The 20 Best Pizzerias in New Jersey – 2026 Edition is written by Vinny Parisi.
New Jersey is known for many things, but pizza is perhaps the largest source of debate. In fact, even amongst New Jerseyans from county to county, everyone has their own idea of the perfect pizza. So it’s no small feat to find and showcase the best pizzerias in New Jersey.
From coal fire to brick oven, and thin crust to pan, New Jersey is an embarrassment of pizza riches. Of course, not all pizza is made equally, so we’re spotlighting where to find the best pizza in NJ. This year, we’re dividing our list into 10 categories, and selecting our two favorite pizzerias for each. This way, fans of everything from tomato pies to Chicago Deep Dish can find the best spots for a slice. (Or a whole pie, no judgement!)
Quick Click Guide: Select Your Favorite Pizza Pie below to find The Best Pizzerias in NJ.
| #1 – Bar Pie | #2 – Chicago Deep Dish | #3 – Detroit Style | #4 – Margherita | #5 – Neapolitan | #6 – NY Style | #7 – Sicilian | #8 – Thick Crust (Modern Square) | #9 – Thin Crust | #10 – Tomato Pie |
Bar Pie
The Star Tavern
Where: Orange
Details: The Star Tavern is renown for their thin crust specialty pies. These unique and unusual pizzas range from white clam to pesto to apple pie. (The latter features walnuts, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and thin-sliced apples.) But their bar pie is especially popular, and widely regarded as the best from both locals and travelers alike. True to the name, it is only available to patrons sitting at the bar and dining in. The crust is actually a touch thicker than their Regular pie, with an exceptionally-crunchy crust.
Pete and Elda’s/Carmen’s Pizzeria
Where: Neptune City
Details: The coveted Bar Pie at Pete & Elda’s is only available at the bar. This pan-baked favorite features a crunchy crust and can be loaded with a choice of toppings. The plain pie is great, but we recommend trying it with sauteed onions and sausage. This pizzeria also offers their famous Whole Pie Eater Challenge, for which the rules are simple: Anyone that can finish an entire XXL pie (18″) alone, in one sitting, gets a numbered t-shirt. Carmen’s specializes in thin crust pizza, but can make thick crust pies by request (for $1 extra).
Chicago Deep Dish
Boardwalk Pizza
Where: Fairfield
Details: Boardwalk Pizza just recently celebrated their 10-year anniversary. Open since 2014, this pizzeria has carved out an interesting niche within the community: It is known for being one of the best spots for “Non-NJ/NYC style” pizza in New Jersey. Their focus on gourmet and non-typical pizza styles entices many curious pizza fans to their door. So it’s no surprise their Chicago Deep Dish pie draws so much attention. This extra thick crust round pie comes with melted mozzarella, garlic, plum tomato, basil, and extra virgin olive oil.
Krust Kitchen
Where: Madison
Details: Most locals know Krust Kitchen for their specialty pies that represent every major area of the pizza-making world. They make pies that authentically represent styles like New York (specifically Brooklyn thin crust), Detroit, Memphis, and Italy. But their Windy City pie, a tribute to Chicago-style deep dish pizza, perfectly captures the necessary texture and flavor. Topped with mozzarella cheese and vine-ripened tomato sauce, we recommend going for the Supreme version. (Sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, and peppers.)
Detroit Style
Polizzi’s Brick Oven Pizza
Where: Sewell
Details: Polizzi’s proudly proclaims itself as the first brick oven pizzeria in Washington Township to serve Detroit-style pies. Their authentic 313 Detroit pie (the area code for Detroit) is made in 10″x14″ Detroit-style pans. These square pans help create the pie’s signature charred cheese crust. Their naturally-fermented dough is proofed and baked in these pans, then topped with crushed tomato sauce. Toppings are optional, but we recommend sticking with the original version for an authentic taste of Detroit-style pizza.
Squared
Where: Elmwood Park
Details: As the name suggests, Squared is all about square, Detroit-style pizza with a crunchy, well-done crust. The pizzeria encourages experimentation through half-and-half pie combinations that leave guests speechless. Popular picks include the half chicken parm / half pepperoni pie, and half vodka / half buffalo chicken. But we think our creation of half hot honey chicken and bacon, paired with half chicken bacon ranch, is also a winner. For a real kick, try the Nashville Hot Chicken pie, or the pepperoni and jalapeno pie with hot honey.
