Unearth The Voyage
Missouri takes its pizza seriously, and the proof is in the pie. Across the state, you will find pizza spots that have been feeding loyal customers for decades, from a St. Louis original that practically invented its own cheese to a college town favorite that earned a national shoutout on morning television. Some of these places have been passed down through families, some sparked debates about which crust style reigns supreme, and a few have even cooked for a U.S. president. What makes Missouri pizza culture so interesting is the variety: cracker-thin St. Louis style, hearty deep dish, classic New York folds, and wood-fired artisan pies all have a home here.
Read on to discover the 14 pizza places that locals keep recommending, arguing about, and returning to year after year.
1. Imo’s Pizza, St. Louis, Missouri
Back in 1964, Ed and Margie Imo started a pizza shop in The Hill neighborhood of St. Louis, and in doing so, they accidentally started a citywide identity crisis over cheese. Provel, a blend of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone, became the signature topping on their cracker-thin, square-cut pies, and St. Louis has never looked back.
From humble beginnings, Imo’s grew to nearly 100 franchise locations across Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas. The menu now includes toasted ravioli, pasta, and sandwiches alongside the iconic pizza.
First-time visitors often raise an eyebrow at Provel, but most come around quickly. The square slices are designed for sharing, and the thin crust gives each bite a satisfying snap. Trying Imo’s is basically a St. Louis rite of passage.
2. Shakespeare’s Pizza, Columbia, Missouri
Good Morning America once called it the best college hangout in the country, and that was back in 2010. Shakespeare’s Pizza has been a Columbia institution since 1973, and it has only grown more beloved with each passing decade.
The original downtown location was rebuilt in 2016, but the team made sure to reuse much of the old decor and materials so the beloved character of the place was not lost. Three locations now serve Columbia, each carrying the same hand-tossed pizzas with over 20 topping options.
On September 23, 2023, Columbia officially declared Shakespeare’s Pizza Day to mark the restaurant’s 50th anniversary. The restaurant also supports local nonprofits and lets kids make their own dough. Few pizza places have earned that kind of community devotion.
3. Faraci Pizza, Ellisville, Missouri
Joseph and Dorothy Faraci opened their first pizza shop in Ferguson, Missouri, in 1968, and every recipe they created that year is still being used today. That kind of consistency is rare, and it is exactly what keeps customers coming back across generations.
The Ellisville location, which seats around 100 guests, is run by family members who grew up in the business. Dough, sauce, and toppings are all prepared from scratch daily, and every pizza goes into a brick bottom oven that produces the crisp, classic crust the restaurant is known for.
The menu includes pastas, sandwiches, salads, toasted ravioli, and garlic bread alongside the signature 12-inch pies. The homemade salad dressing has also developed its own fan base. Family-owned restaurants with this kind of staying power are genuinely worth seeking out.
4. Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria, Rock Hill, Missouri
The owner spent time living in Italy before opening this restaurant, and that experience shaped every decision on the menu. At Katie’s Pizza and Pasta Osteria, the dough is naturally leavened for 48 hours, hand-stretched, and baked in a wood-fired oven at around 800 degrees.
The 11-inch pizzas rotate with the seasons, featuring ingredients like morel mushrooms, stracciatella, wildflower honey, and Calabrian chili paste. The pasta list is equally creative, with options like black spaghetti made from squid ink.
The Rock Hill dining room features mismatched furniture, silent movie projections, an open kitchen, and living wall planters. The restaurant launched with a crowdfunding campaign that raised $43,000, which tells you everything about how much the community wanted it to succeed. Reservations are strongly recommended.
5. Dewey’s Pizza, Kirkwood, Missouri
There is a transparent viewing area at Dewey’s Pizza where guests can watch every step of the pizza-making process, which turns out to be surprisingly entertaining when you are waiting for your order. The kitchen is not hidden here; it is part of the experience.
The menu leans creative, with specialty pizzas named Bronx Bomber, Elote, Ryan’s Inferno, and Dr. Dre sitting alongside classic options. A mid-thickness crust and quality cheese blends keep things grounded even when the toppings get adventurous. Gluten-free crust and half-and-half pizza options are also available.
Weekend evenings can mean a wait for seating, but the staff runs a tight, efficient operation. Salads and calzones round out the menu for anyone who needs a break from pizza, though that seems unlikely once you see the specialty list.
6. PaPPo’s Pizzeria & Pub, Springfield, Missouri
Wood-fired ovens are not just a cooking method at PaPPo’s; they are the foundation of the entire menu. The high heat produces a crust with a distinct crispness that is difficult to replicate in a standard oven, and it is one of the main reasons this Springfield spot has built such a loyal following.
The menu covers a wide range, from traditional pizza combinations to inventive specialty creations that give regulars something new to try. The pub setting encourages guests to settle in rather than rush, which fits nicely with the longer social meals that good pizza tends to inspire.
Southwest Missouri does not have a shortage of pizza options, but PaPPo’s has carved out a clear identity. The combination of wood-fired cooking and a relaxed atmosphere makes it one of the region’s most consistently recommended stops.
7. Black Thorn Pub & Pizza, St. Louis, Missouri
David Alan Difani opened Black Thorn Pub in 1986 in a space that had already been a bar since 1960, and the pizza reputation followed a few years later. Today the deep dish pies are the main attraction, with cooking times running between 45 and 60 minutes for the heartiest options.
The interior is classic dive bar: wood-paneled walls, older booths, shuffleboard, and arcade games spread across two rooms. Outdoor seating is available for warmer months. Sauce choices include an original spicy version, a Chef’s Special, and a Classic Tomato.
Patience is part of the deal here. Deep dish regulars know the wait is built into the experience, and the generous layers of cheese and toppings that arrive at the table make the timeline feel completely reasonable. Many St. Louis locals consider it a city essential.
