The Best Pizza in Philadelphia
A list of some of the best pies in the city, from classics to newcomers and everything in between.
Pizzeria Beddia / Photograph by Jason Varney
Philly has always had its act together when it comes to pizza.
We’ve got our long history of Italian immigration to thank for that. Our generations-deep bench of pizzaiolos and wood-fired, Neapolitan-style bonafides. We’ve had pizza in this city for as long as there has been pizza anywhere — Philly could always stand proudly alongside the best pizza cities in America when it came to thin-crust, New York-style, or authentic Italian pies.
But then things got even better here. We went through a weird, out-of-the-blue pizza renaissance whereby our already very good pizza scene got catapulted into excellence thanks to the efforts of a few pizza obsessives who believed that Philadelphians would put up with just about anything — long lines, strange hours, unusual restrictions, limited menus, byzantine ordering policies — in order to get their hands on pies that weren’t just good for Philly, but some of the best in America (and even the world).
Pizzeria Beddia, Fishtown
Once upon a time, Pizzeria Beddia was a takeout-only spot where the line regularly stretched around the block. Now, the restaurant is considered to be one of the best in the world, ranking 13th out of 50 on the Italian-based “Guide to the Best Pizzerias in the World.” (Pizzeria Beddia ranks 3rd on their list of “50 Top Pizzas in the USA.”) Despite the international acclaim, it’s a very chill and approachable neighborhood spot with an outstanding wine list to go with those world-class pies. 1313 North Lee Street.
Circles + Squares, Kensington
Daniel Gutter started out as an apprentice to Joe Beddia at the original location of Pizzeria Beddia, then made his way through Pizza Brain’s kitchen before pivoting to pop-ups, and, eventually, opening his own brick-and-mortar in 2019. Since then, he expanded to two more locations with slightly different menus, then closed one of them. But the original remains the standout for its square, thick-crusted Detroit-style pan pizza. 2513 Tulip Street.
La Rosa Pizza, South Philly
Another place slinging square pies, La Rosa is one of those neighborhood joints that’s just perfect as-is. Simple, friendly, and operating on what is certainly not the prettiest block of Broad Street, it’s worth checking out both for the traditional thick-crust, cheese-and-pepperoni pies and the excellent pie topped with thin-sliced potato and rosemary. 2106 South Broad Street.
Stina, South Philly
Chef Bobby Saritsoglou does a lot of things at Stina. But for the purposes of this list, we’re saying go here for the perfect Neapolitan pies with rotating toppings (spicy soppressata, short-rib bacon, eggplant and kale, the list goes on) with the added bonus of Mediterranean-inspired small plates on the side. 1705 Snyder Avenue.
Sally, Fitler Square
Sally is a big win for Fitler Square: a small-plates and natural-wine spot with sourdough pizzas and weekend dinner specials that are all the rage. 2229 Spruce Street.
Pizzata Pizzeria, Fitler Square
Davide Lubrano and Vinny Gallagher have worldwide pizza-cooking experience, and they’ve brought all that skill to this Fitler Square spot that quickly became something of an obsession for pizza-loving Philadelphians (a.k.a. all Philadelphians) when it first opened in 2020. If you’re on the other side of Broad, you can also snag one of their pies at their larger East Passyunk Avenue location, Pizzata Pizzeria & Birreria. 240 South 22nd Street.
Down North Pizza, North Philly
Down North has been much discussed for its mission-driven focus on employing formerly incarcerated people, but the Detroit-style pies, wings, loaded hand-cut fries, and milkshakes are worth just as much discussion. 2804 West Lehigh Avenue.
Paulie Gee’s Soul City Slice Shop, Washington Square West
Philly is not a big slice city when it comes to pizza, but Paulie Gee’s is a New York export that we can actually get behind, mostly because they serve actually good pizza by the slice in a big space with a bar, a pool table, and TVs. It’s the Center City hangout you didn’t know you needed. 412 South 13th Street.