Margherita
Nunzio’s Pizzeria
Where: Long Branch
Details: Nunzio’s is an authentic, old-school pizzeria in many ways, from the neon sign to the checkered tablecloths. (And also the fact that they are still cash-only in the year 2025.) While they are popular for a handful of pies — including the Sicilian “Marble” and Pizza Verde — we love the Margherita. The combination of fresh mozzarella, basil, and DOP San Marzano sauce imported from Italy make for a great pizza. (Either lightly baked or well done.) Their full selection of pies are available in 12-, 14-, and 16-inch sizes.
Ralph’s Pizzeria
Where: Nutley
Details: The first pizzeria to ever open in Nutley, Ralph’s is on the cusp of its 65th anniversary. The team has been serving hot and fresh pizzas our of their BYOB kitchen since 1961. With so much experience, it’s no wonder they’ve perfected the art of the Margherita pie. We recommend going with their thin crust option to best enjoy the plum tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil on top. (A special shout-out to their White Pie as well.) They offer their pizzas with a choice of thin crust, extra thick crust, Sicilian square, and whole wheat options.
Neapolitan
Razza Pizza Artigianale
Where: Jersey City
Details: Razza almost exclusively uses local, in-season ingredients to craft their rotating pizza menu, which can change daily. This includes using flour milled in nearby Clifton, and making their own bread and butter. Using their own yeast culture process, they typically offer about a dozen pies on their menu. Mainstays typically include Margherita, Pepperoni, and the Tomato Pie. Razza specializes in Neapolitan-style pies made in their wood-burning oven. When it’s in season, order the Panna (tomato sauce, PA cow’s cream, fresh mozzarella, arugula).
Scuola Vecchia Pizzeria
Where: Clinton
Details: Scuola Vecchia, commonly known as SV Pizzeria, uses imported Italian ingredients to craft their authentic Neapolitan pies. Hunterdon County residents can get a taste of Naples without leaving Central Jersey thanks to their wood-burning oven. Thanks to their traveling Pizza Truck, they can also offer a unique catering option for special occasions. Pepperoni fans have to try The Jersey Roni, but we also recommend The Italian Stallion. (With broccoli rabe, crumbled Italian sausage, shaved parmigiana, Sicilian sea salt, and EVOO.)
NY Style
DeLucia’s Brick Oven Pizza
Where: Raritan
Details: DeLucia’s gets busy, and often reaches their capacity and sells out of pizza daily. To give out-of-towners their best shot at trying a pie, they recommend calling ahead. In fact, they ask customers to have their full order ready to place over the phone when making a reservation. This ensures the team can reserve your oven time and guarantees your pie is served, hot, fresh, and on time. Their famous NY-style pies come in a variety of ways, but we recommend either the BBQ Chicken Pizza or Pepperoni with Mike’s Hot Honey.
Rosie’s Pizza
Where: Point Pleasant Beach
Details: All the pizza at Rosie’s is made with a sourdough crust. The team uses non-bleached, non-bromated flours, then ferments the mixed dough for a minimum of 72 hours. This makes their pizza much lighter and, similar to the world-renowned pizza in Italy, more easily digestible. Each pie is baked well done and finished with EVOO and basil. Their round, thin-crust NY-style pies are great as-is, but can come with up to two toppings. We recommend either the ricotta, hot honey, mushrooms, or house-roasted red peppers.
Sicilian
Santillo’s Brick Oven Pizza
Where: Elizabeth
Details: Yes, Santillo’s has been closed since the devastating fire that destroyed the building in June of 2024. No, that is not a good enough reason to keep this legendary pizza spot off the list. Plus, they hope to reopen November 2025 and continue to offer nationwide delivery via Goldbelly. Given the painstaking lengths owner Al Santillo has gone to in restoring the pizzeria and their famous oven, there is no reason to doubt the quality of their pies will decline in the slightest. Their round pies are great, but the Sicilian pies are second-to-none.
Lodi Pizza
Where: Lodi
Details: Over the past 55 years or so, Lodi Pizza has built a loyal following. Many patrons simply call it the best pizza they’ve ever had. While they offer round, gluten-free, and cauliflower crust options, the Sicilian pies here really steal the show. The thick, charred crust and their exemplary ability to offer perfectly-cooked half and half pies are equally noteworthy. From the simple half plain/half pepperoni to our recommended pie — half sausage/pepper/onion and half chicken with mushroom — nearly every combo of their 15 toppings is a winner.
Thick Crust (Modern Square)
Brooklyn Square Pizza
Where: Toms River
Details: It’s probably no surprise that a pizzeria with square in the name specializes in square pies. The thick crust modern square at Brooklyn Square Pizza comes in a dozen different options. Sometimes, the best sellers are popular for a reason, and that’s true of this spot. We recommend trying either their classic Upside Down pie (fresh mozzarella, homemade sauce, Pecorino Romano) or the Upside Down Vodka pie. The robust menu at this spot also offers appetizers, round pies, hot/cold subs, pasta, paninis, and more.
