Best Pizza in Indianapolis: The Top 10 Pizzerias to Try

Best Pizza in Indianapolis: The Top 10 Pizzerias to Try

Indianapolis has never claimed to be New York or Chicago when it comes to pizza, and that modesty has turned out to be its advantage. Instead of defending a single regional style, the city has become one of the most interesting pizza markets in the Midwest precisely because it does everything: thin-crust pies with 52 available toppings, wood-fired Neapolitan-inspired pizzas from a homemade oven called the Thunderdome, crackly Detroit-style squares, Roman slices by the cut, deep dish, and the Indiana pizza-parlor tradition of a chain that has been serving customers since 1965. A visitor can eat five completely different styles of pizza in a weekend and never repeat a neighborhood.

This guide draws on Visit Indy's pizza guide, recent local awards, and each restaurant's own history and current menu to rank the city's finest pizzerias. We weighed crust quality, topping creativity, consistency over time, atmosphere, and how well each pizzeria represents its particular style. The result spans a Mass Ave institution that opened in 1986 in a converted gravedigger's house, a young husband-and-wife venture that started by towing a brick oven behind a pickup truck, and a Pizza Hall of Fame chain that shows how the state itself likes its pies.

Whether the goal is a sit-down pizza dinner on Mass Ave, a quick Roman slice downtown, or a deep dive into Detroit-style squares, Indianapolis delivers real variety at fair prices. This guide ranks the 10 best pizzerias in Indianapolis, with the honest context that will help travelers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia find the right pie for their visit.

Quick Comparison: Best Pizza in Indianapolis

Price ranges are indicative per-person spend and vary with toppings, portion size, and whether you order by the slice or the whole pie.

The 10 Best Pizzerias in Indianapolis: Full Reviews

1. Bazbeaux — The Most Iconic Pizzeria in Indianapolis

Location: 333 Massachusetts Avenue, Mass Ave / Downtown  |  Price: $18–35 per person  |  Best For: First-time visitors, families, creative toppings

Bazbeaux is the pizzeria Indianapolis residents mention first, and it earned that position over decades. The original opened on May 12, 1986 in Broad Ripple, inside a weathered old house that had once belonged to the town cemetery's gravedigger, and it won its first "Best Pizza in Indianapolis" award before the end of its first year. It then held that title year after year for nearly two decades, and in 1989 it opened the downtown Mass Ave location that helped establish what is now the city's arts and design district. The name comes from a French court jester who fled to Italy rather than serve a teenage king.

The appeal is a thin crust and an unusually deep topping list: 52 toppings are available, with white, wheat, or gluten-free crust options. The signature Quattro Formaggio is really a five-cheese pizza, combining romano, cheddar, provolone, mozzarella, and ricotta with bacon and mushrooms, while adventurous eaters can order pies topped with shrimp, crab, snow peas, and fresh goat cheese. Solid pepperoni and sausage pies keep the less adventurous happy. Note that Bazbeaux operates first come, first served, with no reservations.

The honest verdict: The most iconic pizzeria in Indianapolis. For first-time visitors who want a genuine local institution with creative toppings and a Mass Ave setting, Bazbeaux is the non-negotiable first recommendation. Arrive before the dinner rush on weekends, since there is no reservation system.

2. King Dough — The Best Wood-Fired Pizza in Indianapolis

Location: 452 N Highland Avenue, Holy Cross / Near East Side  |  Price: $20–38 per person  |  Best For: Couples, younger crowds, wood-fired Neapolitan-inspired pizza

King Dough is the most exciting pizza story in Indianapolis right now. The husband-and-wife team of Adam and Alicia Sweets began by towing a brick oven behind their pickup truck to sell pizzas to students at Indiana University in Bloomington in 2014, and opened their first restaurant in 2019. Their oven, nicknamed the Thunderdome, produces roughly 14-inch, Neapolitan-inspired pies with hand-pulled mozzarella and dough made fresh every day. IndyStar named King Dough the Best Pizza in Indianapolis in 2025.

The crowd favorites are The Destroyer and The Butcher, both meat-forward pies that show off the oven's high heat and charred, chewy crust, while a classic Margherita and a Grape Gorgonzola pie give the menu range. A gluten-free pie is available, and the kitchen also makes pasta well, with a cocktail and all-natural soda list to round out the meal. The modern, industrial setting in the Holy Cross neighborhood skews toward couples and younger diners.

