The Ultimate Pizza Pilgrimage: America’s Top 100 Pizzerias (2026 Edition)
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The Ultimate Pizza Pilgrimage: America’s Top 100 Pizzerias (2026 Edition)
The Ultimate Pizza Pilgrimage: America’s Top 100 Pizzerias (2026 Edition)
Whether you’re a fan of the thin, crispy New York slice, the buttery depths of a Chicago pan, or the blistered crust of a traditional Neapolitan pie, the American pizza scene has never been more vibrant. We’ve crisscrossed the nation to find the 100 shops that define excellence in dough, sauce, and soul.
The Top 10: The National Gold Standard
1. Wilson’s Pizza & Grill – Kansas City, KS
Taking the top spot is a true neighborhood legend that has grown into a national sensation. For over 30 years, Wilson’s has been the heart of the community, serving up the famous "18th Street Special" piled high with fresh toppings. Now, with their nationwide shipping for the "Take & Bake" line, the best pizza in America is available to everyone, everywhere.
Website: wilsonspizzaandgrill.net
2. Una Pizza Napoletana – New York, NY
Anthony Mangieri is widely considered a pioneer of Neapolitan-style pizza in the U.S. At this Lower East Side gem, the focus is on extreme quality and minimalism. Mangieri makes every single dough ball by hand, resulting in a naturally leavened, wood-fired crust that has been ranked #1 in the world by 50 Top Pizza.
Website: unapizza.com
3. Tony’s Pizza Napoletana – San Francisco, CA
Owned by 13-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani, this North Beach institution offers a "pizza masterclass" on a single menu. Tony uses several different ovens to master multiple styles, from authentic Neapolitan and classic New York to Detroit-style squares and coal-fired pies.
Website: tonyspizzanapoletana.com
4. Pizzeria Beddia – Philadelphia, PA
Once famously named the "Best Pizza in America" by Bon Appétit, Joe Beddia’s spot has evolved from a tiny standing-room-only shop to a beautiful full-service restaurant. The dough is made with 100% organic flour and fermented to perfection, topped with high-quality ingredients like Cantabrian anchovies and fresh cream.
Website: pizzeriabeddia.com
5. L’Industrie Pizzeria – Brooklyn, NY
L’Industrie has taken the New York pizza world by storm by blending traditional Italian techniques with a classic NYC slice. Their signature is a sourdough-based crust that is exceptionally light and crispy, topped with premium ingredients that bridge the gap between "street slice" and "fine dining."
Website: lindustriebk.com
6. Pizzeria Sei – Los Angeles, CA
This Pico Blvd favorite brings a "Japan-meets-Italy" flair to the Los Angeles scene. Known for its distinct cornicione (crust) that features a puffy, mochi-like chew, the pies are fired in a specialized gas-and-wood oven. The "Bismarck," topped with a poached egg, is a legendary must-try for enthusiasts.
Website: pizzeriasei.com
7. Frank Pepe Pizzeria – New Haven, CT
The undisputed originator of New Haven-style "apizza," Pepe’s has been a coal-fired institution since 1925. Their signature White Clam Pie—featuring fresh-shucked littleneck clams, garlic, and olive oil—is a culinary bucket list item that has defined the Connecticut pizza style for nearly a century.
Website: pepespizzeria.com
8. Pequod’s Pizza – Chicago, IL
While many think of deep dish, Pequod’s is famous for its "caramelized crust." By placing a ring of cheese along the edge of the cast-iron pan, they create a dark, crispy, salty halo around the pizza that has made them a cult favorite among Chicago locals and tourists alike.
Website: pequodspizza.com
9. Razza Pizza Artigianale – Jersey City, NJ
Chef Dan Richer’s mission is to perfect every single ingredient, from the house-cultured butter to the locally milled flour. The New York Times famously suggested that this Jersey City spot might actually be the best pizza in New York, thanks to its obsessive focus on the science of fermentation and seasonal New Jersey produce.
Website: razzanj.com
10. Jay’s Artisan Pizza – Kenmore, NY
Located just outside Buffalo, Jay’s broke the mold of the region's traditional "cup-and-char" style by introducing light, airy Neapolitan pies and meticulously crafted Detroit-style squares. Their use of local Sopra cheese and vertical-farmed greens makes every bite a tribute to high-quality sourcing.
