Unveiling Minnesota's Pizza Marvels

Sven and Ole’s, Grand Marais, MN

Based on the sheer number of them on Minnesota highways, you’d think Sven and Ole’s bumper stickers were issued annually with license plate renewals. Grabbing a pie or a slice from this beloved pizza joint in the state’s most scenic town is a rite of passage for Minnesotans and visitors, alike. And the pizza’s is pretty darn good, too.

Pizzeria Lola, Minneapolis, MN

Since this south Minneapolis destination opened, it’s been one of the hardest tables to get. A combination of a no-reservations policy, a small restaurant, and outstanding pizza often has lines out the door in the summertime. Lola, named after the owner’s dog, is also known as one of the most kid-friendly restaurants in the Cities, so bring the whole family. 

Punch Neapolitan Pizza, St. Paul, MN

Once just a small joint in St. Paul’s Highland neighborhood, trying to keep its 800-degree, wood-burning ovens fired up to meet the demand, Punch is now a local chain with locations across the Metro. Amazingly, the quality remains consistent, and it often makes national “best pizza” lists. It’s thin, Neapolitan-style crusts and tangy sauces make it Punch pizza pretty much irresistible. 

Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza, Minneapolis, MN

Black Sheep’s coal ovens lend a distinct, smoky flavor and a serious crisp to the crusts of its pizzas. No best of list in the Twin Cities has failed to include Black Sheep since it opened its first location in the North Loop. Demand for its delicious pies necessitated new locations in St. Paul and on East Street in Minneapolis. 

Sammy’s Pizza, Hibbing, MN

Founded in Hibbing after a World War II tour of duty in Italy and a trip to Chicago, Sammy’s now has more than a dozen locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Each one is owned by a member of Sam Perella’s family and maintain the quality of the original—Sammy’s is often named Duluth’s best pizza—but there’s something about the history and nostalgia of the Hibbing location that makes it just a little tastier than the others.

Pizza Lucé, Duluth, MN

So, we’re cheating a little bit with this one. Pizza Lucé was founded in Minneapolis, but now has a handful of Metro locations, as well as its Duluth outpost. Thus, we’re not pointing back to the original location—but for a reason. The Duluth Lucé location is different. Not only does it offer up the same award-winning pizza that is perennially the “Best of” something, it’s also one of the city’s best live music venues. Its downtown location is within easy walking (and delivery!) distance of both Fitger’s and Canal Park.

Leaning Tower of Pizza, Minneapolis, MN

This no-nonsense South Minneapolis fixture is exactly what you’d want in a decades-old, neighborhood pizza joint on the edge of Uptown: Spicy, cheesy, delicious pizza in a place with lumpy booths, bright lights, and late hours. Leaning Tower has been on its Lyndale Ave. corner for so long that many Minneapolis residents have had both their first and last bites of pizza in the place.

Cossetta’s, St. Paul, MN

Despite its recent overhaul—including the addition of a fancy upstairs restaurant, Louis— Cossetta’s is a W. 7th St. institution that continues to serve up slices bigger than your face and pies the size of manhole covers. The classic New York-style pizza comes in the same three or four flavors of slices as it always has, cheese, sausage, etc., but you can customize your own pie for dine in or takeout and feed your family for a week.

Pasquale’s Neighborhood Pizzeria, Rochester, MN

Order by the slice or by the pie; either way, you won’t disappointed (you may go back for more, but you won’t be disappointed) in Pasquale’s New York-style pizza. Rich sauces, fresh ingredients and crisply-finished crusts keep folks coming back, only to run into friends, family members, and other people from the neighborhood, trying to sneak in one last slice for the day.

Pagliai’s Pizza, Mankato, MN

This one is a nostalgia entry-but no one is going to argue about how good Pagliai’s Pizza is. They opened the Mankato location in 1969 and it is now the city’s oldest pizzeria. Why? Because, as other places come and go, Pagliai’s retains its rigid adherence to cleanliness, fresh, never-frozen ingredients, and classic recipes that leave adult minds longing for the pizza of the their youths. It may not be the best pizza in Minnesota, but it’s the best pizza in the world, ever.

Key Insights at a Glance

• Minnesota is home to some special pizza shops that have won national acclaim.
• Sven and Ole's in Grand Marais is a beloved pizza joint in a scenic town.
• Pizzeria Lola in Minneapolis is known for its outstanding pizza and kid-friendly atmosphere.
• Punch Neapolitan Pizza in St. Paul offers consistent quality and thin, Neapolitan-style crusts.
• Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza in Minneapolis is known for its distinct, smoky flavor and crisp crusts.
• Sammy's Pizza in Hibbing offers a taste of history and nostalgia in its delicious pies.
• Pizza Lucé in Duluth offers award-winning pizza and live music in a unique setting.
• Leaning Tower of Pizza in Minneapolis is a no-nonsense neighborhood joint with spicy, cheesy pizza.
• Cossetta's in St. Paul serves up classic New York-style pizza in large portions.
• Pasquale's Neighborhood Pizzeria in Rochester offers rich sauces, fresh ingredients, and crisply-finished crusts.
• Pagliai's Pizza in Mankato is the city's oldest pizzeria known for its adherence to classic recipes and fresh ingredients.