The honest verdict: The best wood-fired pizza in Indianapolis. For guests who want the city's most talked-about new pizzeria and a genuine Neapolitan-inspired pie, King Dough is the outstanding choice. Order The Destroyer for the full Thunderdome experience.

3. Diavola — The Most Authentic Neapolitan-Style Pizza

Location: 1134 E 54th Street, Meridian-Kessler  |  Price: $22–40 per person  |  Best For: Couples, an Italian-style dinner, authenticity

Diavola takes the Neapolitan tradition seriously in an upscale neighborhood setting. Visit Indy highlights the restaurant's motto, "in our crust we trust," and praises the large selection of both red-sauce and white-sauce pies, which is a genuinely broader range than most Neapolitan-style pizzerias offer. Local sources regularly place it among the top pizzerias in the city.

The namesake Diavola is the natural first order, alongside a classic Margherita, a prosciutto and arugula pie, and a selection of pizze bianche for guests who want to skip tomato sauce entirely. The polished but relaxed dining room in Meridian-Kessler makes Diavola a strong choice for a date night that leans toward Italian cooking rather than casual pizza-parlor fare.

The honest verdict: The most authentic Neapolitan-style pizza in Indianapolis. For couples who want a refined, Italian-leaning pizza dinner, Diavola is the outstanding choice, especially for guests who want white-sauce options.

4. Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza — The Most Creative Local Favorite

Location: 5646 E Washington Street, Irvington  |  Price: $15–28 per person  |  Best For: Adventurous eaters, locals' favorites, generous toppings

Jockamo is one of the pizzerias Indianapolis residents love most, and it stands out for pies that are unapologetically original. Recipes carry names tied to local culture, and the toppings are generous and unconventional in a way that makes ordering feel like a small adventure. The Irvington location, on the city's east side, keeps it outside the usual downtown tourist circuit.

Signature pies include Slaughterhouse Five, an obvious nod to Kurt Vonnegut's Indianapolis roots, plus The GP and Dillinger, alongside specialty pizzas built around a Thai-style sauce. For visitors who want to eat where locals actually eat, rather than where the downtown foot traffic goes, Jockamo is an excellent choice.

The honest verdict: The most creative local favorite in Indianapolis. For guests who want unusual, generously topped pies and a taste of neighborhood culture in Irvington, Jockamo is the outstanding choice.

5. Brozinni Pizzeria — The Best New York-Style Pizza

Location: South Indianapolis / Greenwood area (additional locations in Speedway and Nashville)  |  Price: $10–22 per person  |  Best For: Big slices, families, casual meals

Brozinni brings a genuine New York attitude to the Indiana suburbs. Visit Indy notes that the New York connection runs deep enough that even the names of the calzones, sandwiches, and pizzas reflect it, and the family-friendly restaurant is best known for large, foldable slices and its buttery, garlic-glazed Garlic Knuckles. Tripadvisor regularly places the pizzeria among the city's best.

The core order is straightforward: a classic pepperoni or cheese pie plus an order of Garlic Knuckles to share, since the buttery knots are widely considered a must with any meal. The restaurant also runs a food truck that serves slices on the go, which makes it an easy way to try the pizza at events and festivals.

The honest verdict: The best New York-style pizza in Indianapolis. For families and groups who want big slices at friendly prices, Brozinni is the outstanding choice. Do not skip the Garlic Knuckles.

6. Futuro — The Best Detroit-Style Pizza in Indianapolis

Location: 19 Cruse Street, Near East Side  |  Price: $15–28 per person  |  Best For: Detroit-style fans, a casual pizza night

Futuro is widely regarded as the city's best interpretation of Detroit-style pizza, a style defined by a thick, airy dough baked in a rectangular pan until the edges of the crust caramelize into crispy, cheesy borders. In a pizza scene that leans heavily toward thin crust and Neapolitan styles, Futuro offers something texturally very different.

The signature is the contrast between the crispy, caramelized cheese edge and the tall, soft interior, topped in the traditional Detroit way with sauce over the cheese. The Near East Side setting is casual, making Futuro a strong option for a relaxed evening built around sharing a square pie.