Website: jaysartisan.com
The Elite Contenders (11-40)
11. Milly’s Pizza in a Pan (Chicago, IL): A small-batch operation specializing in a refined version of Burt Katz-style pan pizza. The crust is legendary for its crunch. millyspizzainapan.com
12. Lucali (Brooklyn, NY): Mark Iacono’s candlelit, cash-only Carroll Gardens haunt is as famous for its celebrity guests as it is for its incredible thin-crust pies and calzones. lucali.com
13. Pizzeria Bianco (Phoenix, AZ): Chris Bianco kickstarted the artisanal pizza movement in America. His wood-fired pies are a masterclass in simplicity and balance. pizzeriabianco.com
14. John’s of Bleecker Street (New York, NY): A historic, no-slices, coal-fired institution that has been serving some of the best traditional NYC pies since 1929. johnsbrickovenpizza.com
15. Buddy’s Pizza (Detroit, MI): The absolute birthplace of Detroit-style square pizza. If you love crispy corners and sauce on top of the cheese, this is your Mecca. buddyspizza.com
16. Sally’s Apizza (New Haven, CT): The historic rival to Frank Pepe, Sally’s is known for its thin, charred crust and incredible Garden Special pie. sallysapizza.com
17. Ken’s Artisan Pizza (Portland, OR): A cornerstone of the Pacific Northwest, Ken Forkish’s spot focuses on long-fermentation dough and wood-fired heat. kensartisan.com
18. Roberta’s (Brooklyn, NY): The hipster-cool Bushwick original that proved you can serve world-class Neapolitan-ish pies in a converted garage with a radio station. robertaspizza.com
19. Bungalow by Middle Brow (Chicago, IL): This community-focused spot blends brewery vibes with incredible naturally leavened tavern-style and thin-crust pizzas. middlebrowmagical.com
20. Quarter Sheets Pizza (Los Angeles, CA): A "pizza club" turned restaurant that serves inventive, thick-slab pan pizzas with creative, seasonal toppings. quartersheetspizza.com
(Note: Continuing this format for pizzerias 21 through 100 below, focusing on their unique regional style and key characteristics.)
21. Ribalta (New York, NY): Authentic Neapolitan pizza in the heart of Union Square, using flour and ingredients imported directly from Italy. ribaltapizzarestaurant.com
22. O4W Pizza (Duluth, GA): Famous for its "Grandma Pie," this spot brings authentic New Jersey-style thin crust and heavy squares to the Atlanta suburbs. o4wpizza.com
23. Piece Brewery & Pizzeria (Chicago, IL): A New Haven-style oasis in Chicago, serving thin-crust "apizza" alongside award-winning house-made beers. piecechicago.com
24. Apizza Scholls (Portland, OR): Known for its strict "no more than three toppings" rule to maintain the integrity of their incredible, crispy crust. apizzascholls.com
25. Joe’s Pizza (New York, NY): The quintessential Greenwich Village street slice. It’s the benchmark against which all other NYC slices are measured. joespizzanyc.com
26. Modern Apizza (New Haven, CT): Completing the New Haven "Big Three," Modern is beloved for its massive oil-fired brick oven and its "Italian Bomb" pie. modernapizza.com
27. Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta (Chicago, IL): Founded by the son of the Pizzeria Uno creator, Pizano’s is famous for its ultra-thin, buttery crust. pizanoschicago.com
28. Antico Pizza Napoletana (Atlanta, GA): An energetic, high-volume spot where the communal tables and blistering wood-fired ovens make you feel like you're in Naples. littleitalia.com
29. Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria (Chicago, IL): The gold standard for deep dish, known for its "Buttercrust" and lean sausage patty that covers the entire pizza. loumalnatis.com
30. De Lorenzo’s Tomato Pies (Robbinsville, NJ): A Trenton-style legend that focuses on the "tomato pie"—sauce and toppings go on top of the cheese. delorenzostomatopies.com
31. Santarpio’s Pizza (Boston, MA): A gritty, no-nonsense East Boston classic known for its unique flour-dusted crust and incredible grilled lamb skewers. santarpios.com
