Detroit Pizza Map of the Detroit pizza as a culinary icon that goes far beyond being just a meal — it’s a movement. In the Motor City, locals grow up debating their favorite corner slices, while visitors quickly fall for the rich crusts, gooey cheese, and bold red sauce that define Detroit’s beloved pizza culture.
This guide maps out the most iconic, underrated, and revolutionary pizza joints in the city — from the original Detroit-style square pies to crispy Neapolitan circles, halal fusion, and vegan masterpieces. Whether you’re after comfort food or culinary innovation, this Detroit pizza map is your ultimate slice-by-slice compass.
What Is Detroit-Style Pizza?
Thick, rectangular, and unapologetically cheesy — Detroit-style pizza is baked in blue steel pans originally used to hold auto parts. These pans create the signature crispy, caramelized crust that has made Detroit-style pizza famous around the world. Unlike Chicago’s deep dish, Detroit pizza is fluffy yet crunchy, and the sauce is usually ladled on top of the cheese post-bake.
“The crust is airy like focaccia, but that cheese wall on the edge? That’s Detroit magic.” – Local foodie quote (paraphrased)
Detroit Pizza Map: The Best Spots by Style and Flavor
Buddy’s Pizza – Where the Legend Was Born
Multiple Locations
Founded in 1946, Buddy’s invented Detroit-style pizza. Their Classic Pepperoni is a rite of passage. The dough is light, edges are crispy, and the sauce is bold — still prepared to the original recipe.
“It’s not just nostalgia. Buddy’s really is that good.” – Yelp reviewer
Loui’s Pizza – No-Frills, Old-School Charm
Hazel Park
Tucked away in a retro dining room filled with wine bottles and checkered tables, Loui’s keeps things simple and savory. The mozzarella stretch is impressive, and the pepperoni cups with charred edges are a hit with long-time Detroiters.
Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant – The True OG
Eastpointe
Founded by Gus Guerra, the man behind Buddy’s original recipe, Cloverleaf serves authentic Detroit-style pies with a crust that shatters just right.
Supino Pizzeria – Italian Soul in Eastern Market
Eastern Market
Don’t expect rectangles here. Supino’s focuses on thin-crust, Italian-style pizzas with a charred Neapolitan edge. Perfect after browsing produce at the Saturday Market.
Must-try: Margherita or the Bismarck with egg and prosciutto.
PizzaPlex – Neapolitan With Purpose
Southwest Detroit
A certified member of the True Neapolitan Pizza Association, PizzaPlex crafts wood-fired pies with sustainable ingredients and zero-waste packaging. Their vegan options and local support programs set them apart.
“Tastes like Naples. Feels like Detroit.”
Pie-Sci Pizza – The Mad Scientist of Dough
Woodbridge
At Pie-Sci, anything goes: peanut sauce, pineapple, mac n’ cheese, ghost pepper flakes — you name it. Their rotating specials make each visit a new experience. And yes, they offer excellent vegan options.
Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria & Brewery – Elevated Pizza & Sours
Midtown
Famous for their house-fermented sourdough crust, this spot is ideal for gourmet pizza lovers. Try the Truffled Mushroom Pie with a barrel-aged sour ale.
Late-Night Pizza Spots (Locals Only Vibe)
- Bucharest Grill (Downtown): Get the shawarma, but don’t sleep on their pizza fries.
- Jet’s Pizza (Various): Reliable, open late, and still has that thick Detroit-style crust — ideal for after-hours cravings.
Detroit Pizza Culture: More Than a Meal
Pizza in Detroit is personal. Families gather over it. Friends debate over crust styles. Tourists seek it out with purpose. Whether you’re walking into a historic Buddy’s booth or grabbing a slice from a food truck outside Eastern Market, you’re participating in a local tradition that’s as old as Motown itself.
Detroit’s pizza scene is constantly evolving, and that’s the beauty of it. New pizza trucks, pop-ups, and vegan collaborations appear every year — proving that this city doesn’t just protect its pizza legacy, it builds on it.
FAQ
What is the difference between Detroit-style and Chicago deep-dish pizza?
Detroit-style is rectangular with a focaccia-like base and sauce on top. Chicago deep-dish is heavier and saucier with a pie-like crust.
Where can I get the best Detroit-style pizza?
Buddy’s, Loui’s, and Cloverleaf are top-tier. For modern takes, try Pie-Sci or Jolly Pumpkin.
Are there vegan pizza options in Detroit?
Yes. Pie-Sci and PizzaPlex offer excellent vegan pizzas with cashew-based cheese and inventive toppings.
