01
Best crowd-pleaser
Dewey's Pizza
Cleveland Heights – Cedar Lee • Lively Sit-Down Pizzeria • Best For Groups And Families
Big, creative pies and an upbeat dining room make Dewey’s a reliable east-side go-to.
Just up the road in Cleveland Heights, Dewey’s hits that sweet spot between everyday pizza joint and night-out destination. The menu leans into specialty pies with thoughtful topping combos, plus build-your-own options if you like to customize. It’s an easy choice when you’re gathering friends or family near East Cleveland and need something everyone will be happy with.
02
For adventurous eaters
Citizen Pie
Collinwood – Waterloo Arts District • Wood-Fired Neapolitan-Style Pizzeria • Best For Inventive Pies
A compact, wood-fired shop turning out blistered, creative pies just north of East Cleveland.
Head north toward the lake and you’ll land at Citizen Pie’s Waterloo outpost, a favorite for pizza obsessives. Here it’s all about fast-baked, leopard-spotted crusts and combos that go well beyond pepperoni, from spicy Calabrian chiles to funky cheeses and seasonal veggies. It’s a great choice when you want a quick, memorable pie before a show or gallery stop in the arts district.
03
Old-school favorite
Mama Santa's
Little Italy • Old-School Italian Pizzeria • Classic Comfort Pick
A Little Italy institution serving no-frills, deeply comforting pies a short hop from East Cleveland.
Just southwest of East Cleveland, Mama Santa’s is the kind of old-school spot where families have been splitting pizzas for generations. The crust is sturdy, the toppings are straightforward, and everything arrives in generous, shareable portions. Pair a sausage-and-pepperoni pie with a simple salad and you’ve got the classic Little Italy experience without overthinking it.
04
For pizza purists
Vero Pizza Napoletana
Cleveland Heights – Cedar Fairmount • Intimate Neapolitan Pizza Bar • Best For Date Night
A cozy Cedar Fairmount spot focused on finely tuned, Neapolitan-style pies and a relaxed, grown-up vibe.
Perched on the hill above Cleveland’s cultural district, Vero offers a more dialed-in, minimalist approach to pizza. The menu centers on a tight list of blistered, soft-centered pies where great dough, careful toppings, and a hot oven do the heavy lifting. It’s the kind of place you choose when you’re leaving East Cleveland for a low-key date or a few excellent pies with a small group.
05
Longtime local standby
Geraci's Restaurant
University Heights • Casual Neighborhood Pizzeria • Go-To Neighborhood Staple
A decades-old east-side classic known for its crisp-edged, cheese-forward pies.
A short drive east of East Cleveland, Geraci’s has been turning out comforting, tavern-style pizzas since long before most local chains arrived. Expect a thin, slightly crunchy crust, plenty of cheese, and a nostalgic dining room that feels firmly rooted in the neighborhood. It’s ideal when you want that old-school, no-fuss pizza night that still feels special because it’s part of local history.