Although pizza originated in Italy, the United States is often coined as the world’s Pizza Capital. It has become somewhat ingrained in American culture, from New York’s iconic slices to Chicago’s famous deep-dish. Boasting a remarkable average of 223,899,600 pizza-related searches per year, a new study by premium pizza oven brand Gozney reveals which cities love this staple dish the most—led by the unrivaled New York City.
With National Pizza Month coming up, enthusiasts and aficionados alike look to express their appreciation for the beloved comfort food. With a variety of styles, toppings, and sizes to choose from, the possibilities for deliciousness are endless. Whether you’re deciding your next pizza-cation spot or cooking up an at-home menu, inspiration may be closer than you think. By looking at 40 of the most populated cities in the US, our team at Gozney have analyzed the number of pizza restaurants, including those that are rated four stars and above on TripAdvisor, and the average annual search volume for pizza-related terms, to reveal which cities are the most pizza-obsessed. So you can take the pizza party with you, all month long.
Top US pizza capitals
1. New York City, New York
Taking the crown is none other than the Big Apple. The New York slice - one of the world’s most iconic pizza styles - is a must-try for the millions of visitors flocking to the city each year. The city dwellers are by far the most enthusiastic about pizza, with an impressive 10,520,880 searches for its famous pizza in the last year - over five times higher than the city ranking second for this metric.
Home to 712 pizza restaurants, the city is well-equipped to satisfy this hunger. In fact, New York City’s pizza scene rarely disappoints, with over 66% of its pizzerias earning 4-star ratings or higher. Olio E Più, a classic Italian trattoria, is not only the city’s top-rated pizza spot, but also the third-highest rated restaurant overall. For a more laid-back dining experience, Dough Boyz also serves up equally authentic Neapolitan pizza.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for the infamous New York slice, a visit to the proudly named Best Pizza is a must. The owner, Frank Pinello, has made his mark across the globe, bringing his signature style to pizza lovers everywhere. You know the pizza here is going to be incredible. From fusions to the aromas of traditional mom and pop shops, there’s a slice fit for everyone’s tastebuds in the melting pot.
2. Los Angeles, California
The city of New York may lead the list, but the Sunshine State prides itself on its diverse pizza scene, holding three places on the list with Los Angeles (2nd), San Diego (8th), and San Francisco (11th) respectively. Contemporary takes on the classics and fun cultural twists define California’s pizza scene.
Los Angeles claims second place, with a pizza scene that thrives because of its diversity and growing demand for innovative, thoughtful flavors. While the city may not be famous for a particular pizza style, this variety is what makes its offering so exciting. With 565 pizza joints, the city caters to all preferences, from classic Neapolitan to more modern twists.
Maccheroni Republic - a Michelin-starred rustic Italian trattoria - is the city's top rated pizza spot on Tripadvisor, one of the 302 that are rated over four stars. LA’s pizza obsession is undeniable, with almost two million searches for pizza-related terms in the last year. The search volume for the term ‘pizza near me’ rose by 82% year on year, making it clear that LA’s dynamic pizza scene continues to attract attention. Angelenos crave both creative and classic slices, looking for restaurants that celebrate the art of pizzamaking.
To make the most of LA’s pizza scene, why not check out: La Sorted’s Pizzeria, said to have some of the best pizza in LA according to esteemed food critics; Hot Tongue Pizza, a contemporary pizza shop offering huge 18” pizzas; or family-owned Ronan, offering classic Neapolitan pizzas.
3. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago takes third place, celebrated for its signature Chicago-style deep-dish and tavern-style pizzas. Boasting 493 pizza restaurants around the city, 60% of which being rated four stars or above, so finding a tasty pizza here will not be difficult.
The city is home to an ecclectic mix of pizza lovers. Miss Ricky’s, with a flawless five-star rating on TripAdvisor, takes the title of the highest-rated pizza restaurant in the city. The restaurant offers classic Italian dishes, including some of the best pizzas cooked in their authentic pizza oven.
Professor Pizza, known for offering a wide range of styles - including Cracker, New York, Sicilian and Detroit-style pizzas as well as their unique ‘Grandma-style’ pizza with a thin and crispy base - is definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area.
Overall, Chicago is the second-most pizza obsessed city on our list, with an average of 2,585,040 annual searches, proving their love for this iconic dish.
4. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
When grabbing a pizza in this city, you can expect to find more classical thin-crust Neapolitan-style dishes, thanks to its large Italian population. The city is home to a wide selection of 406 pizza places, with 169 of these eateries awarded a four-star rating or higher on TripAdvisor. Riffing off of the pizza culture of its neighbor, the city of Brotherly Love offers a multitude of spots that celebrate the dish’s Italian heritage the area’s generational pizza scene.
