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Anyone can pile cheese on a pizza, but the crust is what decides whether you remember it. Indiana has pizzerias that put real effort into the base of the pie, from cracker-thin rounds to thick deep-dish and even a double-crust style.
This list covers eight spots from Bloomington to South Bend, each with its own take on dough. Some are old favorites with decades behind them, and some are newer places with wood-fired ovens and handmade pies.
Pick a region, check the hours, and plan a road trip around a slice. Your next favorite crust might be a few exits away, and a few of these places are closed on certain days, so a quick look at the schedule helps.
1. Mother Bear’s Pizza Campus, Bloomington, IN
Deep-dish fans should circle Bloomington on the map. Mother Bear’s sits at 1428 E 3rd St in a building that looks like a rustic cabin, and it has become a local landmark.
The thick crust is crispy on the outside and doughy on the inside, yet it stays lighter than you might expect. It is topped with a slow-burning sauce and fresh toppings.
The menu goes beyond the classics. Look for the Paulie Pine Nuts Pesto Pie, The Cosmo, and The Divine Swine, plus a Veggie Delight for vegan diners.
Breaded portabella mushrooms, pesto cheese bread, and lasagna round out the sides and extras.
It is open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM, and reservations are not accepted. Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest, and parking can be tricky, so give yourself extra time.
Kids have a menu and high chairs, and the restaurant draws college students, groups, and visitors alike.
2. Turoni’s Pizzery & Brewery, Evansville, IN
Thin and crispy is the whole point in Evansville. Turoni’s, at 408 N Main St, is known for a cracker-style crust topped with fresh ingredients.
The setting is casual and a little saloon-like, with a fireplace, outdoor art, and a bar on site. House brews are part of the draw, and the place is also a good spot for watching sports.
The menu includes pepperoni pies, Queen Margarita, and Vinnie’s Pepper Planet, which is a vegan option. Garlic cheese toast, mozzarella sticks, stromboli, and a Greek salad give you plenty to share.
Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM most days, stretching to 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. Reservations are accepted, there is a private dining room, and parking is usually plentiful.
Families will find a kids’ menu and high chairs.
3. Oley’s Pizza, Fort Wayne, IN
Double-crust pizza is the headline act at Oley’s, an old-school pizza joint on US-24 in Fort Wayne. The soft but crisp edge and well-cooked crust hold ample toppings and a homestyle sauce.
Roomy booths make it a comfortable place to settle in with a group. Deep-dish is on the menu too, including a medium deep dish, along with garlic knots, breadsticks, and spinach dip.
Beyond pizza, you can order lasagna, stuffed shells, fettuccini alfredo, and wings. Margherita bread is another good starter to share.
Plan around the schedule. Oley’s is closed Monday and Sunday, open Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 9 PM, and open Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 10 PM.
There are no reservations and a wait is common, especially on weekend evenings, but the parking lot is usually roomy.
4. Barnaby’s South Bend, South Bend, IN
Barnaby’s has been serving South Bend since 1969, which is plenty of time to get a crust right. The signature here is a fresh cornmeal crust, and the pizzas are made to order.
The dining room is rustic, with wooden booths and a warm, dim feel. It is a long-running favorite for families, college students, and groups, and there is a bar on site.
Order at the counter and look at options like the sausage and pepperoni pizza, King George’s 3 Meat Za, or the Special 2 Large. Mozzarella sticks, hot wings, and a roast beef melt expand the menu, and there is a full vegetarian menu too.
Doors open at 11 AM Monday through Saturday and at 3 PM on Sunday. Reservations are not taken, parking is usually easy, and free Wi-Fi is available.
5. Tomato Bar Pizza Bakery, Valparaiso, IN
Ordering pizza through a drive-through window is a nice surprise. Tomato Bar in Valparaiso offers that along with curbside pickup, delivery, dine-in, and outdoor seating.
The crust is chewy and crunchy, and it is considered the best in town. Handcrafted specialty pies change up with a new pizza of the month.
Vegan and vegetarian menus are both extensive, and gluten-free options are available. Try the Hot Box Calzone, the Portobello Sand, or a large Caesar salad.
Vegan doughnuts and pink lemonade add a sweet finish.
The craft beer and wine list is generous, and there is a bar on site. Hours are 11 AM to 9 PM most days and until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Reservations are not accepted, and parking is usually plentiful.
6. ZwanzigZ Pizza, Columbus, IN
Lasagna on a pizza sounds like a dare, but ZwanzigZ makes it a menu staple. The lasagna pizza is one of the most unique items at this Columbus favorite on Lafayette Ave.
The dough gets plenty of praise, and slices at lunch are generous. Cherry wood trim and stylish barn doors give the dining room a relaxed look.
House-brewed beer and craft soda are part of the identity, and a beer sampler lets you try a few. Breadsticks, cheese bread, salads, and a veggie pizza are good companions for the main event.
Hours run from 11 AM daily, closing at 8 PM Monday and Tuesday, 9 PM Wednesday and Sunday, and 10 PM Thursday through Saturday. Order at the counter, and enjoy outdoor seating when the weather cooperates.
Parking is usually easy to find.
7. Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza, Indianapolis, IN
Cracker crust is the calling card at Jockamo, a homey, family-friendly eatery on the east side of Indianapolis. The crust is crunchy, the toppings are fresh and generous, and the sauce is flavorful without being sweet.
Gourmet-style pizzas lead the menu, including the Maui, the Taco Pizza, the Roasted Potato Pizza, and the Jockamo Special. A Greek salad and sandwiches add variety.
Plant-based eaters have real choices here. There is a full vegan menu with vegan cheese, and gluten-free crusts are offered.
Local beers are on tap, and the wine list is another highlight.
Jockamo is open daily from 11 AM, closing at 9 PM Sunday through Thursday and 10 PM Friday and Saturday. Reservations are not accepted, and outdoor seating and delivery are options.
8. King Dough, Indianapolis, IN
Basil lovers, take note. King Dough, on N Highland Ave in Indianapolis, tops its Margheritas generously, and the wood-fired crust and quality flour are the real stars.
The menu centers on handcrafted pies, including a Big Boy, a vegan Margherita, and a create-your-own option. Mike’s Hot Honey, marinated olives, and a Greco salad are good additions.
It is a fun, low-pressure spot for families, with high chairs and changing tables. Dogs are allowed outside, and a fireplace and bar add to the setting.
King Dough is closed Monday, open Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 9 PM, and open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9 PM. Reservations are accepted, and prices run a bit higher at roughly $20 to $30 per person.
