What to order at Lansing’s 5 best under-the-radar pizza joints

Skip the national chain restaurants and order a specialty slice at one of Lansing’s best local pizza joints.

MICHIGAN—While most cities across the US have a Papa John’s, Domino’s, or Little Caesars, Lansing is home to some exceptional, lesser-known restaurants dishing up drool-worthy pizza you won’t find anywhere else. 

From pies inspired by psychology and blockbuster hits like Barbie to otherworldly cheese-covered concoctions, we’ve rounded up the most delicious under-the-radar pizzas Lansing has to offer and shared where you can find them. Keep reading to discover them all.  

Sleepwalker Spirits and Ale

1101 S. Washington Ave.

Photo courtesy of Sleepwalker Spirits And Ale via Facebook

The inspiration behind Sleepwalker Spirits and Ale is just as unique as its specialty pizzas and small-batch brews. Inspired by Sigmund Freud’s book The Interpretation of Dreams, founder and head brewmaster Jeremy Sprague opened a one-of-a-kind microbrewery pizzeria where everything from the beer names to the decor is influenced by psychology. 

Located in REO Town, Sleepwalker Spirits and Ale serves up a rotating selection of specialty pizzas such as the Jagged Little Dill, which is topped with a housemade dill dip, house-blend-and-dill Havarti cheese, pickles, and red onion. The limited-edition weekly specials are equally as fun and creative. The Barbie-Q, launched last summer at the height of Barbie mania, featured a base of Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce topped with house-blend cheese, roasted pork, pickled red onions, and Cajun pineapple. The Coney Dog had a coney sauce, cheddar cheese, Koegel hot dogs, and white onion with a mustard drizzle.

Pair your pie with one of several craft beers on tap—many of which are named after actual psychiatric diagnoses. Those include Bavaria Hysteria, the brewery’s popular hefeweizen, and the Night Terror Pumpkin Ale, made with pumpkins from a local farm. 

The Cosmos 

1200 N. Larch St.

Photo courtesy of The Cosmos via Facebook

For out-of-this-world wood-fired pizzas in a hip but laid-back setting, check out The Cosmos. Everything is made in-house at this space-themed restaurant that specializes in creative pizzas, crave-worthy small plates, and craft beer. 

The chicken pesto pie—spinach, mozzarella, grilled chicken, roasted tomatoes, red onion, basil pesto, and balsamic—is a popular order, while the meatball-topped Spaceball is another must-try. If you’re feeling adventurous (or indecisive) order the Trust Us. This pizza changes daily and its toppings are a complete surprise until the dish hits your table. “Seriously—we’re not telling you what it is. It shows up. You put it in your mouth. Your socks get knocked off. You’re welcome,” the eatery’s website reads. Complement whatever pizza you order with the fan-favorite Duck Fat Fries and a side of Cosmic Sauce. 

While we admit this Old Town establishment has become quite popular since it opened in 2015—making it quite on-the-radar—we couldn’t help but include it in this post. 

Art’s Pub

809 E. Kalamazoo St.

Photo courtesy of Art’s Pub via Facebook

When Art’s Pub—then called Art’s Bar & Grill—first opened its doors in the 1940s, it quickly became known for its cheesy pizza and its shooper, a 32-ounce goblet of draft beer. The business has gone through many changes since then—a new name, new owners, and a new location—but the pizza is still iconic, and the shooper has remained on the menu.

The Classic Art’s pizza is always a safely satisfying order, but the menu features plenty of other unique pies worth indulging in. For barbecue fans, there’s the Smoked Out, topped with smoked brisket and pulled pork, or the Tommy Pickles, featuring dill pickles, bacon, Muenster, and mozzarella piled on top of a garlic parmesan base. Art’s also offers several vegan options and a cauliflower pizza crust. 

Falsetta’s Casa Nova

138 S. Waverly Road

Photo courtesy of Falsetta’s Casa Nova via Facebook

Falsetta’s Casa Nova has been serving up Italian-American classics to the Lansing community since 1951. This family-owned restaurant, home of Lansing’s first original pizza pie, as it states on its website, is known for a welcoming atmosphere and, of course, its pizza. 

Falsetta’s menu features a combination of old-world recipes and classic pies as well as more innovative offerings. The Casa Nova Special comes topped with ham, ground beef, pepperoni, mushrooms, onion, and green pepper. A less-traditional option, the Philly Cheesesteak, is layered with Alfredo sauce, roast beef, mozzarella, sautéed onions, green peppers, and roasted red peppers.

Piazzano’s 

1825 N. Grand River Ave.

Photo courtesy of Piazzano’s via Facebook

Piazzano’s is a family eatery where friends and loved ones gather over cheesy pie in a cozy, casual environment. A local favorite where everyone is treated like a regular, Piazzano’s has been crafting hand-tossed, made-to-order pizza for more than two decades.

The House Special is a classic pie that comes with pepperoni, ham, mushroom, tomato, onion, and green pepper, but if you’re in the mood for something different, consider the Reuben pizza, inspired by the sandwich of the same name, or the spinach-and-artichoke. 

The rest of Piazzano’s menu is a mix of Italian and Mexican dishes ranging from homemade lasagna to beef enchiladas, as well as a variety of sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Piazzano’s provides classic comfort foods in an equally comfy environment.