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