Tag: best pizza in NJ

  • The 20 Best Pizza Places in New Jersey for 2026

    Thin Crust, Tomato Pie, and Everything In Between

    New Jersey does not just love pizza. We live it.

    From Trenton tomato pies to ultra-thin bar pies. From wood-fired Neapolitan spots to old-school Italian joints that have not changed in decades. The Garden State quietly produces some of the best pizza in America. Full stop.

    No chains here. Just real places locals swear by. This 2026 list is ranked based on crust, sauce, consistency, and long-term reputation. The stuff that actually matters.

    Here are the 20 best pizza places in New Jersey right now.

    The Top 20 Pizza Spots in New Jersey

    1. Razzia
      Wood-fired Neapolitan perfection. Leopard-spotted crust and premium ingredients. One of the best modern pizza spots in the state.
    2. De Lorenzo’s Tomato Pies
      The Trenton tomato pie standard since 1947. Thin, crisp, sauce on top. Cash only and always worth it.
    3. Santillo’s Brick Oven Pizza
      A 100-plus-year-old brick oven and wildly unique pies. Try the 1957 style.
    4. Star Tavern
      The gold standard for thin-crust bar pies. Crispy edges and iconic sausage chunks.
    5. Nomad Pizza
      Natural fermentation, local ingredients, and serious Neapolitan craftsmanship.
    6. Pete’s Pizza
      A fierce rival in the tomato pie debate. Right across from De Lorenzo’s.
    7. Reservoir Tavern
      Family-owned since 1936. Another elite bar pie institution.
    8. Brooklyn Square Pizza
      Upside-down square pies that rival the best in New York.
    9. Talula’s
      Sourdough crusts and creative toppings. The Beekeeper’s Lament has cult status.
    10. Federici’s Family Restaurant
      A South Jersey classic since 1921. Thin crust and no shortcuts.
    11. Kinchley’s Tavern
      North Jersey bar pie royalty. Crispy, balanced, and consistently excellent.
    12. Paparazzi Pizzeria
      Another strong Trenton tomato pie contender with serious local backing.
    13. Bread & Salt
      Roman-style pizza with long fermentation and precision execution.
    14. Porta
      Neapolitan pizza in a lively space. Strong crust and dependable quality.
    15. Sam’s Pizza Palace
      A boardwalk legend since 1957. Greasy in the best possible way.
    16. Mack’s Pizza
      The other Wildwood giant. Thin crust, tangy sauce, and beach nostalgia.
    17. Bill’s Pizza
      Old-school Ocean County favorite with a loyal following.
    18. Vic’s Italian American
      Thin-crust bar pies with serious flavor.
    19. Rosie’s Pizza
      A reliable Jersey Shore staple. Well-charred and consistently solid.
    20. Maruca’s Tomato Pies
      Boardwalk tomato pies with the signature swirl of cheese.

    Why New Jersey Pizza Hits Different

    New Jersey pizza is about balance. Crust that snaps. Sauce with restraint. Cheese that pulls clean.

    Every region brings its own style, and none of them are wrong.

    Pro tips:
    Order bar pies well-done for extra crisp.
    Never fold a tomato pie. Use a fork and knife.
    Planning a pizza road trip? Start in Trenton and work your way to the shore.

    What is your number one pizza spot in New Jersey? Did we miss yours? The debate never ends.