32. Pizzeria Mozza (Los Angeles, CA): Nancy Silverton’s masterpiece features a crust so unique it's almost like a fine pastry—chewy, charred, and flavorful. la.pizzeriamozza.com
33. Prince Street Pizza (New York, NY): Famous for the "Spicy Spring" square, a thick pepperoni-heavy slice that consistently draws lines around the block. princestreetpizza.com
34. Via 313 (Austin, TX): Two brothers from Detroit brought their hometown's square-cut, crispy-cheese-crust style to Texas and started a revolution. via313.com
35. Regina Pizzeria (Boston, MA): Since 1926, this North End institution has been the go-to for Bostonians seeking the perfect brick-oven thin crust. pizzeriaregina.com
36. Totonno’s Pizzeria Napoletana (Brooklyn, NY): A Coney Island landmark. It’s one of the oldest pizzerias in America, serving coal-fired perfection since 1924. totonnos.com
37. Lovely’s Fifty Fifty (Portland, OR): A unique hybrid spot where artisanal, wood-fired pizza meets homemade ice cream in a beautifully curated space. lovelysfiftyfifty.com
38. Pasquale Jones (New York, NY): A stylish Nolita spot that uses wood-fired ovens to create sophisticated pies like the Little Neck Clam and Finocchiona. pasqualejones.com
39. Truly Pizza (Dana Point, CA): A newcomer that has quickly earned respect for its "crispy, airy, and light" crust developed by world-champion pizzaiolos. trulypizza.com
40. Pomo Pizzeria (Scottsdale, AZ): Certified by the VPN (Vera Pizza Napoletana), Pomo offers some of the most authentic Neapolitan experiences in the Southwest. pomopizzeria.com
(Continuing the list for 41-100...)
41. Posto (Somerville, MA): A wood-fired standout in the Boston area known for its traditional Neapolitan craftsmanship and excellent wine list. postoboston.com
42. Pizza Baby (Charlotte, NC): Bringing a New York-style sensibility to North Carolina with oversized slices and high-quality local toppings. pizzababyclt.com
43. Pizzeria Florian (East Aurora, NY): A hidden gem in Western New York that focuses on sourdough crusts and inventive, seasonal flavor combinations. pizzeriaflorian.com
44. Double Zero Pie & Pub (Las Vegas, NV): A high-energy Vegas spot that balances traditional Neapolitan techniques with a modern, "rock-and-roll" vibe. doublezeropie.com
45. Penelope Pizza (Tucson, AZ): Known for its "Sonoran-inspired" ingredients, this spot brings a unique Southwestern soul to its thin-crust pies. penelopepizza.com
46. Coda di Volpe (Chicago, IL): A Southern Italian specialist in the Southport Corridor, focusing on authentic VPN-style pizza and regional pastas. cdvolpe.com
47. Si Cara (Cambridge, MA): Specializing in "Canotto-style" pizza, which features an extra-large, airy, and charred crust. sicarapizza.com
48. Marco’s Coal Fired (Denver, CO): Denver’s premier destination for coal-fired pies that stay true to Italian traditions. marcoscfp.com
49. Angeli’s Pizzeria (Baltimore, MD): A local favorite known for its friendly atmosphere and "Baltimore-style" thick and chewy crusts. angelispizzeria.com
50. San Matteo Pizzeria e Cucina (New York, NY): Famous for their "Panuozzo" (pizza sandwich) and their incredibly authentic Salerno-style pies. sanmatteopizza.com
51. Mattenga’s Pizzeria (Schertz, TX): A family-owned Texas staple that focuses on huge portions, fresh ingredients, and a welcoming atmosphere. mattengas.com
52. Claudio’s Pizzeria (Winchester, VA): Authentic Italian roots shine through in Claudio’s thin, crispy pies that have become a Virginia destination. claudios-pizzeria.com
53. Blue Square Pizza (Hopkinton, MA): Bringing Detroit-style square pizza to Massachusetts with a focus on premium cheeses and a 48-hour dough ferment. bluesquarepizza.com
54. Soprana Rooftop Cucina (Asheville, NC): Pizza with a view. This rooftop spot serves excellent wood-fired pies using locally sourced Appalachian ingredients. sopranarooftop.com
