Philadelphia has become one of the great pizza capitals of the entire United States — a city whose deep South Philadelphia Italian-American tradition now coexists with celebrated Neapolitan wood-fired pies, New York-style slices, Detroit-style square pizza, Roman-style pizza al taglio, and the city's own distinctive rectangular Tomato Pie. In recent years, pizzerias like Pizzeria Beddia and Angelo's Pizzeria have earned national and international recognition, cementing Philadelphia's status as a genuine pizza destination rather than merely a cheesesteak town with good pizza on the side.
Pizzeria Beddia in Fishtown — named the Best Pizza in America by Bon Appétit in 2015, a national honor that transformed its founder Joe Beddia into one of the most celebrated pizzaiolos in the country — is the definitive first Philadelphia pizza recommendation. Angelo's Pizzeria in South Philadelphia — a genuine neighborhood institution equally famous for its pizza and its cheesesteak — delivers the most authentic South Philly pizza tradition in the city. And Tacconelli's Pizzeria in Port Richmond — operating since 1918 and still requiring guests to call ahead and reserve their dough — remains the most historic and most cherished old-school pizzeria in Philadelphia.
This guide ranks the best pizzerias in Philadelphia — covering the city's most nationally celebrated Neapolitan and artisan pizzerias, its most historic South Philadelphia institutions, and its most essential Detroit-style, New York-style, and Tomato Pie destinations — with the honest context that helps you eat the best pizza available in one of America's most underrated pizza cities. This guide ranks the 10 best pizzerias in Philadelphia, city by city, neighborhood by neighborhood, and slice by slice.
Quick Comparison: Best Pizzerias in Philadelphia
| Pizzeria | Neighborhood | Style | Signature Pizza | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pizzeria Beddia | Fishtown | Artisan/Creative | Margherita, Calabrian Cream | $20–40 |
| Angelo's Pizzeria | South Philadelphia | South Philly Tradition | Margherita, Upside-Down Pizza | $15–30 |
| Tacconelli's Pizzeria | Port Richmond | Historic Thin-Crust | Tomato Pie, White Pie | $15–30 |
| Circles and Squares | South Philadelphia | Detroit Style | Detroit Square Pie | $20–35 |
| Pizzeria Vetri | Multiple Locations | Neapolitan | Marinara, Diavola | $20–40 |
| Pizza Shackamaxon | Fishtown | New York Style | Pepperoni, Vodka Pizza | $15–30 |
| Square Pie | Center City | Philadelphia Tomato Pie | Tomato Pie, Pizza al Taglio | $15–25 |
| Sally | Fishtown | Long-Fermentation Artisan | Margherita, Seasonal Vegetable | $20–40 |
| Lorenzo and Sons Pizza | South Street | New York Slice | Cheese Slice, Pepperoni | $10–20 |
| Down North Pizza | Strawberry Mansion | Detroit Style | Square Pie | $20–35 |
The 10 Best Pizzerias in Philadelphia: Full Reviews
1. Pizzeria Beddia — The Best Pizza in Philadelphia
Location: Fishtown | Price: $20–40 | Best For: Bon Appétit's Best Pizza in America 2015, chef Joe Beddia's artisan pies, the most nationally celebrated pizzeria in the city
Pizzeria Beddia in Fishtown — named the Best Pizza in America by Bon Appétit magazine in 2015, a designation that instantly transformed founder Joe Beddia into a national pizza celebrity — holds its position as Philadelphia's most celebrated pizzeria through a combination of obsessive craftsmanship and national validation few American pizzerias can match. The original Girard Avenue location, which had no phone and limited production to just 40 pies a night made entirely by Beddia himself, closed in 2018 after five years of relentless demand; the space is now home to Pizzeria Shackamaxon, another entry on this list. Beddia reopened in 2019 two blocks away in a larger, full-service space with a horseshoe bar, natural wines, and an expanded menu.
The Margherita, built on a crisp, thin crust with uncooked sauce delivering a bright acidity rarely found elsewhere in the city, and the Calabrian Cream pizza, seasonal mushroom pies, and house-made sausage demonstrate a menu whose deliberate simplicity — still limited to just a handful of pies — reflects Beddia's original philosophy even in its larger, more polished second act.
The honest verdict: The best pizza in Philadelphia and a Bon Appétit-anointed national icon — for guests who want the pizza that put Philadelphia on the national pizza map, crisp thin-crust pies, and Joe Beddia's obsessive ingredient sourcing in Fishtown, Pizzeria Beddia is the non-negotiable first recommendation. Reservations are accepted up to a month in advance.