The honest verdict: The best Detroit-style pizza in Indianapolis. For guests who want a thick, crunchy-edged square pie, Futuro is the outstanding choice.

7. Napolese Pizzeria — The Best Artisan Pizza in Midtown

Location: 114 E 49th Street, Midtown  |  Price: $20–38 per person  |  Best For: An elegant, ingredient-driven pizza dinner

Napolese offers a more refined pizza experience in the Midtown neighborhood, with a polished atmosphere and a focus on quality ingredients. It suits diners who want to treat pizza as a proper sit-down meal rather than a casual grab-and-go option.

The menu leans on artisan Italian technique and seasonal toppings, and the restaurant's upscale-casual setting makes it a good match for couples or small groups who want something more elevated than a typical pizza-parlor evening.

The honest verdict: The best artisan pizza in Midtown. For guests who want an elegant, ingredient-focused pizza dinner, Napolese Pizzeria is the outstanding choice.

8. Pronta Pizzeria — The Best Roman Slice Downtown

Location: 325 W Washington Street, Downtown  |  Price: $8–16 per person  |  Best For: A fast, affordable downtown lunch

Pronta Pizzeria fills an important gap in downtown Indianapolis: a quick, affordable place to eat well between conventions, meetings, and sightseeing. It specializes in Roman-style pizza sold by the slice, a light, crisp, rectangular style that is easy to eat on the move.

The slice format makes it easy to sample several toppings for very little money, and the central Washington Street location puts it within a short walk of most downtown hotels and the convention district.

The honest verdict: The best Roman slice in downtown Indianapolis. For visitors who want a fast, affordable lunch near their hotel or the convention center, Pronta Pizzeria is the outstanding choice.

9. Giorgio's Pizza — The Best Deep Dish Downtown

Location: 9 E Market Street, Downtown  |  Price: $12–25 per person  |  Best For: Deep dish fans, hearty appetites

Giorgio's covers the one style the rest of this list mostly skips: Chicago-style deep dish. For guests who want tall, rich, heavily loaded pies rather than thin crust, it is the most convenient downtown option, located a few steps from Monument Circle.

Deep dish takes time to bake, so it rewards patience and a group of hungry eaters. It is the right choice when the priority is a filling, comforting meal rather than a light slice.

The honest verdict: The best deep dish pizza downtown in Indianapolis. For guests who want a rich, filling Chicago-style pie near Monument Circle, Giorgio's Pizza is the outstanding choice.

10. Arni's Restaurant — The Best Classic Indiana Pizza Institution

Location: 4705 E 96th Street, North Indianapolis  |  Price: $12–24 per person  |  Best For: A true Hoosier experience, families, tavern-style pizza

Arni's is a genuine Indiana institution. The restaurant was founded in Lafayette in 1965 and has grown into a chain of roughly 19 company-owned and franchised locations, and it was inducted into the Pizza Hall of Fame in 2017. The Indianapolis location on the north side gives visitors a way to try a pizza tradition that many Hoosiers grew up on.

It is not a trendy or experimental pizzeria, and that is the point. Arni's serves the kind of dependable, family-friendly, Midwest tavern-style pizza that shaped local expectations of what a pizza night should look like, making it a useful stop for anyone curious about the state's pizza history.

The honest verdict: The best classic Indiana pizza institution in Indianapolis. For families and travelers who want to taste a Hoosier tradition, Arni's is the outstanding choice.

Indianapolis Pizza Styles Explained

One of the best ways to plan a pizza weekend in Indianapolis is to think in styles rather than restaurants. Thin crust is best represented by Bazbeaux, whose crust is designed to hold an unusually wide topping list. Wood-fired, Neapolitan-inspired pizza belongs to King Dough and Diavola, both built around high-heat ovens and a chewy, charred crust. New York style comes from Brozinni, with wide, foldable slices. Detroit style is Futuro's specialty, with a thick, crunchy-edged square. Roman slices are Pronta's domain, and Chicago deep dish is Giorgio's. Finally, Arni's stands for the Indiana tavern tradition. Trying two or three of these in one trip gives a far more complete picture of the city than picking a single favorite.

