Unearth The Voyage
Most people think great pizza only exists in New York or Chicago, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Amazing pizza spots are scattered all across America, from sun-soaked California to the bustling streets of Baltimore.
Whether you crave crispy Detroit-style squares, charred New Haven apizza, or wood-fired Neapolitan pies, these 15 destinations prove you don’t need to visit the usual suspects to find unforgettable slices.
1. Tony’s Pizza Napoletana (San Francisco, CA)
Tony Gemignani didn’t just open another pizza joint in San Francisco’s historic North Beach neighborhood. He built a temple to pizza diversity, mastering styles from Naples to New York under one roof.
His trophy case includes world championship titles, and his menu reflects that commitment to excellence across every regional variation.
Walking in, you’ll face a delicious dilemma: should you try the puffy Neapolitan Margherita or the crackly New York slice? The beauty is you don’t have to choose just one on your visit.
Each style gets its own oven and careful attention, so nothing feels like an afterthought.
Locals know to arrive early or expect a wait, especially on weekends. The Cal Italia pizza, topped with roasted garlic and Italian sausage, has become a signature that regulars won’t shut up about.
2. Pizzeria Sei (Los Angeles, CA)
Precision matters at Pizzeria Sei, where every pie emerges from the oven with leopard-spotted char and airy, tender dough. Chef William Yeoward trained in Tokyo under a legendary pizzaiolo, and that discipline shows in every perfectly balanced bite.
This isn’t the place for piled-high toppings or gimmicks.
Instead, expect restrained elegance: San Marzano tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and maybe a whisper of basil. The crust does most of the talking here, with a chew and flavor that keeps people coming back weekly.
Reservations disappear fast, so plan ahead or prepare to wait.
The minimalist space feels almost meditative, letting the pizza take center stage without distraction. If you appreciate technique and want to taste what happens when someone obsesses over fermentation times and oven temperature, Sei delivers that experience beautifully.
3. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (New Haven, CT)
Since 1925, Frank Pepe has been slinging coal-fired apizza that defines New Haven’s legendary pizza culture. The coal ovens reach blistering temperatures, creating a thin, crispy crust with charred bubbles and a distinctive snap.
This is history you can taste, and pizza lovers make pilgrimages here for good reason.
Order the White Clam Pizza if you want the full Pepe’s experience. Fresh clams, garlic, olive oil, oregano, and grated cheese come together on that signature crust in a way that’s become iconic.
No tomato sauce, just pure, briny perfection that somehow works better than it sounds.
Lines stretch long during peak hours, but the staff moves quickly and the payoff is worth the wait. Cash is preferred, so hit an ATM beforehand and come hungry for a slice of pizza history.
4. Razza Pizza Artigianale (Jersey City, NJ)
Dan Richer mills his own grain and ferments his dough for days, treating pizza like a craft worthy of obsessive attention. Razza has earned national recognition for its ingredient-focused approach, where every element from the flour to the fennel gets carefully sourced.
You won’t find shortcuts here, just honest work and exceptional results.
The menu changes with the seasons, rewarding people who visit multiple times throughout the year. Summer might bring heirloom tomatoes while winter features roasted squash, always paired with that impossibly light yet sturdy crust.
Reservations fill up weeks ahead, especially for weekend slots.
Richer’s passion is contagious, and the staff shares his enthusiasm without being preachy about it. This is the kind of place where you’ll want to linger, maybe order a second pie, and definitely plan your return visit before leaving.
5. Buddy’s Pizza (Detroit, MI)
Everything you love about Detroit-style pizza started here in 1946, when Gus Guerra baked his first square pie in a blue steel automotive pan. That pan created the signature crispy, caramelized cheese edges that define the style today.
Buddy’s remains the gold standard, the place where locals bring out-of-town guests to show them what real Detroit pizza tastes like.
The dough rises thick and airy, supporting stripes of sauce ladled on top of the cheese and toppings. Those edges, though, are what make people lose their minds: crunchy, golden, almost lacy where the cheese meets the pan.
Order the Original Square with pepperoni and prepare for perfection.
Multiple locations exist now, but the original Conant Street spot holds special reverence among pizza purists. Either way, you’re getting a taste of Motor City history with every bite.