Pepperoni, cheese and Mootz slices at Paulie Gee’s / Photograph by Ted Nghiem
Pizza Shackamaxon, Fishtown
This is the joint that took over the space where Pizzeria Beddia used to live. Big shoes? Hell, yes. But a couple of property developers decided to buy the space and staffed the kitchen with veteran New School pizza makers, and they’re pumping out pies by the slice for the neighbors and keeping the spirit of pizza innovation alive in Philly. (There’s still no phone.) 115 East Girard Avenue.
Santucci’s, multiple locations
Another square pie with a long history in and around Philly. There are people who swear by these places — run by three different branches of the original Santucci family — scattered around the Northeast and points south (where the Original Square branch scored a Best of Philly). They’ll fight you over which one is best. But really, they’ve all got that same low-walled, Philly-not-Detroit squareness and a pillowy crust that you can’t find anywhere else.
Rosario’s Pizzeria, Point Breeze and Cheltenham
Rosario’s does, among other things, Mexican-style pizzas. Kinda. More accurately, Rosario’s does a kind of Philly-Italian-Mexican fusion, which results in things like pizza al pastor with guajillo chili sauce or Choriqueso Pizza, with salsa, chorizo, portobello mushrooms, and a mix of mozzarella and Chihuahua cheese. It’s weird but undeniably cool — and also quite delicious. 1501 Wharton Street.
Angelo’s Pizzeria, Bella Vista
Beloved (and a Best of Philly winner) in Haddonfield, Angelo’s took over the former Sarcone’s Deli space at 9th and Fitzwater Streets early in 2019. They brought their menu from the original location, and the recipe for that long-fermented, chewy, slightly sour crust that made them famous in the first place. It got huge almost immediately. Awards and shoutouts from national publications followed, as well as being named a Bib Gourmand by Michelin, which only made the lines longer (sometimes very long), but even through recent expansions and forays into commercial baking and celebrity collaborations, the quality at the original South Philly spot remains excellent. Go for the Grandma Pie. 736 South 9th Street.
Wood Street Pizza, Chinatown
Wood Street is everything a neighborhood pizza joint should be: a friendly, very delicious pizza spot with a focus on making everything from scratch. Oh, and they have cheesesteaks. 325 North 12th Street.
Bar 1010, Northern Liberties
The old Spuntino space in Northern Liberties is now home to super-thin-crust pizzas baked crisp in the wood-fire oven. They also do wine, cocktails, and salads, and have quickly become favorite among Philly’s pizza obsessives. 701 North 2nd Street.
20th Street Pizza, Rittenhouse Square
People come to 20th Street for the first time because the naturally leavened pies are completely vegan. But they return time and time again because the pizza is crisp and the cashew mozzarella is good, no matter your dietary restrictions (or lack thereof). 108 South 20th Street.
Tacconelli’s Pizzeria, Maple Shade
Want a perfect night-out pizza experience? Here’s the play: Cross the bridge, drive to Maple Shade, go to the new(ish) Bar Tacconelli for a couple swanky cocktails and maybe some meatballs and arancini. Then, while you’re there, call in a takeout order to the Maple Shade Tacconelli’s Pizzeria five minutes away, get a Red XCHZ and some cannoli to go and eat it at home on your couch. You can thank us later. 27 West Main Street.
Cerveau, Callowhill
Joe Hunter, one of the former partners behind Pizza Brain, opened this spiritual sequel to the original pizza museum-slash-restaurant early in 2026 and set about resurrecting some of the wild pie ideas that originally filled the menu at his old gig. In a bright, psychedelic space, he and his crew serve pizzas topped with pepperoni and chilis; with gorgonzola, fig jam and prosciutto; with lump crab, cream cheese and sweet chili sauce for a version of a crab rangoon pizza that is fantastic. That one pie alone is worth checking the place out for, but the mozzarella sticks (and $8 Citywides) are pretty good, too. 990 Spring Garden Street.
