I’ve updated this list for the first time since the original version went up three years ago, and again, I expect this will start quite a few debates.
I adore all kinds of pizza – New York-style, Neapolitan-style (thin crust, wet center), Roman-style (also thin-crust but with a cracker-like crust), Sicilian, coal-fired, wood-fired, whatever. Except “deep dish,” which is just a bread casserole and which I actively dislike. I try to find good artisan pizzerias everywhere I travel, and I’ve hit just about all of the most highly-regarded places in Manhattan and Brooklyn too. I grew up on Long Island, eating by the slice and folding as I did so, but a couple of trips to Italy convinced me of the merits of those very thin crusts and superior toppings. We’re the beneficiaries of a huge boom in high-end pizza joints in this country, and while I haven’t tried all of the good ones, I’ve been to enough to put together a ranking of the 55 best that I’ve tried. There is, I admit, a bias to this list – I’ve tried more places in greater Phoenix than any other metro area other than New York – and I’m sure I’ll get some yelling over where I put di Fara or Paulie Gee’s, but with all of that out of the way, here’s how I rank ’em.
(I’ve removed two entries that closed since the last ranking, but if I missed another one, please put it in the comments.)
1. Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix
2. Kesté, New York
3. Motorino, New York
4. Roberta’s, Brooklyn
5. Una Pizza Napoletana, New York (relocated from San Francisco)
6. Pizzeria Vetri/Osteria, Philadelphia
7. Frank Pepe’s, New Haven
8. del Popolo, San Francisco
9. Garage Bar, Louisville
10. Pizzeria Mozza, Los Angeles
11. Pizzeria Lola, Minneapolis
12. cibo, Phoenix
13. Lucali, Brooklyn
14. Forcella, New York
15. Pizzeria Stella, Philadelphia
16. Spacca Napoli, Chicago
17. Paulie Gee’s, Brooklyn
18. Don Antonio by Starita, New York
19. Pizzaiolo, Oakland
20. ‘Pomo, Phoenix
21. Brigantessa, Philadelphia
22. Marta, New York
23. Ribalta, New York
24. flour + water, San Francisco
25. Totonno’s, Brooklyn
26. Federal Pizza, Phoenix
27. La Piazza al Forno, Glendale, AZ
28. Via Tribunali, New York/Seatte
29. Il Cane Rosso, Dallas
30. Antico, Atlanta
31. Ravanesi, Concordville, PA
32. City House, Nashville
33. Tarry Lodge, Port Chester, New York
34. Desano, Nashville
35. Grimaldi’s, Phoenix
36. Jon & Vinny’s, Los Angeles
37. Timber Pizza, Washington, DC
38. Di Fara, Brooklyn
39. All-Purpose, Washington, DC
40. Il Bosco, Scottsdale, AZ
41. Co., New York (closed February 2018)
42. Rubirosa, New York
43. Punch Pizza, St. Paul
44. Toro, Durham
45. Craft 64, Scottsdale, AZ
46. Harry’s Bar, Miami, FL
47. 800 Degrees, Los Angeles
48. Firestarter, Dennis, MA
49. Forno 301, Phoenix
50. Dolce Vita, Houston
51. Stella Rosa, Santa Monica
52. Grimaldi’s, Brooklyn
53. Basic, San Diego
54. Nicoletta, New York (closed as of 1/2019)
55. Taconelli, Philadelphia
There’s a long list of pizzerias I still need (okay, want, but where I’m concerned pizza is a need) to try, so they’re not on the list: Razza in Jersey City, Apizza Scholls in Portland, Area Four near Boston, 2 Amy’s in DC (temporarily closed), Menomale in DC, Sottocasa in Brooklyn, al Forno in Providence, Mani Osteria in Ann Arbor, Vero in Cleveland, Iggie’s in Baltimore, and more. It’s a good time to be a pizza lover, and unless you have to be gluten-free, how could you not love pizza?
Pequods or Piece in Chicago are top notch (the former even in spite of your bread casserole thesis)
I second your recommendations J! Piece is really good but Pequods is outstanding!!
Thirded. I’m far from an aficionado, and don’t live in a big city with lots of options, but Pequod’s is the best pizza I’ve ever had.
Frank Pepe’s oughtta be above Keste.
Menomale is the best in DC. Everyone says timber or All-Purpose or 2 Amy’s. But it is obviously Menomale.
I just haven’t been.
Pepe’s is good. It’s not close to the top 5 for me. Different style of pizza.
Hi Keith
I thought you tried DiLorenzos in Robbinsville NJ when you were in Trenton.
Just the thought of a list like this makes me smile.
Never been.
Co (#41) closed down
Thank you.
If you haven’t yet, try Bricks in Chicago. Either the original basement location on Lincoln by the zoo or Big Bricks further north in Lincoln Square. Thin crust, not Chicago style
If you like Spacca Napoli, try Forno Rosso the next time you are in Chicago. I can’t decide which one is better. Forno Rosso is slightly soupier in the middle (i.e. a bit closer to authentic Neapolitan) but they both have their merits.