6. Ken’s Artisan Pizza (Portland, OR)
Ken Forkish built his reputation on bread before turning that mastery to pizza, and the difference shows in every crust. His wood-fired pies balance chewy texture with just enough char, topped with thoughtful combinations that never overwhelm the base.
Pizza nerds cite Ken’s as influential in shaping Portland’s food scene and beyond.
The Margherita Extra here isn’t just another Margherita. It gets double the mozzarella and basil, creating richness without heaviness, all supported by that perfectly fermented dough.
Other combinations rotate seasonally, but the classics remain because they’re executed so well.
The space feels warm and bustling without being chaotic, with that massive wood-fired oven as the centerpiece. Arrive hungry because you’ll want to order more than one pie, maybe some salads, and definitely save room for dessert if they’re offering it that night.
7. Pizzeria Bianco (Phoenix, AZ)
Chris Bianco has been called a pizza poet, and one bite of his wood-fired pies explains why. He sources ingredients with fanatical care, from the wheat in his dough to the tomatoes in his sauce, creating pizzas that feel both simple and profound.
Bianco’s flagship location has drawn crowds for decades, earning national acclaim and a permanent spot on every serious pizza list.
The Wiseguy pizza, topped with wood-roasted onion, house-made fennel sausage, and smoked mozzarella, showcases his ability to layer flavors without chaos. Everything tastes clean and purposeful, never muddled.
Even the classic Margherita here feels revelatory, proof that great ingredients need little embellishment.
Waits can stretch long, but the patio offers a pleasant place to linger with a drink. Once that pizza arrives, you’ll understand why people plan entire Phoenix trips around this meal.
8. Sally’s Apizza (New Haven, CT)
Sally’s has been a New Haven institution since 1938, serving coal-fired apizza with serious char and even more serious flavor. The ovens run insanely hot, creating a thin, crispy crust with blackened spots that add smoky depth.
Locals debate whether Sally’s or Pepe’s reigns supreme, but honestly, you should try both and decide for yourself.
The tomato pie here is a thing of beauty: tangy sauce, garlic, oregano, olive oil, and a sprinkle of Parmesan on that signature crust. No mozzarella needed, just pure, concentrated tomato flavor that somehow tastes better with every bite.
The atmosphere feels wonderfully old-school, with checkered tablecloths and zero pretension.
Cash only, so plan accordingly, and expect a wait during dinner rush. The staff has seen it all and keeps things moving efficiently, getting hot pies to tables without unnecessary fuss.
9. Del Popolo (San Francisco, CA)
Del Popolo started as a mobile pizza operation in a custom-built truck before settling into a brick-and-mortar home in San Francisco. The space feels intimate and modern, perfect for a date night or small group dinner where pizza is the main event.
Chef Jon Darsky brings serious technique to every pie, with a crust that strikes that sweet spot between chewy and crisp.
The menu stays concise, focusing on quality over quantity with seasonal toppings that change regularly. You might find wild nettles in spring or squash blossoms in summer, always paired with excellent cheese and that perfectly blistered crust.
The wine list complements the food beautifully, curated with the same care as the pizza menu.
Reservations are smart here, especially for weekend evenings when the place fills quickly. The vibe stays relaxed despite the quality, making it approachable for pizza purists and casual diners alike.
10. Antico Pizza Napoletana (Atlanta, GA)
Antico brings Naples to Atlanta with wood-fired pies that emerge from the oven charred, chewy, and seriously delicious. The space buzzes with energy, from the open kitchen to the communal tables where strangers become friends over shared pizza.
Owner Giovanni Di Palma runs the place with old-world passion, and that enthusiasm is infectious.
Order the San Gennaro if you want a taste of Antico’s full power: San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, sausage, peppers, and onions on that signature puffy crust. The center stays soft and tender while the edges puff up with those characteristic bubbles.
Portions are generous, so come hungry or plan to share.
Lines form early, especially on weekends, but they move steadily as pizzas fly out of the oven. The BYOB policy keeps costs down, and the casual atmosphere means you can dress comfortably while enjoying world-class pizza.
11. Quarter Sheets Pizza (Los Angeles, CA)
Quarter Sheets brings a playful, neighborhood vibe to LA’s pizza scene with square pies that balance crispy bottoms and fluffy interiors. The menu reads like comfort food heaven, with creative topping combinations that somehow all work.
