Metro Detroit's Best Deep Dish Pizza

Let’s be honest about what this list really is: a defense of the square pie, argued slice by glorious slice, from the burnt-edge crunch that defines Detroit to the pillowy corners that make you forget Chicago ever existed. I’ve eaten enough of these caramelized crusts to know that the debate over who does it best is not a polite conversation—it’s a family feud, and you better pick a side.

In Metro Detroit, we don’t call it deep dish; we call it dinner, and we judge it by the crisp of that cheesy edge before we even touch the fork. This roundup runs the full spectrum, from Buddy’s, the 1946 original on Conant Street where the caramelized cheese still blisters like it did at the start, to a plant-based square from Pie Sci that made me forget the pepperoni I wasn’t eating.

I’ve personally burned my tongue on the molten cheese at PizzaPapalis’s Rivertown spot, and I’ve waited out the line at Loui’s in Hazel Park just for that legendary antipasto that outshines the main event. So pull up a chair, order a Vernors, and let’s settle this the only way we know how: one crispy, cheesy, utterly unreasonable square at a time.

Loui's Pizza

Highlights
Legendary Detroit-style square pie
Famous for its crispy crust
Antipasto salad steals the show
The definitive Metro Detroit classic
Decades of devoted local fandom

I have eaten a lot of pizza in this region, and I keep coming back to Loui's as the measuring stick. That legendary square arrives at the table with a burnt-edged, almost caramelized crust that shatters with a satisfying crunch before giving way to a soft, airy interior. The cheese is molten and abundant, and the sauce has that sweet-and-tangy balance that stops conversation mid-sentence. But here is what nobody warns you about: the antipasto salad is the real decoy star, piled high with crisp lettuce, olives, and a dressing that makes you want to lick the bowl. Decades of local fandom are not misplaced. This is the definitive classic, and it earns its crown every single time.

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Pie Sci Pizza | Detroit

Highlights
Outstanding vegan pizza options
Playful, creative menu names
Perfectly balanced sweet-savory squares
Crispy edges, soft chewy center
Relaxed vibe, thoughtful amenities

Pie Sci feels less like a pizza joint and more like a laboratory where the researchers genuinely love their subjects. I walked in expecting clever names, and I left marveling at how every square delivered on its promise. The crust hits that ideal middle ground: crispy edges that snap cleanly, a soft and chewy center that holds its toppings with confidence. Their vegan options are not an afterthought; they are fully realized creations that made me forget I was eating plant-based. The playful menu names made me grin, but the balanced sweet-savory profiles made me take notes. The vibe is relaxed, the amenities are thoughtful, and I found myself already planning my next visit.

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PizzaPapalis of Southfield

Highlights
Correct, hot, fresh carryout
Pleasant, friendly staff
VIP deep dish reigns supreme
Pricey but memorable pies

Let me start with the obvious: this place is not cheap. But I have learned that PizzaPapalis charges for a reason, and the VIP deep dish is that reason. I picked up my order and the box was practically radiating heat, a good sign that the kitchen had timed everything perfectly. The crust had that tall, biscuit-like structure that holds a mountain of toppings without collapsing, and the cheese stretched for what felt like a full arm's length. The staff were genuinely friendly, which made the wait for my number feel shorter than it was. It is a memorable pie, rich and indulgent, and I would not hesitate to order it again for a special occasion or a very hungry Tuesday.

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Michigan & Trumbull

Highlights
Detroit-style pizza perfection
Best gluten-free crust anywhere
Friendly, world-class service
Two flavors per pizza
Worth a return visit

I walked into Michigan & Trumbull with high expectations, and the place cleared every single one without breaking a sweat. The Detroit-style square arrived with a crust so perfectly crisped on the bottom and edges that I nearly applauded. What really stunned me, though, was the gluten-free option, which is usually a sad compromise, but here it was soft, airy, and utterly convincing. The staff treated me like a regular on my first visit, offering suggestions with genuine enthusiasm. I appreciated the chance to order two flavors on one pizza, which let me sample more of their creativity in a single sitting. I will absolutely be back, and I am already counting the days.

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Grandma Bob's Pizza

Highlights
Friendly service, phenomenal pizza
Fun vibe, great drinks
Creative toppings like pickle pizza
Crispier crust would elevate
Worth a return visit

Grandma Bob's has a name that sounds friendly, and the place lives up to it from the moment you walk through the door. The staff greeted me like I had wandered into their living room, and the drinks came fast while the pizza took its proper time. That pizza was phenomenal, with creative toppings that actually worked together, including a pickle pie that I ordered half skeptically and then devoured completely. The one small knock: I wanted a crispier crust, something with more crunch to match the bold flavors on top. Still, the fun vibe and generous portions made it an easy return visit. I am already thinking about what to try next time.

