Pizza, an iconic Italian dish, has long been a worldwide favorite. While it’s traditionally associated with Italy, pizza has found devoted fans across the globe, leading to fierce competition among cities vying for the title of the best pizzerias.
A recent study by recipe website Chef’s Pencil revealed that some of Europe’s best pizzerias are located not just in Italy but in other European capitals, with London surprisingly surpassing Paris in the rankings.
According to Chef’s Pencil, the study analyzed entries in the global 50 Top Pizza rankings over the past six years, highlighting cities with the most appearances in the list.
Surprisingly, London emerged as a leader in Europe, with 16 top-rated pizzerias to its name, outshining Paris, which recorded 14. This marks a rare culinary victory for the UK capital, which often finds itself behind Paris in the food scene.
One notable pizzeria is Napoli on the Road in Chiswick, west London, which claimed the fifth spot on the Top 50 Pizza list for 2024, making it Europe’s highest-ranking pizzeria outside of Italy.
The restaurant’s success underscores the quality and authenticity of Neapolitan-style pizza that has found a home in the UK.
Italy remains a dominant force in the world of pizza, with the top European spot belonging to Naples’ Diego Vitagliano Pizzeria, ranked as the second-best globally.
Rome also continues to maintain a strong reputation, standing as the leading European city for pizza, followed by other Italian cities like Milan and Florence.
Other European cities have also made their mark on the global pizza scene. Madrid and Copenhagen each boast six elite pizzerias that have earned a spot in the prestigious rankings over recent years, putting them in a tie for third place among Europe’s top pizza destinations.
Madrid’s Revelry, ranked 26th in the Top 50, is among the city’s well-known establishments serving up world-class slices.
Even outside of Western Europe, cities like Brussels and Moscow have demonstrated a keen passion for pizza, with five highly-rated pizzerias each. Their presence on the list illustrates how the love for this Italian classic extends well beyond its Mediterranean origins.
The study also delved into which cities have the highest level of enthusiasm for pizza by analyzing online searches for terms such as “best local pizza” and “pizza recipes” over the past five years.
Philadelphia emerged as the world leader in pizza-related searches, likely driven by its large Italian-American community. It was followed by Naples and Turin, showcasing the enduring love Italians have for their national dish.
Outside Europe, the global rankings made a surprising revelation: New York City is now home to the world’s best pizzeria, Una Pizza Napoletana, marking the first time a pizzeria outside Italy has claimed the top spot.
Tokyo also placed on par with Naples and Rome, with several highly regarded pizzerias that reflect Japan’s growing passion for authentic Italian cuisine, driven by the country’s dedication to perfecting culinary crafts.
As the global love affair with pizza continues, it’s clear that the competition among cities to serve the best slice is only heating up.