A memorable pizza meal might mean a foldable New York slice, a blistered Neapolitan pie or a creative local favorite. This 15-spot list brings together two internationally ranked pizzerias and local standouts from New York, Los Angeles, Texas and Maryland. You can use it to find a fitting restaurant, whether you want a quick slice or a meal with friends.
A regional pizza style is a tradition shaped by its dough, form and baking method. These picks offer different ways to enjoy good food, from classic pies to bold local ideas. They form a practical shortlist, not one standardized national ranking. Some have formal placements; others are local standouts chosen for their distinct menus and styles.
Key Takeaways
- Two pizzerias on the list placed in the 2026 50 Top Pizza World ranking.
- Local picks span New York, Los Angeles, Texas and Maryland.
- Use location and style to narrow down your choices.
- Rankings and local recommendations serve different purposes.
- Check current restaurant details before making a special trip.
Use the style and location that suit your next meal as the first filters for choosing a spot.
Where Can You Find the Best Pizza in the U.S.?
Two of the 15 picks have named placements in a 2026 world ranking, while the rest bring distinct city and neighborhood styles. Formal placements belong to the ranking organization, 50 Top Pizza; local selections are practical picks, not ranked entries.
The ranking organization placed two U.S. pizzerias near the top worldwide. The other restaurants here represent a range of pizza places, from familiar slices to inventive pies.
The 15-spot list combines formal world-ranking placements with local picks, so it is not one national ranking.
Nationally ranked standouts
Una Pizza Napoletana in New York ranked No. 2 worldwide in the 50 Top Pizza World 2026 ranking. It is known for Neapolitan pizza, a style with a soft center and a blistered crust.
Pizzeria Sei in Los Angeles tied at No. 5 worldwide in that ranking. You can read the 50 Top Pizza World 2026 ranking for the full set of placements.
DoorDash’s 2026 Top Pizza Spots list used a different set of rules. It covered small and medium-sized restaurants with fewer than 10 locations and at least 1,000 DoorDash reviews.
That list drew on DoorDash data from September 2025 through September 2026. Its eligibility rules describe that separate list, not the selection criteria for these 15 picks.
San Antonio favorites
A San Antonio pizza guide updated in October 2022 highlighted five local options. Treat it as an older snapshot of the city, then check current restaurant details before planning a visit.
These San Antonio spots span classic pies, big-format pizza and adventurous toppings. The city’s range makes it easy to find a familiar style or try something new.
- Dough Pizzeria Napoletana makes Naples-style pizza, with a focus on the style’s traditional approach.
- Florio’s serves New York-style slices and pies for a classic, easy-to-share meal.
- Il Forno uses a hand-built brick oven and house-cured meats.
- Fralo’s offers adventurous pies, including wild boar sausage and venison pepperoni.
- Big Lou’s is known for its 42-inch pizza, a size made for a group.
These picks show how much the best pizza places can differ, even within one town. Your choice might come down to a quick slice, a special topping or a pie large enough to share.
Austin and Annapolis picks
Austin adds several distinct options. Bufalina makes Neapolitan pies, while Allday serves New York-style slices and pies.
- Feral Pizza ferments its dough for nearly two days, giving the process time to build flavor.
- Pedroso’s offers New York, American or grandma-style pizza.
- Pieous focuses on Neapolitan pies.
- Pasticcio brings a Neapolitan influence to its pizzas.
Annapolis has two more choices with different menus. Vin 909 pairs seasonal specialty pizzas with wine, while Neo Pizza makes its spicy Fuego pie.
These Austin and Annapolis picks add variety to the list, from slow-fermented dough to a spicy specialty. The mix gives you options for different tastes and occasions.
Check that a restaurant’s current details suit your plans before making a special trip.
How Can You Find a Great Pizza Spot Near You?
Start with the kind of meal you want, then narrow the map to places within a comfortable trip. A nearby choice is often more useful than a famous name across town.
To find the best pizza near me, compare practical details before choosing a location. Try these four checks:
A city ranking can point you toward pizza destinations, but local listings help you find a spot nearby. The 50 Top Pizza USA 2026 ranking placed New York first, Los Angeles and San Francisco tied at No. 2, and Jersey City at No. 3.
The 50 Top Pizza USA 2026 ranking shows cities with highly placed pizzerias. Its U.S. Slice ranking placed New York first, Washington second and Miami third in 2026.
- Set a realistic travel radius for your area, including traffic and parking.
- Decide whether you want dine-in service or takeout.
- Filter for a style you enjoy, such as a slice or a whole pie.
- Compare the menu with the occasion, from a quick lunch to a group meal.
Maps and restaurant listings help you find current nearby choices more quickly than a national list. For a birthday or other gathering, you can also plan food orders alongside nearby cupcakes for a celebration.
