When it comes to pizza, Madison doesn’t really have a signature slice or style that it’s known for. But that’s not a bad thing! The city is full of pizza joints that offer something for thick and thin crust lovers alike.
Thin Crust
- Buck’s Pizza: If you’re looking for a no-nonsense pizza place, Buck’s is it. The crust is cracker thin and the toppings are plentiful. It has single-handedly fed many of my own long nights spent playing Dungeons & Dragons. My campaign likes a large pie with pepperoni and banana peppers.
- Nattspil: “Chinese, pizza, disco,” that’s Nattspil’s catchphrase. The downtown joint lives up to its promises serving gourmet thin-crust pizzas for dinner and late night. If they have a special on the menu, try it. If not, go for the Brie and Apple Pizza.
- Salvatore's Tomato Pies: Otherwise known simply as Sal’s, this pizza joint always has creative topping combinations on the menu. Try the Fig and Bacon pie for a sweet and salty bite. For the vegetarians out there, go for the Woodsman.
- Grampa's Pizzeria: This Willy Street restaurant is small and intimate. If it’s too busy to grab a table, try ordering ahead to-go and enjoy your pizza next door with a cocktail from Gib’s.
Thick Crust
- Rocky Rococo: The first Rocky Rococo Pan Style Pizza and Pasta opened on Gilman Street in 1974. To this day, Rocky’s is a go-to spot for Wisconsinites to get their tick-crust fix.
- Lucille: Lucille has established itself as a local favorite since it opened in 2017. Their steel pan pizzas are massive and filling. If you like toppings, try The Weekender. Hot tip: On Fridays at 3 p.m. the restaurant offers free pizza for happy hour.
- Falbo Bros Pizzeria: This pizza chain is another Madison success story. Founded by two UW-Madison alumni in 1992, the restaurant now has locations across Wisconsin and Iowa.
Neapolitan-style
- Pizza Brutta: This Monroe Street restaurant is a neighborhood favorite. Many of the ingredients are sourced locally. For all the tomato haters out there, check out their pizza bianco menu, which comes with an olive oil base rather than red sauce.
- Novanta: This west-side favorite was recently named on Yelp’s top 100 restaurant list. The restaurant’s name comes from its oven, which cooks pizza in roughly 90 seconds at 900 degrees.
- It’s Good For You: This new pizzeria has been a welcome addition to the growing food and drink scene on Sherman Avenue. Their Calabrese pizza is a spicy classic and their weekly specials keep the menu fresh and exciting.
Honorable Mentions
There were too many good pizza places for one list. Here are a few more local spots with solid pies: Ian’s Pizza, Glass Nickel, Sugar River Pizza Co., and Greenbush Bar.
