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Novel Pizza Cafe
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Novel Pizza Cafe
8.0
A pizza-and-coffee room that leans tavern-style and pan pizzas with a modern topping sensibility, built for casual dine-in or takeout. It hits best when you pick one tavern-style pie for crisp bite, then add a pan slice for contrast in chew and caramelization.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tavern-Style Pizza (longanisa + giardiniera), Hot Pepperoni Pan Pizza, Calzone
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 7.1
What makes it special: Tavern and pan pizzas in a coffee-cafe format that actually works.
Who should go: Pizza people who also want coffee
When to visit: Weekday lunch or early dinner
What to order: Tavern-style pie, hot pepperoni pan, calzone
Insider tip: Order one tavern + one pan item to cover both textures in one visit.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on surrounding Pilsen blocks; usually manageable during the day, tighter during evening dining hours.
Dress code: Casual and relaxed — jeans, sneakers, and everyday wear fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate — lively enough to feel social but still easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes at peak times; shorter if you’re flexible or ordering takeout.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or very short wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several veggie-friendly tavern and pan pizzas, plus customizable toppings.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with modifications, but not a dedicated focus.
Gluten-free options: Limited — availability can vary, and cross-contamination precautions are not a core feature.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially for low-pressure dates — the casual cafe setup, shareable pizzas, and coffee option make it easy to linger or keep things short.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes — most guests walk in, and tables turn fairly quickly, especially outside peak weekend hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes — straightforward pizza options work well for kids, though the space is more cafe-style than family-focused.
Best For
Better for: A relaxed dine-in pizza experience where you can mix styles (tavern + pan) and pair food with coffee in a modern cafe setting.
Skip if: You want a classic red-sauce Italian pizzeria, deep-dish focus, or extensive dietary accommodations.
Novel Pizza Cafe
8.6
A focused Pilsen shop that treats tavern-thin and pan pizza like a craft project—crisp, structured crusts with toppings that lean spicy-sweet instead of generic. The move is to order one signature pie (longanisa + giardiniera is the lane) and add coffee or a simple side, because the kitchen’s best work is in the crust-and-sauce balance, not menu sprawl.
Must-Try Dishes:
Longanisa + giardiniera tavern-style pie, Hot honey ricotta pizza, Calzone
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Tavern and pan crusts built for crunch, with signature longanisa-giardiniera toppings.
Who should go: Crust-first pizza people and coffee-friendly solo diners
When to visit: Weeknight dinner, order ahead for pickup
What to order: Longanisa + giardiniera tavern pie, hot honey ricotta, calzone
Insider tip: Go half signature, half classic to compare crust and sauce.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; usually manageable on surrounding residential blocks but can tighten after 6pm.
Dress code: Casual — jeans and sneakers are the norm; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate — music and oven noise present, but conversation is still easy.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes at peak times without pre-ordering
Weekday lunch: No wait typically
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several cheese- and vegetable-forward pies and sides work well.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with modifications, but not a core strength.
Gluten-free options: No — crust program is wheat-focused with no true gluten-free option.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if you want something low-pressure — it’s casual, interesting enough to talk about, and not a long sit.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes — it’s more order-driven than reservation-driven, and turnover is quick.
Is it kid-friendly? Fine for older kids who like pizza; there’s no kids menu or extra amenities.
Best For
Better for: Crust texture, balanced heat, and non-generic toppings — this is a pizza-for-pizza-people spot rather than a volume or nostalgia play.
Skip if: You want deep-dish, lots of customization, or a long sit-down meal — choose a larger, more traditional pizza restaurant instead.
Novel Pizza Cafe
8.1
A small Pilsen-area pizza shop that does tavern-style and pan pies with sharper flavors than the average neighborhood slice—think bright sauce and toppings that lean savory-spicy. It works for families when you treat it like a focused pizza mission: one signature tavern pie, one classic option, and you’re out before the room fills up.
Must-Try Dishes:
Longanisa & Giardiniera Tavern-Style Pizza, Pepperoni Tavern-Style Pizza, Hot Honey Ricotta Pizza
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Tavern-style and pan pizzas built around punchy sauce and bold topping combinations.
Who should go: Families who want something more interesting than basic pizza
When to visit: Lunch or early dinner before the small room crowds
What to order: Longanisa & giardiniera pie, pepperoni pie, hot honey ricotta
Insider tip: If you’re feeding kids, pair one signature pie with one plain/pepperoni to balance heat.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; generally manageable earlier in the day but tight during peak dinner hours.
Dress code: Casual—jeans and sneakers are completely fine.
Noise level: Moderate—conversation is easy early, gets louder as the room fills.
Weekend wait: 30–45 min without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or very short wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple vegetarian-friendly pies and customizable options.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with modifications, but not a dedicated focus.
Gluten-free options: Limited—availability may vary and cross-contamination is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you like casual spots with personality—the focused menu and compact room keep things relaxed, but it’s not a linger-all-night destination.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes at lunch or early dinner; for weekend evenings, expect a short wait or plan to arrive early.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for school-age kids—simple pies work well, but the bolder flavors and small space make it better for older kids than toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Families or groups who want sharper flavors and more interesting toppings than standard neighborhood pizza.
Skip if: You’re looking for a big dining room, lots of kid amenities, or a classic mild pizza experience.