Best Pizza in Milwaukee (2025)

Since 1954, this East Side institution defines Milwaukee’s cracker-thin, square‑cut style. The Infatuation praises its enduring recipe and time‑capsule dining room, while Milwaukee Magazine readers crowned it in a citywide pizza bracket. Order sausage and mushrooms and taste local history.

Milwaukee’s VPN‑certified Neapolitan benchmark fires pies in a 900‑degree Stefano Ferrara oven. Eater highlights its airy crust and proper leoparding; OnMilwaukee has chronicled its certification. Keep it classic with the D.O.C. margherita, then compare notes with neighboring sister spot Calderone Club.

A west‑side favorite where long‑fermented dough bakes to a chewy, blistered cornicione. OnMilwaukee’s 2025 and 2024 features praise its seasonal specials and dialed‑in balance; Milwaukee Magazine editors call out the sublime sauce. Try the Hot Marmot or Cloud Cap for a Milwaukee‑meets‑Pacific Northwest vibe.

Housed in a historic pharmacy, Transfer pairs creative topping combos with a lively arts scene. Urban Milwaukee’s 2025 coverage spotlights its new patio with a vintage city bus, and Food Network features its Katalina pie. Gluten‑free options, live jazz nights, and serious neighborhood energy.

An East Side classic refreshed by new owners in 2024 who kept the beloved ultra‑thin recipe and added extras. OnMilwaukee documented the handoff; Urban Milwaukee reported late‑night hours in 2025. Expect tavern‑cut crunch, old‑school charm, and a community stalwart finding fresh legs.

Operating since 1969, Ned’s is pure south‑side nostalgia: sweet‑tangy sauce, generous toppings, and wafer‑thin crust. Milwaukee Magazine’s pizza guide salutes its cult creations like pepperoncini‑and‑pickle combos; One Bite reviews call it textbook Milwaukee style. A carryout legend that still delivers the goods.

Bay View’s neighborhood trattoria turns out a standout thin crust—crackly yet sturdy—with toppings like Calabrese sausage and hot giardiniera. Milwaukee Magazine’s review celebrates its timeless appeal; Shepherd Express calls the pizza among the area’s best. Pair with burrata or arancini and stay awhile.

Wood‑fired pies with Caputo 00 flour, San Marzanos, and a throwback Italian vibe. Recognized on Yelp’s Top 100 list, as covered by Spectrum News and TMJ4, it’s a Bay View date‑night staple. Go for the Paisano or a giardiniera‑topped build—then linger over a glass of red.

Walker’s Point pub turning out crispy tavern‑style and hearty deep dish with Milwaukee quirks like cream cheese and hot honey. Thrillist spotlights the cheese‑under‑sauce thin crust; locals rave about eggplant fries. A relaxed, game‑day kind of place with real neighborhood roots.

A downtown stalwart linked to Milwaukee’s pizza DNA, drawing on the original Caradaro Club recipe. Shepherd Express lauds its Neapolitan‑thin tavern pies; OnMilwaukee has chronicled its legacy. Order the Calderone Special and taste a direct line to the city’s first pizzerias.

The South Side icon returned in 2024 under new owners using the original recipes. Milwaukee Magazine and TMJ4 covered its comeback; today the website confirms dine‑in and carry‑out. Expect those distinctive amoeba‑shaped, square‑cut pies and the endearing, maximalist Milwaukee ambiance.

Takeout‑only, cash‑only, and legendary for overloaded toppings on whisper‑thin crust. OnMilwaukee’s pizza deep‑dive praises its spicy‑leaning sauce and generous sausage. It’s a north‑side ritual: call ahead, bring cash, and claim one of the city’s most old‑school tavern pies.