Best Pizza and Wings in Northeast Ohio
The pairing of pizza and wings is a culinary match made in comfort food heaven, combining two beloved, hand-held staples that capture the essence of shared dining experiences.
As you might guess, northeast Ohio is not short on options for pizza and wings. With hundreds of options to choose from, it can be hard to determine where to start. In this ultimate guide to the best pizza and wings in northeast Ohio, we’ll highlight only locally owned spots we and our fellow Ohioans enjoy.
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Finding the best pizza in northeast Ohio begins with crust preferences
Determining the best pizza in northeast Ohio is a tough task because the options have become so diverse.* The region’s pizza evolution tells a story through its crusts, from traditional neighborhood pizzerias to modern artisanal establishments.
Traditional, medium-thick pizza crusts
This type of crust defined pizza in northeast Ohio for most of the 20th century. If this is your leaning, you’ll find it pretty much everywhere. Many beloved family restaurants developed their recipes during the post-war boom years, perfecting a style that’s neither too thick nor too thin. Well-known options include:
- Youngstown’s famous Brier Hill Pizza, which you can order from many pizzerias in the Mahoning County area, including the original—St. Anthony of Padua Church on Fridays.
- Pizza from Luigi’s Restaurant in Akron, which opened in 1949.
- Wooster’s Coccia House pizza, described as “Italian pizza, Abruzzi style.”
- Danny Boys with several locations throughout northeast Ohio. (Their pizza is one of my daughter’s long-time favorites. ~Jen)
Deep-dish and pan-style pizzas
Pan pizzas of various styles have become increasingly common throughout northeast Ohio. Detroit-style pizza, with its distinctive crispy edges and thick, airy crust, appears on menus from Cleveland to Youngstown. Chicago deep dish has also found a home in our region, while Sicilian-style pies showcase thick, oil-enriched crusts that are almost like focaccia bread.
These heartier styles, once rare in our area, now satisfy cravings for substantial pizza from corner shops to dedicated pizzerias. Many local establishments also offer their own takes on focaccia-style pizzas, featuring those thick but characteristic airy, olive-oil-infused crusts.
Thin crust and crispy, chewy, wood-fired (Neapolitan) pizzas
The thin-crust renaissance in northeast Ohio has brought us everything from New York-style pizzas that fold perfectly down the middle to delicate flatbreads with cracker-like crusts. Naples-style pizzas, with their characteristic puffy edges and thin centers, emerge from blazing-hot ovens with just the right amount of char. Traditional brick-oven pizzas follow similar principles, using intense heat to create pizzas with crispy bottoms and perfectly melted toppings. With one notable exception in Canton (see details among our picks), the best thin-crust pizzas in our region cluster around Cleveland.
Cleveland-style pizza: a crust that’s actually in-between Chicago and New York
Cleveland-style pizza is a unique regional variation, blending influences from various styles into something distinctly local. The crust sits between New York and Chicago in thickness, supporting generous amounts of cheese and toppings that often hide under the cheese layer. Often cut in squares rather than triangles, Cleveland-style pizza typically has a sturdier structure than New York-style but doesn’t venture into deep-dish territory. You’ll find Cleveland-style pizza at popular spots like Master Pizza and Crust.
Four slices of heaven: Ohio Living Guide picks for the best pizza in northeast Ohio
When it comes to the best pizza in Northeast Ohio, our taste buds definitely lean toward thinner crusts, especially New York-style and wood-fired pies. If that’s your preference, too, then we hope you’ll love the following pizza shops as much as we do. (If not, jump right to the pizza directory!)
Wood-fired pizzas tend to come with a higher price tag compared to their traditional counterparts, reflecting the process, ingredients, and specialized equipment required to create them. This elevated cost can be a point of contention for some diners (as we’ve seen in reviews for our favorite spots). For us, the unique flavor profile and texture justify the price for these pies.
328 Walnut Ave. NE
Canton, Ohio 44702
Mike’s Pizza, a hidden gem in downtown Canton, Ohio, was founded by Mike Carvajal, a New York City native who relocated to Ohio for work. This pizzeria, which emerged from Mike’s quest to recreate authentic New York-style pizza in his new home, initially starting as a pop-up shop within Deli Ohio. His pizza quickly gained popularity, consistently selling out before events even began.
Now, Mike’s Pizza takes over Deli Ohio’s space every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 4-9 pm and on Saturdays from noon to 9 pm. Both his red and white pies have earned a devoted following. Every pizza boasts a light, chewy crust and features locally sourced toppings where possible. The lemon ricotta on his white pies, including Temple of Shroom, are a standout favorite of ours.
As part of the Fourth Street Collective, which includes Deli Ohio (operating during daytime hours) and Woodshop Barrel Fermented Beers, Mike’s Pizza contributes to a perfect trifecta of food and drink options in one convenient location.
