The best pizza in the United States comes from a wood-fired oven on New York’s Lower East Side, according to an Italian pizza-ranking guide. For the second consecutive year, the Naples-based 50 Top Pizza has crowned Una Pizza Napoletana as the winner in its annual assessment of American bakers. This ranking focuses exclusively on Neapolitan-style pizza — the thin, round, and meticulously prepared variety from the city that considers itself the birthplace of pizza. To aficionados, it’s the only style that truly counts.
In a one-two punch, New York also claimed the top individual pizza slice, with the honors going to L’industrie Pizzeria, operated by Massimo Laveglia and Nick Baglivo. Last year, Una Pizza Napoletana was also rated No. 1 in the world. The global rankings are expected to be released later this year.
New York’s Pizza Legacy
Una Pizza Napoletana is owned by Anthony Mangieri, a New Jersey native who opened his first pizzeria on the Jersey Shore in 1996. Food and Wine magazine has praised Mangieri as “one of the country’s most skilled practitioners of the Neapolitan style” of pizza, while New York magazine described him as a “one-man Opus Dei” for authentic pizza. The organization behind the ranking, 50 Top Pizza, cited the rich flavor of his pizzas and his straightforward approach to making them, with only a few dishes on offer and a single location.
Mangieri stated that perfecting his technique has been his goal since he started making pizzas at age 15. While his focus remains unchanged, he acknowledged that the world of pizza has evolved significantly in the nearly 30 years since he established his first restaurant. “When we opened, no one was making the style of pizza that we make,” he told CNN Travel. Now, he notes, good pizza can be found worldwide, and American diners have developed a taste for fine Neapolitan pizza.
“It is not a concept restaurant — it is not one of 20 things that I’m doing. It’s a life’s work.” — Anthony Mangieri
Los Angeles and San Francisco: Rising Stars
Restaurants in Los Angeles and San Francisco claimed the next two spots on the list of top pizzerias in the US, which also included nine other New York pizzerias. Pizzeria Sei, ranked No. 2, is run by William Joo, whom the organization described as “very talented.” Meanwhile, American pizza “legend” Tony Gemignani secured third place with his Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco.
California performed particularly well, with honors also going to pizzerias in San Diego, San Luis Obispo, and Berkeley. The gospel of Neapolitan pizza has traveled widely, with the ranking also including restaurants in Louisville, Kentucky, and Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Broader Impact
The announcement at the West Edge in New York’s Chelsea Market on Tuesday underscores the growing appreciation for Neapolitan pizza across the United States. The ranking not only highlights the enduring dominance of New York in the pizza world but also signals the rising prominence of other cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco in the culinary landscape.
Looking ahead, the organization plans to announce the best pizzerias in Italy on July 15 and the world’s best pizzerias in September. This ongoing recognition of pizzerias across the globe reflects the universal appeal and adaptability of the Neapolitan style.
Top 10 Pizzerias in the US According to 50 Top Pizza
- Una Pizza Napoletana – (New York)
- Pizzeria Sei – (Los Angeles)
- Tony’s Pizza Napoletana – (San Francisco)
- Jay’s – (Kenmore, New York)
- Ribalta – (New York)
- Robert’s – (Chicago)
- Don Antonio – (New York)
- Ken’s Artisan Pizza – (Portland, Oregon)
- Truly Pizza – (Dana Point, California)
- La Leggenda – (Miami)
As the world awaits the global rankings, pizza enthusiasts can expect a continued celebration of this beloved dish, with American pizzerias poised to make their mark on the international stage.