Pizza is not a food item pizza is a cultural fixation that inspires arguments, sparks road trips, and unites us around stretchy, cheesy bites. From the wood-fired pizzas of Portland to the old-school pizzerias of New York, the United States of America is a pizza paradise. I recall the first bite of the flawlessPortland, Oregon, pie, its crust snappy with an expertly formed blister, and it was transcendent. This piece goes deep into the core of America’s pizza culture, shining the light on the establishments that have received international recognition and local affection. Classic Margherita or adventurous toppings, there’s a slice waiting for you. Let’s take a tasty ride to find the country’s best pizza places.
All the hubbub about pizza isn’t a myth, with Americans gorging on it at an all-time level 15% of us consume it every day, and among young males, 25% do. We paid more than $46 billion for pizza in 2017, so it’s no wonder we can’t get enough. Portland, Oregon, was the surprise dominant force, its creative pizzerias making the global scene. While that may be changing with better pizzerias opening everywhere, New York is still the city of pizza par excellence, and places like Una Pizza Napoletana set the international benchmark. There’s a variety of styles Neapolitan, deep-dish, New York a different adventure with every bite. This guide celebrates the pizzerias that make America sing with its pizza.
What makes a pizza place great? It’s quality ingredients, quality construction, and an atmosphere that feels like coming home. From Portland’s farm-to-table ethos to New York’s historic ovens, these spots deliver more than just a meal they create memories. I’ve pored over rankings from Big 7 Travel, 50 Top Pizza, and local foodie chatter to pinpoint the best. Whether you’re craving a foldable slice or a thick, cheesy deep-dish, these pizzerias have something for everyone. Get ready to explore the history, the flavors, and the passion of America’s greatest pizza destinations.
1. Portland’s Ongoing Pizza Revolution
Portland Orego is not necessarily the first city that feeds a individual’s mind when they consider a slice, but it is a global cultural player. Ken’s Artisan Pizza, the world’s second-best pizzeria, according to Big 7 Travel, is an absolute must-see. Its Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pizzas boast long-fermented dough, hand-stretched mozzarella, and seasonally shifting toppings, all blisters of gold. I’ve enjoyed their fennel sausage pizza and the flavor was transcendent. 304 S.E. 28th Ave.-situated Ken’s made No. 3 in the country, a 50 Top Pizza accolade to its longevity. The city’s pizzas are redefining what makes a good pie.
Outside of Ken’s, Portland pizza culture is innovative and varied. Apizza Scholls on S.E. East Coast-style pizzas are served on Hawthorne Blvd. by locals’ best options, and their Apizza Amore a Margherita with cured pork shoulder is winning hearts. Long lines out the door only attest to its popularity, but call ahead to pick up, as they tend to sell out. Lovely’s Fifty Fifty on N. Mississippi Ave. turns adventurous, integrating native tastes such as chanterelle mushrooms into pies that are more like a forest walk through Oregon. Portland’s absence of an overall style makes chefs do what they will, and every pizzeria is an independent adventure. No wonder Time Out listed Portland as the tenth-best food city in the world, and the hero was pizza.
- Ken’s Artisan Pizza: Wood-fired straightforward, season-topped pizzas at 304 S.E. 28th Ave.
- Apizza Scholls: East Coast-style goodness with highlight-worthy Apizza Amore; get there early to prevent sell-outs.
- Lovely’s Fifty Fifty: Pies with innovative local flair, such as chanterelle-completed pieces of art.
Portland pizza culture survives on its farm-to-table philosophy and offbeat creativity. Eateries such as Pan Con Queso mix Mexican and Pacific Islander traditions to serve up “pixxas” covered in house-pulled mozzarella. Mucca Pizzeria’s Spicy Calabrese goes hand in hand with their house gelato for the ultimate Italian treat. This city’s dedication to excellence and innovation has placed it onto the world stage, rivalling pizza capitals of New York and Chicago. Whether you’re a traditionalist or an adventurer, Portland’s pizzerias deliver unforgettable slices.
