Iowa knows its pizza, and not the kind that shows up in a chain box. Across the state you will find family-run parlors that have been rolling out thin crust, cracker crust, and deep dish for decades, some passing recipes down through generations.
These are the places people drive hours to reach and order from the moment they get back into town. Below are eight Iowa pizza spots that have earned a loyal following, from Marshalltown to the Quad Cities.
Each one does something a little different, whether it is a secret sauce, a Detroit-style pan pizza, or a dessert crust made with honey. Save this list, because once you try one, you will understand why locals keep coming back.
1. Zeno’s, Marshalltown, IA
More than 60 years of pizza history sits at 109 E Main St in Marshalltown, and Zeno’s still leans into that old-school charm with a fun 70s vibe.
The kitchen turns out thin-crust pies loaded with cheese, plus a gluten-free crust option for folks who need it. Signature choices include the Holy Cannolis, Preston’s Pizza, the Funky Chicken, and a pepperoni pizza served on a classic metal tray.
New owners have kept the longtime Klucks tradition going, so the recipes that built the reputation are still in play. That continuity matters here, and it shows in every slice.
Service is quick and the prices land in the $10 to $20 per person range. There is a full vegetarian menu, seating for groups, high chairs for little ones, and free Wi-Fi if you linger.
Hours run Monday through Thursday 4 to 8 PM, Friday and Saturday 4 to 9 PM, and Sunday 4 to 8 PM. Saturday evening is the busiest stretch, so a weekday afternoon is your calmest bet.
Parking is rarely a headache, with both lot and street options nearby.
2. A & A Pagliai’s Pizza, Iowa City, IA
People who have eaten their way through Rome and Naples still put this Iowa City spot near the top of their list, which tells you plenty about A & A Pagliai’s.
Since it opened, the family has stuck to thin-crust pizzas made from recipes passed down through the generations. The crust comes out crispy with just the right crunch, the sauce carries a tangy bite, and the sausage is a longtime favorite.
You can even order it cooked to your preference, whether that means a lighter bake or a slightly browner, crispier finish.
Located at 302 E Bloomington St, the dining room keeps things warm and simple. It draws college students, groups, and visitors, especially after Iowa football games when the place fills fast.
Open daily from 4 to 10 PM, it does not take reservations and does not deliver, so plan for dine-in or takeout. Friday and Saturday evenings are the peak crowds.
Parking is usually easy with a free lot and street spots. Meals run about $10 to $20 per person.
3. Mabe’s Pizza, Decorah, IA
Ask around Decorah about pizza and Mabe’s comes up almost every time, a true local classic that has fed the community for decades.
The draw is thin-crust pizza with generous toppings and a slightly sweet sauce, all balanced so no single element takes over. Popular combinations pile on sausage, mushrooms, and black olives.
The recipes stay a closely guarded secret, which only adds to the appeal.
Beyond pizza, the menu stretches further than most on this list. You can find the Around the Garden veggie pizza, cheese bread, onion rings, breadsticks, chicken mushroom alfredo, nacho supreme, BBQ pizza, and a bacon cheeseburger.
Found at 110 E Water St, the spot works for lunch or dinner and even offers catering. Kids get their own menu, dogs are welcome outside, and reservations are accepted.
Hours are Monday through Thursday 11 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday until 10 PM, and Sunday 11 AM to 9 PM. Friday evening and Saturday afternoon into evening are the busy windows.
Parking is plentiful, and most meals fall in the $10 to $20 range.
4. Shot Tower Inn, Dubuque, IA
Part pub, part pizza stop, Shot Tower Inn has become the kind of Dubuque spot people drive across the state to reach.
The menu spreads wide, covering pizza, grinders, and comfort food, and the pizza has been described as bowling alley pizza in the best possible way. Beyond the pies, you will find Philly steak, a Canadian bacon and sauerkraut option, spaghetti, the Wally Burger, pretzel bites, and fried ice cream for dessert.
At 390 Locust St, the setting keeps its simple, historic charm and adds a rooftop patio for warmer days. It is a solid choice for watching sports, and it works well for families and groups alike.
Open Monday through Thursday 11 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday until 10 PM, and Sunday 11 AM to 9 PM. Fridays and Saturdays draw the biggest evening crowds, while mornings early in the week stay quiet.