Confirm current hours and service options before setting out.
Which Pizza Style Fits Your Taste?
Thin crust is the most commonly preferred of the three crust thicknesses in the 2023 poll, but the best fit depends on whether you value crispness, chew or a substantial bite. Texture matters as much as the toppings.
In the 2023 poll, 39% preferred thin crust, 30% thick crust and 16% stuffed crust. Those choices feel different at the table: a thin base can be crisp or easy to fold, while thick and stuffed crusts make a fuller meal.
Choose by crust and texture
Thin crust gives you a light bite and lets the toppings stand out. Depending on how it is baked, it can be crisp throughout or soft enough to fold.
Thick crust feels more filling and has more bread-like chew. Stuffed crust adds a filled edge, making each slice heavier and richer.
Regional styles also shape the pie’s form and texture. In the same poll, 27% named New York-style as their favorite regional style, while 19% chose Chicago-style.
Try a regional specialty
New York pizza usually has a thin, broad slice that folds without breaking. Chicago deep dish is a substantial pie, with cheese and toppings layered under tomato sauce.
New Haven pizza has a thin, crisp base and a chewy edge. Neapolitan pizza is soft in the middle, with a chewy crust and charred spots from a hot oven.
| Style | Crust and shape | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| New York | Thin and foldable | Easy to eat by the slice |
| Chicago | Deep dish | Tomato sauce and cheese layered into a substantial pie |
| New Haven | Thin and crisp | Crisp base with a chewy edge |
| Neapolitan | Blistered and chewy | Soft center and charred spots |
In San Antonio, local interpretations include BBQ-brisket, chicken-enchilada and kebab-topped pizzas. Annapolis spot Carpaccio is known for a thin, crisp crust, another option when you prefer a lighter bite.
For a first visit to an unfamiliar style, order a classic pie before trying a heavily loaded variation.
Which Pizza Toppings Are Worth Ordering?
Pepperoni is the clearest crowd-pleasing choice, but onion and sausage also have strong support in order data. Poll favorites and actual orders measure different things.
In a 2023 poll, pepperoni led favorite toppings at 24%, followed by sausage at 13% and extra cheese at 11%. DoorDash recorded nearly 30 million U.S. pizza orders in 2025, with pepperoni first, then onion and sausage.
The poll asked what people liked best; order data tracked what customers chose to buy. DoorDash also found white pizza was its most-ordered style, with more than 3 million orders.
New York-style orders grew more than 80% year over year in 2025, the fastest growth among major styles. Orders with caramelized onions and meatballs each rose more than 120% year over year.
Pineapple can divide opinions, yet it appeared on more DoorDash orders than olives, bacon, chicken or ham. In the poll, 22% said they love pineapple and 37% said they like it.
Anchovies had a tougher showing: 29% named them their least favorite topping, and 42% said they hate them. Extra cheese and pepperoni had broad appeal, with 51% saying they love extra cheese and 50% saying they love pepperoni.
Try a familiar topping on one pie, then add a less common choice to another. That gives your group room to compare flavors without making the whole meal a gamble.
For a group with mixed tastes, keep one familiar pie and put bolder toppings on a second.
Which Cheese Should You Choose?
Choose low-moisture mozzarella for the classic even melt, and add provolone when you want a sharper, more deeply browned finish. For most pies, low-moisture mozzarella offers the easiest balance.
Low-moisture mozzarella melts evenly, helps prevent soggy pizza and gives the classic pizza stretch. Provolone brings a sharper, tangier taste and browns more readily in the oven.
| Cheese | Flavor | Melt and bake result |
|---|---|---|
| Low-moisture mozzarella | Mild and milky | Even melt and classic stretch |
| Provolone | Sharper and tangier | Browns more readily |
| Fresh mozzarella | Delicate and milky | Creamier pockets with more moisture |
Fresh mozzarella has more moisture than low-moisture mozzarella. Its soft, creamy pockets can add contrast, but a heavy layer can leave the pie wetter.
You can also ask how a restaurant combines cheeses if its menu lists a blend. A small amount of provolone can add more bite without taking over the milder mozzarella.
If you use fresh mozzarella, keep the amount moderate so the crust does not become wet.
How Long Is Leftover Pizza Safe?
Refrigerate leftover pizza within 2 hours, or within 1 hour when the temperature is above 90°F. That time limit matters even if the pizza still looks fresh.
Keep refrigerated leftovers at 40°F or below, and eat them within 3-4 days. The NDSU Extension guide on safe food storage also advises reheating leftovers to 165°F.
Use this checklist to handle extra slices safely:
- Refrigerate pizza within 2 hours, or within 1 hour above 90°F.
