01
Best overall pick
Geraci's Restaurant
Chagrin Boulevard, Pepper Pike • Classic Red-Sauce Italian Pizzeria • Old-School Local Favorite
Beloved east-side institution serving thin, cheesy pies and Italian comfort food in a relaxed dining room.
The Pepper Pike outpost of Geraci's brings a true Cleveland standby right into the neighborhood, with crisp-edged, square-cut pizzas that hit all the nostalgic notes. Pepperoni and sausage are standouts, but the kitchen turns out solid pastas and subs if not everyone at the table wants pizza. It works just as well for a casual family dinner as it does for an easy takeout night.
02
Best wood-fired pies
Biga Wood-Fired Pizzeria
Eton/Chagrin Corridor, Woodmere • Modern Wood-Fired Pizza And Wine Bar • Best For Date Night
A stylish spot where blistered, wood-fired pies meet a thoughtful wine list and a buzzier night-out atmosphere.
Just a few minutes from Pepper Pike at Eton, Biga leans into charred, airy crusts and seasonal topping combinations you don't see everywhere. The open kitchen and bar seating make it a fun place to linger over a couple of pies and a bottle of wine. Go for one of the simple margarita-style pizzas first, then branch out to the more adventurous specials.
03
Neighborhood staple
Pizzazz On the Circle
University Heights Near John Carroll • Casual Pizza And Pasta Joint • Best For Families
Lively, kid-friendly dining room with hefty pizzas, pastas, and salads that keep both students and longtime locals coming back.
A short drive from Pepper Pike, Pizzazz On the Circle feels like the classic east-side neighborhood spot, with big portions and a menu that has something for everyone. The pizzas lean generous on toppings and cheese, making them easy crowd-pleasers for a table of kids, college students, and grandparents alike. It's an especially good call when you want an unfussy sit-down dinner after a game or campus event.
04
For pizza purists
Vero Pizza Napoletana
Cedar-Fairmount, Cleveland Heights • Neapolitan-Style Pizzeria And Wine Bar • Best Artisan Pies
Tiny, cozy spot turning out blistered, soft-centered Neapolitan pies that showcase top-notch dough and restrained toppings.
Vero rewards anyone willing to make the quick hop from Pepper Pike up to Cedar-Fairmount with some of the most carefully made pies on the east side. The menu is short and focused, which lets the dough, tomatoes, and mozzarella really shine, especially on the classic margherita. Plan on a more leisurely, wine-and-pizza evening rather than a rushed family meal, as the space is intimate and fills quickly.
05
Creative topping combos
Dewey's Pizza
Cedar-Lee, Cleveland Heights • Bustling Sit-Down Pizza Restaurant • Great For Groups
Bright, energetic room with an open kitchen, big salads, and specialty pizzas that make it easy to share and mix flavors.
The Cleveland Heights branch of Dewey's is a go-to when you need to feed a group after a movie or night out on Lee Road. The menu is built for mixing and matching, with half-and-half pies and plenty of vegetarian-friendly combinations alongside classics. Pair a specialty pizza with one of their large salads and you have an easy, satisfying spread for a table of friends or a multi-family get-together.