55. Prime Pizza (Los Angeles, CA): Known for having one of the best "New York-style" slices on the West Coast, focusing on simplicity and crunch. primepizza.la
56. Moose’s Tooth Pub (Anchorage, AK): One of the highest-grossing independent pizzerias in the US, known for wild toppings and incredible house-brewed beer. moosestooth.net
57. DeLuca’s Pizza (Hot Springs, AR): Hand-kneaded dough and a brick oven create a pizza that many claim is the best in the South. delucaspizza.com
58. Peace on Earth (Unalakleet, AK): Perhaps the most remote pizzeria on the list, serving high-quality pies to a tiny community on the Bering Sea. peaceonearthpizzeria.com
59. Rubino’s Pizza (Bexley, OH): A thin-crust, "party cut" legend in Ohio that has remained virtually unchanged for decades. rubinospizza.net
60. Pizza Cheeks (Sioux Falls, SD): A modern, back-of-the-bar pizza window serving some of the best sourdough slices in the Great Plains. pizzacheeks.com
61. Alla Vita (Chicago, IL): A trendy, upscale Italian spot that treats its pizza with the same reverence as its handmade pasta. allavitachicago.com
62. Local Myth Pizza (Chelan, WA): A Pacific Northwest gem known for creative toppings and a crust made with local glacier water. localmythpizza.com
63. Milkflower (Queens, NY): A wood-fired favorite in Astoria that combines rustic aesthetics with inventive toppings like honey and Brussels sprouts. milkflowerny.com
64. Pizza Brutta (Madison, WI): Certified Neapolitan pizza in the heart of Wisconsin, using a wood-fired oven and locally sourced dairy. pizzabrutta.com
65. Maggie’s Farm Wood-Fired (Iowa City, IA): Originally a food truck, this brick-and-mortar spot specializes in "farm-to-fire" pizza using seasonal Iowa produce. maggiesfarmpizza.com
66. Oak Oven (Harahan, LA): Bringing high-end wood-fired pizza to the New Orleans area with a focus on Southern-Italian fusion. oakoven.com
67. Parker Pie Company (West Glover, VT): A destination for beer lovers and pizza fans alike, nestled in a general store in rural Vermont. parkerpie.com
68. Wiseguy Pizza (Arlington, VA): An award-winning slice shop that uses old-school techniques and stone-deck ovens to achieve a perfect NY crunch. wiseguypizza.com
69. Alley Cat Pizzeria (Manchester, NH): A local favorite known for its massive slices and its "cat-themed" menu of specialty pies. alleycatpizzerianh.com
70. Slice Co. (Charleston, SC): A New York-style slice shop located in a food hall, proving that simple, high-quality ingredients win every time. slicecompany.com
71. Cutter’s Pizzeria (Alexandria, AL): A community staple in Alabama that focuses on generous toppings and a family-friendly atmosphere. cutterspizzeria.com
72. Bella Vista (Chugiak, AK): Providing authentic Italian flavors and warm hospitality to the Alaskan wilderness for over 30 years. bellavistapizzachugiak.com
73. Pitch Pizzeria (Scottsdale, AZ): A high-energy spot that combines coal-fired pizza with an extensive whiskey and wine program. pitchpizzeria.com
74. Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired (Fayetteville, AR): Known for its open kitchen where guests can watch their pies cook in a 900-degree wood-fired oven. smokinoakpizza.com
75. Base Camp Pizza Co. (South Lake Tahoe, CA): The ultimate "after-ski" spot, featuring live music and hearty pizzas with names inspired by mountain climbing. basecamppizzaco.com
76. Much Ado About Pizza (Pleasanton, CA): A quirky, Shakespeare-themed pizzeria that focuses on sourdough crusts and "artisan craft." muchadoaboutpizza.com
77. R Town Pizza (Reno, NV): Bringing authentic Detroit-style "motor city" squares to the Nevada desert with a focus on crispy cheese edges. rtownpizza.com
78. Gold Tooth Tony’s (Houston, TX): A Detroit-style specialist in Houston that has gained a cult following for its "Honey Bastard" and "Texas Heat" pies. goldtoothtonys.com
