A & A Pagliai's Pizza

The best pizza I've ever had.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Never disappoints! Great service, old school ambiance, and exceptional pizza.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Best pizza in the world, by far. I've eaten at some of the best pizza restaurants in Rome and Naples Italy, and Pagliai's still stands out. The best of the best. My family has eaten here for years.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Absolutely the BEST pizza in town and a legend in Iowa City. I miss it so much since I moved!

Pizza was fresh and hot. It was out by time they said and I didn’t have to wait I gave a 4 star because the sauce is a tad bit too sweet for my liking but everything else was great my kids loved it!

Great service and even better pizza 🍕

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

5 star prices 3 star taste

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

Never a bad pizza or service.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Pagliai’s Pizza is the kind of place that reminds you why the best dining experiences are often the simplest. Tucked away in Iowa City, this unassuming neighborhood institution feels like a hidden treasure — and after our first visit, the only disappointment was realizing it took us four years, and the eve of graduation, to finally discover it. What makes Pagliai’s even more remarkable is its history. Serving Iowa City since 1957, the restaurant has spent decades perfecting the art of traditional pizza-making, and that experience is evident in every detail. In an era where restaurants constantly chase trends, Pagliai’s has endured by staying true to what it does best. From the moment you walk in, Pagliai’s embraces an old-school charm that feels increasingly rare. The dining room is cozy and inviting, filled with classic booths and intimate tables that create the perfect atmosphere for an authentic pizza night. There’s no unnecessary flash here — just a restaurant that knows exactly what it is and executes it beautifully. The menu follows the same philosophy of simplicity done right. Beer, wine, and soda accompany what is unquestionably the star of the show: the pizza. Offered in both original crust and double dough, the pies arrive perfectly crafted and unapologetically delicious. We ordered two large original crust pizzas, and every slice passed the ultimate “flop test” with flying colors — crisp enough to hold its shape, yet still perfectly tender with each bite. What makes Pagliai’s so memorable is its confidence in tradition. The ingredients are fresh, the flavors are balanced, and the experience feels refreshingly genuine. Add in prices that are remarkably reasonable, and it becomes clear why this Iowa City staple has thrived for nearly seven decades. Whether you’re a longtime Iowa City resident or simply passing through, Pagliai’s Pizza is a must-visit destination — a timeless pizza parlor that quietly delivers one of the best meals in town.

Best pizza crust ever! Takes awhile to get your pizza, but it's freshly made. The toppings are generous.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great people and food. Hayden was great.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The atmosphere and service are both excellent.

The pizza was… not bad.

That’s the best I can say.

I liked that the crust was well done but it tasted a bit like cardboard. Which probably means the dough rose too quickly. That snd too little salt.

Good cheese snd toppings though.

Still satisfying pizza.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Last time we ate at Pagliai’s we ordered a medium sausage pizza cooked on the rare side, meaning we wanted a slightly brown crust. The pizza we were served was burned so badly the crust was black. We sent the pizza back and ordered a second one again asking for it to be cooked rare. Guess what? The second pizza was burned with a black crust. We left without paying and may never return. Keep in mind I have been eating at Pag’s for over SIXTY years. In my humble opinion the new owner/manager/cook has ruined my all-time favorite pizza place.

The pizza here is fantastic. So flavorful with a crispy thin crust. My waitress, Georgia, made the whole experience even better because she was so personable and checked on me several times to see how the food was or to refill my drink. It can get really busy during the supper hours, but the wait is not too long and the food was well worth the wait.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Best pizza in Iowa City

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5