Having eaten my way around the globe, I’m no stranger to a wide array of pizza styles. But I’m always up for trying more. On my recent trip to Mankato, I decided the time was right to seek out 12 of the best pizza places in town.
My goal? To discover the best slice of ‘za that Mankato has to offer. Yes, it’s a tough job—but someone’s got to do it! Along the journey, I joked, laughed and ate my way through the city in search of delicious pies. So let’s get started: here’s my official ranking of the Best Pizza in Mankato!
If you don’t find the best pizza here, check out the best pizza in the whole state of Minnesota
#1 Pagliai’s Pizza
- Has a kid’s menu
- Serves alcohol
- Nice tourist spot
When I first stepped foot into the restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised. The decor was inviting, and it had a cozy family atmosphere. I couldn’t help but smile when the friendly staff welcomed me in.
After choosing a table, I decided to give their deep-dish pizza a try. It was cooked perfectly to a golden-brown perfection and the crust was buttery and fluffy. The sauce had just enough tanginess to complement the flavors of the perfectly-cooked cheese and topping combination that made each bite just as delightful as the last!
The portion sizes were generous, too, so it lasted for dinner and I still had some leftovers for lunch the next day!
Overall, Pagliai’s Pizza is one of the best pizza places in Mankato. Their deep-dish pizza has become my go-to option whenever I’m in town, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for an authentic Italian experience without traveling across the world!
If you’re willing to go an extra 56 miles, you can get to 23 more pizza places in Eden Prairie!
#2 Dino’s Pizzeria
- Nice tourist spot
- Has a kid’s menu
- Has some vegetarian options
- Serves alcohol (and hard liquor!)
- Offers dessert
The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a vintage 50’s vibe. The staff is friendly and engaging, making it feel like home.
I was shocked to try their pizza; the crust was perfectly crisp and chewy, with just the right amount of char from the oven. The sauce was flavorful and well-seasoned, and the cheese was melted perfectly! I opted for a classic pepperoni pizza, with slices that were thin yet hearty enough to stand up against all that flavor. The pepperoni had just the right amount of heat – so tasty!
I’ve never had better pizza in Mankato; Dino’s Pizzeria definitely deserves five stars. After my experience here, I will no longer need to look any further for great pizza!
#3 Toppers Pizza
- Offers dessert
- Has some vegetarian options
I’m not sure what their secret is – maybe it’s the fresh local ingredients, or perhaps it’s the perfect combination of cheese and toppings that really makes this pizza stand out from the rest. Either way, I can confidently say that Toppers Pizza has some of the best pizza in Mankato.
The atmosphere at Toppers Pizza is pretty great too. The restaurant itself is a small but cozy place, with plenty of tables for large groups or small parties alike. The staff are friendly and helpful, always making sure to keep your drink refills coming.
The food at Toppers Pizza is also top-notch – they offer a wide variety of different pizzas ranging from classic pepperoni to creative options topped with feta and roasted red peppers. All pizzas are cooked to perfection and you won’t find any soggy crust here! The wings and salads are also really tasty choices if you want something more than just pizza!
If you’re looking for the best pizza in Mankato, look no further than Toppers Pizza. Whether you’re in town for a quick visit or a full vacation, make sure you stop by and give it a try – I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed!
#4 1000 Degrees Pizza Salad Wings
- Has a kid’s menu
- Offers dessert
The space is cozy and inviting, filled with an array of craft beers on tap to perfectly pair with your delicious pizza. The menu offers a wide variety of pizzas to choose from – whether you’re looking for more classic flavors like pepperoni and cheese, or something a little more adventurous like the Philly Cheesesteak pie.
My favorite part of the experience was their unique dining experience. You start by selecting your crust type – thin or thick – followed by your choice of toppings. Then you head over to the oven where your freshly made pizza is cooked at 1000 degrees! After just 90 seconds of cooking time (which seems like an eternity for us food critics!), out comes a piping hot, wood-fired pizza ready for devouring.
