New York – The Undisputed Pizza Kingdom
There’s simply no arguing with the facts when it comes to New York’s pizza dominance. Respondents also chose New York State as their top pizza state, with 77% saying it’s a top-five pizza state compared to 56% for Illinois and 45% for California. The numbers speak volumes about why pizza lovers consistently crown the Empire State as America’s pizza capital.
Anthony Mangieri’s Una Pizza Napoletana was crowned the best pizzeria in America for the fourth year in a row by the 50 Top Pizza organization. But New York’s pizza excellence extends far beyond Manhattan’s legendary establishments. Rochester, New York, secured its spot as the Pizza Capital of America as a result of one of the highest Pizza Passion Scores (98 out of 100), a high number of pizza restaurants per capita (25 per 100,000 residents), and high average Yelp ratings for pizzerias (4.11 out of 5).
From the historic Lombardi’s Pizza, trademarked as “America’s first pizzeria,” named for Naples-born Gennaro Lombardi, who started serving classic New York-style pies back in 1905, to modern favorites like L’industrie Pizzeria which serves the best Pizza Slice, New York continues to set the standard. The state’s pizza scene thrives in multiple cities, with Five New York cities rank in our top 20: Rochester (No. 1), Buffalo (No. 5), New York (No. 8), Albany (No. 9), and Syracuse (No. 11).
California – Innovation Meets Tradition
California’s pizza scene perfectly embodies the state’s innovative spirit while respecting traditional techniques. New York and California are the reigning champs when it comes to Yelpers’ favorite pizza places, with each state laying claim to 10 of the Top 100. On the West Coast, Yelpers’ picks are evenly divided between Northern and Southern California (Los Angeles’ Bestia ranked #2).
The Golden State’s pizza excellence shines through establishments like Bestia, a Michelin-recognized hot spot for “exceptional” wood-fired pizzas, where Executive Chef Ori Menashe ferments dough for 3 days to develop a flavor that’s sweet and slightly sour, creating a very tender and crispy texture. The variety across California is impressive, from Northern California’s artisanal approach to Southern California’s creative fusion styles.
William Joo’s intimate L.A. restaurant Pizzeria Sei shot up the rankings this year to tuck in at No. 2, while nine New York pizza spots slotted into the top 50 this year. The remainder of the top five was rounded out by Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco. California’s commitment to fresh, local ingredients and innovative techniques continues to earn national recognition and push pizza boundaries.
Illinois – Chicago’s Deep-Dish Dynasty
Illinois pizza culture centers around Chicago’s iconic deep-dish tradition, but the state’s pizza excellence extends far beyond that famous style. Chicago’s deep-dish pizza is one of the most well-known, well-loved, and also most decisive pizza styles. The deep-dish crust is set in a round, deep pan, then vegetables, meats, and other traditional “toppings” are added, and the pizza is topped with a layer of tomato sauce. The first restaurant thought to serve this pizza style was Pizzeria Uno in about 1943.
Modern Illinois continues to innovate within its pizza traditions. Pizza Payaa in Normal, Illinois, offers Detroit-style pizzas made with cold-fermented, hand-mixed dough and topped with premium ingredients like Ezzo pepperoni and Mike’s Hot Honey, earning accolades like a ‘Top 10 Pizza Worldwide’ ranking at the Las Vegas Pizza Expo. The state’s dedication to pizza craft shows in both traditional deep-dish establishments and newer innovative concepts.
Second-place Illinois, home to No. 10 Chicago’s iconic deep dish, is more than 20 percentage points behind in American pizza views, listed by 56% of Americans as a top-five pizza state. While New York may dominate the national conversation, Illinois maintains its passionate local following and continues producing world-class pizza experiences.
Texas – Everything’s Bigger, Including Pizza Excellence
Texas brings its signature approach to pizza with establishments that combine quality with that famous Texas-sized hospitality. Close behind are Texas, with 9 top spots (including Austin’s #11-ranked Home Slice Pizza)—and Florida and Arizona, with 8 hotspots apiece. The Lone Star State has carved out its own unique place in America’s pizza landscape.
If you need proof that everything really is bigger in Texas, head on over to Big Lou’s in San Antonio, where you can order, yes, a 42-inch pie. That’s as big as the table! But if you aren’t ready to go big or go home, you can’t go wrong with their pepperoni pizza. Texas pizza culture embraces both size and quality, creating memorable experiences for pizza lovers.