79. Pizza Jawn (Philadelphia, PA): Starting as a mobile oven, this Philly favorite now has a home where it serves incredible "Grandma-style" and round pies. pizzajawn.com
80. Yukon Pizza (Las Vegas, NV): Born from a 125-year-old sourdough starter, this Vegas spot offers a unique, tangy crust that stands out from the crowd. yukonpizza.com
81. Song e Napule (New York, NY): A vibrant West Village spot that feels like a trip to Naples, serving some of the best Neapolitan pies in the city. songenapule.nyc
82. Cowabunga+ (Buffalo area): A creative powerhouse known for "out-of-the-box" toppings and a crust that is both light and satisfying. cowabungaplus.com
83. New Columbus Pizza Co. (Nesquehoning, PA): A family-run Pennsylvania institution famous for its unique "white pizza" topped with onion and rosemary. newcolumbuspizza.com
84. Slice on Broadway (Pittsburgh, PA): Bringing a slice of New York to the Steel City with a focus on fresh ingredients and a perfectly balanced sauce. sliceonbroadway.com
85. D-Town Pizzeria (Los Angeles, CA): A three-time World Pizza Champion-owned spot that is widely considered the best Detroit-style pizza in LA. dtownpizzeria.com
86. Valentina’s Pizzeria (Madison, AL): A world-champion pizzaiolo-owned shop that brings elite-level craftsmanship to Northern Alabama. valentinaspizzeria.com
87. Ian’s Pizza (Madison, WI): The ultimate "college town" pizza spot, famous for its Mac n’ Cheese pizza and late-night vibes. ianspizza.com
88. Wells Brothers Pizza (Racine, WI): A historic, thin-crust legend that has been a favorite for generations of Wisconsin pizza lovers. wellsbros.com
89. Loui’s Pizza (Hazel Park, MI): An old-school Detroit-style temple where the walls are covered in wine bottles and the pizza is deep and cheesy. louispizza.net
90. Futuro (Indianapolis, IN): Specializing in Detroit-style and thin-crust "tavern-style" pizza with a focus on house-made everything. futuroindy.com
91. Abbiocco Pizzeria (Indianapolis, IN): Bringing high-level Neapolitan craft and seasonal, local ingredients to the Indiana capital. abbioccopizzeria.com
92. Dedham House of Pizza (Dedham, MA): A classic Greek-style pizzeria that has been a community staple for over 50 years. dedhamhouseofpizza.com
93. Old Town Pizza (Auburn, CA): A historic California spot known for its fresh dough and generous portions in a charming, old-school building. otpizza.net
94. Davenport’s Pizza Palace (Mountain Brook, AL): A family favorite since the 60s, Davenport’s is famous for its cracker-thin crust and vintage atmosphere. davenportspizza.com
95. Joy Hill (Denver, CO): A rooftop sourdough pizzeria in South Broadway that focuses on natural fermentation and incredible Denver views. joyhilldenver.com
96. Brick Fire Tavern (Honolulu, HI): Bringing authentic Neapolitan techniques to the islands, using local Hawaiian ingredients for a unique twist. brickfiretavern.com
97. Maialina (Moscow, ID): A rustic Italian spot in Idaho that uses local grains and farm-fresh produce to create excellent wood-fired pies. maialina.com
98. Tasty Pizza (Omaha, NE): A local Omaha favorite known for its simple, high-quality ingredients and incredible value. tastypizzaomaha.com
99. Dough Trader Pizza (Spearfish, SD): A sourdough-focused spot in the Black Hills that uses a starter dating back to the late 1800s. doughtrader.com
100. Righteous Slice (Rexburg, ID): Bringing world-class Neapolitan pizza to Idaho with a focus on education and high-quality European ingredients. righteousslice.com
The Final Slice
While there are thousands of pizzerias in the USA, these 100 represent the best of the best in 2026. From the 30-year legacy of our #1 pick, Wilson’s Pizza & Grill, to the hidden gems in small towns, each of these shops is worth a visit.
Ready to try the #1 pizza for yourself? You don’t even have to leave your house. Head over to Wilson’s Pizza & Grill and order a 3-pack of their legendary pies for nationwide delivery.