Downtown Holland during Tulip Time, 2018. Photo: BenHerrera1979 / Wikimedia Commons → · CC BY-SA 4.0 →. Uncropped.
Updated October 2026
Ask people around Holland where to get pizza, and you’ll get strong opinions. Thin crust. Thick crust. A whole pie at your favorite tavern. A cheese slice while walking around downtown Grand Haven.
We asked local Facebook groups where they go, then worked through the recommendations and replies. The result is a guide to the places people kept bringing up—and the orders and practical tips that make each stop worth knowing.
The featured names below are ordered by positive recommendations in the discussions. This is an informal community guide, not a scientific poll or a claim that everyone likes the same pizza.
The pizza spots locals kept recommending
Fricano’s — Holland & Grand Haven
Why it made the guide: Fricano’s was the most recommended name across the discussions. The draw is its distinctive ultra-thin crust, with fans describing the kind of pizza that makes them want a whole pie. It also sparked debate: readers who prefer a thicker, breadier crust often wanted something different.
What to try: The Grand Haven tavern’s EBA—Everything But Anchovies—combines pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms, and green peppers. Thin-crust fans repeatedly put Fricano’s on their short list.
Locations:
Holland: Fricano’s Too, 174 S. River Avenue, Holland, MI 49423.
Grand Haven: Fricano’s Pizza Tavern, 1400 Fulton Street, Grand Haven, MI 49417.
Good to know: The Fricano’s recommendations span locations, so we’ve grouped the name here rather than assigning every mention to Holland.
Skiles Tavern — Downtown Holland
Why it made the guide: Skiles kept coming up whenever readers talked about thin crust and downtown Holland. This is a pizza-and-a-beer stop with the casual tavern atmosphere to match.
What locals told us to try: The Skiles Special, eaten right in the restaurant. That dine-in advice was specific: order it fresh and enjoy it there. Other readers singled out the thin crust and paired their recommendation with a cold beer.
Location: 154 E. 8th Street, Holland, MI 49423.
Clover Bar — Grand Haven
Why it made the guide: Clover Bar drew a steady stream of emphatic recommendations from Grand Haven locals. The comments were often short and decisive: this was simply their pizza place.
What you’ll find: Hand-tossed pizza with homemade crust and the restaurant’s signature sauce, plus a full bar and a family-friendly dining room. It’s a good fit for making pizza the evening’s destination.
Location: 601 S. Beechtree Street, Grand Haven, MI 49417.
Good to know: A reader pointed out that Clover is away from the downtown slice-shop area. Plan a visit to Beechtree Street.
Lombardo’s Sicilian Pizza — Grand Haven
Why it made the guide: Lombardo’s earned repeat recommendations, and readers gave us useful reasons: the crust, the pepperoni, and a thicker pizza option. A first-time visitor specifically praised the crust and generous pepperoni.
What locals told us to try: Start with pepperoni if you want to follow that recommendation. Another reader neatly split their preferences between Lombardo’s for thick pizza and Scrib’s for thin. Lombardo’s describes its crust as soft inside with a crisp bottom.
Location: 207 N. 7th Street, Grand Haven, MI 49417.
Good to know: Several readers specifically named the 7th Street location; Lombardo’s also has locations elsewhere in the region.
Don Petrino’s — Holland’s North Side
Why it made the guide: The north-side location on Riley Street was a recurring favorite. Readers praised generous toppings and the value they felt they got from the size of the pizzas.
What locals told us to try: Pizza by the slice came up as a go-to order. The replies also gave chicken Alfredo a shout-out for anyone in the group who wants pasta. The clearest advice in the discussion was to seek out the Riley Street shop.
Location: 12719 Riley Street, Holland, MI.
Good to know: Some comments said only “Petrino’s.” We’ve kept those general endorsements distinct from the specific north-side tips above.
The Slice Shoppe — Downtown Grand Haven
Why it made the guide: The Slice Shoppe deserves a prominent place on this list. Readers repeatedly named it for pizza by the slice downtown, and a fan said its cheese slices had kept them going all summer.
What locals told us to try: A cheese slice. Other comments highlighted large hand-tossed slices with a chewy crust and described the shop as a challenger to Grand Haven’s established favorites. Its own story describes a focus on New York-style slices and whole pies.
Location: 38 Washington Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417.
Good to know: Readers identified it as the former Kozak’s spot. Its website still has a “coming soon” heading, so confirm current hours before making a special trip.