Coalfire is also amazing.
You’re probably not likely to be in New Haven again anytime soon, but despite getting all the press, Pepe’s isn’t as good as Modern or Sally’s. Modern is the best pizza I’ve ever had.
I second that endorsement of Modern.
Third. When I lived in New Haven, Modern was always my go-to. Within that particular style of pizza, Modern kicks Pepe’s to the curb IMO.
Great list. I’m sure you’re open to suggestions considering you can never have too much pizza. Wondering if you’ve tried Tony’s in San Francisco. Many different styles (and none of them deep dish. Look forward to working my way through these 50.
I haven’t. I think there’s also Casey’s in SF? I keep a semi-running list of places for when I travel.
If you’re driving to Bristol and take I-684, stop at Fortina in Armonk (it’s 2 minutes away from the exit). Outstanding pizza – way better than Tarry Lodge – as are a dozen other things on the menu.
I’ve also heard Zero Otto Nove there is good.
zero otto nove is outstanding
Hard pass on ZON, both the Westchester and Bronx locations. Their poor toppings alone make it substandard.
Birroteca >>> Iggie’s if you’re in Baltimore
Frankly Keith, there are better pizza places in Portland than Apizza Scholls. It’s fine, but I prefer some of the other wood-fired places in town like Ken’s Artisan, Oven & Shaker, Chuckie’s Pies, etc. Portland is frankly going through a pizza bonanza right now as you can’t throw a rock without hitting a fairly decent artisan pizza shop, but of course, to be truly great is another thing. I for one won’t rest until I have tried them all!
Great list…I’ve been to 8 of your top 10 even though I live in SF and enjoy them all. I loved del Popolo when they first opened but feel as though they undercook their pizza just a tad. Agreed that you need to check out Casey’s in SF near the ballpark – it started as a pizza truck and now is brick and mortar.
Other must tries in SF – Fiorella, Pizzahacker, Pizzeria Delfina.
I’ll second Pizzahacker in SF – great story, funky little space, good owner, and a hell of a pie.
Bianco is my go to particularly on work outings where I host. Always a hit and never disappointing
Home Slice in Austin is great New York-style pizza. Luckily for us, it’s not in the Top 10 restaurants here because of all the other good places here, especially all the Asian-influenced food.
If you need a list, I’m happy to accommodate.
If you end up in Long Beach to see the Dirtbags, Michael’s on 2nd it’s worth a try. Zagat rated them number one a couple of years ago, and well I don’t think that is close to being possible, it is pretty damn good.
^^I second the recommendation of Michael’s on 2nd!
I have a sleeper in Atlanta:
Grant Central Pizza. Their pizza guy learned in NY, makes his crusts based on that. Very good pizza. It used to be one of the closest food to Turner Field, but of course the Braves are now closer to Antico (new one in The Battery at STP.)
Grant Central is my neighborhood pizza place in East Atlanta and it really is fantastic. I don’t think it’s quite as good as Antico but the crust is amazing and it’s never too crowded. I’ll second your recommendation.
Just an FYI–Jeff Michaud and Michael Schulson bought back Osteria from Urban Outfitters, so it’s fully independent again and not associated with Pizzeria Vetri. They’re both still awesome though!
that justifies another visit
Bread & Circus Provisions in Lafayette, LA
Next time you’re in San Diego, try Tribute Pizza in North Park. It’s Neopolitan-ish. Very Good.
Not sure if you’ve tried Emily in Brooklyn but would recommend it on next trip. (Pizza and the burgers)
Hey Keith- if you ever get to Boston try Galleria Umberto on Hanover Street in the North End. It usually opens around 10:30am and closes around 3pm. Monday-Saturday. Sicilian style tray pizza, individual calzones arancini etc… it’s breathtakingly good
Pupatella, Arlington Virginia … THAT IS ALL
Yup, Pupatella is the best Neopolitan pizza in DC area — beats Menomale and blows All Purpose out of the water.
Also, Sally’s, Modern, and Bar are all better than Pepe’s for New Haven apizza.
thanks! bookmarking this. I live in CT, and my faves are sally’s, modern, and de legna. (all in new haven, pepe’s is awesome too)
Keith, you should give Ravanesi (Glen Mills/Concordville, PA) a try. It is not far from you and would be worth the trip. The 168 ratings that give it a 4.9 out of 5 aren’t wrong.
It’s on the list.
Milwaukee’s very best- Maria’s. It is an experience like no other- And Keste is absolutely fantastic. 12 years in NYC and I never had a better pie.
Also- Umberto’s in New Hyde Park. The Giants have their pizza flown all over the place before football games.
You went to Carnegie Mellon and no Pittsburgh pizza place? Come on……
The one place we liked is long closed.
No Regina or Santarpio’s? They both live up to the hype, imo.
Next time you’re on the Cape, might I suggest Crisp in Osterville? The Farm Egg Pizza and the Duck Bacon are both interesting and tasty and I like that they put pesto on their Margherita rather than basil leaves. We’ll have to swing out to Dennis when the season is over to try out Firestarter.
