20 U.S. Cities Every Pizza Lover Needs To Visit At Least Once
Craving a cheesy, saucy adventure that takes you across the country?
America’s pizza scene is wildly diverse, with each city putting its own spin on this beloved dish.
From crispy thin crusts to towering deep-dish masterpieces, these destinations offer unforgettable slices that’ll make your taste buds dance.
Pack your appetite and get ready to explore the best pizza cities in the United States.
Disclaimer: All selections and descriptions are based on taste preferences, travel impressions, and general culinary opinion rather than any objective or absolute standard.
1. New York City, New York
Walking down a bustling Manhattan street with a perfectly foldable slice in hand is practically a rite of passage.
The thin, crispy crust paired with tangy tomato sauce and gooey mozzarella creates pure magic in every bite.
Legendary spots like Di Fara Pizza in Brooklyn and Joe’s Pizza near Washington Square have been slinging slices for decades.
Coal-fired ovens and family recipes passed down through generations make each pizzeria special.
Whether you grab a quick slice at 2 a.m. or sit down for a whole pie, the experience never disappoints.
2. Chicago, Illinois
Forget everything you know about pizza because Chicago flips the script entirely.
This isn’t just pizza; it’s a towering masterpiece that requires a fork, knife, and serious commitment.
Lou Malnati’s and Giordano’s serve up buttery, flaky crusts filled with layers of cheese, sausage, and chunky tomato sauce that practically overflow.
One slice can easily fill you up, making it perfect for sharing or tackling solo if you’re brave.
The debate between deep-dish and thin-crust tavern-style keeps locals arguing passionately.
3. New Haven, Connecticut
Ever heard of apizza?
This Connecticut creation pronounces pizza with an old-school Italian twist and tastes even better than it sounds.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana has been perfecting their coal-fired pies since 1925, with their white clam pizza becoming legendary status.
The charred, blistered crust delivers a smoky flavor that you simply can’t replicate in a regular oven.
Sally’s Apizza and Modern Apizza round out the holy trinity of New Haven pizza excellence. Locals fiercely defend their favorite spot.
4. Detroit, Michigan
Picture a rectangular pizza with edges so crispy and caramelized they practically crunch like cheese chips.
Detroit-style pizza bakes in blue steel automotive pans, giving it those signature crispy corners everyone fights over.
Buddy’s Pizza started this trend back in 1946 and remains the gold standard today.
The thick, airy crust gets topped with cheese first, then toppings, then sauce stripes on top.
Those pepperoni cups that curl up into little grease pools?
Absolutely divine and completely addictive for anyone who tries them.
5. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Tomato pie might sound simple, but this Philly specialty deserves serious respect and attention.
Unlike regular pizza, the sauce goes on top of the cheese, or sometimes there’s barely any cheese at all.
Sarcone’s Bakery and Corropolese Bakery serve up these thick, focaccia-like bases slathered with herbed tomato sauce that’s often served at room temperature.
South Philly’s Italian bakeries have been making these beauties for over a century.
The simplicity lets the quality of the tomatoes and olive oil truly shine through brilliantly.
6. St. Louis, Missouri
Provel cheese might be the most polarizing ingredient in American pizza history.
Love it or hate it, St. Louis-style pizza creates passionate defenders who swear by its unique qualities.
Imo’s Pizza pioneered this ultra-thin, cracker-crisp crust topped with a processed cheese blend that melts into a gooey, almost liquid consistency.
The pizza gets cut into squares instead of triangles, which locals call party or tavern cut.
Sweet tomato sauce and edge-to-edge toppings complete this completely original creation that tastes like nowhere else.
7. Buffalo, New York
Buffalo gave the world spicy wings, but their pizza scene deserves equal recognition and praise.
The crust here sits somewhere between New York thin and Detroit thick, creating perfect texture balance.
Bocce Club Pizza has been a local institution since 1946, serving pies with slightly sweet sauce and generous cheese coverage.
Cup and char pepperoni, which curls up and gets crispy edges, is practically mandatory here.
The medium-thick crust provides enough chew without being too heavy or overwhelming.
Pizza and wings together? Now that’s a Buffalo feast.
8. Boston, Massachusetts
Boston’s North End neighborhood feels like stepping into Italy, with pizzerias tucked into every cobblestone corner.
Regina Pizzeria opened in 1926 and still packs crowds into its tiny original location daily.
Their brick oven pizzas feature a slightly thicker crust with a perfect char and just the right amount of chew.
The Giambotta, loaded with peppers, mushrooms, onions, and sausage, remains a customer favorite for good reason.
Sicilian-style thick squares also shine here, offering a different but equally delicious option.
9. Providence, Rhode Island
Grilled pizza might sound unusual, but Providence perfected this technique and made it famous nationwide.
Al Forno restaurant claims to have invented American grilled pizza back in the 1980s.
The dough gets stretched thin, grilled on one side until charred, then flipped and topped before finishing.
This method creates an incredibly crispy, smoky crust with beautiful grill marks that add visual appeal.
Fresh, simple toppings work best here, letting that grilled flavor shine through brilliantly.
