Twin Cities' Best Pizza 2008

Some claim that this St. Paul dive has the best pizza in town.

Reviews:

• “If you Don’t believe this is one of the best, Your tastebuds must be fried!!!”
• “Won’t be in the Pizza Hall of Fame”
• “Best Pizza in Broadway!”
• “Like Crowds and Crappy Service? This is the place!!”
• “Best Pizza Pie in town”

Tips: Your pizza will be cut in little squares—use silverware; the toppings and cheese tend to slide off the crust.

Red’s Savoy Pizza

This diminutive Highland Park pizzeria serves the most authentic pies in town.

Reviews:

• “Crowd-pleasing Crust”
• “mmmm…volcano pizza….”
• “WOW! Exactly like I had in Italy!”
• “BAD PIZZA”
• “a little overrated”

Tips: When it’s warm, grab a table on the tiny deck out front. The large umbrellas and colorful flowerboxes will disguise the fact that you’re in a parking lot.

Punch Neapolitan Pizza

Hip little Neapolitan-style pizza joint in the hip little East Hennepin district.

Reviews:

• “best pizza i’ev had!!”
• “East Hennepin’s best-kept secret!”
• “Better than Italy”
• “Wonderful Neopolitan Pizza – but Competition is just down the street…”
• “Great gourmet pizza and cozy atmosphere”

Tips: Pizzas serve one or two people, so order accordingly.

Pizza Nea

A bustling Italian eatery that’s been serving home-style delicacies since 1911.

Reviews:

• “Cossetta’s is the place to go in St. Paul for Italian foods.”
• “A St. Paul institution. Real, traditional, no-joking-around Italian-American food.”
• “CHE TROIARIA”
• “A truly hilarious degree of incompetence "
• “Pure and simple a great place to go. "

Tips: Parking is a breeze, since Cossetta’s has its own lot.

Cossetta’s Italian Market & Pizzeria

Hip Warehouse District pizzeria that’s a perennial favorite with the late-night set.

Reviews:

• “Not even close to FAT LORENZOS!!!”
• “PIZZA LUCE= Amazing pizza, great service, and fun family friendly atmosphere!!!”
• “Waaaaay overrated”
• “UNDERCOOKED FOOD!”
• “Good pizza, incredibly fast”

Tips: After-bar pizza cravings? The kitchen is open until 3am on weekends.

Pizza Luce or email Pizza Luce

Pricey fare and charming Italian decor find a fit in this trendy neighborhood.

Reviews:

• “Great Authentic Italian”
• “Always a Great Time!!!”
• “Best Pizza & Fresh Pasta !!”
• “Wow”
• “Finally…true Italian!!!!”

Tips: An extensive wine list features fine vineyards from around the world, but the house wine is satisfying, tasty and a fraction of the price.

Arezzo Ristorante or email Arezzo Ristorante

A lovable little Italian joint serving big pizza, lots of pasta and hot hoagies.

Reviews:

• “It doesn’t get any better in the Twin Cities”
• “Great Family Pizza Joint”
• “Great Hoagie”
• “Not recomended for children”
• “i likey”

Tips: There’s a small lot behind the building and street parking out front.

Fat Lorenzo’s

A glamorous, gothic downtown Minneapolis eatery mixes glitz with some of the Twin Cities’ best contemporary Italian food.

Reviews:

• “Very snooty!”
• “Best soup EVER!”
• “You can find better Italian and better service elsewhere.”
• “Superb”
• “Zelo is NOT “Minnesota Nice”"

Tips: In summer months, the sidewalk tables are hugely popular—get there before 7pm to avoid a wait.

Zelo

Out-of-the-way North Loop bistro in the old Vanderblooms location offers neighborhood regulars Italian-inspired dishes and a decent list of vino.

Reviews:

• “Linger and enjoy”
• “Way too S-L-O-W”
• “Hidden Gem!”
• “A welcomed addition to the neighborhood!”
• “Great new wine bar with delcious food!”

Tips: The restaurant sits on a dead-end with its back facing the street. Pull into the Heritage Landing building parking lot next to the corner store and dry cleaners.

Toast Wine Bar & Cafe

Southern Italian cuisine and spirits brought to the table at the former home of Marimar.

Reviews:

• “good until the entrees arrived…”
• “Great food, very fresh pasta, wonderful flavors”
• “Best Restaurant in S. Minnie”
• “Get a reservation”
• “Perfect Anniversary Dinner!!”

Tips: There’s a lot behind the building.

al Vento or email al Vento

A pizza delivery company with a vision that’s out of this world.

Reviews:

• “Yummy Yumma”
• “great pizza made with great ingredients”
• “Delicious pizza that is out of this world, Quick, fun, environmentally friendly delivery.”
• “$2 coupon??”
• “Come for the Social Conscience, stay for the food”

Galactic Pizza

This local pizzeria chain with a train theme serves up piping hot pies to devoted fans throughout the Cities.

Reviews:

• “good pizza "
• “Best Pizza I found in the area”
• “Broadway Richfield”
• “The Best”
• “ummm good”

Broadway Pizza – Richfield

Umbria La Cucina Italiana or email Umbria La Cucina Italiana

A festive atmosphere and rustic Northern Italian menu keep things down-to-earth at this elegant Uptown restaurant.

Reviews:

• “lovely!”
• “Nice escape from Uptown to a lovely european style restaurant "
• “Nice setting, good food”
• “A Nice Quiet Dinner for Two”
• “vegetarians beware…”

Tips: The restaurant is valet only; metered street parking is available nearby.

Campiello Uptown

This relaxing neighborhood gem pours more than 30 worldly wines by the glass and serves up tempting antipasti and pizzas.

Reviews:

• “Always leave here satisfied”
• “Great Wine Bar”
• “Excellent!”
• “Terrific way to unwind”

Tips: A global wine list includes more than 30 wines by the glass, reasonably priced bottles, and five flights. An international beer selection features some 30-plus choices.

Riverview Wine Bar

This chic Italian restaurant is always packed like an olive jar, with more hopefuls thronging the bar.

Reviews:

• “Excellent Gnocchi with Bolognese "
• “Great pasta and desserts!”
• “Great Birthday Dinner”
• “Never Valet Unless You Want Something Stolen”
• “Great Potential”

Tips: It’s a good idea to make a reservation. Events at the Ordway or Xcel have a way of suddenly filling the tables.

Pazzaluna Urban Trattoria & Bar