Madison might be famous for its university and lakes, but dismissing its pizza scene would be a culinary misstep. From state workers grabbing slices between sessions to students fueling late-night study sessions, and locals seeking more than just cheese and crust, this city delivers. The result? A deliciously diverse lineup where Neapolitan authenticity meets Midwestern innovation.
Bar Corallini
$$ | (608) 709-1316 | WEBSITE
Regardless of the occasion, you’ll want to settle in at the bar at Bar Corallini. Yes, you might be celebrating a special event or just grabbing a casual bite, but it’s the commitment to genuine hospitality that makes us feel like we’re part of the family. You should come here for the pizza, although they do have some excellent vegan options and custom cocktails, too.
Their classic approach to fresh ingredients makes for a memorable, satisfying meal, but we’ve also been known to just fill up on their sweet celebration treats.
Rosati’s Pizza (East)
$ | (608) 245-1111 | WEBSITE
The unassuming storefront in a Madison strip mall isn’t necessarily where you’d expect to find pizza and wings that people drive across town for. But Rosati’s Pizza (East) has become a favorite of locals and travelers alike who want reliable delivery for game nights or casual gatherings. The restaurant’s approach is so straightforward, you’ll think they just focus on the basics. But that just means there are fewer things to distract from the food, which arrives hot and ready to eat.
If you can make room after the deep dish pizza (and your wallet still has something left in it—the pizza runs about $25 for a large before drinks and additions), you’ll want to add on the wings, which are said to be the best in the Midwest.
Pizza Extreme
$ | (608) 259-1500 | WEBSITE
If Chicago had a little brother—one who’s a little more laid-back, and a little more generous—it would be Pizza Extreme. The restaurant serves hearty Chicago-style pizza that ranges from comforting classics like the deep dish to more satisfying handheld options, like the vegetarian gyro with freshly chopped veggies. Each pie is a reasonable $18–$26, but that doesn’t stop Pizza Extreme from filling the dining room each night.
Set apart from the bustle of downtown, this is a good spot for a casual birthday or a family dinner. The attentive staff, like server Sam, and the phenomenal deep dish pizza make it a favorite for many in Madison.
Strada
$ | (608) 265-0869 | WEBSITE
There’s nothing like a place where you can joyfully shout across the table and maybe spill tomato sauce on your new white shirt, and that’s why we come to Strada. The always-busy pizza spot is inspired by old-school joints that peddled everything from pepperoni to mushrooms and served generous slices in the center of it all. Strada plays up its affection for them with checkered tablecloths lining the tables, booths tightly packed together, and a counter stocked with affordable craft beers.
Expect a menu full of comfort meals, like saucy pepperoni pizzas, sides of garlic knots, and warm marinara dipping sauce.
Molten Monkey – BEST NEW RESTAURANT – 2025 – Madison Magazine
$ | WEBSITE
People love the pizza at Molten Monkey so much they had to put a hard cap on the number of pies you can order (two per person). And for good reason: You can put away a lot of pizza in one sitting. The menu is $25 per person, no matter how much or how little you eat. Everything is just a few slices, so you can try a bit of everything—though if you’re like us, you’ll want two orders of the Piggly Figgly, a perfect blend of savory and sweet.
Wash it down with some craft beer, a classic Wisconsin drink made from locally sourced hops and barley. Like a lot of the restaurants in Madison, the inside of Molten Monkey looks a little industrial, which is probably why most people opt for the cozy booths or the lively bar seating.
Eat the Best Pizza
$ | (608) 819-6019 | WEBSITE
You always know what you’re going to get at Eat the Best Pizza: a clean table, a quick and kind server, your slice served on a paper plate, and a check that can only be paid with cash. This is the best place in the neighborhood to shake off a wild night, and Eat the Best Pizza does the pizza basics best—we love the straightforward, absolutely zero-frills Sicilian slice with its fluffy and crunchy crust.
We also like the plain and satisfying buffalo chicken pizza, and a topping-heavy “massive meat lovers slice” named for the owner’s favorite creation. Eat the Best Pizza opened in the ‘90s, and a photo of New York City still hangs askew on the wall and a vintage oven hums on loop. We hope this place lasts forever.
MOD Pizza
$ | (608) 504-3890 | WEBSITE
You probably won’t be able to hear yourself think over the din of families, groups of friends, and semi-blaring pop-music at MOD Pizza, but you don’t come here for quiet. You come here to eat some of the best build-your-own pizza in town (which makes sense—MOD Pizza is known for its fresh, customizable pies).
A wall of bright colors and modern signage looks down over the closely packed tables crowded with bottles of marinberry lemonade, slices of no-name cake, gluten-friendly crusts, and the best vegan and vegetarian options we’ve ever had.
Pizza Brutta
$ | (608) 257-2120 | WEBSITE
Pizza Brutta is our go-to for nights when we want a great slice of pizza. This is a simple neighborhood spot, with a cozy patio in the back and some booth seating. While there are other things on the menu, you should come here specifically for the handmade pizzas, which range from the Margherita to the hot honey pizza. Pizza Brutta’s dishes come out fresh from the oven, so you can expect some similarities in the experience—mainly, the same reliable, old-school pizza aesthetic.
It’s Good For You
$ | (608) 230-5708 | WEBSITE
As the wood-fired oven in the open kitchen will inform you, it’s always a celebration at It’s Good For You. Make sure you understand the assignment before showing up: casual comfort, some coziness, and the relaxed attitude that’s been waiting for a night out are all a part of the unofficial vibe. It’s an extraordinary feat to get a table at this hidden gem, but once you do (and commit to the $25 a person pizza menu—saladsnotincluded) you won’t be disappointed.
And especially not by the food—particularly the expertly crafted pizzas that’ll get you thinking about your next visit.
Nattspil
$$ | (608) 285-9659 | WEBSITE
We’re obsessed with what Nattspil calls their ‘lamb wantons’ (actually, the whole city is), which come filled with savory lamb and served with a dipping sauce. The tiny speak-easy on the Madison scene is our go-to for late-night drinks, but their dishes are so flavorful and unique that it doubles as a move for impressing out-of-town friends. Nattspil has cozy seating inside, as well as a few dimly lit tables, but we typically opt for hanging out at the bar.
