Detroit-style pizza has a devoted following unlike any other regional pizza in the country. With its thick, airy dough baked in a square pan, crispy lacy cheese edges, and sauce ladled on top, it is a one-of-a-kind experience.
Michigan locals grow up on this stuff, and once you have had a slice, ordinary pizza just does not cut it anymore. Here are 12 Michigan restaurants where the Detroit-style pizza is absolutely worth the trip.
Buddy’s Pizza – Detroit, Michigan
Buddy’s Pizza is the original. Born in 1946 in a converted speakeasy on Conant Street, this Detroit institution invented the square pizza that the whole world is now trying to copy.
The buttery, crispy crust baked in a steel automotive pan is pure magic.
Every bite delivers a satisfying crunch followed by pillowy softness inside. Regulars swear by the pepperoni with extra cheese, and the lines on weekends prove they are absolutely right.
Loui’s Pizza – Hazel Park, Michigan
Loui’s Pizza opened in 1977, and some longtime customers have been ordering the same pie for decades. There is something deeply comforting about a place that refuses to change what already works perfectly.
The crust here has a slightly tangier flavor than most, giving it a signature edge.
Hazel Park locals treat Loui’s like a neighborhood treasure. The no-frills atmosphere keeps the focus exactly where it belongs: on that incredible pizza sitting right in front of you.
Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant – Eastpointe, Michigan
Cloverleaf has a bold claim to fame: founder Gus Guerra is widely credited as one of the originators of Detroit-style pizza, having developed the recipe alongside Buddy’s in the 1940s. That history alone makes every visit feel like a slice of culinary legend.
The atmosphere is classic Michigan bar, warm and unpretentious. Order the original recipe and you are tasting living history.
Few pizzas anywhere carry that kind of story behind them.
Shield’s Pizza – Detroit, Michigan
Shield’s Pizza has been a Detroit staple since 1937, making it one of the oldest pizza joints in the entire state. The recipe has stayed remarkably consistent over the decades, which is exactly why loyal fans keep coming back generation after generation.
The sauce here is bold and herbaceous, giving the pie a flavor that feels both old-school and completely satisfying. Ordering from Shield’s feels like shaking hands with Detroit pizza history itself.
Green Lantern Pizza – Madison Heights, Michigan
Green Lantern Pizza has been feeding Madison Heights families since 1955, and its fan base is fiercely loyal. Walk inside and you will immediately notice the old-school charm that has barely changed since Eisenhower was president.
That consistency is a badge of honor here.
The cheese blend creates those iconic lacy, crispy edges that Detroit-style lovers obsess over. Green Lantern proves that staying true to a great recipe is always the smartest move a restaurant can make.
Jets Pizza (original location) – Sterling Heights, Michigan
Before Jet’s became a national chain with hundreds of locations, it was just a little square-pizza shop in Sterling Heights that opened in 1978. Visiting the original location feels like meeting the grandparent of a now-famous family.
The roots here run deep.
Jet’s 8-Corner pizza delivers four extra crispy corner pieces in every order, which is honestly a genius move. Fans of the chain who have never visited the original are seriously missing out on a piece of history.
Palazzo Di Pizza – Royal Oak, Michigan
Palazzo Di Pizza brings a slightly upscale energy to the Detroit-style pizza scene in Royal Oak without losing any of the soul that makes this style so beloved. The toppings are thoughtfully sourced, and the dough is given plenty of time to develop real flavor before baking.
Royal Oak diners appreciate the attention to quality here. Whether you go classic or try one of the specialty builds, Palazzo consistently delivers a pie that earns serious respect from local pizza fans.
Grandma Bob’s – Detroit, Michigan
Grandma Bob’s carries a name that practically guarantees warmth before you even walk through the door. This Detroit spot leans hard into the homestyle spirit of square pizza, crafting pies that feel like they were made with genuine affection rather than just efficiency.
The crust achieves that perfect balance between crunchy bottom and soft, bread-like interior. First-time visitors often order a second slice before they have even finished the first, which says everything you need to know.
Michigan & Trumbull Pizza – Detroit, Michigan
Named after one of Detroit’s most iconic intersections, Michigan & Trumbull Pizza wears its city pride on its sleeve. The name is a nod to the old Tiger Stadium corner, and the pizza here matches that legendary status with every single order that comes out of the oven.
The sauce-on-top approach is executed beautifully, with bright, punchy tomato flavor cutting through the richness of the cheese. Detroit locals consider this spot a must-visit for anyone serious about understanding the city’s pizza culture.
Como’s Restaurant – Ferndale, Michigan
Como’s Restaurant in Ferndale has been a gathering spot for decades, blending a lively bar scene with genuinely great square pizza. The energy inside on a Friday night is electric, and the pizza arrives at your table looking like exactly what you ordered after a long week.
The crust develops a beautiful crunch from the well-seasoned pans used here. Como’s strikes a rare balance between being a fun night-out destination and a serious pizza spot that delivers every single time.
Belle Isle Pizza – Detroit, Michigan
Belle Isle Pizza brings a modern Detroit attitude to a classic format, honoring the square-pan tradition while adding creative energy that keeps younger pizza fans excited. Named after Detroit’s beloved island park, this spot channels the spirit of a city that is always reinventing itself.
The dough fermentation process here is longer than most, which results in a noticeably complex, slightly tangy flavor. Regulars call it one of the most underrated pizza spots in the entire city, and they are not wrong.
Crispelli’s Bakery & Pizzeria – Royal Oak, Michigan
Crispelli’s blends its bakery roots with a deep respect for Detroit-style pizza, and the result is a crust that has an almost bread-artisan quality to it. The dough is clearly handled by people who understand fermentation and texture at a level above the average pizza shop.
Royal Oak residents love stopping in for a slice alongside a freshly baked pastry. The combination of bakery craft and pizza tradition makes Crispelli’s one of the most genuinely unique spots on this entire list.