While states like New York, Illinois, and California tend to get the lion’s share of attention for their respective pizzas, anyone who knows anything about good pizza knows that many of the best pies are actually served in the Garden State. In recent years, New Jersey has finally begun to get its flowers for its unique creations involving fior di latte (mozzarella), tomatoes, dough, and other top-notch ingredients.
So, where can you find the absolute best pizza New Jersey has to offer? Take a look at our list of New Jersey’s most beloved pizza spots.
1. Coniglio’s – Morristown
Every year, Jersey Pizza Joints, a locally run Facebook group dedicated to celebrating the Garden State’s finest pizzerias, hosts a Pizza Bowl to determine New Jersey’s best pizza. In 2023, Coniglio’s took the top prize.
Since then, national publications like Food & Wine have taken notice, and they’ve also given Coniglio’s top honors for their incredible variety of pies made with top-shelf ingredients like Jersey mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, and Caputo 00 flour with fermented yeast. Whether you prefer OG classics like the “Brooklyn Round” or more inventive fare like “Nonna’s Spinach Pie,” you can’t go wrong with Coniglio’s.
2. Pete’s Pizza – Columbus
In 2023, The Washington Post dove deep into some 7.5 million Yelp reviews to figure out America’s favorite pizzas. For New Jersey’s best Sicilian-style pizza, which consists of a thick and spongy focaccia crust that’s baked in a rectangular pan and topped with a rich and hearty tomato sauce, they picked Pete’s in Burlington County.
South Jersey locals are more than willing to drive to the Columbus Farmers Market and pay cash for Pete’s unique pies with sweet red sauce and grated parmesan.
3. Emily’s Hearth – Sussex
After traveling the world, immersing herself in Italian cuisine and culture in Florence, and even making a documentary on the culinary revolutionary Alice Waters, Sussex-based chef Emily Downs came home to launch her own baking business, Emily’s Hearth. In addition to baking her own delectable bread, Downs also creates incredibly creative custom pizzas featuring enticing ingredients like butternut squash, sunflower seeds, and purple potatoes.
4. Emilio’s Wood Fire Pizza – Nutley
Five years ago, Rafael Ruiz worked as an electrician. After he was laid off in 2020, Ruiz and his father built their own brick oven, and Rafael experimented until he developed the perfect recipe for his Neapolitan-style pizzas.
Named in honor of Rafael’s great-grandfather, Emilio’s not only has a storefront in Nutley, but they also have a mobile pizza oven that’s perfect for special events. Oh, and we should note that The Washington Post’s recent investigation revealed Emilio’s as New Jersey’s best Neapolitan-style pizza.
5. Bread & Salt – Jersey City
Shortly after opening in 2019, Rick Easton’s Jersey City bakery pulled off something rarely seen on this side of the Hudson River: a positive review from The New York Times. Ever since then, Bread & Salt has gained a cult following. Visitors now wait in long lines every weekend (Bread & Salt is closed during the week) to get their hands on everything from a simple yet delicious margherita pie to Easton’s daring take on tripe stew.
6. Nellie’s Place – Waldwick
Nellie’s Place has only been operating since 1989, but a world-famous “presidente” has crowned them as the region’s best. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy went on TikTok to leave a glowing review and “settle the debate” between Nellie’s and the other Bergen County pizzeria listed below. If you like thin-crust pizzas, Nellie’s is known for their specialty thin-crust pies, including vodka margherita and buffalo chicken.
7. Kinchely’s Tavern – Ramsey
As for that other Bergen County pizzeria, Kinchely’s Tavern has been a beloved local institution for old-school, ultra-thin-crust pizzas since 1947. In 2018, however, Kinchely’s Tavern went viral when Portnoy featured them in a glowing One Bite Pizza Reviews video.
Since then, Kinchely’s Tavern has continued to earn rave reviews from Portnoy and Bergen County locals for its cracker-like crust, sweet red tomato sauce, and satisfyingly salty cheese. For something a little different, try their signature creamed spinach pie.
8. Razza – Jersey City
Some two years before The New York Times’ Pete Wells sang the praises of Bread & Salt, he shocked readers by giving this Jersey City restaurant a rock-solid review. Since then, Razza has done anything but rest on their laurels. In fact, locals and visitors continue to give Razza’s Neapolitan-style pizzas high scores for their exclusive use of high-quality and locally sourced ingredients.
9. Talula’s – Asbury Park
While some East Coasters prefer to turn their noses up and give ugly looks to California-style pizzas, you can find a great Jersey-style rendition of those crazy West Coast pies at Talula’s.
Here, pizzas are made with sourdough crust and come with a variety of unconventional toppings, such as pear and brie to birria beef and red onions. If you like to be adventurous with your pizzas, then you may love the unbridled culinary ambition you’ll find at this Asbury Park staple.
10. Roma Pizza – Ocean City
Last year, The Washington Post’s deep dive resulted in Ocean City’s own Roma Pizza being named the newspaper’s best New York-style pizza in New Jersey. When you take a closer look at locals’ reviews, it becomes even clearer that Roma’s pizzas, with their nicely crisp crusts, well-balanced sauce, and beautifully melted cheese, are certainly a Jersey Shore favorite.