2. New York’s Timeless Pizza Legacy
New York City is the pulsing heart of American pizza, whose heritage goes back to 1905 when Gennaro Lombardi established the country’s first pizzeria. Una Pizza Napoletana, run by Anthony Mangieri, was 50 Top Pizza’s choice for world’s best pizzeria in 2024, an award it has received for four years running. Its Lower East Side spot serves Neapolitan-style pizzas of naturally risen dough and a special wood-fired oven imported from Naples. I ordered their Margherita, and the minimalism of the ingredients was breathtaking. With 17 New York listings on 50 Top Pizza’s list of the top U.S. pizzerias, the city’s supremacy is not to be questioned.
Little Italy’s Lombardi’s is still a pilgrimage site, employing coal-fired decks to produce crunchy, chewy crusts since day one. Joe’s Pizza on Carmine Street is minimalism perfection, selling cheap New York-style slices that nail all the appropriate notes. No. 1 in Brooklyn among chefs’ favorite slices, L’Industrie Pizzeria takes it up a level with burrata pizza that’s creamy on top and crunchy on bottom. They’re characteristic New York pizza spunk: good ingredients, tried-and-true methods, and a vibe like the city itself. Grab a quick slice or enjoy a sit-down pie, New York never disappoints.
- Una Pizza Napoletana: World’s best for Neapolitan pies with handcrafted dough.
- Lombardi’s: America’s first pizzeria, still slinging coal-fired classics in Little Italy.
- L’Industrie Pizzeria: Top-ranked slices with burrata and artisanal flair in Brooklyn.
The debate over New York’s best slice is a sport in itself, but the city’s pizzerias share a commitment to excellence. Grimaldi’s in Brooklyn draws crowds with its coal-oven crusts and open-kitchen vibe, while Paulie Gee’s in Greenpoint blends tradition with creative toppings like sake-seasoned sauces. New York city’s pizza is a combination of history and innovation, with each borough featuring a taste of perfection. It’s a city where pizza isn’t only food it’s life.
3. Chicago’s Deep-Dish Dynasty
Chicago pizza is a deep-dish pizza, and that peak is Pequod’s Pizzeria. Famous for its carmelized crust, cast-iron skillet baked, Pequod’s has been a cult favorite since 1970, pilgrim visitors swarming from all over the country. I had their pepperoni deep-dish, and the crunchy, cheesy edge of crust was unforgettable. It’s in Chicago’s Lincoln Park area, and it’s a must-go for those seeking out a rich, decadent pie. Yelp’s 2024 list places Pequod’s among the top places in the Midwest, a testament to its consistent popularity. Chicago pizza culture is all big flavors and large servings.
Giordano’s, a Chicago institution, takes deep-dish to a whole new level with double-crust pizzas filled with cheese. Starting in the 1970s, it expanded nationwide to become a chain, but the Chicago restaurants are the authentic article. Its Hawaiian deep-dish is a delight, combining sweet and savory flavors. Pizza in the city isn’t all about deep-dish, however thin crust and creative toppings also get their due but the thick, stringy pies are the stars of the show. Seven Chicago restaurants were included in 50 Top Pizza’s 2024 U.S. list, reflecting the city’s prominence. Chicago pizzas are an investment, but every one of them is worth it.
Chicago pizzerias are more than restaurants, they’re institutions. Pequod’s evening operation is for the likes of me, those up all night, and Giordano’s family recipes in the name of tradition. Pequod’s caramelized crust, constructed of cheese bubbling over the edges, is a turner that holds its own against the best. You’re from the city or just passing through, but you attempt these and they’re a flavor of Chicago soul. Knives and forks, please, since these pies are a meal, you will not forget anytime soon.
4. California’s Coastal Pizza Charm
California’s pizzas are a mix of creativity and relaxed ambiance, and San Francisco’s Tony’s Pizza Napoletana is not different. No. 3 in the U.S., according to 50 Top Pizza, Tony’s produces award-winning pizzas such as Mission Impossible, which was the 2024 Pizza of the Year. Its wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas are crafted with precision using quality ingredients. I adored their traditional Margherita, with its vibrant tomato sauce and rich mozzarella. Tony’s, North Beach, is pizza traditionalist and thrill-seekers heaven. California’s cultural diversity comes alive in each bite.
At Los Angeles’ Pizzeria Mozza, by Nancy Silverton, pizza is reimagined with one-of-a-kind bread flour and rye flour dough. The outcome is a subtly sweet, light-crusted pizza that’s difficult to surpass. Pizzeria Sei, the country’s no. 2 pizzeria, serves up Tokyo-style pie with innovative spins such as mala lamb sausage. Both restaurants highlight California’s proficiency at reworking the classics with new, local ingredients. From San Francisco’s crazy pizzerias to L.A.’s secrets, California’s pizza culture is as exciting as its coastline.