Based in North Philadelphia, Down North Pizza not only stands out for its unique four cheese pizzas, but also their mission - hiring formerly incarcerated people to give them a second chance.
5. Las Vegas, Nevada
Rounding off the top five is Las Vegas. This city might be best known for its dazzling casinos and vibrant nightlife, but the pizza here is not to be missed out on. With 358 pizza spots - half of them rated four stars or more - Las Vegas ensures you can satisfy pizza cravings no matter the time, thanks to its 24/7 culture.
Pizza Rock, the city’s top-rated spot, offers traditional Italian-style pizzas, while Evil Pie serves up massive New York-style slices. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back bite or an authentic experience, Vegas has something for every pizza lover.
6. Houston, Texas
Don’t discount the South! Texas champions as the state with the most pizza-obsessed cities, snagging four spots on the list with Houston (6th), San Antonio (10th), Dallas (13th), and Austin (14th). Like California, Texas boasts a wide variety of pizza styles, from New York to Detroit to Texas style grill fusion pies. The cultural richness of southern cuisine and the region’s known status as the Comfort Food Capital aid in a thriving pizza scene, where pizza lovers from all walks of life can find the perfect slice.
Houston ranks sixth on our list, where Texans show their deep love for pizza through a diverse array of options ranging from Neapolitan to Detroit-style pies. The city’s pizza obsession is clear, with a notable 581,360 annual searches for pizza-related terms. Residents also show enthusiasm for creating their own pizzas from scratch - having one of the highest search volumes for the terms ‘homemade pizza’ and ‘how to make pizza’.
Just a few hours outside of Houston, one person cooking up pizzas at home is Dave’s Pizza Oven. Dave has accumulated over 70,000 followers on Instagram, sharing how he cooks pizzas from scratch in his outdoor oven. For those who prefer dining out, Houston’s 418 pizza restaurants won't disappoint; top-rated spots like Frank’s Pizza and North Italia are amongst the cities most beloved.
7. Boston, Massachusetts
While Boston’s pizza may not be as notorious as its neighboring state, New York, it boasts a solid pizza scene, offering 300 restaurants. The influence from New York is apparent, but Boston also offers a more diverse range of pizza options.
Home chef Sean Sullivan creates a selection of sourdough pizzas and pizza sandwiches, which he shares with his 128,000 followers on Instagram.
8. San Diego, California
On the West Coast, San Diego stands out as another of California’s pizza-loving cities. The city is home to 289 pizza restaurants, 183 of which are rated four stars and above. Though not quite as pizza-obsessed as Los Angeles, San Diego residents still have searched for pizza-related terms an average of 1,219,440 times in the last year.
9. Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix’s pizza scene has been gaining traction in the last year, with the search terms ‘homemade pizza’ and ‘pizza near me’ increasing by 21% and 49%, respectively. Despite having the fewest pizza restaurants in our top ten, Phoenix offers a humble 279 spots, over half of which are rated four stars and above.
10. San Antonio, Texas
Closing out the top 10 is San Antonio, where pizza enthusiasts have a selection of 302 restaurants to choose from - including 2-1-DOUGH PIZZA CO. Residents here search for pizza-related terms approximately 947,400 times per year.
Beyond brick and mortar: the rise of the street pizza scene
Traditional brick-and-mortar pizza joints have long been the go-to for pizza lovers, and they will likely remain a staple within pizza culture. However, the rise of ‘street pizza’ is capturing the attention of those who prefer to grab a bite to eat on-the-go. US Google searches for the term ‘street pizza’ have increased by a staggering 679% in the last year.
This mobile pizza trend isn’t entirely new, especially in iconic pizza cities like New York, where the legendary ‘New York Slice’ has been served on most street corners for decades.
Whether you’re a pizza extraordinaire or a total newbie to all things pizza in the US, here are some standout spots to add to your list.
Legendary pizzaiolo Chris Bianco adds, “Pizza has evolved way beyond a simple dish in the US - it is a comfort food, a cultural icon in the culinary world. With cities crafting their own unique take on pizza, you can still see the fundamentals even when you create something totally new – and delicious. The variety of pizza across the country is unparalleled. Different shapes and styles, found anywhere from fine-dining restaurants to casual on-the-go eateries. Pizza is universal. This diversity is what makes the US pizza scene so unique, making it one of the coolest in the world. No matter where you are, whether you’re in a famous pizza city or you’re creating the pizza scene in your backyard, there is something for everyone.”
Methodology and sources
To find out which location in the US is the most pizza-obsessed, we put together a seedlist of the 40 most populated locations in the country. We then ranked these locations based on:
Data was collected in September 2024.
