The Best Pizza in the World Is in New York City

Looking for the best slice in town? How about the best slice in the entire world?

In early September, the pizza rankers at 50 Top Pizza released their annual list of the best pizza shops in the world, with Una Pizza Napoletana from New York City coming out as the number one spot. 

Owned by Anthony Mangieri, the shop, located in the Lower East Side, was named the number one Best Pizza in the US earlier in the summer, which also marked its third year in a row taking home that title.

As the pizzeria’s website explained, Una Pizza Napoletana is “the sixth iteration of Anthony Mangieri’s pizzeria.” Its focus has remained on creating the perfect pizza that starts with a naturally-leavened crust, which the shop explained on Instagram is made with an “ever-changing mix of Italian flours, unrefined Sicilian sea salt, and NYC water,” is then put in a wood-fired oven for the perfect crispness, giving it that winning flavor. Guests can top their preferred pies with toppings like grated Vacche Rosse Parmigiano Reggiano, Calabrian long hot peppers, salted Italian anchovies, and, of course, pepperoni.

Though really, Mangieri always had a leg up on the competition. As his shop’s website explains, he grew up in a “close-knit Italian-American family” in New Jersey, exploring and developing his passion for pizza as a kid. “This early fixation developed into a lifelong dedication to creating the perfect pizza — something that he remains steadfastly dedicated to every day.” 

As for why the pizza shop won out, the award’s website noted, “In a country always accustomed to putting everything on pizza, Anthony proposes only the purest tradition in toppings, with extraordinary quality ingredients. Marinara, Margherita, Cosacca, and a pizza that changes every day, based on market ingredients. The dough nods to the contemporary, but is so personal that it probably cannot be classified, good, tasty, true, it has the aroma and flavor of pizza.” 

However, the restaurant’s pizza isn’t the only reason to visit. Una Pizza Napoletana also has some rather spectacular desserts, including its Gelato and fresh fruit sorbetto, which make for the perfect ending to a meal. 

If you can’t make it to New York City to have a slice in person, that’s OK. Mangieri also recently launched Genio Della Pizza, a frozen pizza that is available to people across the U.S. You can snag a classic Margherita, a Bianca made with buffalo mozzarella, ricotta, basil, and garlic, a Brocolli Rabe with Italian tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, broccoli rabe, and black olives, or the all-new Uncured Pepperoni, topped with Italian tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, and pepperoni. Find the nearest retailer selling the pizzas at geniodellapizza.com.