13 Must-Try Iowa Pizza Spots That Are Always Worth The Miles
If you love a road trip almost as much as a perfect slice, Iowa’s pizza trail is the kind of adventure you plan your weekends around.
From old school thin crust to cheeky fusion pies and wood-fired beauties, these Hawkeye State spots will offer you the kind of flavor that makes the miles disappear.
You will get beloved institutions with decades of stories and bold newcomers that push toppings into delightful territory, all anchored by warmth that feels unmistakably Iowa.
So don’t hesitate: come hungry, map ready, and be prepared to find a new favorite in every town you visit as your cruise through Iowa!
1. Pagliai’s Pizza
When you step into Pagliai’s, the aroma of a stone deck oven tells you the night is heading in the right direction.
Type in 302 E Bloomington St, Iowa City, in your GPS to find the joint!
The Palace Special is the move here!
It’s a classic thin crust loaded with sausage, beef pepperoni, mushrooms, and onions that lands balanced and craveable.
There is a rhythm here that feels earned, from the crisp edge char to the way the cheese bubbles over the center.
The sauce is mild and tomato forward, letting the toppings speak without getting muddy.
If you like a simple two topping, do not overthink it, the sausage and mushroom profile is dialed, too!
There’s plenty of parking, too, so that’s another worry crossed off your list!
2. Mabe’s Pizza
Mabe’s is the kind of place that defines a town’s taste.
You will find it at 110 E Water St, Decorah, anchoring downtown with neon glow and steady foot traffic.
The famous square cut sets the tone, turning each slice into perfect snackable bites that keep disappearing before you realize.
Crust lands in that sweet spot between delicate and sturdy, so toppings stay aligned.
Chicken Cordon Bleu brings chicken, ham, and a creamy profile that pairs with a gentle sauce, while Philly Cheesesteak pizza reads savory and crowd pleasing.
If thin and crispy calls your name, order it that way and let the edges snap.
The dining room feels like Friday nights and hometown chatter, with quick service and pies that hit the table hot!
Road trippers will love the consistency, and you will leave planning your next pass through town just for one more box.
3. Great Plains Sauce & Dough Company
Great Plains Sauce & Dough Company is a choose-your-adventure pizza lab where crust is the headline.
Set your GPS to 129 Main Street in Ames, right in the heartbeat of downtown.
Six crust options mean you can go whisper thin or full on thick and honey dipped, building a pie that fits your mood.
Settle into a booth, watch the ovens cycle, and let the night pace itself around chewy edges, caramelized cheese and a drizzle of honey!
The toppings are generous without tilting into chaos, and the house sauce stays balanced with a gentle herbal finish.
You can also order a half and half to test textures, then save a slice to reheat later, because these pies hold up beautifully!
4. Fong’s Pizza
Fong’s feels like a party disguised as a pizzeria, and the pies deliver the punchline.
Head to 317 E Court Ave, Des Moines and enjoy this Polynesian-Italian mash-up!
The Crab Rangoon pizza is here the icon, creamy, tangy, and crisp!
If you want a kick, Honey Garlic Alfredo brings sweet heat with a crispy twist and a drizzle that ties everything together.
The thin crust keeps things light so bold flavors do not weigh you down.
Pair it with a tiki beverage and lean into the playful spirit, because the menu invites you to explore.
Linger late, share a couple quirky pies, and people watch as downtown hums.
The staff will keep a fast pace without losing the banter, and slices reheat nicely when you over-order.
Trust me: you’ll leave Fong’s with a story and a new craving!
5. Wig & Pen Pizza Pub
Wig & Pen is comfort in pizza form with a cheeky pub soul.
Make your way to 1220 US-6 in Iowa City to find the spot!
This pizza joint has a unique pub-like atmosphere, offering at least three different crust styles and bar food!
And the pizzas are finger-licking good!
The crust has structure without heaviness, so each wedge stands tall but eats clean.
The crust is thin and it has no slouch either, proving versatility runs deep here.
The service is friendly, the pacing is relaxed, and the pub setting suits a slow roll evening.
You get that lovely contrast of crispy edge and molten center, the kind of bite that quiets a room.
By the last forkful, you understand why locals steer visitors here first and why coming here feels completely necessary!
6. Sam’s Pizza
Sam’s Pizza keeps it straightforward and stellar, delivering thin crust precision and Chicago-stuffed comfort.
Point your map to 441 S Gilbert St, Iowa City to find this low key joint!
Quality shows in the details, from well seasoned sausage to a cheese pull that does not quit.
Order a thin for the table and a stuffed to share, then compare textures like a fun tasting flight.
You will find the bake even, the crust balanced, and the toppings honest.
This is a dependable weeknight hero and a road trip anchor when you want consistent excellence.
Service moves with purpose, and pies land at the perfect temperature.
Don’t forget to grab an extra box for the drive!
Believe you me: these slices remain tasty after a stretch of highway and a good playlist!