Doeb’s Pizzeria & Pasta — Holland
Why it made the guide: Detroit style was the standout recommendation for Doeb’s. Readers named it alongside Holland’s longtime favorites, and a downtown-pizza discussion quickly turned into encouragement to make the trip to the south side.
What locals told us to try: Detroit-style pizza. The discussion also highlighted hand-tossed and artisan thin-crust options. For lunch, watch for changing slice flavors; the restaurant confirms that it posts lunch slices and weekly specialty pizzas on its social pages.
Location: 503 W. 17th Street, Holland, MI 49423.
Crust 54 — Downtown Holland
Why it made the guide: Crust 54 was the recurring answer for Chicago-style deep dish. A reader who grew up around Chicago and northwest Indiana singled it out as the closest fit for the pizza they missed.
What locals told us to try: Chicago deep dish. A reader also pointed to slices at the downtown location; check current slice availability before heading over for a quick lunch. The restaurant serves stone-fired thin crust as well.
Location: 45 E. 8th Street, Holland, MI 49423.
Paolo’s Pizza — Holland
Why it made the guide: Readers repeatedly sent us to Paolo’s on 16th Street near River Avenue. Beyond naming the restaurant, they highlighted the convenience of getting a slice and having other hearty options on the menu.
What locals told us to try: Pizza by the slice, hot subs, and stromboli. Paolo’s website advertises slices all day, every day, and describes its traditional stone-oven baking process.
Location: 29 W. 16th Street, Holland, MI 49423.
Mr. Scrib’s Pizza — Grand Haven
Why it made the guide: Scrib’s was another familiar name in the Grand Haven recommendations. For readers comparing pizza styles, the clearest tip was to choose Scrib’s when you want thin crust.
What locals told us to try: A thin-crust pie with your usual toppings. Most of its endorsements focused on the restaurant itself rather than a specific specialty pizza, so this is a straightforward place to start with your own favorite combination.
Location: 317 N. Beacon Boulevard, Grand Haven, MI 49417.
Jet’s Pizza — Holland & the Lakeshore
Why it made the guide: Jet’s had its own supporters in the discussions, especially among people who wanted deep dish with a crisp crust. It earned a place here because locals brought it up alongside the independent shops.
What locals told us to try: BBQ chicken or the 4 Corner Pizza. Readers specifically pointed to the crispy edges and thicker style.
Location: Holland option: 1013 S. Washington Avenue, Holland, MI 49423.
Good to know: Recommendations mentioned the chain without consistently identifying a branch; the address above is a verified Holland location.
Mancino’s Pizza & Grinders — Grand Haven
Why it made the guide: Mancino’s appeared repeatedly in the Grand Haven conversations. A reader shared that friends visiting from Chicago tried its pizza and came away impressed.
What to try: Make pizza the main event, with grinders as another option for the table. The community recommendations were largely for the restaurant as a whole, rather than one named pizza.
Location: 13040 US-31, Grand Haven, MI 49417.
Sluggo’s Pizzeria — Holland
Why it made the guide: Sluggo’s fans gave some of the most practical ordering advice in the whole discussion: come hungry for toppings, and remember the breadsticks. A commenter discussing Grand Haven pizza even suggested driving to Holland for it.
What locals told us to try: A generously topped pizza with breadsticks. Readers specifically liked the variety of breadstick flavors, making the side order part of the reason to go.
Location: 321 Douglas Avenue, Holland, MI 49424.
So…where should you start?
For thin crust: Start with Fricano’s or Skiles. In Grand Haven, readers also pointed to Scrib’s.
For a thicker pizza: Try Doeb’s Detroit style, Crust 54’s Chicago deep dish, or the crispy corners at Jet’s. Lombardo’s also drew praise from readers who like a thicker crust.
For a quick slice: The Slice Shoppe in downtown Grand Haven and Paolo’s in Holland stood out. Readers also mentioned Don Petrino’s and Crust 54, while Doeb’s confirms rotating lunch slices. Check the day’s selection before you go.
For the extras: Sluggo’s breadsticks and Paolo’s hot subs and stromboli got specific shout-outs. Those are useful tie-breakers when everyone wants something a little different.
Restaurant details were checked against business websites and local visitor listings. Hours, menus, and slice availability can change, so use the links above before heading out.
Also worth saving: Our local breakfast guide → · Our cider & orchard guide →
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Questions, tips, or local recommendations? Email Tyler at [email protected]