How This Hidden Gem Pizza Spot Won Hearts in Dubuque, IA

Name

L. May Eatery

Address

1072 Main St, Dubuque, IA 52001

Hours

Open Tue-Thu, 4 PM–9 PM | Fri-Sat, 4 PM–10 PM | Sun, 11 AM–2 PM (closed Mon)

Located on the beautifully restored 1000 block of historic Main Street in Dubuque, L.May Eatery has been serving exceptional gourmet comfort food since 2007. 🍕

Named after the owners’ grandmother, Lil May, this locally-owned restaurant honors her great cooking and hospitality through seasonally changing menus featuring fresh local produce and wood-fired pizzas that have become legendary among locals.

With the largest craft beer selection in Dubuque, a thoughtful wine list, artisanal cocktails, and a “Cheers” vibe where everybody knows your name, this hidden gem delivers memorable dining experiences from casual pizza nights to life’s most special celebrations. ✨

How L May Eatery Won Dubuque’s Hearts

Opening in 2007 inside a beautifully restored historic Main Street building with hardwood floors and stunning stonework, L. May Eatery immediately created a warm, inviting atmosphere that felt both elegant and comfortable enough for any occasion.

The decision to feature gourmet wood-fired pizzas with thin, crunchy crusts alongside upscale entrees like filet mignon and pork osso bucco gave the restaurant broad appeal—you could come for a casual date night or celebrate your anniversary with equal satisfaction. 🍷

The restaurant expanded with more seating and an outdoor patio while maintaining the intimate feel and family-oriented environment, plus they added a mobile wood-fired pizza oven catering for weddings and events, becoming part of the community’s most important moments. 💕

Food Highlights

• “You’re In Dubuque” Pizza: The most popular pizza on the menu, featuring hearty red sauce, applewood smoked bacon, locally sourced ground sausage, mushrooms, red onion, and a blend of mozzarella and cheddar.

• Figgy Piggy Pizza: This creative wood-fired creation tops a roasted garlic olive oil crust with sausage, figs, caramelized onions, mozzarella, and goat cheese crumbles, finished with balsamic reduction. 🍕

• Harvest Pizza: A seasonal masterpiece featuring sage cream sauce, crispy prosciutto, apple, butternut squash, mozzarella, and hot honey drizzle.

• Hot Hawaiian Pizza: This spicy tropical twist features hearty red sauce, Canadian bacon, pineapple, jalapeño, mozzarella, and hot honey drizzle that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and spicy. 🌶️🍍

• Butternut Squash with Pear Pizza: This unique creation combines unexpected flavors that work beautifully together, demonstrating why L. May consistently ranks as Dubuque’s top restaurant. 🍐

• BLT Pizza: A creative twist on the classic sandwich featuring hearty red sauce, Canadian bacon, applewood smoked bacon crumbles, leafy greens, tomatoes, mozzarella, and roasted garlic basil aioli.

• Caprese Pizza: This fresh and simple pizza features roasted garlic olive oil crust topped with melted fresh mozzarella, diced tomato, basil, and balsamic reduction.

Atmosphere

The restaurant occupies a beautifully restored historic building on Main Street’s 1000 block with hardwood floors and stunning stonework that creates a pleasant, classy environment perfect for any occasion.

The “Cheers” vibe makes you feel at home as you enter, with friendly staff who remember regulars and create a neighborhood feel where everybody truly does know your name.

An outdoor patio offers additional seating for nice weather dining, while the cozy interior remains suitable for everything from family time to romantic evenings to work team bonding events. 🌟

The restaurant’s expansion since opening has added more seating without sacrificing the intimate, family-oriented environment that made it special, with exceptional hospitality ensuring every guest receives the attention they deserve.

Bottom Line

Visit L.May Eatery for Chef Tony’s seasonally changing menu highlighting fresh local produce, wood-fired gourmet pizzas with thin, crunchy crusts that customers call some of Dubuque’s best, the largest craft beer selection in town plus thoughtful wine and cocktail lists, extensive gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, and genuine neighborhood hospitality named after grandma ‘Lil May that makes every visit feel like coming home. 🎉

Address:

1072 Main St, Dubuque, IA 52001

📞 (563) 556-0505

🕔 Open Tue-Thu, 4 PM–9 PM | Fri-Sat, 4 PM–10 PM | Sun, 11 AM–2 PM (closed Mon)