10. Newark, New Jersey
Sandwiched between New York and Philadelphia, Newark developed its own incredible pizza identity worth celebrating.
The city’s Italian heritage runs deep, with pizzerias that have served families for multiple generations.
Coal-fired ovens create those distinctive charred spots that pizza nerds call leoparding, adding smoky depth to every bite.
Tony’s Baltimore Grill and Reservoir Tavern represent old-school Newark pizza at its absolute finest.
11. Los Angeles, California
California’s pizza scene exploded with creativity, bringing international styles and innovative toppings to the table.
Pizzana in Brentwood serves neo-Neapolitan pies that have celebrities and locals lining up regularly.
The slow-fermented dough creates an incredibly light, airy crust with a perfect leopard-spotted char from their imported oven.
Toppings range from classic Margherita to California-inspired combinations featuring seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients.
The cacio e pepe pizza sounds weird but tastes absolutely incredible and unforgettable.
12. San Francisco, California
Tony Gemignani’s trophy case tells you everything you need to know about San Francisco’s pizza ambitions.
His restaurant, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, features seven different ovens making distinct regional styles under one roof.
From authentic Neapolitan to Roman, Sicilian, and even coal-fired New York style, this place covers the entire pizza spectrum brilliantly.
The Margherita pizza won the World Pizza Cup in Naples, earning serious street cred internationally.
13. Portland, Oregon
Portland’s obsession with local, sustainable ingredients extends beautifully to their pizza scene.
Apizza Scholls serves New York-style pies using a sourdough starter and locally-milled flour that ferments for days.
The result?
Complex flavor, incredible texture, and a crust that’s simultaneously crispy and chewy in all the right ways.
Lines form early because they only make a limited number of dough balls daily, ensuring quality over quantity.
14. Seattle, Washington
Chef Tom Douglas brought serious attention to Seattle pizza with his aptly-named restaurant, Serious Pie.
Stone-ground flour and a stone-encased apple wood-burning oven create distinctive Northwest flavor profiles.
Toppings like roasted seasonal mushrooms, truffle cheese, and Penn Cove clams showcase Pacific Northwest ingredients beautifully.
The crust strikes that perfect balance between Neapolitan-style softness and New York-style structure and stability.
15. Denver, Colorado
High altitude baking presents unique challenges, but Denver’s pizza makers have mastered the science and art perfectly.
Pizzeria Locale, co-founded by Bobby Stuckey, brings fast-casual Neapolitan pizza to the Mile High City successfully.
The customizable pies cook in just 90 seconds in blazing-hot ovens imported directly from Italy for authenticity.
Blue Pan Pizza offers Detroit-style squares that have locals debating which style reigns supreme in Colorado.
16. Phoenix, Arizona
Desert heat doesn’t stop Phoenix from firing up ovens and creating seriously good pizza daily.
Pizzeria Bianco, run by James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Bianco, put Phoenix on the national pizza map permanently.
His Rosa pizza, topped with red onion, Parmigiano-Reggiano, rosemary, and Arizona pistachios, showcases regional ingredients brilliantly.
The hand-stretched dough and wood-fired preparation create a perfectly blistered, chewy crust that’s become legendary nationwide.
17. Austin, Texas
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the love for Detroit-style pizza served from converted trailers.
Via 313 started as a food truck and exploded into multiple locations thanks to addictive, perfectly-executed square pies.
The Detroiter, loaded with pepperoni, comes with that signature caramelized cheese crust that Austinites can’t get enough of daily.
Texas-sized portions and creative seasonal specials keep the menu interesting and locals coming back regularly.
18. Atlanta, Georgia
Southern hospitality meets Italian tradition in Atlanta’s rapidly-growing pizza scene that’s worth serious attention.
Antico Pizza Napoletana transports diners straight to Naples with authentic ingredients imported directly from Italy regularly.
The DOC-certified Neapolitan pizzas feature San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, and dough that ferments for days before baking.
Watching pizzaiolos work the blazing-hot oven is entertainment in itself, showcasing true craftsmanship and skill.
19. Miami, Florida
Tropical vibes and authentic Neapolitan pizza create an unexpected but delightful combination in Miami’s diverse food landscape.
Stanzione 87 brings certified Neapolitan pizza with a subtle Cuban influence that reflects the city’s cultural melting pot.
Wood-fired ovens imported from Naples cook pizzas in under 90 seconds, creating that signature soft, pillowy crust with charred bubbles.
The Miami heat makes outdoor pizza eating feel like a Mediterranean vacation, especially near the beach areas.
20. New Orleans, Louisiana
Jazz, jambalaya, and surprisingly fantastic pizza make New Orleans a must-visit for any food lover’s bucket list.
Pizza Delicious in the Bywater neighborhood serves authentic New York-style slices that locals swear taste just like the real deal.
The owners moved from New York specifically to bring proper pizza to the Big Easy, and their dedication shows.
Occasionally, Louisiana ingredients like andouille sausage or crawfish make cameo appearances on special pies that blend cultures beautifully.