So a trip to the Twin Cities is needed given there are two good pizzerias there? No need to twist my arm.
Colony Grill in Stamford, CT (other locations in Fairfield County as well) is my personal favorite if you find yourself that way. Hot oil and meatball is the way to go.
Have you been to The Pie Underground in Salt Lake City?
If you are up in Syracuse or upstate NY, try Cicero Country Pizza. Great pizza, great service, and a nice old school atmosphere.
Try Rizzo’s Fine Pizza on Steinway in Astoria, and now also down on the lower east side on Clinton St, I’d put their Grandma / Sicilian pie against anyones.
Iggie’s is legit. In Baltimore, I’m partial to Gil’s, but it’s a neighborhood place, carry-out only, and definitely not fancy. It’s also not in the downtown area.
Bianco is definitely #1 of all the pizza places I’ve tried. My in-laws live in Phoenix, and we always get pizza at least a couple times on our visits. I’ll have to try some other places on this list. (They usually get pizza from a local place whose name escapes me. It’s quite good, but nowhere near the Bianco level.)
Two suggestions in case you’re ever in these neighborhoods:
Austin, TX: Via 313 – It’s Detroit-style, and it’s thicker than I usually like, but they nail the balance between crust, cheese, and sauce.
Columbia, MO: Shakespeare’s – This could be my college memories telling me it’s better than it was, but everyone I know who went to Mizzou agrees that it’s irreplaceable.
No clue if either would come anywhere near you top, but they’re certainly worth trying .
Some more worthwhile pizza options for your next visit to the Twin Cities:
Burch (steak house on top, pizza bar in basement- order from both menus throughout)
Black sheep pizza (coal fired)
Surly Taproom’s New Haven style pizza
I was going to recommend Black Sheep too if you’re in the Twin Cities. The Twin Cities food scene now pretty much has a consensus of Lola (and Young Joni, Ann Kim’s newer place with more non-pizza options) and Black Sheep as the top two, although Surly is newest so maybe that will rise into the top tier too.
My rec would be the Persian Beef and Harissa pizza at Black Sheep. So good.
Thanks for putting this together, Keith!
My wife and I went to Scottsdale a couple years ago for vacation. First place we went was Bianco. My wife is famous for, well, ordering what a restaurant is not famous for. So naturally she ordered spaghetti instead of pizza. And of course I laughed. Then I tasted said spaghetti. It was probably the best spaghetti I’ve ever had. Ha ha me.
What did you not like about Mineos in Pittsburgh. Greasy, gooey and about 1000 calories a slice. What’s not to like. LOL.
Keith-
Dilorenzo’s and Papa’s Pizza are both great joints about a stones throw (Ichiro) away from each other in Robbinsville , NJ. Well worth a trip to kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Both tend to make a lot of lists. I will def try and hit the Concordville, Pa (Ravanesi) spot per your recommendation. Thanks
Razza is definitely worth having to stay on the Jersey side of the Hudson. Went there a whole slew of times before they blew up and it’s one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. They don’t take reservations and are only open for dinner though, so it’s a hot ticket nowadays.
Anyone with pizza suggestions near Tacoma, Wa?
Serious Pie in Seattle.
Or Pagliacci’s. Not great but pretty decent.
Sottocasa in Brooklyn is great. So is Sam’s Pizza & Steaks around the corner on Court Street. No one in their right mind should eat at Grimaldi’s over either of those or half a dozen others – and that’s even before considering the tourist-trap lines and prices.
I have walked past Sottocasa, but because they’re only open for dinner I’ve never eaten there.
Thanks for the list.
When I went to Garibaldi’s in Brooklyn it was still called Patsy’s.
I happened to go day one. Was in the right place at the right time. Went often enough, Patsy knew us. Bought us a drink when we ran into him in another Brooklyn Heights restaurant!
If you don’t mind driving a half hour from the city, Auerilio’s pizza (the Homewood location) is the best pizza in Chicago. There is one up by Wrigley now, but nothing beats the original location.
Thin crust sausage is the best.
As a Northsider, I’ll always be partial to Barnaby’s. But Auerillio’s is also very good (as well as Piece, Forno Rosso, and the rest of the Chicago places listed above).
Roberta’s has the best pizza crust I’ve ever had. I usually just toss the end of the crust once the toppings run out (empty carbs!) but I could eat a whole pizza of just that crust when it comes out of the oven.
Great list, Keith. Tarry Lodge is in Port Chester, NY not CT.
Tarry Lodge in Port Chester is in NY (it is just across the border from CT). Also the sicilian pizza from Sal’s in Mamaroneck is terrific.
Have you tried Square Pie in Philadelphia? Delicious Sicilian-ish style pizza in Queen Village.
I live in Phoenix and LOVE La Piazza al forno over in Glendale. In my birth city of Pittsburgh I like different pizzas for different reasons: Vincent’s of Greentree, Beto’s on Banksville, Mineo’s in Squirrel Hill, Fiori’s on Capital Ave, Osso’s in Washington, Pa, and DiCarlo’s in Elm Grove (Wheeling, WV).