7. Maggie’s Farm Wood-Fired Pizza
Maggie’s Farm is where wood fire meets imagination, and the crust sings with charred bubbles.
Cruise your way to 1308 Melrose Avenue in Iowa City, and find a welcoming corner!
You’ll be here a while, just let me warn you!
The menu changes with the seasons, so you lean into what is fresh and lively.
A classic Margherita proves the fundamentals, with tangy sauce, creamy mozzarella, and basil that wakes up the palate.
Rotating specials bring playful accents without overwhelming the crust’s gentle chew.
Order a salad to start, sip something crisp, and watch the oven crew work with calm tempo.
The room has neighbor energy, and the pacing fits a lingering evening.
By the last slice, you will be mapping your next visit, because wood-fired done right creates a habit you are happy to keep!
8. Zeno’s Pizza
Zeno’s feels like a time capsule in the best way, an Iowa classic with personality.
Set your route to 109 E Main Street in Marshalltown and ready yourself for some pizza wonderland!
The Bavarian with bacon and sauerkraut is a standout at Zeno’s.
It’s tangy, smoky, and unexpectedly addictive.
Traditionalists can stick with sausage and pepperoni, which land exactly as you hope.
The sauce is restrained, the cheese has that golden edge, and the balance reads effortless.
It is the sort of place you bring family, then return with friends who become regulars.
Afterwards, you can take a walk down Main Street and enjoy some views while holding a leftover slice!
9. Casey’s Pizza
Casey’s is a road trip legend because a gas stop that hands you great pizza is a gift.
Plug in 6630 Mills Civic Pkwy if you’re in West Des Moines or honestly the nearest Casey’s you spot on your route.
You can choose from house specials to classics here.
The pepperoni slice hits with a nostalgia factor while the breakfast pizza is pure Midwest comfort.
Egg, cheese, and your choice of sausage or bacon create a morning pie that somehow works any time of day.
The crust is soft with a gentle chew, and the sauce stays balanced, never cloying.
You can also order ahead on the app and walk in like a hero who knew exactly what the group wanted!
This is not a fancy joint, though, but it is dependable, which counts when miles stack up and appetite spikes.
Grab cold drinks, napkins, and an extra box for the car.
You will pull back onto the highway happier, which is exactly why Casey’s belongs on every Iowa pizza list.
10. The Quarter Barrel Arcade & Brewery
Pizza, pinball, and cold, craft drinks make a very convincing trio at The Quarter Barrel.
Find it at 616 2nd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids and enjoy some fun and pizza-filled time with your group!
The pizzas lean Neapolitan inspired, with leopard spotting on the crust and a tender center that folds clean.
Simple toppings shine, like pepperoni cupping at the edges or mushrooms that actually taste like mushrooms.
A rotating board keeps things fun without overcomplicating the formula.
The room here buzzes in the best way, and service keeps pace with the energy.
By the time you and your buddies tally high scores, you will have planned your next visit for another pie and another run at the leaderboard!
11. Need Pizza
Need Pizza answers the craving for big, foldable New York style slices with Iowa hospitality.
Aim for 207 2nd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, and watch huge pies glide from the oven to the counter!Q
The crust carries a light char and a sturdy base that bends without breaking.
Cheese slices are classic and satisfying, pepperoni pops with a little edge crisp, and white pies show off a garlicky glow.
The sauce is balanced and the cheese melt lands picture perfect.
High top tables, fast service, and a vibe that says keep it simple, keep it tasty.
You can also order by the slice if you are just cruising through.
All in all, Need Pizza is an easy downtown stop before a show or after a long drive.
You will leave with napkins in your pocket and plans to return for that perfect corner bite you missed.
12. Dough Co. Pizza
Dough Co. gives Ames a crisp, modern slice scene with creativity to spare.
Set your route to 2330 University Ave, Des Moines, to find the joint!
The dough here is baked airy and blistered, a canvas for combinations that balance freshness with comfort.
The ingredients are juicy and thoughtfully sourced, and the flavor stays consistent across the board.
The staff moves quickly and guides you toward favorites without fuss.
Overall, this is the kind of place where you feel the craft without any pretense.
By the last slice, your only decision is whether to take another to go for the road, which is not a bad habit at all.
13. The Wedge Pizzeria, Iowa City
The last but most definitely not least on our guide is The Wedge Pizzeria.
You can find this beloved spot in Iowa City at 113 Iowa Ave!
Known for its unique blend of traditional and gourmet pizzas, The Wedge Pizzeria offers an authentic taste of Iowa.
The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, perfect for a casual meal with friends or family.
The ingredients here are always fresh while the toppings are inventive enough to make each slice a masterpiece.
A standout choice is their classic Margherita pizza, which brings a perfect balance of flavors.
If you’re in Iowa City any time soon, don’t skip The Wedge!
This place truly captures the heart of all pizza lovers, trust me!