2. Angelo's Pizzeria — The Best South Philly Tradition Pizzeria
Location: South Philadelphia | Price: $15–30 | Best For: A genuine South Philadelphia neighborhood institution, the famous Upside-Down Pizza, an exceptional cheesesteak alongside the pizza
Angelo's Pizzeria in South Philadelphia — a genuine neighborhood institution whose reputation extends well beyond pizza to include one of the most acclaimed cheesesteaks in the city — represents the most authentic expression of South Philadelphia's Italian-American pizza tradition on this list. The pizzeria's dual identity, equally celebrated for its pies and its cheesesteak, reflects the broader South Philadelphia culinary tradition where red-sauce Italian cooking and the city's signature sandwich have always coexisted on the same menu.
The classic Margherita, the distinctive Upside-Down Pizza — cheese baked beneath the sauce rather than on top, a South Philadelphia specialty — and the Pepperoni and Pizza Bianca demonstrate a menu whose old-school South Philly identity has earned genuine neighborhood loyalty across generations. The restaurant's dual pizza-and-cheesesteak fame makes it one of the most complete single-stop South Philadelphia food experiences.
The honest verdict: The best South Philly tradition pizzeria in Philadelphia — for guests who want the distinctive Upside-Down Pizza alongside an exceptional cheesesteak at a genuine neighborhood institution, Angelo's Pizzeria is the outstanding choice. Expect a wait during peak hours.
3. Tacconelli's Pizzeria — The Most Historic Pizzeria in Philadelphia
Location: Port Richmond | Price: $15–30 | Best For: Operating since 1918, five generations of the Tacconelli family, the iconic call-ahead dough reservation tradition
Tacconelli's Pizzeria in Port Richmond — founded in 1918 by Italian immigrant Giovanni Tacconelli as a brick-oven bread bakery before the family began serving pizza in 1946 — is the most historic pizzeria on this list and one of the oldest continuously operating pizzerias in Philadelphia. The restaurant's famous quirk, requiring guests to call ahead and reserve their dough because only a limited number of pies are made each night, has become a beloved Philadelphia culinary tradition passed down through five generations of the Tacconelli family.
The thin-crust traditional pizza, cooked in the same brick oven that has been roaring since the 1920s, and the celebrated White Pie, classic Margherita, and sausage and pepper pizza demonstrate a menu whose paper-thin crust and old-world char have made it a pilgrimage site for serious Philadelphia pizza lovers. The cash-only, BYOB format completes an experience that feels genuinely unchanged across a century.
The honest verdict: The most historic pizzeria in Philadelphia — for guests who want a century-old brick-oven tradition, the famous call-ahead dough reservation, and thin-crust pizza cooked exactly as it was in 1946, Tacconelli's Pizzeria in Port Richmond is the outstanding choice. Call ahead; it is not optional.
4. Circles and Squares — The Best Detroit-Style Pizza in Philadelphia
Location: South Philadelphia | Price: $20–35 | Best For: The most celebrated Detroit-style pizza destination in the city, a crisp, caramelized crust, creative seasonal toppings
Circles and Squares in South Philadelphia has established itself as the definitive reference point for Detroit-style pizza in the city, distinguished by its deep, rectangular pan pies with a signature crisp, caramelized cheese-crust edge. The restaurant's dedication to a single pizza format, executed with genuine technical precision, has made it a favorite among Philadelphia's growing community of regional-style pizza enthusiasts who seek out the city's less common formats.
The Detroit-style square pie, built on a thick, airy crust with the trademark caramelized cheese edges, alongside creative, frequently rotating seasonal toppings, demonstrate a menu whose commitment to the format's technical demands sets it apart from more generic Detroit-style imitators around the city. The restaurant's loyal following reflects genuine community enthusiasm rather than passing trend.
The honest verdict: The best Detroit-style pizza in Philadelphia — for guests who want a technically precise, caramelized-edge square pie with creative seasonal toppings in South Philadelphia, Circles and Squares is the outstanding choice.
5. Pizzeria Vetri — The Best Neapolitan Pizza in Philadelphia
Location: Multiple Locations | Price: $20–40 | Best For: Chef Marc Vetri's authentic Neapolitan pizzeria, traditional wood-fired pies, premium Italian ingredients
Pizzeria Vetri, the more casual, pizza-focused offshoot of chef Marc Vetri's celebrated Italian restaurant group, delivers the most authentic Neapolitan pizza experience currently available in Philadelphia. The restaurant applies the same Italian technique and ingredient sourcing that earned Vetri Cucina its James Beard recognition to a more accessible wood-fired pizza format, giving Philadelphia diners access to Vetri's culinary standards at a fraction of the fine-dining price point.