The Galley Pizza & Eatery
Where: Asbury Park
Details: The 16″ double proofed pan pizzas at The Galley are thick and airy, and come with many different options. Their Sicilian style Roni Upside Down Pan — which we recommend — comes with a secret cheese blend, pepperoni, and red sauce. Locals also recommend the Buffalo Chix Pan, Chix Vodka Pan, and the Station 83 Pan. The latter comes with chili oil, spicy salami, Mike’s Hot Honey, mozzarella, impastata ricotta, and basil. Thin crust pies are also available, along with an assortment of dinner entrees, appetizers, and salads.
Thin Crust
Federici’s Family Restaurant
Where: Freehold
Details: This legendary spot is over 100 years old, yet continues to improve each year. From renovating their upstairs dining room with modern amenities, to perfecting the art of their famous thin crust pizza, Federici’s is the perfect family spot (both family-owned and family-friendly). Their pies come in Individual (9″), Small (12″), and Large (14″) sizes, with over a dozen toppings to choose from. This is one of the few spots that does a great Shrimp Scampi pie; but we also recommend the Eggplant Parm and Plain Cheese pies.
Kinchley’s Tavern
Where: Ramsey
Details: Kinchley’s Tavern believes they sell the “#1 Thin Crust Pizza” in New Jersey. This “ultra thin crust” pie has been made using the same recipe for over 80 years. Their extensive list of topping choices range from pepperoni and sweet peppers to broccoli and breaded eggplant. Signature pies include the Sliced Homemade Meatball, Breaded Chicken Cutlet, and Vodka Sauce. But we say to keep it simple at this spot: their original thin crust bar pie needs neither an introduction nor a topping to stand out as an unforgettable pizza.
Tomato Pie
Papa’s Tomato Pies
Where: Robbinsville
Details: Another century-old spot, Papa’s has been serving one of NJ’s best tomato pies since 1912. In fact, Papa’s claims to be the oldest continuously family-owned pizzeria in the country! While they specialize in classic Trenton tomato pies, they are also uniquely known for their Mustard Pie. This local delicacy adds a thin layer of spicy brown mustard to the dough before it is baked; it is then topped with tomato and cheese. It’s definitely different, and since it isn’t really found anywhere else, we say it’s worth a try.
Casano’s Pizza Parlor
Where: Rutherford
Details: Casano’s unique dining area recreates a 70s living room and invites patrons to eat together and socialize like family. Everything about the pizzeria feels homey; from the armchairs and vintage refrigerator full of glass soda bottles, to the TV with VCR playing classic movies. Though Chef Dave Ligas prepares many delicious pies — from the Round Vodka Stracciatella to the unique French Onion pie — their New Haven Tomato Pie is a must-try. The “random” cuts that create uneven slices add to the authenticity of its namesake.
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NJ’s 20 Best Pizzerias FAQs
Typically, NJ’s best bar pies can be found in pizzerias where the pie is dine-in only. (Literally only available while sitting at the bar.) These pies feature a crust that’s crisp, slightly thicker than ultra‑thin, and has a simple topping profile. The Star Tavern in Orange is regarded as one of the state’s best places for bar pies.
Chicago Deep Dish is thick, layered (with the cheese often beneath the sauce), and baked in a deep pan. Boardwalk Pizza in Fairfield is known for its deep dish pie with mozzarella, garlic, plum tomato and basil.
Polizzi’s Brick Oven Pizza in Sewell offers an authentic Detroit “313” style pie. Likewsie, Squared in Elmwood Park specializes in modern square Detroit‑style pizzas. These pies are typically square and baked in a well‑oiled pan; this allows the cheese to caramelize at the edges, and provides a crisp yet airy crust.
A strong Neapolitan pizza uses a wood‑fired oven (very hot, very quick bake); high‑quality ingredients (San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil); and has a light, blistered crust. Razza in Jersey City is noted for its Neapolitan‑style pies. Similarly, Scuola Vecchia Pizzeria (aka SV Pizza) uses imported Italian ingredients to craft their authentic Neapolitan pies.
Tomato pies are a NJ tradition (especially in the Trenton area). Papa’s Tomato Pies in Robbinsville is a century‑old institution known for its tomato pies (and its Mustard Pie variant). Meanwhile, Casano’s Pizza Parlor in Rutherford is the new kid on the block; however, they’re already making a name for themselves thanks to their impressive New Haven Tomato Pie.
Top Photo: © Vinny Parisi / Casano’s Pizza Parlor