11. Lucky Bones – Cape May
If you like Cape May’s highly acclaimed Washington Inn restaurant, you might love its more laidback sibling, Lucky Bones. Not only do they have a great wine list and cocktail menu, but they also serve some mighty fine pizzas. Of course, they sent their own team to Naples, Italy for high-level research, ensuring that their margherita pizzas are the real deal.
For a more local Cape May flavor, try the “Clam Boat” pizza, made with fresh-caught clams, roasted garlic, and parmesan.
12. Papa’s Tomato Pies – Robbinsville
If you’re wondering what a tomato pie is, then wonder no more: This very New Jersey-style pizza features thin crust, a light layer of mozzarella, and tomato sauce on top. When you’re in the mood for an authentically Jersey tomato pie, head to Papa’s in Robbinsville.
Not only are they America’s oldest continuously family-owned pizzeria (since 1912!), but they stay open thanks to the enduring popularity of their tomato pies. For something extra unique, try their mustard pie for a tangy kick.
13. De Lorenzo’s Tomato Pies – Robbinsville
Another Robbinsville staple, De Lorenzo’s began making their tomato pies in 1936. Customers can request how long they want their pies baked, but locals swear that the well-done pies are the best. De Lorenzo’s offers many of the traditional toppings, but they also serve specialty options like broccoli and Italian tuna. Over the years, De Lorenzo’s has grown so popular that they opened a second location across the Delaware River in Yardley, Pennsylvania.
14. Bivio – Montclair
In 2011, professional jazz musician Tomasso Colao and his spouse Jackie tried a new artistic foray when they first opened Bivio (the Italian word for “crossroads”). Bivio later moved to Montclair, but the Colaos continue to pursue their “passion for authentic pizza napoletana,” and locals continue to come here for some of the most authentically Italian pies you’ll find on this side of the Atlantic Ocean.
15. Patsy’s Tavern & Restaurant: Paterson
Since 1931, Patsy’s has impressed locals with their old-school pizzas. Baked in their brick oven, pizzas come out with not only very crunchy crusts but also noticeable char. They then pile on sauce and toppings almost to the edges of the crust, hence why their menu’s “garbage pie” with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onion, and garlic is a perennial favorite.
16. Benny Tudino’s – Hoboken
For more than a half-century, Benny Tudino’s has delighted Hoboken pizza lovers with their “biggest slices around.” Not only are Benny Tudino’s pies and individual slices massive, but they also pack big flavors. Meat lovers will likely appreciate Benny Tudino’s extra meaty rendition with ham, bacon, pepperoni, sausage, and meatballs, while purists can enjoy the margherita with fresh mozzarella and basil.
17. Manco & Manco – Ocean City and Somers Point
For more than six decades, Ocean City locals and visitors have flocked to Manco & Manco for their thin-crust creations. You can choose their original red sauce or garlicky white sauce, then load up on special toppings like broccoli, buffalo chicken, and fresh ricotta alongside classics like pepperoni and mushrooms. Pro tip: If you’re there during the summer season, you can skip the crowds at the boardwalk and try their offshore location in Somers Point.
18. Calabria Restaurant & Pizzeria: Livingston
It’s not that often you see Dave Portnoy and Food & Wine magazine both praising the same pizzeria. But in the case of Calabria in Livingston, their pies really are that good. You might not appreciate Calabria’s signature pies if you prefer thicker crusts, but if you’re all about the thin crust, treat yourself to Calabria’s “Crunchy Thin” pizzas that are made with just enough sauce and cheese to guarantee a perfectly balanced bite that keeps fans coming back for more.
19. Denino’s: Aberdeen and Brick
Nestled on the northern edge of the Jersey Shore, Denino’s proudly serves Staten Island-style pies well done with thick red sauce and big chunks of mozzarella. For the full Denino’s experience, try their MOR Pie with meatballs, onions, and ricotta, or go for a Clam Pie with chopped clams, fresh garlic, and parsley. In addition to Aberdeen, Denino’s also has a shop farther south in Brick Township.
20. Massa: Scotch Plains
Why insist on only making dough with a special supply of imported Italian flour? For Massa, it’s all about going the extra mile with that Italian flour—even to the point of giving it a full 72 hours with water and yeast to rise—in order to guarantee the perfect crust for their Roman-style square pizzas. Not only can these crusts handle all the toppings that Massa tosses onto these pies, but they also pack their own uniquely flavorful punch.
21. Blue Steel: Bloomfield
Detroit-style pizza in New Jersey? Unusual as it may be, The Washington Post and North Jersey locals alike revel in Blue Steel’s rendition of the Midwestern rectangular pies with sauce on top of mozzarella and mild cheddar cheeses. Blue Steel actually has their dough ferment for three days for an extra light and airy crust, and visitors seem to agree that the final result is well worth the wait.