8. Arris’ Pizza, Jefferson City, Missouri
Arris’ Pizza Palace opened in September 1961, making it one of the oldest Greek-style pizza establishments in the entire Midwest. That is over six decades of feeding Missouri families, and the restaurant shows no signs of slowing down.
The Greek-style approach sets it apart immediately. Sliced cheese is placed on top of all other toppings rather than underneath, and customers can choose from over 30 topping options with custom crust doneness levels ranging from extra crispy to traditional. Specialty pies like the House Pizza and the Hercules Pizza showcase the kitchen’s range.
Beyond pizza, the menu includes spanakopita, gyro dinners, souvlaki, baked manicotti, and lasagna. A weekday lunch buffet adds everyday value. Multiple Missouri locations, including Jefferson City, Columbia, and Springfield, mean more people get to enjoy it.
9. Pirrone’s Pizzeria, Florissant, Missouri
Tony Pirrone founded this Florissant pizzeria in 1976, and the current owners, who started working alongside him in 1980, took over when he retired in 1989. They kept every original recipe intact, which means the pizza tastes exactly the way longtime regulars remember it.
The sauce is a standout detail: it has a distinct orange hue and a tangy flavor that balances slightly sweet tomatoes with zesty Provel cheese. Toppings are applied generously, which has become a signature of the house.
The full menu covers toasted ravioli, pastas, cannelloni, mostaccioli, sandwiches, and fresh salads, making it a complete Italian-American dining experience rather than just a pizza stop. Dinner hours can get busy because of its strong local reputation, so arriving early is a practical strategy for anyone visiting for the first time.
10. La Pizza, St. Louis, Missouri
Paulie Bischop grew up in Queens, New York, and when he opened La Pizza in St. Louis in 2003, he brought a very specific set of standards with him. No Provel cheese. No shortcuts. Just hand-tossed pies cooked in a brick oven with dough and sauce made fresh every single day.
The restaurant uses 100% whole milk mozzarella exclusively, and toppings like green peppers, mushrooms, and onions are hand-selected and cut each morning. The Roberto pizza, named after baseball legend Roberto Clemente, is a popular order.
In 2010, St. Louis Magazine named La Pizza the number one pizza in the city, which is a bold title in a town with very strong pizza opinions. The place sells out regularly, so calling ahead is not optional on weekends. A second location opened in St. Charles in early 2025.
11. Fortel’s Pizza Den, Affton, Missouri
Bob Fortel first walked into The Pizza Den in 1966 as an employee, bought it in 1981, renamed it, and never looked back. Now in its third generation of family ownership, Fortel’s Pizza Den in Affton has grown from a carry-out-only operation into a full sit-down restaurant with over 100 seats.
The family moved to Affton in 1987, expanded the dining room in 1993, added an outdoor patio location in 2003, and built a private party room with 50-plus seats in 2018. Dough is made fresh in-store daily, and 100% real mozzarella is non-negotiable.
The menu covers appetizers, salads, breads, sandwiches, pastas, and lunch specials, plus gluten-free options for pizza crusts and desserts. Kid-friendly and pet-friendly, with delivery and curbside takeout available, this is a neighborhood restaurant built to serve everyone.
12. Cecil Whittaker’s Pizzeria, St. Louis, Missouri
Since the first location opened in South County St. Louis in 1983, Cecil Whittaker’s has expanded to 25 locations across the greater St. Louis area, which is a remarkable track record for a regional pizza brand built on one very specific style of pie.
The specialty is St. Louis-style thin crust made with a secret recipe sauce and a Provel cheese blend that melts into what the restaurant describes as a gooey, buttery finish. Signature pies include The Deluxe, The Veggie, and Meat Lover, alongside a build-your-own option with toppings that include shrimp.
Toasted ravioli is the signature appetizer, and the menu also features manicotti, baked lasagna, sandwiches, and salads. Dine-in, carry-out, and delivery are all available. For pizza nights that require zero planning, Cecil Whittaker’s is a reliable and crowd-pleasing answer.
13. Pizza Haus, Jefferson City, Missouri
Missouri’s state capital has a lot going on politically, but the most consistent crowd-pleaser in Jefferson City might be a family-owned pizza spot with cornhole on the patio and four televisions inside. Pizza Haus has multiple locations in Jefferson City and a loyal customer base that keeps both of them busy.
The crust style is described as pub-style: thick yet light, achieved with cornmeal and a gas-fired stone bottom oven. Specialty pizzas include the All-Meat with five proteins and the Blue Steel with BBQ sauce, spicy chicken, and bacon. Gluten-free and dairy-free options are available.
The menu extends to wings, hoagies, manicotti, pastas, and cinnamon stix. The staff, including the owner, is regularly praised for attentive service. The restaurant even sells branded merchandise like hats, spices, and sauces, which is a sign of a seriously dedicated fan base.
14. Waldo Pizza, Lee’s Summit, Missouri
Waldo Pizza has been around for over 30 years, starting in the Waldo neighborhood of Kansas City before the Lee’s Summit location opened in 2004 under owner Susan Sims. The Kansas City area has embraced both spots with enthusiasm that has not faded over time.
Crust options here are unusually broad: traditional hand-tossed, St. Louis thin, honey wheat, cauliflower, and egg-free gluten-free. Each style is paired with a specific cheese combination, so the experience changes meaningfully depending on what you order. Specialty pizzas include Spicy BBQ with burnt ends and jalapenos, Vegan Tex Mex, Margherita, and Florentine.
The Lee’s Summit dining room includes arcade games, Trivial Pursuit cards at the tables, and party rooms for group visits. Lunch buffets feature a salad bar with homemade garlic ranch dressing and pickled beet salad. This is a pizza place with genuine personality built in.