- Tony’s Pizza Napoletana: San Francisco award-winning Neapolitan perfection.
- Pizzeria Mozza: L.A.’s creative pies with a characteristic sweet, light crust.
- Pizzeria Sei: Tokyo-pizzas with big flavors in L.A.’s homey atmosphere.
California pizzerias are loaded with the state’s farm-to-table philosophy, and almost all utilize seasonal ingredients and bold flavors. Bar Bocce, a Sausalito eatery, serves wood-fired pizzas on the water, ideal for a casual dinner. Flour + Water Pizzeria in San Francisco creates its pies to go, featuring a sturdy breadlike crust that holds up to the journey. In the Bay Area or Southern California, these destinations serve up an innovative and deeply satisfying pizza experience.
5. Revealing America’s Diversity of Pizza
American pizza is a stylistic mix of anything from Detroit’s pan pizza to Connecticut’s New Haven-style. New Haven’s Big 7 Travel favorite, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, has been famous for its white clam pizza and charred crust. Philadelphia’s Pizzeria Beddia handcraft pies propelled it to No. 3 in 50 Top Pizza’s 2024 U.S. list. I sampled Beddia’s plain signature cheese pie, and its balance of flavors was gasping. Such local treasures attest to the creativity and devotion behind America’s pizza renaissance. Each state has its own twist, so enjoy the U.S. as a global pizza force to be equaled.
There were 15 American pizzerias in the 50 Top Pizza World 2024 list, such as New York’s Don Antonio and Chicago’s Robert’s, that earned nods for personal achievement. Pizza Today’s 2024 Pizzeria of the Year, Kentucky’s Camporosso, exemplifies how smaller towns are breaking through. From Alabama’s Davenport’s Pizza Palace to Hawaii’s Brick Fire Tavern, every state has a standout. The James Beard Awards also honor pizza’s creativity, awarding chefs such as Portland’s Sarah Minnick of Lovely’s Fifty Fifty. This mix ensures that the pizza discussion remains flavorful and fun.
Pizza chains are also stepping up, with Blaze Pizza, Jet’s Pizza, and Rosati’s topping Mashed’s 2024 chain rankings for their focus on quality and customization. Unlike fast-food giants, these chains prioritize fresh ingredients and bold flavors. Whether you’re at a historic spot like Lombardi’s or a modern chain like Blaze, the passion for pizza unites them. America’s pizza landscape is a journey worth taking, with each bite telling a story of craft and community.
6. Your Pizza Pilgrimage Tips
Road-tripping for pizza? Begin with timing most of the better places, such as Apizza Scholls, have limited hours or sell out ahead, so call ahead. Ken’s Artisan Pizza does not accept reservations, so get there early to miss the line. For takeout, inquire whether places like Flour + Water do par-baked versions for completion at home. I learned the hard way when I lost out on a pie because I arrived too late. Look up 50 Top Pizza or Yelp reviews for sound advice. A bit of forethought guarantees you excellent slices with no issue.
No choice of style? New York’s foldable slice is ideal for street eating, and Chicago deep-dish must be eaten sitting down with a fork. If you’re after innovation, Portland’s creative pies, like Lovely’s Fifty Fifty’s chanterelle-topped creations, are a must. Pair your pizza with local drinks craft beer at Moose’s Tooth in Alaska or wine at Mucca Pizzeria. For the ultimate experience, visit during off-peak hours to savor the atmosphere. Here are some tips to make your pizza quest epic:
- Plan Ahead: Call for takeout or check hours to avoid sellouts at busy spots.
- Mix Styles: Experiment with Neapolitan, deep-dish, or New York-style to mix it up.
- Local Pairings: Throw in a local beer or wine on top of your meal.
America’s pizza joints are as much about the experience as the food. From the historic charm of Lombardi’s to the trendy vibe of Paulie Gee’s, each spot has a story. Engage with the staff many are passionate artisans happy to share their process. Whether you’re chasing a world-ranked pie or a local gem, every slice is a chance to connect with America’s pizza passion. So grab a friend, hit the road, and savor the cheesy goodness!