The classic Marinara, spicy Diavola, and Prosciutto e Rucola, alongside pizzas finished with fresh burrata cheese, demonstrate a menu whose Neapolitan authenticity — thin, blistered crusts from a genuine wood-fired oven — reflects the same Italian training and ingredient standards found across the Vetri restaurant group. The multiple locations make it one of the most accessible high-quality pizza options in the city.
The honest verdict: The best Neapolitan pizza in Philadelphia — for guests who want chef Marc Vetri's authentic wood-fired Italian technique and premium ingredients at an accessible price point, Pizzeria Vetri is the outstanding choice.
Explore Philadelphia Beyond Pizza
A Philadelphia pizza crawl pairs naturally with a walk through the city's most food-forward neighborhoods, including Fishtown, home to both Pizzeria Beddia and Pizza Shackamaxon, and South Philadelphia, the historic heart of the city's Italian-American food culture. A historic trolley tour is a fun way to cover multiple pizza neighborhoods in a single afternoon.
6. Pizza Shackamaxon — The Best New York Style Pizza in Philadelphia
Location: Fishtown | Price: $15–30 | Best For: Occupying Pizzeria Beddia's original historic location, an excellent New York-style slice, a creative Vodka Pizza
Pizza Shackamaxon in Fishtown — housed in the very same Girard Avenue location that once held the original Pizzeria Beddia, before its Bon Appétit-anointed fame outgrew the space — has built its own distinct reputation as one of the city's most exciting newer New York-style pizzerias. The pizzeria's inheritance of one of Philadelphia's most storied pizza addresses comes with genuine expectations, and the kitchen has largely lived up to them with confident, well-executed New York-style pies.
The classic Pepperoni slice, the creative Vodka Pizza built on a rich, tomato-cream sauce, and the White Pie demonstrate a menu whose New York-style foundation is elevated by genuinely thoughtful ingredient choices. The pizzeria's rapid rise among the city's newer pizza destinations reflects a kitchen worthy of its historic address.
The honest verdict: The best New York style pizza in Philadelphia — for guests who want confident New York-style pies and a creative Vodka Pizza inside one of the city's most storied former pizza addresses in Fishtown, Pizza Shackamaxon is the outstanding choice.
7. Square Pie — The Best Philadelphia Tomato Pie
Location: Center City | Price: $15–25 | Best For: The most dedicated Tomato Pie specialist in the city, authentic Philadelphia-style square pizza al taglio, a crisp, focaccia-like crust
Square Pie in Center City specializes specifically in Philadelphia's own regional pizza style — the rectangular Tomato Pie, topped with sauce over cheese in the reverse of a conventional pizza — making it the definitive destination for guests seeking the city's most distinctly local pizza tradition. The restaurant's focus on square, sliced pizza al taglio also reflects a broader Roman-style influence increasingly popular in American pizza culture.
The signature Tomato Pie, built on a thick, focaccia-like crust with tangy tomato sauce spread generously over a base layer of cheese, and various pizza al taglio squares demonstrate a menu whose specificity sets it apart from the city's more generic slice shops. The crisp, substantial crust makes each square filling enough to serve as a genuine meal.
The honest verdict: The best Philadelphia Tomato Pie in the city — for guests who want to try the region's own distinctive pizza style, sauce-over-cheese and all, Square Pie is the outstanding choice for an authentic taste of local pizza tradition.
8. Sally — The Best Artisan Long-Fermentation Pizza in Philadelphia
Location: Fishtown | Price: $20–40 | Best For: An elegant pizzeria built around long-fermentation dough, a thoughtful natural wine list, seasonal vegetable-forward pies
Sally in Fishtown has distinguished itself among Philadelphia's growing artisan pizza scene through a deliberate focus on long-fermentation dough technique, producing a more complex, digestible crust than the city's faster-turnaround pizzerias. The restaurant's elegant, wine-bar-adjacent atmosphere and thoughtfully curated natural wine list position it as one of the more sophisticated pizza destinations in the city, appealing to guests who want their pizza paired with genuine wine expertise.
The classic Margherita, house-made sausage pizza, and rotating seasonal vegetable pies demonstrate a menu whose long-fermentation crust and quality ingredient sourcing reflect the same artisan standards found at the city's most celebrated pizzerias. The natural wine program adds a distinctive layer rarely found at Philadelphia pizza spots.