Multiple locations in Cleveland, Ohio
At the time of our first, pre-pandemic encounter with Citizen Pie, we didn’t love any of our pizza options near home (thanks for fixing that, Mike). We fell instantly in love with their wood-fired creations after trying some pies before a concert at the Beachland Ballroom.
The crust, a testament to Vytauras Sasnauskas’ three-decade quest for pizza perfection, emerges from a scorching volcanic stone oven with a delicate balance of textures: a gossamer-thin, crisp exterior and a pillowy, tender interior. The careful selection of toppings, the meticulous preparation of the dough, and the precise control of the wood-fired oven all contribute to a pizza that transcends the ordinary. For us, it set a new benchmark for what pizza could and should be.
14319 Madison Ave.
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
Harlow’s Pizza in Lakewood, Ohio, offers more than just great pizza. From the unassuming storefront, you’d never guess there’s a cozy interior and a charming, almost magical outdoor patio tucked away in the back. For us, what sets Harlow’s apart is the simple blend of delicious wood-fired pizzas and craft cocktails—a combination we don’t often see at pizza shops. (Yes, they offer several beers, as well.)
The intimate setting allows diners to watch their pizzas being crafted in the open kitchen. The menu is intentionally limited, focusing on quality over quantity, and each pizza is consistently delicious, featuring a light, perfectly crisp crust that serves as an ideal canvas for their toppings. The Leonardo, topped with fresh arugula, garlic, and pistachios, is a favorite. Harlow’s creates a warm, vibrant atmosphere that’s perfect for casual outings, regardless of the season.
5010 Lorain Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio 44102
Cent’s Pizza, with its contemporary decor and funky ambiance, strikes a good balance between modern and welcoming. Their pizzas are a testament to culinary craftsmanship, featuring a crust that achieves the ideal balance of crunch and chewiness, topped with a thoughtful selection of both classic and innovative ingredients. The dining experience is enhanced by their well-crafted cocktail menu and the convenience of a self-serve cooler for wine and beer. The outdoor patio provides a perfect setting for outdoor dining.
The Pizza Directory: a guide to the best pizza in northeast Ohio
Independent pizzerias locals talk about
Beyond our personal favorites, northeast Ohio offers an impressive array of pizzerias locals praise. Our research uncovered more than 70 independent pizza shops across the region, each contributing its own character to the local pizza scene. While “best pizza” is always subjective, these establishments represent the depth and variety of pizza-making traditions in our region.
Pizza in Greater Cleveland
Akron area pizza joints
Pizza places in Canton area
Pizza in Youngstown area
Pizza joints in other NE Ohio areas
Finding the best wings in northeast Ohio begins with asking the locals
From Cleveland’s bustling neighborhoods to Akron / Canton’s local haunts and the Youngstown area’s hidden gems, the list of best wings in northeast Ohio tells a story of local pride and distinctive flavors. Each spot brings its own take on the perfect wing—some focusing on unique sauce combinations, others perfecting the classic buffalo style with the ideal crispy-to-tender ratio.
What makes northeast Ohio’s wing scene special isn’t just the quality of the wings themselves, but how deeply these establishments are woven into their communities, where generations of families have been perfecting their recipes and building loyal followings. Whether you’re craving traditional hot wings in a neighborhood sports bar or seeking out innovative flavors at newer establishments, this guide reflects the choices of those who know these kitchens best: the locals who keep coming back for more.
Ohio Living Guide picks for best wings in northeast Ohio
Although we haven’t sampled as many wings as pizza, we’ve found two northeast Ohio establishments consistently deliver on what matters most: generous portions of meat and exceptional sauces. Here are our top picks.
This northeast Ohio chain of four locations has mastered the art of wing preparation through a three-step process: brining, baking, and flash frying. Each wing comes with a signature dry rub and, while they won’t toss them in sauce for you (unless you’re willing to pay their humorous surcharge), the quality speaks for itself.
The wings emerge with perfectly crispy skin while maintaining succulent meat inside. Their sauce selection hits all the right notes: we’re partial to the rage BBQ and gold varieties, though heat seekers will find plenty of spicier options. The sides deserve special mention, particularly their fries, brussels sprouts, onion rings, and apple slaw. They keep their beer selection local, and while they’re known for gluten-free and vegan options, we’re here for the traditional wings.
A northeast Ohio institution with 15 locations, Winking Lizard has been our go-to for wings for over 20 years. Unlike Boss ChickNBeer, these wings come generously coated in sauce, and their sauce selection is where they truly shine.
Our top picks include their spicy garlic, thai, spicy BBQ, and the uniquely delicious caribbean. Don’t overlook their spicy sesame or goldfinger sauce—the latter offering a fantastic mustard BBQ flavor profile. While their menu is extensive, we typically stick to wings and burgers, though their pizzas are solid choices too. The impressive beer selection, including their annual Tour of Beers, makes this a perfect spot for both wing enthusiasts and craft beer lovers.