How to Choose the Right Pizzeria in Indianapolis

Choose by Occasion

• A first-time visit to Indianapolis: Bazbeaux — the city's most iconic pizza institution.
• A date night: King Dough or Diavola — both offer a more polished, wood-fired experience.
• A quick, budget-friendly lunch downtown: Pronta Pizzeria — Roman slices near the convention district.
• A group or family dinner: Brozinni or Arni's — big portions and a relaxed setting.
• Trying a specific style: Futuro for Detroit style, Giorgio's for deep dish.

Best Neighborhoods for Pizza

• Mass Ave / Downtown: Home to Bazbeaux, Pronta, and Giorgio's, the easiest area to walk between pizza options.
• Near East Side / Holy Cross: Anchored by King Dough and Futuro, the city's most exciting new pizza corridor.
• Meridian-Kessler and Midtown: Home to Diavola and Napolese, ideal for a more refined pizza dinner.
• Irvington: Home to Jockamo, a local favorite outside the downtown tourist circuit.

Indianapolis Pizza Price Guide

• Slices and quick lunches: $8–16 per person
• Casual sit-down pizza dinners: $12–28 per person
• Wood-fired and artisan pizza dinners: $20–40 per person

Insider Tips for Eating Pizza in Indianapolis

• Arrive early at Bazbeaux. The restaurant operates first come, first served with no call-ahead seating or reservations, so weekend evenings can involve a wait.
• Order The Destroyer at King Dough. It is one of the two crowd-favorite pies that show off the Thunderdome oven best, and the kitchen also makes a gluten-free option.
• Pair a Mass Ave pizza with a neighborhood evening. Bazbeaux, Pronta, and Giorgio's all sit in or near the downtown arts district, so it is easy to continue the night on foot.
• Add Garlic Knuckles at Brozinni. The buttery, garlic-glazed knots are the side dish most closely associated with the restaurant.
• Try a white pie at Diavola. The restaurant's white-sauce pizzas are a good way to taste a different side of the Neapolitan tradition.
• Use Pronta for a fast convention-week lunch. Roman slices are quick, light, and cheap, and the location is walkable from most downtown hotels.
• Look for the Brozinni food truck at events. It is an easy way to try the slices without a full sit-down meal.

Frequently Asked Questions: Best Pizza in Indianapolis

What is the best pizza in Indianapolis?

Bazbeaux is the city's most iconic pizzeria, open since 1986 and known for a thin crust and 52 available toppings. King Dough is the strongest alternative for wood-fired, Neapolitan-inspired pizza and was named Best Pizza in Indianapolis by IndyStar in 2025.

Where can I find Detroit-style pizza in Indianapolis?

Futuro on the Near East Side is widely considered the city's best Detroit-style pizza, with a crispy, caramelized cheese edge and a tall, soft interior.

What is the best New York-style pizza in Indianapolis?

Brozinni Pizzeria is the top choice for large, foldable New York-style slices, and its Garlic Knuckles side is a local favorite.

Where should I go for authentic Neapolitan pizza in Indianapolis?

Diavola in Meridian-Kessler and King Dough in Holy Cross are the two best options, with Diavola offering a more traditional Neapolitan approach and King Dough using its Thunderdome wood-fired oven.

Is there deep dish pizza in Indianapolis?

Yes. Giorgio's Pizza, in downtown Indianapolis, specializes in Chicago-style deep dish pizza.

Where can I get a quick, cheap slice downtown?

Pronta Pizzeria on West Washington Street serves Roman-style pizza by the slice at some of the lowest prices on this list, making it ideal for a fast lunch near the convention district.

Does Bazbeaux take reservations?

No. Bazbeaux operates on a first come, first served basis and does not offer call-ahead seating or reservations, so arriving early on weekends is recommended.

Final Verdict: The Best Pizza in Indianapolis

Indianapolis rewards pizza lovers who explore styles rather than chase a single winner. For the most iconic experience, Bazbeaux's thin crust and 52 toppings, served on Mass Ave since 1989, remain the definitive choice. For the best wood-fired pizza, King Dough's Thunderdome oven and IndyStar-winning pies make it the outstanding pick. And for a taste of Hoosier tradition, Arni's Pizza Hall of Fame heritage offers something no newer pizzeria can replicate.

Explore More: Continue exploring Indianapolis with our guides to the Best Hotels in Indianapolis, the Best Restaurants in Indianapolis, the Best Seafood Restaurants in Indianapolis, the Best Romantic Restaurants in Indianapolis, and the Best Brunch in Indianapolis.