The state’s pizza innovation shows through establishments like Motor City Pizza in Lewisville, Texas, which offers authentic Detroit-style pizzas with rectangular deep-dish pies, baked in traditional blue steel pans, featuring a light, airy crust with crispy, caramelized edges, earning them a No. 16 ranking on Yelp’s Top 100 Pizza Spots in the U.S.. From traditional barbecue-inspired pies to innovative Detroit-style interpretations, Texas continues expanding its pizza reputation.
Pennsylvania – Birthplace of American Pizza Innovation
Pennsylvania holds a special place in American pizza history, with Philadelphia leading the charge in modern pizza excellence. No. 2 Philadelphia and No. 3 Boston also take spots on the pizza podium, as Northeastern cities dominate the top 10 with eight spots overall. The state’s pizza culture balances respect for tradition with cutting-edge innovation.
Dining at Pizzeria Beddia in Philadelphia is an exceptional experience for pizza lovers. Known for their meticulously crafted pies, Pizzeria Beddia stands out with a perfect balance of a thin, crispy crust, vibrant, fresh ingredients, and innovative flavor combinations. Their commitment to quality and consistency has earned them a reputation for offering the best pizza in Pennsylvania.
The state’s pizza diversity includes establishments like Itri Wood Fired Pizza in Bristol, Pennsylvania, which uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients and cooks each pizza in a high-temperature wood-fired oven, resulting in a perfectly crisp crust with a smoky, rich flavor. Their dedication to quality and traditional techniques makes Itri Wood Fired Pizza stand out as the best pizza spot in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania continues earning national recognition for its commitment to pizza excellence.
Michigan – Detroit-Style Pizza’s Proud Home
Michigan revolutionized American pizza with the creation of Detroit-style pizza, and the state continues to perfect this beloved rectangular creation. Detroit-style pizza began in 1946. The dough is added to a pan that is just a couple of inches deep, topped with pepperoni slices, followed by sharp cheese more popular in the midwest, all topped with three large stripes of tomato sauce. The pizza is then cut into triangles instead of the more traditional wedge slices. In 2012, a Detroit pizza maker won the Las Vegas International Pizza Expo.
Detroit-style pizza is no longer just popular in Michigan, as almost every city in America has come to realize how great this style is. What makes these pies great is the balance of the crispy, thick edges on every slice—something you only get with a square pizza—and the soft, airy inside. This local chain has now expanded to 22 locations across Michigan, referring to Buddy’s Pizza, the originator of this iconic style.
Modern Michigan continues innovating within its pizza tradition. Pie Sci Pizza in Detroit, Michigan offers a unique blend of science and culinary artistry, resulting in some of the best pizza in the state. Their innovative approach uses precise ingredient combinations and cooking techniques to create perfectly balanced, flavorful pies. The state’s commitment to both preserving and evolving its pizza heritage keeps Michigan at the forefront of American pizza culture.
Florida – Cuban Influences and Coastal Flavors
Florida’s pizza scene reflects the state’s diverse cultural influences, particularly its strong Cuban heritage. Cuban style pizza has taken over pizza lovers of Florida. Cuban style pizza has a thick, doughy crust with a thin layer of toppings including mozzarella and gouda cheese. This unique style represents Florida’s ability to blend international influences with traditional American pizza-making.
The state’s pizza excellence extends beyond just Cuban-style offerings. Close behind are Texas, with 9 top spots (including Austin’s #11-ranked Home Slice Pizza)—and Florida and Arizona, with 8 hotspots apiece, showing Florida’s growing recognition in national pizza rankings. Miami particularly stands out with establishments like Steve’s Pizza in Miami, where you’ll order at the counter, then head to a graffitied booth to await your slice of heaven served on a paper plate, your New York–style slice of pie is just the right amount of greasy, gooey, cheesy, and saucy.
Florida’s coastal location allows for fresh seafood and tropical influences that create unique pizza experiences. La Leggenda serves up Neapolitan pies that could bring a tear to a Nonna’s eye. With charred crusts, imported mozzarella, and just the right snap of salt, it’s Italian soul with Miami swagger. The state continues building its reputation as a serious pizza destination.
Oregon – Pacific Northwest Pizza Paradise
Oregon has emerged as an unexpected pizza powerhouse, with Portland leading the charge in artisanal pizza excellence. Hapa Pizza, Grana Pizza Napoletana and Ken’s Artisan Pizza make Neapolitan-style pizzas that have been recognized nationwide and beyond this year. The awards and accolades brought excitement and validation, but also boosts in demand and expectations.
