When Americans debate the best pizza, New York and Chicago usually suck all the oxygen out of the room. But there’s a whole world of incredible, regional pizza beyond the five boroughs and the Windy City. Places like Chicago and New York are famous for their distinctive types of pizza, with perfectly prepared crusts and a signature combination of ingredients and toppings. But a great slice can be found beyond these foodie destinations. From New England cities to desert communities, the following 10 cities are destinations where you may just find some of the best pizza in America.
1. New Haven, Connecticut
Apizza, a thin-crust pizza cooked over hot coals or in wood-fueled brick ovens, is what helps make New Haven one of the best pizza cities in the country. Dating back to the early 1900s, this type of pizza stands out not only for the way it’s cooked and shaped, but also for its unique ingredients, as it’s typically topped with sauce and a little dusting of Pecorino Romano cheese. One of the most creative variations is the White Clam Pie, which is topped with freshly shucked littleneck clams, garlic, olive oil, oregano, and Pecorino Romano cheese. Make sure to stop by Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, the birthplace of the white clam pie. Sally’s Apizza and Modern Apizza are two other New Haven destinations you don’t want to miss as well.
2. Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island, is quickly earning a reputation as home to some of the best pizza in the country, thanks to the city’s deep Italian heritage and established culinary scene. Here, you’ll find a wide variety of regional pizza specialties like pizza strips. This Rhode Island specialty features long, thick-crusted rectangular pizza slices with tomato sauce and little to no cheese. Grilled pizza is another must-try, created at Al Forno in Providence in 1980. Cooked over a hot iron grill, each pie develops a smoky, charred crust that makes it hard to stop at just one slice. Of course, you also don’t want to skip Pizza Marvin, known for its unique menu, and the historic Fellini Pizzeria restaurant, where you can order by the slice and each one is massive.
3. Old Forge, Pennsylvania
Old Forge is known as the “Pizza Capital of the World” due to its high concentration of pizzerias in a small geographic area (and in a community with a population of only 8,600!). Here, most pizzas are not served in the familiar triangular slices, but rather in rectangles. And with dozens of mom-and-pop pizza joints in this Pennsylvania city, you are bound to find a menu item with flavors and ingredients that make your mouth water. Some of the most iconic shops are located right along Old Forge’s Main Street, including Revello’s Pizza and Arcaro and Genell.
4. Miami, Florida
Miami may not be known for a specific type of pizza, but it still is considered one of the best places in the country for a slice, all thanks to the large number of local hotspots that provide a variety of flavors, styles, and ingredients. One of the most popular pizza restaurants in Miami’s downtown is Miami Slice, or head to ‘O Munaciello, which is known for its authentic Neapolitan pies that you’ll be thinking about for weeks after taking that first bite. Don’t overlook la LegGGenda either, an award-winning pizzeria on Miami Beach, with more than two dozen classic and gourmet pizzas on the menu.
5. Detroit, Michigan
Detroit may be the most well-known U.S. pizza city on our list. This Michigan destination is the birthplace of the Detroit-style pizza, a rectangular-style pie with a thick, soft crust boasting crisp edges, lots of cheese, and seasoned tomato sauce spread on top rather than underneath the cheese. Buddy’s Rendezvous Pizzeria, now known just as Buddy’s Pizza, is the birthplace of the Detroit-style pizza in 1946 and a stop for any pizza lover. Loui’s Pizza in Hazel Park and Shields Pizza are other Detroit staples and also considered some of the best places in the city for a slice of Detroit-style pizza.
6. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
If you have never tried a Milwaukee-style pizza, add it to your dining bucket list ASAP. This type of pizza is made on an ultra-thin, crispy crust, with a heavy layer of cheese, and is cut into squares rather than triangles. While you can find all types of pizza in Milwaukee, many popular pizzerias draw in quite a crowd, including Zaffiro’s Pizza on the East Side that’s been a local favorite since the 1950s. You also don’t want to overlook Balistreri’s Italian-American Ristorante, which is known for its award-winning thin crust. This is a restaurant where you’ll want to make a reservation far in advance.
7. St. Louis, Missouri
No list of the best pizza in America is complete without mention of St. Louis, home to the St. Louis-style pizza. Made with unleavened dough, the crust is extremely thin and crispy, giving you a crunch with each bite. It is traditionally topped with Provel cheese, a mix of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone cheeses. While there are dozens of pizza joints in this Missouri city, the longtime family-owned restaurants tend to stick out with their menu options, bold flavors, and fresher ingredients than local chains. Imo’s Pizza, Pirrone’s Pizzeria, and Faraci Pizza are just a few of our recommendations.
8. Phoenix, Arizona
When you think of Phoenix, you may think of a desert landscape and scorching summers, but it is also home to a thriving pizza scene, where you can find all types of pizzas from deep dish to wood-fired. This Southwest city is a foodies’ paradise and includes some extremely well-known pizzerias like Cibo and Federal Pizza. However, one of the most well-known is Pizzeria Bianco, founded by Chris Bianco, a James Beard Award winner, and home to some of the best wood-fired pies in the U.S. With multiple locations around Phoenix, it’s easy to stop in for a slice for lunch or dinner.
9. Portland, Oregon
Fresh, flavorful, and creative are just a few of the words commonly used to describe the pizzas found in Portland. This Pacific Northwest city may not have a distinctive regional pizza style or numerous historic pizza joints like other destinations on our list, but the pies you’ll find here vary in their ingredients and cooking methods. Plus, most popular eateries prioritize fresh, locally sourced ingredients to ensure that every slice is made of the highest quality and packed with flavor. Some of the most popular pizza joints in Portland include Apizza Scholls, Sizzle Pie, and Ken’s Artisan Pizza. Lovely’s Fifty Fifty is another must-visit stop when in the Rose City, as it uses whole-grain sourdough techniques for the crust and then tops each pie with unique items like edible flowers, wild mushrooms, and lesser-known vegetables.
10. San Francisco, California
San Francisco is known for its exceptional bread, so it’s no surprise that it’s also considered a top pizza city in the U.S. This Northern California city has mastered the art of making dough, from sourdough crusts to all types of modern and traditional styles. And in combination with the Bay Area’s neighborhoods, like North Beach, with a rich Italian heritage, it’s easy to find a strong pizza scene. With so many excellent pizzerias to choose from in the Bay Area, it’s hard to narrow down a few favorites, but Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in North Beach is considered the most iconic pizza place in San Francisco. This restaurant was founded by Tony Gemignani, a 13-time World Pizza Champion, and offers more than a dozen distinct regional pizza styles, including Detroit, Neapolitan, Sicilian, and gluten-free.
There is a reason you’ll find pizza at so many tables around the U.S. From crispy or chewy crusts and perfectly seasoned sauces to endless topping possibilities, there are options to satisfy any individual. Whether you want a slice of a Detroit-style pizza, white clam pie, or a type you’ve never tried before, the above cities are where you’ll find some of the best pizza in America. So, grab a slice and take a bite. Your next favorite pizza may be waiting for you in one of the best pizza cities…