Three Essential Detroit Pizza Joints

I love all kinds of pizza: a hearty NY slice, an oozing Chicago Deep Dish, a bubbly and charred Neapolitan pie, a priced-by-weight and cut-with-scissors square of Roman pizza. But the pizza style that is most nostalgic to me, and probably closest to my heart, is Detroit-style – despite never stepping foot in the city until my 30s.

Why? Well, like many 90s kids, I grew up eating pan-style pizzas, frequently as a reward for reading. As I’ve gotten older, my palette has grown up, too – but I still crave a crisp and chewy slice of pizza often. The kind of pie where the dough isn’t an afterthought – instead it’s an equal player, supporting the toppings with all of its flavorful, long-fermented might.

So, when Michael chose Detroit as his birthday destination, my stomach held a celebration of its own.

A poster that reads Detroit Slice and has watercolor images of different pizzas — Poster by Cities by the Slice

…and then I entered a state of minor panic. With only three days in the city, that gave us a very limited opportunity for pizza-eating, particularly as there were other places on our radar, too. But we made up our minds to visit three of Detroit’s best pizza joints – one per day.

We devoted hours to scouring the internet for reviews and scrutinizing photos, to land on these three can’t-miss Detroit pizza restaurants:

Michigan & Trumbull

Michigan & Trumbull | Currently Moving

A rectangle pizza in Detroit — Cowabunga Supreme

A basket of pepper poppers — Fresno Chile Poppers

Good luck.

The decision-making process at Michigan & Trumbull is next to impossible, but I recommend taking it one step at a time. Red or white? Meat or veggie? Classic or fun?

The best approach would be to visit with a group of friends and order a range of pies from the menu to try a little of everything (or better yet, make friends while you wait – because there just might be a wait when you arrive). But if you’re dining as a pair, you’ll have to make do with just one. As hungry as we were, finishing the 8×10 pie was brutal. Well, not that brutal, I suppose, thanks to the Cowabunga Supreme’s crisp edges, soft interior, and perfectly balanced flavors. In the mood for a little more? Consider adding a batch of poppers, made with Fresno peppers and served with a side of cilantro ranch.

[note - shortly after our visit Michigan & Trumbull announced they are moving - head to their Instagram for their pop-up schedule in the meantime]

Amar Pizza

Amar Pizza | 12195 Joseph Campau Ave, Hamtramck, MI 48212

Interior of Amar Pizza — The restaurant is primarily a take-out spot, but there are a few tables available

A Detroit pizza with two types of toppings — *top* Naga Pizza | *bottom* Dry Fish Pizza

Okay, so Amar Pizza is technically in Hamtramck, an enclave just fifteen minutes from downtown – but their offerings are so unique it would be a crime to leave them off this list. Best known for their Naga Pizza (chicken, red onions, cilantro, and made with naga sauce) and Dry Fish Pizza (dried shrimp, roasted garlic, onions, and cilantro with a spicy fish paste sauce), Amar Pizza will gladly combine the two for you in a half-and-half square. Both were worlds apart in flavor – the Naga pizza is sweet, tangy, and herbal with a little kick, and the Dry Fish Pizza is a salty umami bomb with intense heat.

Not feeling so hot? I’m certain you’ll find something to your liking (plus you can always build your own!). As seems to be the norm for us, we found a small pizza to be just too large to share – but the pair next to us was chowing down on a bigger pie plus several hot dogs, so YMMV I guess.

Pie Sci Pizza

Pie Sci Pizza | 5163 Trumbull, Detroit, MI 48208

Pie Sci Pizza is located across the street from the Wayne State University campus (hence the name, get it?), and pizza class is in session, baby.

Choose between a four-slice 8×10″ pie or an eight-slice 10×14″ larger version (round pies are also available, but that’s not why we’re here), and then debate whether you want to order one of the fun flavor combinations or build your own. My recommendation is to choose one from their list, as you’ll save significantly more on your final bill. Enjoy every second of the cheese pull on this crispy-edged pillow of a pizza.

More Detroit Pizza Options

I only feel comfortable sharing what I know or have experienced, but I’m more than happy to let you sneak a peek at my list for my next visit(s) to Motor City! A few places on my radar, in no particular order:

Grandma Bob’s | Thick pies in hip digs
Sicily’s Pizzeria | Sourdough Detroit-style pizza? Yes, please
Buddy’s Pizza | The OG of Detroit-style pizza
Z’s Villa | There’s more on the menu than pizza, but the pies look solid

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Questions for you

What is your favorite style of pizza?

What other Detroit spots would you add to this list?