The 7 Best US Cities For Pizza, Ranked

Pizza is more than just a meal in America. It is a cultural icon, a weekend ritual, and in some cities, a source of deep local pride. From coal-fired crusts to deep-dish slices so thick they need their own structural engineering, pizza takes on wildly different forms across the United States. Some cities are famous for sticking to centuries-old traditions, while others are known for creative toppings and unconventional styles.

While every town has its own loyal pizzerias, a few cities have risen above the rest to become true pizza capitals. Here are seven of the best cities in the country for pizza lovers, each offering something unique for the palate.

1. New York City, New York

If there is a single city that defines American pizza in the public imagination, it is New York City. The New York slice is famous for its thin, foldable crust, perfectly balanced tomato sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese. The key to its distinctive texture is the city’s mineral-rich water, which local bakers swear gives the dough its perfect chew.

Classic pizzerias like Lombardi’s, which opened in 1905 and claims to be America’s first pizzeria, still serve coal-fired pies with slightly charred edges. Di Fara Pizza in Brooklyn has earned a legendary reputation for its hand-crafted slices, each topped with fresh basil snipped right before serving.

Visitors should not skip the experience of grabbing a plain cheese slice from a corner shop, folding it in half, and eating it on the move. It is the most quintessential New York experience short of hailing a yellow cab.

Notable spots to try: Lombardi’s, Di Fara Pizza, Joe’s Pizza, Prince Street Pizza.

2. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago takes pizza to a different dimension with its famous deep-dish style. This hearty creation features a thick, buttery crust that rises high along the edges to hold layers of mozzarella, sausage, and chunky tomato sauce. Each pie is baked in a round steel pan, creating a crisp, golden base and a rich, filling interior.

Deep-dish pizza was pioneered in the 1940s at Pizzeria Uno, and today it remains a must-try for visitors. But Chicago’s pizza scene is far from one-note. The city also has a “tavern-style” pizza, which features a cracker-thin crust and is cut into small squares, perfect for sharing.

Many locals are fiercely loyal to one style or the other, and both are worth trying to understand the city’s full pizza personality.

Notable spots to try: Lou Malnati’s, Giordano’s, Pequod’s Pizza, Vito and Nick’s.

3. New Haven, Connecticut

New Haven may not be as large as New York or Chicago, but it has a pizza culture so distinctive that it has its own name: apizza (pronounced “ah-beetz”). Originating from the city’s Italian-American community, New Haven-style pizza is baked in coal-fired ovens, giving it a crisp, slightly charred crust.

The sauce is tangy, the cheese is used sparingly, and toppings like fresh clams are a local specialty. The “white clam pie” at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana is legendary, drawing pizza lovers from across the country. Rivals like Sally’s Apizza and Modern Apizza have their own devoted followings, and debates over which is best can get surprisingly intense.

For a true New Haven experience, order your pizza “well done” for extra char and crunch.

Notable spots to try: Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Sally’s Apizza, Modern Apizza.

4. Detroit, Michigan

Detroit’s signature pizza style is instantly recognizable: a rectangular pie with a thick, airy crust, crispy edges, and a layer of Wisconsin brick cheese that caramelizes against the sides of the steel pan. The sauce is often spooned over the top in thick red stripes after baking, creating a distinctive look and flavor.

This style was inspired by the blue steel pans once used to hold auto parts in Detroit’s factories. Today, Buddy’s Pizza is credited with creating the original version back in 1946. In recent years, Detroit-style pizza has surged in popularity nationwide, but the Motor City still serves the gold standard.

The crust has the crunch of a well-made focaccia, and the edge-to-edge cheese coverage means every bite packs flavor.

Notable spots to try: Buddy’s Pizza, Loui’s Pizza, Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant.

5. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

While Philadelphia is famous for cheesesteaks, its pizza scene is gaining national attention. The city offers a wide variety of styles, from thin-crust Neapolitan pies baked in wood-fired ovens to hefty, square “tomato pies” topped with tangy red sauce and a sprinkle of parmesan instead of mozzarella.

Tomato pie is a regional specialty with roots in Italian bakeries, and it is typically served at room temperature, making it perfect for lunch on the go. Meanwhile, artisanal spots like Pizzeria Beddia have elevated the city’s pizza reputation, with long lines forming for their perfectly blistered crusts and seasonal toppings.

Philadelphia’s pizza culture thrives on its mix of tradition and innovation, making it a must-visit for serious pizza fans.

Notable spots to try: Pizzeria Beddia, Angelo’s Pizzeria, Tacconelli’s, Sarcone’s Bakery.

6. San Francisco, California

San Francisco has become one of the country’s most exciting pizza cities thanks to a wave of artisanal pizzerias focusing on high-quality ingredients and inventive flavor combinations. Many shops use naturally leavened sourdough crusts, a nod to the city’s bread-making tradition.

Neapolitan-style pies with puffy, leopard-spotted crusts are popular here, as are creative California-style pizzas topped with everything from fresh figs to Dungeness crab. Restaurants like Tony’s Pizza Napoletana offer multiple styles from around the world, including Sicilian, New York, and even Detroit-style pies, all prepared with obsessive attention to detail.

The city’s culinary diversity has made it a hub for experimental pizza, but traditionalists will still find plenty to love.

Notable spots to try: Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, Del Popolo, Golden Boy Pizza, A16.

7. Portland, Oregon

Portland may be known for its coffee and craft beer, but its pizza scene has quietly become one of the best in the nation. The city is home to a wide range of styles, from wood-fired Neapolitan to hearty Sicilian squares. Many pizzerias source ingredients from local farms, ensuring fresh, seasonal toppings that reflect the Pacific Northwest’s bounty.

One standout is Apizza Scholls, where the long-fermented dough produces a chewy, flavorful crust. Lovely’s Fifty Fifty is known for topping pizzas with unusual combinations like nettles, squash blossoms, and house-made sausage. The city’s creative spirit means there is always something new to try.

Portland’s balance of craftsmanship and culinary imagination makes it a top-tier pizza destination.

Notable spots to try: Apizza Scholls, Lovely’s Fifty Fifty, Ken’s Artisan Pizza.

The Cities That Almost Made the List

Other cities could easily claim a spot among the top pizza destinations in the United States. Boston, Massachusetts, has its own loyal following for traditional Italian-American pies. Phoenix, Arizona, has become a surprising hotspot thanks to master pizzaiolo Chris Bianco. Even smaller cities like Providence, Rhode Island, have thriving pizza cultures that keep locals well-fed and visitors impressed.

Tips for Enjoying Pizza Like a Local

Wherever you go, there are a few rules that can help you experience pizza the way locals do:

• Ask for local favorites. In every city, there are neighborhood spots known mainly by word of mouth.

• Be open to different styles. A square pan pizza in Detroit is as authentic as a thin foldable slice in New York.

• Timing matters. Some shops sell out early, especially the most popular artisanal pizzerias.

• Try the plain cheese slice. It is often the purest way to judge a pizzeria’s dough, sauce, and cheese.

Final Slice: America’s Pizza Powerhouses

Pizza in America is more than food. It is a snapshot of history, immigration, and regional identity. From the coal ovens of New Haven to the airy squares of Detroit, each city on this list tells its own story through crust, sauce, and cheese. Whether you prefer a thin New York slice you can fold in one hand or a Chicago deep dish you need a fork to tackle, there is no wrong way to love pizza.

The only real challenge is deciding which city to visit first.

The Best Cities for Pizza