The state’s pizza scene benefits from the Pacific Northwest’s focus on local, high-quality ingredients and artisanal techniques. They subscribed to The New York Times just so they could read the piece, “22 of the Best Pizza Places in the United States.” They were shocked. They couldn’t believe Hapa Pizza had been recognized on a national level. Overcome with joy and pride, they couldn’t wait to open their doors for the day.
Portland’s pizza culture represents the perfect blend of traditional techniques with innovative, locally-sourced ingredients. Grana saw a 100% increase in sales from May to June 2024 after being included in the 50 Top Pizza U.S.A. list. Grana Pizza Napoletana started when owners Maya Setton and Chris Flanagan had their second child, eventually selling almost 300 pizzas a weekend, and we had a nice following on social media. Oregon’s commitment to quality continues earning national recognition.
Colorado – Mountain-Style Pizza Innovation
Colorado has developed its own unique pizza identity, perfectly suited to the state’s mountain lifestyle and outdoor culture. The Mile High City is one of the best places for pizza aficionados to try the regional version known as Colorado-style pizza. Originating at the popular chain Beau Jo’s, the so-called “mountain pies” stand out for their thick, slightly sweet crust made from whole-wheat flour. Not only is the dough infused with honey, it’s often served with extra for drizzling on the crust.
Denver’s pizza scene has gained significant recognition in recent years. Denver won in 2024 after two consecutive titles for Detroit in 2022 and 2023 as America’s best pizza city according to one major ranking. The city’s pizza culture embraces both traditional styles and innovative approaches that reflect Colorado’s creative spirit.
Modern Colorado pizza establishments continue building on this foundation. Our top choice for a sourdough-crust pie is Joy Hill, which opened on South Broadway in 2020. Its wood-fired pies are topped with thoughtful combinations like arugula pesto and a variety of veggies on the That 70’s Pie, and local bison chorizo with housemade green chile ranch on the Hunter. The state’s unique approach to pizza-making continues earning national attention and local devotion.
Washington – Coffee Culture Meets Pizza Excellence
Washington State has quietly built an impressive pizza reputation, with Seattle leading the charge in combining the Pacific Northwest’s culinary excellence with outstanding pizza craftsmanship. Seattle is known for its coffee culture, but pizza is emerging as the Emerald City’s latest piping hot fascination. With 46.2% of its pizza joints earning above 4 stars on Yelp, and nearly half the population Googling where to get their next slice, Seattle ranks high on pizza engagement and appreciation.
The state’s pizza scene benefits from the region’s emphasis on local, sustainable ingredients and artisanal techniques. Local pizza joints in Seattle score an average of 4.12 out of 5 Yelp stars, above the national average (3.93). Seattle earned a spot in the top 20 despite not having a particularly defined pizza style unique to the city. However, top local pizza joints often serve pies with a heavy focus on local, farm-to-table ingredients.
Washington’s pizza culture reflects the state’s broader culinary philosophy of quality, sustainability, and innovation. The emphasis on fresh, local ingredients and careful craftsmanship has helped Washington establishments earn recognition in national pizza rankings. From Seattle’s urban pizza scene to smaller cities throughout the state, Washington continues building its reputation as a serious pizza destination that rivals more traditionally recognized pizza states.
The Future of American Pizza Excellence
These ten states represent the current pinnacle of American pizza excellence, each offering unique styles, flavors, and experiences that contribute to our nation’s rich pizza tapestry. From New York’s time-tested classics to Colorado’s innovative mountain pies, each state brings something special to the table. The pizza landscape continues evolving, with new establishments earning recognition while legendary spots maintain their hard-earned reputations.
What makes these states truly special isn’t just their individual pizza greatness, but how they’ve each contributed to pushing American pizza culture forward. Whether you’re seeking the perfect New York slice, Chicago’s legendary deep-dish, or Colorado’s honey-drizzled mountain pies, these states offer pizza experiences that define what makes American pizza culture so diverse and delicious.
The pizza journey across these ten states offers endless discoveries and flavors that showcase why America has become such a dynamic pizza nation. Each bite tells the story of local traditions, immigrant influences, and culinary innovation that continues making American pizza culture something truly worth celebrating. Have you tasted pizza from all ten of these pizza powerhouse states?