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Belle Isle Pizza

Highlights
Second-best Detroit-style pizza
Perfect for Belle Isle picnics
Crispy yet doughy crust
Balanced sauce and cheese

Belle Isle Pizza knows exactly what it is, and that self-awareness makes all the difference. This is the second-best Detroit-style square I have had in the metro, which is not a criticism so much as a testament to how crowded this field has become. The crust manages to be both crispy and doughy, a contradiction that they somehow make work, giving each bite a satisfying chew without turning tough. The sauce and cheese are balanced with restraint, letting neither dominate the other. It is the perfect pie to grab before heading to the island for a picnic, though honestly, it is good enough to justify a trip on its own. I would happily eat this anywhere, park view or not.

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La Lanterna

Highlights
Unforgettable chicken piccata flavors
Favorite Italian spot in Detroit
Exceptional marinara sauce
Great pizza options overall
Top-rated ten out of ten

La Lanterna has quietly become my favorite Italian spot in Detroit, and the chicken piccata alone is enough to make me consider moving nearby. But this review is about pizza, and their pizzas hold their own against the deep dish specialists with surprising grace. The marinara sauce is exceptional, bright and herbaceous with a depth that makes you want to ask for a cup of it just to sip. The crust is thinner than the Detroit square style, yet still substantial enough to carry generous toppings. I would rate the whole experience a ten out of ten, and I do not hand out tens lightly. This place deserves a spot on any serious pizza itinerary.

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Supino Pizzeria New Center

Highlights
Crispy crust, stellar staff
Authentic Italian flavor combinations
Friendly, efficient service
Pleasant, lively dining room
Visitor-friendly local suggestions

Supino's New Center location is a study in efficiency and warmth. I walked in during a busy lunch rush and still felt like the staff had all the time in the world for me. The pizza arrived with a crackly, crispy crust that shattered unevenly and beautifully, and the flavor combinations leaned into authentic Italian territory without being precious about it. The dining room buzzed with a pleasant energy, and the staff offered local suggestions that made me feel like a regular instead of a tourist. Every interaction felt genuine, which is rarer than it should be. If you want a slice that respects tradition while keeping things lively, this is the place.

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Supino Pizzeria Eastern Market

Highlights
Exceptional service from every staff member
Spotless restrooms with fantastic amenities
Rucola salad with divine lemon citronette
Tender meatballs with house-made marinara
Pizza dough worthy of heirloom status

The Eastern Market Supino outpost runs like a well-oiled machine, and I mean that as the highest compliment. Every single staff member I encountered was exceptional, from the host to the person clearing my table. The restrooms were spotless, which sounds like a small thing but says a lot about how a place respects its customers. The rucola salad came dressed with a lemon citronette that was so bright and perfect I nearly asked for the recipe. And the meatballs, tender and swimming in that house-made marinara, were worth the trip alone. But the pizza dough, light, crisp, and somehow heirloom-worthy, is what I will dream about first.

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Mootz Pizzeria + Bar

Highlights
Garlic knots are phenomenal
Great pizza combo options
Excellent, attentive service
Worth the upscale price
A worthwhile pizza stop

Mootz sits on the upscale end of the pizza spectrum, and you can taste where every dollar goes. The garlic knots arrived first, hot and glossy, and they were so phenomenal that I briefly considered ordering a second basket before my pizza even touched the table. The pizza itself was a well-executed combination of flavors, with a crust that managed to be both delicate and sturdy. Service was excellent, attentive without hovering, and the pace of the meal felt just right. Yes, it costs more than your average slice joint, but the experience justifies the premium. I left satisfied in every way, already plotting my next visit and what I would try next.

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PizzaPapalis of Rivertown

Highlights
Lighter feel than typical deep dish
Veggie deluxe is standout
Riverwalk-adjacent, ideal for visitors
Soft crust with golden crispy edge
Call ahead to skip wait

This PizzaPapalis outpost sits close enough to the riverwalk that you can practically smell the water while you wait, and that proximity makes it an ideal stop for visitors or locals playing tourist for the day. The deep dish here feels lighter than the genre usually allows, with a soft crust that gives gently before hitting that golden, crispy edge. I ordered the veggie deluxe and it arrived loaded with fresh toppings and a sauce that tasted brighter than most. The staff were pleasant and the whole experience felt unhurried, though I would still recommend calling ahead to skip the inevitable dinner rush. A worthwhile detour, especially if the weather cooperates for an after-pizza stroll.

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Buddy's Pizza

Highlights
Invented Detroit-style pizza in 1946
Original Conant Street location still thrives
Caramelized cheese crust on every edge
Gluten-free crust soft, chewy, and safe
Consistent quality across all locations

Buddy's did not invent Detroit-style pizza by accident; they perfected a style that would define a city, and the original Conant Street location still buzzes with that same founding energy. Every edge of that square pan pizza arrives with the signature caramelized cheese crust, dark and blistered in spots, giving each bite a salty crunch that is pure nostalgia. I tested the gluten-free crust on a recent visit and found it remarkably soft and chewy, safe enough for celiac companions without sacrificing the experience. Consistency across their many locations is genuinely impressive, which is harder to pull off than people realize. This is where the story starts, and it remains a story worth telling over and over.

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