Best of the Best

When the pandemic arrived two years ago, customers turned to convenience, affordability, and comfort—three words that couldn’t describe the pizza industry any better.

In the first four months of 2021, U.S.-based pizza concepts saw a 27 percent increase in foot traffic, according to Zenreach. That includes a 41 percent jump in New York, a 42 percent hike in Illinois and a dominant 77 percent rise in California.

50 Top Pizza, which prides itself as the most influential guide in the pizza sector, spent the past year visiting numerous pizzerias in the U.S.—using anonymous inspectors—to determine the 50 best restaurants in the country. The most important criteria was the quality of the dough and raw materials used for toppings. Other considerations include service, wine and beverage lists, and attention reserved for the customer.

The results were revealed during an award ceremony on June 14 at La Devozione in New York City. Among the top 50, the most common market was NYC with nine restaurants, followed by Portland and San Francisco with five each.

The top 15 are part of 50 Top Pizza’s 100 best pizzerias in the world, which will be officially announced at Palazzo Reale in Naples, Italy, on September 7.

“It has been an emotional return to the United States. After two complicated years, it was truly significant to be able to meet the best 50 American pizza makers in New York, one of the great pizza capitals in the world,” three 50 Top Pizza project curators, Barbara Guerra, Luciano Pignataro, and Albert Sapere, said in a statement.

The following slides showcase the 50 best pizzerias in the U.S., according to 50 Top Pizza.

1. Una Pizza Napoletana, New York City

2. Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, San Francisco

3. Ribalta NYC, New York City

4. Razza Pizza Artigianale, Jersey City

5. 0’ Munaciello, Miami

6. Spacca Napoli Pizzeria, Chicago

7. Song’ E Napule, New York City

8. La Leggenda Pizzeria, Miami

9. Pizzana, Los Angeles

10. Kesté Fulton, New York City

11. Ken’s Artisan Pizza, Portland

12. Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix

13. Jay’s Artisan Pizzeria, Kenmore, New York

14. Ops, New York City

15. Doppio Zero, San Francisco

16. Lovely’s Fifty Fifty, Portland

17. Partenope Ristorante, Dallas

18. Apizza Scholls, Portland

19. Flour House, San Luis Obispo, California

20. Forcella, New York City

21. Pizzeria Mozza, Los Angeles

22. Roberta’s, New York City

23. Pizzeria Beddia, Philadelphia

24. Mission Pizza Napoletana, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

25. Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana,  Darnestown, Maryland

26. A16, San Francisco

27. San Matteo Pizzeria e Cucina, New York City

28. Brick Fire Tavern, Honolulu

29. Del Popolo, San Francisco

30. Pasquale Jones, New York City

31. Forno Rosso, Chicago

32. Il Forno, San Antonio

33. Pasquale’s Pizzeria, South Kingstown, Rhode Island

34. Stanzione 87, Miami

35. Coals Artisan Pizza, Louisville

36. Flour + Water Pizzeria, San Francisco

37.  Robert’s Pizza and Dough Company, Chicago

38. Pomo, Scottsdale

39.  Bufalina Due, Austin

40. Nostrana, Portland

41. Basil & Barley Pizzeria Napoletana, Colorado Springs

42. Angelina’s Pizzeria Napoletana, Irvine, California

43. Scottie’s Pizza Parlor, Portland

44. Cart-Driver RiNo, Denver

45. Bricco Coal Fired Pizza, Haddon Township, New Jersey

46. Roostica Wood-Fired Pizzeria, Key West, Florida

47. Diavola, Indianapolis

48. Spark Pizza, Redmond, Washington

49. Fabrica Pizza, Tampa

50.  Craft 64, Scottsdale, Arizona

USA Special Awards 2022

Pizza Maker of the Year 2022 – Solania Award

Tony Gemignani, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana – San Francisco

Best Service 2022 – Goeldlin Award

Ribalta NYC – New York

Made in Italy 2022 – Pastificio Di Martino Award

0’ Munaciello – Miami

Best Beer Service 2022 – Birrificio Fratelli Perrella Award

Spacca Napoli Pizzeria – Chicago

Performance of the Year 2022 – Robo Award

La Leggenda Pizzeria – Miami

Pizza of the Year 2022 – Latteria Sorrentina Award

Pizza Diavola – Pizzana – Los Angeles

Best Fried Food 2022 – Olitalia Award

Kesté Fulton – New York

Innovation e Sustainability 2022 – Ferrarelle Award

Ken’s Artisan Pizza – Portland

Best Wine List 2022 – Prosecco DOC Award

Ops – Brooklyn