- Store it at 40°F or below and eat it within 3-4 days.
- Reheat each serving until it reaches 165°F inside.
- Freeze pizza at 0°F for longer storage; best quality lasts 1-2 months.
Freezing at 0°F keeps pizza safe indefinitely, though the texture and flavor are best within 1-2 months. Wrap slices well to help protect their quality.
Pizza left at room temperature overnight must be discarded, even if it smells and looks fine. Smell cannot show whether harmful germs have grown.
Refrigerate prepared leftovers within 2 hours, or within 1 hour when the temperature is above 90°F.
Throw away pizza left out overnight, even when it looks and smells fine.
Throw away pizza left out overnight instead of tasting it to check.
What Should You Order With Your Pizza?
The best pizza menu for a first visit balances one familiar favorite with a house specialty. One dip or side can round out the order without crowding the table.
Choose one familiar pie, one house specialty and a dip or side that fits their flavors. For a group, pick a mix that offers something mild and something with a little more bite.
In a 2023 poll, 75% preferred triangular slices and 15% preferred square slices. Most people usually ate pizza with their hands, at 73%; 11% usually used a fork and knife.
Marinara sauce and garlic butter each went with pizza for 23% of respondents. Ranch was close at 22%, while 12% typically chose hot sauce.
Wine, beer or pasta can work as optional pairings, depending on what the restaurant serves. For a gathering, you can plan dessert too, using tips for ordering cupcakes for a celebration.
Keep the first order balanced: one known favorite, one house specialty and a side or dip that suits both.
Check the restaurant menu for sides that match the pie rather than ordering extras by habit. A crisp salad can lighten a rich meal, while garlic bread makes it heartier.
If you are unsure about a dip, order marinara and ranch separately so everyone can choose.
Conclusion
A great pizza choice starts with the style and setting you want for the meal. A relaxed slice, a shared pie or a new local specialty can each make the right outing.
Formal rankings can help you spot well-placed restaurants, but they are not the only measure of a good meal. A nearby place with the right menu may suit your plans better.
Pick one nearby spot from the list, check its current menu and plan your next slice.
FAQ
What is the best ranked pizza in the US?
Una Pizza Napoletana in New York ranked No. 2 worldwide in the 2026 50 Top Pizza World ranking. In the 2026 50 Top Pizza USA ranking, New York was the top-ranked city. A pizzeria’s world placement and a city’s U.S. placement are separate ranking results. Both can help you choose a destination, but they measure different entries.
What is the 2 hour rule for pizza?
Refrigerate pizza within 2 hours at normal room temperatures. When the temperature is above 90°F, refrigerate it within 1 hour. This limit applies to pizza left out after serving, even if it still seems fresh. Keep chilled leftovers at 40°F or below, and eat them within 3-4 days.
What is the most delicious type of pizza?
Neapolitan pizza suits you if you like a blistered, chewy crust with a soft center. New York-style is a good pick for a thin, foldable slice. Taste is personal, so think about texture and how filling you want the meal to be. A classic pie gives you a clear sense of a style before you try extra toppings.
What cheese is best for pizza?
Low-moisture mozzarella is the best all-purpose cheese for pizza. It melts evenly, gives the familiar stretch and helps reduce sogginess. Its mild flavor also works with many sauces and toppings. Fresh mozzarella has more moisture, so a heavy layer can make the finished pie wetter.
What cheese do Italians use on pizza?
Mozzarella is common on traditional Italian pizza. Neapolitan pies often use cow’s-milk mozzarella or buffalo mozzarella, which has a richer, milky taste. The cheese choice can vary with the style and recipe. Fresh versions add more moisture, so cooks often use them with care to keep the center from getting too wet.
Which cheese tastes better on pizza?
Mozzarella tastes mild and classic, while provolone is sharper and tangier. Provolone also browns more readily in the oven. Choose mozzarella for a familiar, balanced flavor, or add provolone for more bite. A blend can give you both, as long as the sharper cheese does not overwhelm the rest of the pie.
What are the top 3 pizza toppings?
The 2023 poll’s top three favorite topping choices were pepperoni at 24%, sausage at 13% and extra cheese at 11%. These figures describe stated favorites, not every order placed. Pepperoni also led DoorDash order data, while onion ranked ahead of sausage there. The poll and order figures track different measures of what people choose.
What are the top 5 pizza toppings?
A practical crowd-pleasing shortlist is pepperoni, sausage, extra cheese, onion and pineapple. It is a mix of familiar choices and a divisive option, not a measured ranking. Pepperoni, sausage and extra cheese led favorite choices in a 2023 poll. DoorDash order data also showed strong demand for onion, while pineapple appeared more often than several other toppings.
