
Pizza by the slice is another reason to stop in. It is perfect for a quick lunch, a snack after errands, or a small taste test when you cannot commit to a whole pie.
Readers in the 2025 Best of Des Moines poll voted Pepp’s the Best Local Pizza, which says a lot about how much the area loves it.
If it is your first visit, grab a classic slice to understand the upside-down style. Then try a weekly special and see how the kitchen plays with creative toppings.
Pepp’s shows that flipping the usual recipe can win an entire community over, one saucy slice at a time.
Address: 4640 86th St, Urbandale, IA 50322