Louis Pizza – Reviewing the Best Pizza in Ottawa

If one is searching for the best pizza in Ottawa, there is only one acceptable answer… Louis Pizza! All other pizzas are pretenders in its eyes. Since 1960, Louis has relieved from hunger many thousands of citizens of this fair city and hopefully it will never cease to do so!

Pro Tip: If someone suggests Colonnade, those people would be wrong (again there is only one acceptable response).

So, what makes this pizza special?

The team at Louis delivers a cheese saturated delight on a sweet yellow dough. The crust is caramelized with cheese and a dough ball occupies the center of the pizza. This one of a kind Pizzeria is not for the faint of heart. Toppings are a plenty, cheese is overflowing, the sauce sweet, and well applied. It is a rich pizza, and like all Ottawa Style Pizza it is made a sturdy crust, no thin crust pizzas allowed! So come armed with a big apatite.

The inside of the building is as cozy as a 1950’s diner, and little changes here. In fact this business has been operational since 1960, and is a neighborhood fixture. The staff is mostly the same from when I was a kid (I’ve been dining here since I was a little man!). It is your typical family owned joint, with pictures on wall. The place is usually busy any night of the week, especially weekend. Expect at least a 45 minute wait on a busy night. Louis is a real local hangout, it is the real deal!

Pro Tip: Pepperoni is found under the cheese at Louis

What in the World is an “Ottawa Style” Pizza?

The classic Ottawa style pizza is a variation of the thick crusted Lebanese Style, defined by its high cheese to dough ratio. Topping can usually be found buried under the cheese. Louis is the best know Pizza in this style but its main rival the slightly less delicious, but still excellent Colonnade is fastened in this style. While modern eateries are moving away from this style it is still by far my favorite. The style was popularized by the city’s large Lebanese community.

For more info on Ottawa’s best Pizza parlors see my list located here.

Does Louis Have Any Other Specialties?

Their pies and deserts are well worth a mention. They also do a decent breakfast but pizza and pies are its mainstay.

Where is Louis Pizza Located?

The business is located in the heart of Vanier at 181 McArthur Avenue but a second express location is now open in Orleans.

Unfortunate, the bowling alley next door closed during Covid-19. It used to be the best place to enjoy a slice!