Italy Remains the Ultimate Pizza Destination Despite London Pizzeria's Top Ranking

The global pizza landscape has seen a significant shift with the awarding of the top spot in the prestigious 50 Top Pizza World rankings to Napoli on the Road, an Italian-owned pizzeria located in London. Despite this accolade, Italy itself continues to be the quintessential destination for pizza enthusiasts, boasting a rich history and regional diversity that defines the beloved dish.

Pizza originated as an 18th-century street food in Naples, the southern Italian city where the dish was born. Across Italy, regional variations offer unique culinary experiences, from the soft, pillowy crust of Neapolitan pizza to Sicily's sfincione, a rectangular focaccia-like pizza, and the wafer-thin base of Roman pizza.

In the 2026 50 Top Pizza World awards, Confine in Milan was recognized as Italy's best pizzeria, offering gourmet tasting menus. However, countless other world-class pizzerias can be found throughout the country, often in unassuming locations.

Eight must-visit pizzerias in Italy, according to an expert, include:

Naples and Caserta

Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba in Naples, serving locals since 1738, offers a taste of history with its Mastu Nicola pizza, one of the world's first, topped with lard, ricotta, pecorino, and basil.

I Masanielli in Caserta, run by Francesco Martucci, tied for fourth place in the awards. This establishment is known for its innovative approach, combining steamed, fried, and baked dough with various buffalo mozzarellas. Caserta is also home to the 18th-century Bourbon royal palace.

Isabella de Cham in Naples specializes in pizza fritta, or fried pizza. This all-female team creates a light, airy, and flavorful fried dough stuffed with ingredients, a tradition often associated with Neapolitan women.

Rome and Tuscany

Pizzeria ai Marmi in Rome, known affectionately as 'L'Obitorio' due to its marble tables, has been serving crispy, thin-crust Roman pizza since 1931. The Panattoni family continues to use a time-honored dough recipe.

Bonci Pizzarium in Rome is a top choice for pizza al taglio (by the slice). Rated Italy's finest by Gambero Rosso, it features a 72-hour fermented dough with an airy yet thick crust and inventive seasonal toppings.

Pizzeria Osée in Manciano, Tuscany, though not outwardly glamorous, is renowned for its exceptional pizzas. Antonio Simonini, a former contender for the world's best pizza maker, crafts unique creations, including the truffle cream-topped Circo-Pizza and the Briaca with four cheeses.

Veneto and Sicily

I Tigli in Bonifacio, Veneto, led by Simone Padoan, was awarded the top spot by Italian gourmet bible Gambero Rosso. Padoan's motto, 'Keep it simple, stupid,' informs his pizzas, which feature twice-baked bases and high-quality ingredients, allowing diners to sample multiple small portions.

Panificio Graziano in Palermo offers sfincione, a thick, doughy Sicilian pizza that inspired New York's 'Sicilian pizza.' This bakery serves a wonderfully spongy version topped with tomato sauce, onions, anchovies, and caciocavallo cheese.