Cerveau / Photograph by Paige Burr
Char, Kensington
The team at Char can still have the occasional rough night, but if you’re looking for the future of serious, considered and non-denominational pizza making in Philly, this is the spot to see it happening. Also, the New School Tomato Pie is excellent, and the meatballs (made almost impossibly fluffy with ricotta) might be the best in the entire city. 310 Master Street.
Bricco Coal Fired Pizza, Haddon Township
For the last few years, Bricco in South Jersey has held a spot among the top 50 pizzerias in the U.S. on the 50toppizza.it list. The Italian pizza ranker likes chef Vincenzo Barone’s Neapolitan/New York-style pies that char lightly in a 1,000-degree coal-fired oven. 128 Haddon Avenue.
Pizzeria Salvy, Center City
From the man who crushes everything he does, Marc Vetri’s pizza spot at the Comcast Technology Center pays homage to his father, Sal. You’ll want to try a few of these 12-inch pizzas, like the one topped with Fiorella sausage or another that nods to the classic sweet onion crêpe served at Vetri’s flagship restaurant. For purists, you won’t go wrong with a South Philly Margherita or a slice of tomato pie. 1800 Arch Street.
Pizza Richmond, Port Richmond
The tastemakers behind Sally and Pizza Shackamaxon opened this chill pizza parlor in early 2024. Go for the thin, well-charred 16 and 20-inch straightforward pies, including a white pizza and a vegan option. What’s especially nice: You can get slices here, and it’s open very late. 3136 Richmond Street.
San Lucas Pizza, South Philly
Pizza with Mexican ingredients and a wedge of lime. It’s a delicious slice of America today. Get your pie topped with the likes of al pastor, queso fresco, and fresh avocado. This friendly spot also sells traditional pizza. 2000 South Bouvier Street.
Collegeville Italian Bakery, Collegeville
The locals know this place for its breads, its pastries, its Sunday tomato pies and Friday night margheritas picked up on the way home from work. But the real winner here are the high-walled, pan-cooked, Detroit-style pizzas with their double-load of mozzarella, soft, bready crust and lace of hard-fried cheese running around the outside of every pie. 3846 Ridge Pike.
Joseph’s Pizza Parlor / Photograph by Ted Nghiem
Joseph’s Pizza Parlor, Fox Chase
For Northeast Philly natives, Joseph’s has always been the spot. There is something so old-school, so cool about the long-running pizzeria. It’s the kind of place that’s lined with booths under colorful stained glass lamps, where they serve water in those pebbled plastic cups, and you’re pretty sure that your server went to the prom with one of your cousins. Now under the ownership of the Gaul & Co. team, Joseph’s hasn’t missed a beat with classic hand-tossed pies and a bunch of fun specialty pizzas. 7947 Oxford Avenue.
Nicky’s & Ants, Pottstown
Partners Nick Moccia and Anthony Billetta made one of the best cheesesteaks in the region at their food truck, Mangia Mobile. Now, they’ve got a permanent address inside the High Street Terminal and are turning out some of the best pizzas around, too — made with small-batch, long-fermented dough and toppings like provolone and Calabrian chilis, house-made hot honey and charred pepperoni, or balsamic-marinated mushrooms, ricotta, white truffle oil and a garlic crema. Bonus: The sandwiches are still great, too. 300 East High Street.
Lucky Duck, Northern Liberties
This new spot, located on the ground floor of the Rivermark Apartments right on the Delaware River waterfront, is loud, crowded, aggressively quirky, but is also the ideal spot for getting the gang together for beer and pizzas if you’re in the neighborhood. The kitchen does a few different gimmicky bar pies — everything from a spicy pepperoni to a sour cream and onion pizza complete with chips, scallion oil and garlic sour cream. But they’re all good, they’re all fun, they all go great with a cold Coors Banquet, and because both the staff and the space are made for speed and numbers, no matter how deep you’re rolling, Lucky Duck can handle it. 501 North Columbus Boulevard.