There is a kids’ menu, high chairs, free Wi-Fi, and no shortage of parking. Expect to spend around $10 to $20 per person.
5. Harris Pizza, Davenport, IA
Quad City-style pizza has a devoted following, and in Davenport, Harris Pizza is the name that gets people planning trips home around it.
The style stands apart from anything else on this list, built on a distinctive crust that regulars call phenomenal, a tasty sauce, and a solid layer of cheese. The large sausage pizza is a go-to order, and the baked Italian bread sticks have their own fan club.
The rest of the menu keeps things playful, with homemade chips, mini corndog bites and fries, and bottled root beer and black cherry sodas.
You will find it at 524 E Locust St. This is very much a takeout-focused spot, and people happily cross state lines from Illinois just to grab an order.
Note that it is closed Mondays. Hours run Tuesday 11 AM to 8 PM, Wednesday and Thursday until 8:30 PM, Friday and Saturday until 9 PM, and Sunday until 8 PM.
Fridays and Saturday evenings are busiest. There is a kids’ menu, plenty of parking, and curbside pickup available.
6. The Bordenaro’s Pizza & Pasta, Des Moines, IA
Craving a cracker-thin crust piled high with cheese and toppings? Bordenaro’s in Des Moines has built its reputation on exactly that.
The homemade crust is the signature here, thin and crisp in a way that keeps regulars coming back and earns it frequent mention as some of the best pizza in the city. Alongside the pies, the kitchen makes fried ravioli, onion rings, garlic cheese bread, cannoli, cheese sticks, an Italian sausage grinder, a Philly cheese steak, and Ron’s Chicken Parmesan.
Sitting at 6108 SW 9th St, this neighborhood spot keeps a cozy, casual feel and offers seasonal outdoor seating.
One handy detail sets it apart: it is a family-owned Italian restaurant that is actually open on Mondays, which makes for a nice weeknight dinner option.
Hours vary by day, with lunch service Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11 AM to 2 PM, dinner most nights from 4:30 PM, and closed on Sundays. Friday and Saturday evenings pack in the crowds.
Delivery and takeout are available, and parking is easy.
7. Tomaso’s Pizza, Cedar Rapids, IA
Detroit-style deep dish in Cedar Rapids has been winning over college students and longtime fans alike, and Tomaso’s is where you find it.
The deep dish here has staying power, with people who first tried it during their college days in the early 2000s still swearing it tastes uniquely like Tomaso’s. If deep dish is not your thing, the thin-crust option holds its own with fresh ingredients and a well-matched sauce and crust.
The menu also includes wings, and there is a full vegetarian lineup along with some organic dishes.
Located at 2706 1st Ave SE, the parlor is snug and rustic, nicely decorated, and keeps a peaceful, family-friendly feel. Dogs are welcome outside.
Hours are Monday through Thursday 4 to 8 PM, Friday and Saturday 3 to 8:30 PM, and Sunday 11 AM to 8 PM. Friday evening brings the biggest crowd, while Sunday morning and Tuesday afternoon stay calm.
Reservations are not accepted, but takeout, delivery, and dine-in are all options. Parking is easy, and meals run about $10 to $20 per person.
8. The Great Plains Sauce & Dough Co., Ames, IA
Open since 1979, this Ames mainstay has spent decades perfecting one big idea: give people plenty of crust choices.
The Great Plains Sauce & Dough Co. bakes both thick and thin crust pizzas with a variety of doughs, and the sauce is unique enough that regulars can pick it out anywhere. There is even a dessert crust made with honey, which is not something you see at most pizza joints.
The Great Plains Taco Pizza is a standout, and the garlic cheese bread and garlic bread round out the menu nicely.
Sitting right on Main Street at 129 Main St #101, the wood-lined dining room has a historic, cozy feel and a fun atmosphere, plus free soda refills. It pulls in college students, groups, and visitors passing through downtown.
Hours are generous, running Monday through Saturday 11 AM to 11 PM and Sunday 11 AM to 10 PM, which makes it a reliable late-night option. Friday evening into night is the busiest stretch.
One thing to plan for is parking, since downtown street spots can be tricky to snag. Meals land around $10 to $20 per person.
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