The ingredients are all fresh and flavorful, and the service is top-notch. I also appreciate that they offer late-night delivery so I can have some amazing pizza even when I’m too tired to come in person!
All in all, I can confidently say that 1000 Degrees Pizza Salad Wings has earned its spot as one of the best pizza places in Mankato – not bad for a small town!
#5 Polito’s Pizza Mankato
- Nice tourist spot
From the moment I walked in, I could tell that this was a special place. The ambiance was cozy and inviting, with vintage posters adorning the walls and Italian music playing in the background. It really made me feel like I was eating pizza in Italy!
The pizza itself was absolutely amazing. The crust had just the right amount of crunch and tasted homemade. The ingredients were fresh and flavorful, with just the right balance of toppings that didn’t overpower one another. I had the classic margherita pizza, but they offer so many other creative options that it made it hard to choose which one to get!
I would definitely recommend Polito’s Pizza Mankato to anyone looking for a great slice of pizza. They serve up some of the best pies in town and have created an atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re dining in Italy. If you’re ever in Mankato, give Polito’s a try – you won’t regret it!
#6 Jake’s Stadium Pizza
- Has some vegetarian options
- Offers dessert
- Serves alcohol
- Has a kid’s menu
- Nice tourist spot
The atmosphere at Jake’s makes you feel right at home. The decor is eclectic and nostalgic – think vintage sports memorabilia mixed with modern trinkets. Seriously, I’m pretty sure I spotted a Star Wars figurine hiding among the posters of Minnesota athletes!
And of course, most importantly, the pizza was delicious. The dough was crisp and airy and had just enough chewiness. The toppings were fresh, flavorful, and plentiful. Plus, they offer a wide variety of interesting topping combinations that you won’t find anywhere else in town – like ‘The Haystack’ featuring potatoes, bacon bits, sour cream, cheese & green onions! It was truly a unique experience.
Overall, if you are looking for the best pizza in Mankato there’s no better place than Jake’s Stadium Pizza! So if you’re ever feeling hungry for some delicious ‘za head on over to Jake’s – you won’t regret it!
If you’re willing to go an extra 61 miles, you can get to 24 more pizza places in Bloomington!
#7 Papa Murphy’s | Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza
- Has some vegetarian options
The menu offers a wide range of toppings, from classic pepperoni to more unique combinations like the Hawaiian Delight. I opted for the Meat Lover’s with my extra-large order and it did not disappoint. The crust was crispy, but still had a chewy texture on the inside – and the combination of meats, cheeses, and sauces made it absolutely delicious.
And oh boy, the smell when I opened my order! Out of this world! What’s better than an Italian-inspired meal you bake yourself?
Not only does this restaurant offer delectable pizza, but it also comes with directions for how to make a tasty treat in your own home – so no matter where I am in Mankato, I can always get Papa Murphy’s pizza. Talk about convenience!
Overall, if you’re looking for some of the best pizza in Mankato then look no further than Papa Murphy’s | Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza. Highly recommended!
#8 Pizza Ranch
- Has a kid’s menu
- Offers dessert
- Nice tourist spot
I recently stopped in to Pizza Ranch in Mankato, and it was a very pleasant experience! The atmosphere was cozy and inviting. Additionally, the staff were helpful and friendly. They were more than happy to accommodate my requests and provide me with great customer service.
I ordered the BBQ chicken pizza, and I must say, it was delightful! The sauce had a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors that went perfectly with the succulent BBQ chicken. The crust was thin and crisp – not too thick or chewy. And the cheese; oh man – it was so gooey and delicious! It really made my pizza experience something special!
The toppings for each pizza were ridiculously fresh; I could tell that Pizza Ranch takes quality very seriously. Plus, they offer some unique topping combinations that aren’t always available elsewhere!
