Best Italian-Style Pizza Restaurants Around the World
Best Italian-Style Pizza Restaurants Around the World
Finding the perfect Italian-style pizza is a journey that takes you far beyond the borders of Naples. While Italy remains the spiritual home of the craft, the global obsession with leopard-spotted crusts and San Marzano tomatoes has led to a worldwide «Pizza Renaissance.»
From the wood-fired ovens of Tokyo to the bustling streets of New York, here are the absolute best Italian-style pizza restaurants across the globe.
1. I Masanielli – Caserta, Italy
To find the world’s best pizza, you must go near the source. Francesco Martucci’s I Masanielli is frequently ranked #1 in the world. Martucci is a pioneer of «triple-cooked» pizza—steamed, fried, then baked—which results in a texture that is impossibly light yet incredibly crunchy. It’s a masterclass in modern Italian technique.
2. Una Pizza Napoletana – New York City, USA
Anthony Mangieri is a purist. Located in the Lower East Side, his restaurant serves only a few types of pizza, focusing on a naturally leavened dough bigmanpizza.com that is never refrigerated. The result is a soft, pillowy crust that defines the Neapolitan style. It is widely considered the closest experience to Naples you can find in the Western Hemisphere.
3. The Pizza Bar on 38th – Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is arguably the greatest pizza city outside of Italy. At The Pizza Bar on 38th, pizzaiolo Daniele Cason serves guests at an eight-seat marble counter. Using Italian organic flour and a 48-hour fermentation process, he creates a «Pizza alla Pala» style that is light as air. The precision and quality of Japanese ingredients combined with Italian tradition make this a bucket-list destination.
4. Seu Pizza Illuminati – Rome, Italy
Pier Daniele Seu is the king of the «contemporary» Roman pizza. Unlike the paper-thin traditional Roman style, his pizzas feature a high, airy crust (the cornicione). His toppings are avant-garde, often using fruit, fermented vegetables, and gourmet cheeses to create flavor profiles that feel like fine dining on a doughy canvas.
5. Peppe Pizzeria – Paris, France
Peppe Cutraro, formerly the head chef at the world-renowned Big Mamma group, opened his own spot in Paris to instant acclaim. His «Champion du Monde» pizza—featuring yellow tomatoes, 24-month ham, and balsamic vinegar—is a testament to why Paris has become a powerhouse in the European pizza scene.
What Makes These «Italian-Style»?
True Italian-style pizza, specifically the Neapolitan tradition, is defined by:
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Simple Ingredients: Sea salt, high-quality water, and «00» flour.
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The Oven: Cooking at temperatures exceeding 425°C (800°F) for less than 90 seconds.
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Balance: The toppings should never overwhelm the flavor of the dough.
Would you like me to help you find the best Italian-style pizzerias in a specific city or region closer to you?
