Northfield appeared on the map of Minnesota in the mid-19th century after it was platted by two town developers. The first settlers to move to the area were from New England and they set up their homesteads before starting to grow wheat and graze cattle on their parcels of land. Sawmills and grist mills were built by the side of the Cannon River and slowly Northfield began to evolve as a self-sufficient and prosperous community. Northfield remained an agriculturally based community until the 1970s when the completion of the I-35 connected it to Minneapolis. Once there was a good road connection in place many people began to consider Northfield a great place to live while continuing to work in the city. In the ensuing years more and more people relocated to Northfield and the town's population eventually exceeded ten thousand. Among Northfield's new inhabitants were a few who were of Italian and Greek descent. They decided to quit commuting to Minneapolis and opened the first pizzerias in Northfield instead.

Northfield in Minnesota is known for Old World Pizza

The pizza chefs in this Minnesota town have never ventured far from their culinary roots and so Northfield is known for old world pizza. Old world pizza is the traditional thick crust pizza that these chefs, their families and their ancestors have been baking for ever and a day. Thick crust pizza consists of a dough base made from strong flour, salt, yeast and water which, after the dough has been proved, is split into equal-sized balls and then pressed into rounds. Those rounds are smothered with a rich and herby sauce before being sprinkled with mozzarella and baked in a hot oven. Old world pizzas, with or without extra toppings, are one of the simplest, but tastiest pizzas you can eat.

Best Delivery Pizza in Northfield, Minnesota

When you want the best delivery pizza in Northfield then you need to order from a pizzeria with plenty of pizza making experience under their belt. Basil's Pizza Palace on Water Street South has been making pizzas for the locals of Northfield for fifty years. Now that's a lot of pie making. Basil's Pizza Palace is owned and run by a Greek family and has been operating out of the same premises since the first day they opened. They've kept up with the times though and the décor isn't at all dated. The one thing that hasn't changed is the quality of their pizzas. They were great from the start and still are, but the only way to know that for sure is to try one for yourself.

Best Takeout Pizza in Northfield, Minnesota

If you've just left the Northfield Ice Arena after watching a game of ice hockey and want a pie, you're just a few minutes away from where you can get the best take-out pizza in Northfield. You can get your hands on that pie if you head for the MN-3 where you'll find a restaurant called George's Vineyard. George's Vineyard has a large, bungalow-style premises with its own parking lot. It's well signed too so you'll spot it easily enough. Inside is smart with an up-to-date décor and an open-plan kitchen. The pizzas served here are all old world thick crust and you can either choose one of the pre-made topping ingredient combinations or go for the basic cheese and create your own personalized pie.

Best Pizza near Northfield, Minnesota

Faribault

You don't need to go far south of Northfield or even into Minnesota to find some interesting things to do on a day out. Faribault is just twelve miles away and ideal for both adults and kids. If you're adults only check out the Paradise Center for the Arts which is an art museum as well as a theater. The Rice County Historical Society Museum is suitable for all ages as there are film shows and live story readings taking place there. Also good for all ages is the River Bend Nature Center, but definitely for big kids only is the Faribault Family aquatic Center. You can have a great ending to a good day out by dropping by Godfather's Pizza on 4th Street Northwest.

Cannon Falls

If you enjoy outdoor recreational activities like hiking or cycling the fifteen mile drive east from Northfield to Cannon Falls will be well worth your while. In Cannon Falls you'll find the Cannon Valley Bike Trail Access. The trail is almost twenty miles of paved cycleway that runs alongside the Cannon River. It's both tranquil and scenic. If twenty miles sounds too daunting for hiking try the lakeside trails in the Lake Byllesby Regional Park instead. If you go in winter you'll be able to watch the dog sledding teams getting some exercise once the lake is frozen over. When the fresh air and exercise has given you an appetite you can get a decent pie from Brewster's Pizza on West Main Street.

Le Sueur

The trip west to Le Sueur from Northfield will take you around thirty-five minutes and once you're there you'll be able to spend a few minutes snapping photos of the 19th century hand-built wooden WW Mayo House Museum which has been kept intact with all its original furnishings. Have a good leg stretch in the Rush River County Park or head for the Ney Nature Center which is even more peaceful than the park. Both are ideal spots for a picnic so pick up a pizza from the Pizza Ranch on North 2nd Street before you go. It'll make the outdoor time even better.