People don’t just come for pizza, though it’s definitely the star, they come for the whole experience, including that famous cake everyone raves about.
The vodka sauce pizza has developed a cult following, combining creamy, tangy sauce with stretchy cheese and a perfectly seasoned crust. Each square delivers satisfaction, and the portions are generous enough to share if you’re feeling charitable.
The space feels casual and welcoming, like hanging out at a friend’s house if that friend happened to be an excellent pizza maker.
Reservations help, but walk-ins can usually snag a spot with a short wait. Bring your appetite because once you start eating, it’s hard to stop at just one or two squares.
12. Lovely’s Fifty Fifty (Portland, OR)
Lovely’s operates on a simple philosophy: use whatever’s in season, source it locally, and let those ingredients shine on pizza. The menu changes constantly based on what’s available at the farmers market, meaning you might find fava beans in spring or roasted pears in fall.
This approach keeps regulars coming back to see what’s new while maintaining consistent quality in the crust and execution.
The space feels neighborhood-cozy rather than tourist-destination-fancy, though the pizza quality easily justifies a special trip. Owner Sarah Minnick has built a loyal following among locals who appreciate her commitment to seasonality without pretension.
The ice cream, made in-house, provides the perfect finish to a pizza-filled meal.
Expect a wait during peak hours, but the patio offers a pleasant spot to relax beforehand. This is destination-worthy pizza that somehow still feels like a local secret, the best kind of find.
13. Matthew’s Pizzeria (Baltimore, MD)
Baltimore natives grow up on Matthew’s Pizza, treating it as a rite of passage and a standard by which all other pizza gets judged. The recipe hasn’t changed much since the place opened, and that consistency is exactly what keeps generations of families coming back.
This is old-school pizzeria culture at its finest, where everyone knows the menu by heart and orders arrive exactly as expected.
The crust strikes a perfect medium between thin and thick, sturdy enough to hold toppings but never doughy or heavy. Cheese coverage is generous, sauce is tangy, and the whole thing just tastes right in that hard-to-define way that makes a pizza legendary.
Multiple locations exist now, but locals have their preferred spot and stick to it religiously.
Don’t expect fancy toppings or trendy combinations here. Matthew’s does classic pizzeria pizza exceptionally well, and that’s enough to maintain its cult status among Baltimore residents who wouldn’t dream of ordering from anywhere else.
14. Blue Pan Pizza (Denver, CO)
Blue Pan brought Detroit-style pizza to Denver and quickly became the city’s go-to spot for those crispy, caramelized cheese edges that define the style. The pans create that signature golden crust border while keeping the interior light and airy, exactly how Detroit pizza should taste.
Founder Giles Flanagin studied the style extensively before opening, and that research shows in every perfectly executed pie.
The cheese reaches the very edge of the pan, creating a lacy, crunchy perimeter that people fight over. Sauce gets ladled on top in stripes, adding tangy brightness without overwhelming the other flavors.
Toppings range from classic pepperoni to more creative seasonal options, all working beautifully with the thick, fluffy crust.
Multiple locations make Blue Pan accessible across Denver, and they’ve maintained quality as they’ve grown. Whether you’re a Detroit-style devotee or trying it for the first time, this is the place that’ll make you understand the hype.
15. Cane Rosso (Dallas, TX)
Cane Rosso has become Dallas’s answer to Neapolitan pizza cravings, with multiple locations serving puffy, charred pies that transport you straight to Naples. The dough ferments for days, developing complex flavor and that characteristic airy texture.
Each pizza cooks quickly in a blazing-hot oven, emerging with leopard-spotted char and a tender, foldable center.
The Honey Bastard pizza, drizzled with hot honey over pepperoni and cheese, perfectly balances sweet, spicy, and savory in every bite. Classic options like the Margherita showcase the quality of the dough and simple toppings, while more adventurous pies push creative boundaries without losing authenticity.
The atmosphere stays lively and casual, with craft beer options complementing the pizza menu nicely.
Hours are clearly posted online, making it easy to plan your visit without showing up to locked doors. Whether you’re a Dallas resident or just passing through, Cane Rosso delivers reliable, delicious Neapolitan-style pizza every single time.
