The 7 Best US Cities For Pizza, Ranked

Round, square, thin-crust, or deep dish–no matter how you slice it, pizza is one of the most-loved meals in the world. Whether you want it smothered in piping hot layers of cheese and sauce like the deep dish pies in Chicago or prefer the thin, chewy crust that New York-style pies offer, these top seven US cities for pizza have you covered. So put on your stretchiest pants and get ready for the ultimate pizza road trip through the States.

1. New York City, New York

Home to the United States’ first pizzeria, the iconic 99 Cent Pizza chain, and countless award-winning slices of ‘za, it’s no surprise that New York City ranks among the best cities for pizza. New York-style pizza is characterized by its huge, hand-tossed, thin crust and simple marinara sauce. This style of pizza is typically enjoyed by the slice and folded in half to make it easier to eat.

Travelers looking to get their hands on some of the best slices in New York will want to visit Romo’s Pizza in Glenmont. In 2023, Romo’s won the Pizza World Cup, hosted in Naples, Italy, and has been impressing locals with fresh ingredients since 2009. The Romo’s menu includes various sizes of “regular” pizza which includes a homemade tomato sauce and generous amounts of mozzarella cheese. Of course, patrons are free to add as many toppings as they like when ordering.

Another prized New York pizza joint worth visiting is Lucali in Brooklyn. The restaurant–which only accepts cash and serves ‘za on a first-come, first-serve basis–has an old-school feel that’s hard to beat. The popular Brooklyn spot doesn’t accept reservations and begins a pizza waitlist every day around 4 p.m.

2. Detroit, Michigan

It’s deep dish time! Detroit-style pizza is a pan pizza with a distinct thick crust that is both crispy and chewy. Typically, the rectangle-shaped pizza is smothered edge-to-edge in Wisconsin brick cheese, but mozzarella is also used. The first Detroit-style pizza was created by Gus Guerra in 1946 at his restaurant, Buddy’s. Today, hungry travelers can still dine at Buddy’s where they will find a wide array of pies topped with the restaurant’s distinct Motor City cheese blend.

Other worthwhile pizza places to check out in town include Pie Sci Pizza and Michigan & Trumbull Pizza. At Pie Sci, visitors will find a wide selection of round and square-shaped pies. The trendy pizza place also offers vegetarian, dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free options. Michigan & Trumbull Pizza focuses on the traditional Detroit-style deep dish but offers a wide array of mouth-watering toppings. 

3. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is home to a unique style of deep-dish pizza that commonly features the sauce on top. Of all the pizza in the world, Chicago-style looks the closest to an actual pie because the crust has a large raised edge. Occasionally, this style of pizza is also compared to lasagna due to its thick, gooey layers of cheese, sauce, and toppings.

Anyone who’s been to Chicago knows it’s not all about the iconic deep dish. Other “Chicago-style” pizzas include stuffed pizza and a thin-crust tavern-style pizza. During a visit to The Windy City, hungry travelers will want to check out Pizzeria Uno–the birthplace of Chicago deep-dish pizza. Other tasty spots for deep-dish include Pequod’s Pizza and Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder. Those interested in the Chicago thin crust can head to Home Run Inn where they’ve been tossing crispy thin crust since the 1940s.

4. Boston, Massachusetts

Unlike the first three cities, Boston doesn’t have its own unique style of pizza. Instead, the city is a haven for all different styles of za. Travelers will find everything from New York-style pizza to deep dish options and apizza–a New Haven specialty. Apizza features a Neapolitan-style crust topped with tomato sauce, oregano, and grated pecorino romano.

While visiting Boston, travelers will want to explore as many different pizza styles as possible. For a taste of Roman-style pizza check out Mortadella Head–located just outside of the city. Next, head to Santarpio’s Pizza for some classic thin-crust goodness. 

5. Las Vegas, Nevada

When thinking about the best pizza cities, Las Vegas probably isn’t top of mind. But the reality is that Vegas is a foodie haven. In addition to gambling and bright lights, Sin City is also home to some of the best restaurants, headed by incredible chefs from around the world. And pizza joints are no exception.

Start your Las Vegas pizza trip off right with a visit to Pizza Rock. The award-winning pizza place is a Tony Gemignani restaurant and offers an impressive selection of pizza pies, antipasto, and salads. That said, if it’s your first time at Pizza Rock, trying the simple Margherita pizza is a must. This particular pie won the World Pizza Cup in Naples, Italy, and is served in limited daily quantities so you’ll have to act fast to get your hands on one. 

6. San Francisco, California

California Pizza is known for having a thin crust and an array of non-traditional, healthy-leaning toppings–think chicken, artichoke hearts, avocado, or even peanut sauce. And although pizza in San Francisco may not have the storied history of pizzas in New York, Detroit, or Chicago, they are delicious and unique nonetheless. Visitors exploring San Francisco will find a huge selection of pizzas ranging from healthy California-inspired options to Detroit-style deep dish and thin-crust New York-style slices.

One of the best pizza joints to try here is Outta Sight Pizza. Here, visitors can enjoy thin-crust pizza by the slice including options such as The Orchard which is topped with “roasted and fresh shiitake, trumpet, and cremini mushrooms, scallions, basil, mozzarella, honey, mushroom cream.” Other great spots for thin-crust pizza include Delarosa and Angie’s Pizza. For something with a thicker crust, try Flour + Water Pizza Shop.

7. Tulsa, Oklahoma

Last but not least, Tulsa, Oklahoma is a surprising up-and-comer in the pizza department. Recently, the Tulsa pizza scene has ranked right up there with the likes of New York. Although Tulsa doesn’t have its own brand of pizza, pizza makers in the city still like to put their own spin on things using Oklahoma flour or a combination of other styles to create something interesting and delicious.

One of the top pizza joints in Tulsa is Andolini’s Pizzeria–a local favorite that has earned titles such as “Best Pizza in Oklahoma” from the Food Network and “Top 10 Highest Rate Pizzeria in the U.S.” from Tripadvisor. At Andolini’s, visitors will find everything from New York-style pizza to Detroit deep dish style and more.

In Conclusion

Pizza, as we know it, made its first appearance in the US in the 19th century when Italian immigrants arrived in the country. Since then, the popular dish has been re-invented over and over again to create a range of unique regional styles and unimaginable flavor combinations. Today, it seems like there is a pizza joint in every city and small town across the country but those searching for the best pizza in the US.will want to explore these seven pizza cities first.