Best Pizza in Saint Paul: Top Spots Ranked [2026] | Arteflame

Introduction

Saint Paul is often overshadowed by its twin across the river, but when it comes to pizza, this city holds its own with a distinct, history-rich culinary scene. From the thin, square-cut "Midwest style" loaded with cheese to authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pies, the options are vast. However, buying great pizza is just one part of the equation; making it yourself over an open fire is the ultimate upgrade. We have scoured the city to find the absolute best pies and tested methods to replicate that restaurant-quality char in your own backyard.

• The Quick Summary: Top Saint Paul Picks
• The Deep Dive: Where to Eat
• Comparison: Finding Your Perfect Slice
• The Home Chef's Secret
• The Arteflame High-Heat Advantage
• The Social Grilling Experience

Best Pizza in Saint Paul: Top Spots Ranked [2026]

Key Takeaways

• Red's Savoy: The definitive "Saint Paul Style" pizza with a spicy sauce.
• Punch Pizza: Quick-fire Neapolitan style that sets the standard for wood-fired taste.
• Cossetta: A legendary Italian market experience with massive NY-style slices.
• Mama's Pizza: A hidden gem known for its flavor explosion and neighborhood vibe.

Where to get the best Pizza in Saint Paul?

The best pizza in Saint Paul is defined by the "Saint Paul Style"—a thin, buttery cracker crust cut into squares and loaded with toppings under a blanket of cheese—though excellent Neapolitan and New York styles are also prominent staples of the local food scene.

Red's Savoy Pizza is often the first name locals drop when asked about pizza. In our experience, their house sauce has a distinct "kick" that you don't find elsewhere. It is the birthplace of 'Sota Style' pizza: square cut, thin crust, and heaped with toppings. If you want the historic taste of the city, this is your starting line.

Punch Pizza brings the heat with authentic wood-fired ovens. We found that their crust achieves that perfect leopard-spot char—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside—in under 90 seconds. While it is a chain, the quality control is impeccable. It is the closest thing to Naples you will find in the Twin Cities.

Cossetta's is more than a pizzeria; it is an institution. Walking through the cafeteria line, we were impressed by the sheer size of the slices. It is New York style with a hefty Midwestern twist. The atmosphere is bustling and loud, perfect for families, and the ingredients always taste incredibly fresh due to the high turnover volume.

Comparison: Which Pizza is Right for You?

How to Make the Best Pizza at Home

I used to think my backyard pizzas were decent, until I realized I was essentially baking them on a standard grate instead of searing the crust to mimic a professional wood-fired oven.

You do not need a commercial brick oven to get that perfect char. With the right equipment, you can achieve steakhouse-quality sears and pizzeria-quality crusts right in your backyard. The secret lies in heat management and surface area.

The "Searing" Technique

This is where the Arteflame Grill excels. Unlike traditional grate grills that lose heat, the Arteflame uses a solid carbon steel cooktop. Using an Arteflame grill comes with huge benefits:

1. 1,000°F Sear: The center of the Arteflame reaches over 1,000°F. This is crucial for pizza because it shocks the dough, creating a crispy bottom instantly without drying out the toppings.
2. Grill All Food at Once: You aren't limited to just the pizza. While the pie cooks under the Pizza Oven attachment, you can sear steaks, grill vegetables, or toast appetizers on the flat cooktop simultaneously.
3. Social Grill: The fire is the center of attention, allowing you to cook with wood for that authentic smoky flavor infusion that gas grills simply cannot replicate.

Pro Tip: If you are hosting a large party and don't have time to make dough from scratch, we found that buying fresh, unbaked pizzas from the Costco in Saint Paul is a fantastic hack. It provides a solid base that you can customize with extra gourmet toppings, and when finished on the Arteflame Pizza Oven, the wood-fired flavor elevates it to restaurant quality.

Why We Call It The "Social Grill"

An Arteflame grill isn't just for cooking, but it changes how you host. In our testing, we found that the round design naturally invites friends to stand around the fire rather than waiting on the patio while you cook alone against a wall. It turns pizza night into an interactive event where guests can watch the fire, warm their hands, and participate in the cooking process.