Head to Italian Riviera-inspired Pizzeria Portofino for an enclosed patio that overlooks the Chicago River. Crowds love the bright, breezy atmosphere and the hand-stretched pies. Pizzas are topped with high-quality cheeses from a third-generation family-run dairy in Caiozzo, Italy. All-star favorites include the charred pepperoni and the black truffle three cheese, Many pies are available with gluten-free cauliflower crust.

Pizza aficionados head to Robert’s Pizza and Dough Company to try the restaurant’s renowned thin- crust pies. Baked in brick ovens visible from the community-style dining room, the artisanal pizzas are topped with luxe ingredients like Spanish chorizo and housemade fennel sausage. The outdoor dock and patio are the most sought-after spots for weekend brunch starring huevos rancheros and smoked salmon pizzas.

Head to Quartino for a lively atmosphere and thin-crust Neapolitan pizza served alongside timeless Italian dishes. Housed in a charming building, the two-story space boasts classic hardwood floors and wooden tables, exuding a warm, rustic vibe. The daily-made dough is hand stretched, topped with homemade San Marzano tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, and fired in a stone hearth oven. Try the crispy kale with chilis and fonduta, or stick with a classic margherita.

Lou Malnati’s pizzeria chain is beloved for its Chicago-style, deep-dish pizza. Expect classic pizzeria decor like brick walls, wooden accents, and roomy booths at each location. Deep dish pies stand out for their buttery crust and mozzarella cheese-infused dough. Build-your-own pie with toppings like sausage, pepperoni, basil, and black olives. The menu also includes appetizers like bruschetta, salads, and pastas.

Labriola is a relaxed, tavern-style Italian restaurant. Look for the arching iron “ristorante sign” and outdoor patio with red umbrellas. Settle in and choose from four types of crust: signature ciabatta-style, crispy thin, focaccia-style Chicago deep dish, or skinny deep dish. Go for one of the pre-crafted pies like burrata and basil, or get creative and mix up your favorite toppings.

Located in Lincoln Park, Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder Co. is one of the best Chicago pizza restaurants. Open since 1972, the cozy, three-story brownstone with pine paneling and hanging lanterns is the perfect setting for digging into the restaurant’s signature dish—a pizza pot pie stuffed with homemade plum tomato sauce, sausage, mushrooms, and cheese. Other standout dishes include oven grinders like baked meatball packed with savory cheeses and Italian spices.

Happy Camper Pizzeria is a destination for premium pizzas and good vibes. The ever-changing holiday decorations keep things fresh, while ever-present disco balls and neon lights add a fun touch to the lively space. Choose from two crusts—classic and the extra thin, square-cut tavern-style–for playful pies like street corn and chicken ranch. Bonus points for a year-round outdoor patio and rooftop bar.

La Pizza & La Pasta – Eataly Chicago is one of the best pizza restaurants in Chicago with a casual vibe, complete with charming Italian cheese graters and rolling pins hanging from the ceiling. The pizzas are powered by experts from Naples-based Rossopomodoro and boast San Marzano tomato sauce, mozzarella di Napoli, and a charred yet elastic crust. Try the mushroom and black truffle pie.

At Professor Pizza, founder Anthony Scardino fuses his Italian American roots with pizza-making competition expertise to craft top-notch pies. Settle into a cozy booth in the brick-lined space and explore five crust options, including the signature Grandma style. Choose from original pizzas like a classic pepperoni or build-you-own pie with toppings like grilled pineapple, whipped ricotta, and pesto at the best Chicago pizza restaurants.

Stellar pizzas, giant Jenga blocks, and a dog-friendly patio await at laid-back Paradise Park | Pizza + Patio. The playful interiors with disco balls, neon lights, and seasonal over-the-top holiday decor make this Instagrammable spot a neighborhood favorite. Dig into fun pizzas like the Gettin’ Figgy with it with goat cheese and fig jam. The 18-inch party-sized pies are perfect for groups.