St. Louis Has 15 Pizza Spots Locals Still Swear By
St. Louis has a pizza scene that goes way beyond the ordinary. From cracker-thin crusts loaded with Provel cheese to wood-fired Neapolitan pies, this city knows how to do pizza right.
Whether you grew up here or just moved in, these spots are the ones locals keep coming back to, slice after slice. Get ready to bookmark your next favorite pizza destination.
1. Imo’s Pizza
Ask any St. Louis native where to get pizza, and the first name out of their mouth is almost always Imo’s. This iconic chain has been serving its legendary St. Louis-style pizza since 1964, and nothing about its appeal has faded.
The cracker-thin crust, gooey Provel cheese blend, and square-cut slices are totally unique to this city. It’s not just food here — it’s a cultural tradition that connects generations of locals over a shared love of something truly one-of-a-kind.
2. Katie’s Pizza and Pasta Osteria
Chef Katie Collier built something special when she opened this award-winning restaurant. Every pizza starts with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a genuine commitment to handmade quality that you can taste in every single bite.
The Neapolitan-style pies here have earned serious national recognition, and regulars will tell you no two visits feel exactly the same. Seasonal ingredients keep the menu exciting and fresh.
If you care about where your food comes from, this place will quickly become your go-to spot.
3. Pizzeria da Gloria
Tucked inside St. Louis’s famous Hill neighborhood, Pizzeria da Gloria pulls inspiration from Italy, New York, and St. Louis all at once. The result is a pizza experience that feels both familiar and completely exciting.
Their wood-fired pies come out massive — the kind that practically dares you to finish a whole one. The crust hits that sweet spot between crispy and chewy.
Regulars love the rotating specials, and first-timers are usually shocked by just how good the first slice tastes.
4. Louie
Small restaurants sometimes carry the biggest reputations, and Louie in the DeMun neighborhood is proof of that. This cozy Italian spot earns loyal fans with wood-fired pizzas that have a crust so light and bubbly, it almost feels like eating a cloud.
The char on the edges is perfectly balanced — never burnt, always satisfying. People who live nearby consider it a neighborhood treasure.
For anyone who believes great pizza should taste effortless and look gorgeous, Louie absolutely delivers every single time.
5. Pizzeoli Wood Fired Pizza
Soulard is one of St. Louis’s most vibrant neighborhoods, and Pizzeoli fits right in with its bold, no-compromise approach to pizza. Every pie goes into a blazing 900-degree wood oven, which creates that unmistakable blistered crust in just minutes.
What really sets Pizzeoli apart is its outstanding vegetarian and vegan options — proof that plant-based pizza can be just as satisfying as any meat-loaded pie. Naples-style authenticity shines through in every bite.
This spot is a genuine gem worth seeking out.
6. Pizza-A-Go-Go
Some pizza spots don’t need fancy decor or a lengthy menu to win people over — Pizza-A-Go-Go is exactly that kind of place. Locals keep returning because the crust delivers a satisfying crunch that holds up under every topping without getting soggy.
The cheese-to-sauce ratio is dialed in perfectly, which sounds simple but makes a huge difference. There’s something refreshingly honest about a pizza joint that just focuses on getting the basics absolutely right.
This is comfort food done with real skill and zero pretension.
7. Pie Guy Pizza
Consistency is a rare quality in the pizza world, and Pie Guy Pizza on Manchester Avenue has mastered it. Whether you order a classic cheese or load it up with toppings, the sauce, cheese, crust, and crunch all come together at the same high level every visit.
Regulars rave about how reliably good every pie turns out. There’s no lottery here — you know exactly what you’re getting, and it’s always above average.
For dependable, satisfying pizza without any surprises, Pie Guy is the answer.
8. Union Loafers Cafe and Bread Bakery
When a place is famous for its bread, you can bet the pizza crust is going to be something special. Union Loafers in Botanical Heights built its entire reputation on extraordinary baking, and that expertise carries directly into every pizza it serves.
The crust here is the main event — flavorful, chewy, and deeply satisfying in a way that mass-produced dough simply cannot match. Pair a pie with one of their natural wines and you’ve got a seriously memorable meal in a wonderfully relaxed setting.
9. Anthonino’s Taverna
Landing on Yelp’s Top 100 Pizza Spots in the entire country is no small achievement, and Anthonino’s Taverna earned that honor the old-fashioned way — with serious skill and quality ingredients. Hand-tossed crusts give each pie a texture that machine-made dough can never replicate.
Fresh mozzarella and locally sourced toppings elevate every order above ordinary pizza shop expectations. The atmosphere feels like a true neighborhood taverna, warm and welcoming.
First-timers often leave wondering why they waited so long to visit this remarkable St. Louis staple.
10. Pizza Head
Tower Grove locals have a not-so-secret weapon when pizza cravings hit: Pizza Head. This spot serves New Jersey-style pies in a massive 20-inch format, and those big, foldable slices have built a devoted following across the city.
The sauce is bold and the cheese is generously layered — exactly how East Coast pizza fans like it. What makes Pizza Head extra cool is its entirely plant-based menu, proving that vegan pizza can absolutely compete with any traditional pie on flavor, texture, and sheer satisfaction.
11. Monte Bello Pizzeria
Since 1950, Monte Bello Pizzeria has been quietly serving some of the most authentic St. Louis-style pizza in existence from a South City basement. That longevity alone tells you everything — this place has outlasted trends, recessions, and countless competitors.
The cracker-thin crust is loaded with toppings all the way to the edge, which is a hallmark of the true St. Louis style. Stepping inside feels like a trip back in time.
If history and heritage matter to you in a pizza, Monte Bello is an essential stop.
12. Pirrone’s Pizzeria
Great pizza doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and Pirrone’s Pizzeria has been proving that point for years. This no-frills spot is beloved for its outstanding value, but don’t let the modest setting fool you — the food is anything but ordinary.
Homemade Italian sausage made in-house gives every bite a rich, savory depth you won’t find from a pre-packaged ingredient. The hand-rolled cracker crust has that satisfying snap locals love.
For a filling, honest, wallet-friendly meal, Pirrone’s is the kind of place you’ll want to visit again immediately.
13. Faraci Pizza
Open-fire baking is a technique that sets Faraci Pizza apart from every other spot on this list. The flames create a heat that caramelizes the cheese edges into gorgeous, bubbled perfection — a visual and textural treat that makes each slice unforgettable.
Made-from-scratch dough ensures the crust has a texture and flavor that pre-made bases simply cannot match. Regulars say the char and chew combination is unlike anything else in the city.
If you’re someone who judges a pizza by its crust, Faraci will absolutely win you over.
14. Failoni’s Restaurant and Bar
Over a hundred years of pizza-making is a legacy that very few restaurants anywhere in America can claim. Failoni’s in Dogtown has been doing exactly that, and the brick oven they use gives every St. Louis-style pie an extra-crispy base that regular ovens simply cannot replicate.
The atmosphere is classic neighborhood bar — unpretentious, comfortable, and full of regulars who treat the place like a second living room. History is baked into every slice here, quite literally.
Visiting Failoni’s feels less like dining out and more like becoming part of a very long local story.
15. Pi Pizzeria
Pi Pizzeria brings a more upscale, creative energy to the St. Louis pizza scene, and locals have embraced it wholeheartedly. The menu spans both deep-dish and thin-crust styles, giving everyone at the table exactly what they’re craving without compromise.
Pi’s gluten-free options have earned particular praise — they’re genuinely delicious rather than just a dietary afterthought. The trendy setting makes it a great choice for date nights or group outings.
Even President Obama was reportedly a fan, which is probably the most impressive pizza endorsement in city history.