Overall, Pizza Ranch offers some of the best pizza in Mankato without a doubt! If you’re ever in town, be sure to pay them a visit – you won’t regret it!
#9 Costanza’s Pizzeria
- Offers dessert
I started my visit with a classic Margherita pizza. It was cooked to perfection in their wood-fired oven and had a delicious, crisp crust. The tomato sauce was flavorful and the fresh mozzarella melted in my mouth!
Next up, I sampled the hand-tossed pepperoni pizza. They use house-made pepperoni which delivered a great flavor without being too greasy or salty. It was cooked just right so that the edges were crunchy and the middle had just enough chewiness to make it enjoyable.
Finally, I tasted their signature Italian sausage sausage pizza. Their Italian sausage is definitely worth a mention as it was extremely flavorful and juicy with plenty of herbs and spices! The crust held up well against the toppings and wasn’t soggy at all!
Overall, Costanza’s Pizzeria has some seriously delicious pizza that is worth trying out! Not only do they have amazing traditional recipes but they also offer unique flavors like their signature Italian Sausage Pizza that give it an edge over other pizzerias in town. If you’re looking for the best pizza in Mankato, look no further than Costanza’s Pizzeria!
#10 Papa Murphy’s | Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza
- Has some vegetarian options
When you walk into Papa Murphy’s, the aroma of freshly-baked pizza is in the air. The friendly staff behind the counter welcome you with warm smiles and are eager to help you make your perfect pie.
I decided to try their signature pepperoni pizza topped with olives, peppers, mushrooms and onions. After taking it home and baking it myself, I was blown away by the flavor combination and delectable crust. Every bite was juicy and flavorful – a real treat!
The best part about Papa Murphy’s | Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza is that you get to enjoy restaurant quality pizza in the comfort of your own home. It also means that if I’m ever feeling down, all I have to do is order up some delicious pizza from them and I’m immediately back on top of the world!
If you’re looking for great tasting pizza in Mankato, then Papa Murphy’s | Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza is definitely worth a visit. You won’t be disappointed – trust me!
#11 Gary’s Pizza
- Offers dessert
I was blown away by the selection of pizzas they offer. From thin-crust to deep-dish, they have something for everyone. My personal favorite was the stuffed-crust pizza – it was absolutely delicious!
The atmosphere at Gary’s Pizza is also great – very cozy and inviting. It almost made me forget that I was in Mankato! The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful – they even gave me a few extra toppings on my pizza, free of charge!
The prices at Gary’s Pizza are also very reasonable. You won’t break the bank eating here, which is always a plus. Plus, if you’re looking to take some pizza home with you, their take-out service is topnotch.
All in all, Gary’s Pizza has earned its title as the best pizza in Mankato. I highly recommend them for any and all of your pizza needs!
If you’re willing to go an extra 61 miles, you can get to 18 more pizza places in Edina!
#12 Little Caesars Pizza
- Nice tourist spot
The first thing you’ll notice when you walk in the door is the heavenly aroma of freshly baked pizza. The environment is inviting and friendly, with cheerful employees who are more than happy to recommend one of their signature pizzas or customized pies.
The real star of the show here at Little Caesars Pizza is their pizza. From classic combos like pepperoni and mushrooms to adventurous cheesy creations, they have something for everyone. I tried a custom pie with olives, peppers, and onions, and it was simply delicious! The crust was perfectly thin and crispy, the sauce was incredibly flavorful, and the fresh toppings made each bite even tastier.
But if pizza isn’t your thing (which I’m not sure how that’s possible), Little Caesars Pizza also has other delicious items on their menu such as breadsticks, cheesy breads, salads, chicken wings, desserts, and so much more. The prices are also very reasonable – you can get large pizzas for $9.99!
Overall, Little Caesars Pizza is an excellent spot in Mankato that serves up some truly delectable pizza creations. If you’re looking for the best pizza in town then this should be your go-to spot!