The honest verdict: The best artisan long-fermentation pizza in Philadelphia — for guests who want a technically sophisticated crust paired with an excellent natural wine list in Fishtown, Sally is the outstanding choice for an elevated pizza evening.
9. Lorenzo and Sons Pizza — The Best Late-Night Slice in Philadelphia
Location: South Street | Price: $10–20 | Best For: The city's most famous oversized New York-style slices, an essential late-night South Street stop, unbeatable value
Lorenzo and Sons Pizza on South Street has become a genuine Philadelphia institution for its massive, New York-style slices, famously large enough that a single piece often serves as a full meal. The pizzeria's South Street location, in the heart of one of the city's most active nightlife corridors, has made it the essential late-night pizza stop for guests capping off an evening out.
The Cheese Slice, foldable and generously portioned in the classic New York tradition, and the Pepperoni slice demonstrate a menu whose deliberate simplicity and enormous portions have built a devoted late-night following. The restaurant's extended hours make it one of the most reliable options in the city after a night out.
The honest verdict: The best late-night slice in Philadelphia — for guests who want an enormous, foldable New York-style slice after a night out on South Street, Lorenzo and Sons Pizza is the outstanding choice for unbeatable value and convenience.
10. Down North Pizza — The Most Meaningful Pizzeria in Philadelphia
Location: Strawberry Mansion | Price: $20–35 | Best For: A social enterprise exclusively employing formerly incarcerated individuals, celebrated Detroit-style pizza, a genuinely mission-driven dining experience
Down North Pizza in Strawberry Mansion — founded by Muhammad Abdul-Hadi as a social enterprise that exclusively employs formerly incarcerated individuals, providing culinary career training and support to help prevent recidivism — has earned national acclaim from Bon Appétit, The New York Times, and NPR for both its mission and its genuinely excellent pizza. Executive chef Michael Carter, himself formerly incarcerated, has helped build a kitchen whose Detroit-style pies have become renowned well beyond the North Philadelphia neighborhood the restaurant calls home.
The Detroit-style square pie, built with a crisp, caramelized crust and topped with fresh, thoughtfully sourced local ingredients, demonstrates a kitchen whose culinary ambition matches its social mission. The restaurant's day-of preparation ethos, including scratch-made sauces and fresh dough for every service, reflects genuine craft rather than a mission used as marketing.
The honest verdict: The most meaningful pizzeria in Philadelphia — for guests who want genuinely excellent Detroit-style pizza from a kitchen built entirely around second chances and community impact in Strawberry Mansion, Down North Pizza is the outstanding choice.
How to Choose the Right Philadelphia Pizzeria
By Style
For South Philadelphia tradition, Angelo's Pizzeria delivers the most authentic old-school experience, complete with the neighborhood's signature dual pizza-and-cheesesteak reputation. For Detroit-style, Circles and Squares and Down North Pizza are the two strongest choices in the city, each with its own distinct approach to the format's signature caramelized crust. For Neapolitan, Pizzeria Vetri offers the most reliable wood-fired authenticity across its multiple locations. For New York-style, Pizza Shackamaxon and Lorenzo and Sons Pizza both deliver excellent, distinct takes on the format, one more elevated and one more classically no-frills. For the city's own Tomato Pie, Square Pie and Tacconelli's are the definitive stops, each offering a slightly different take on the local specialty.
Best Areas for Pizza in Philadelphia
Fishtown concentrates Pizzeria Beddia, Pizza Shackamaxon, and Sally within a single walkable neighborhood, making it the single best area in the city for a pizza crawl, with each pizzeria offering a genuinely distinct style within a short walk of one another. South Philadelphia, home to Angelo's Pizzeria and Circles and Squares, remains the historic heart of the city's Italian-American pizza tradition and rewards a longer exploratory visit. Port Richmond, home to Tacconelli's, rewards a dedicated trip for its century-old brick-oven tradition, even though it sits somewhat off the beaten path from the city's main tourist corridors. South Street, anchored by Lorenzo and Sons Pizza, is the essential stop for late-night pizza after a night out, surrounded by bars and music venues that keep the strip lively well past midnight.
Price Guide
Philadelphia's pizza scene spans a wide range of price points, from cheap late-night slices to elevated tasting-style pies paired with natural wine.
- Classic slice and Tomato Pie: $10–25 (Lorenzo and Sons Pizza, Square Pie, Tacconelli's)
- Gourmet pizza: $20–35 (Pizzeria Beddia, Pizzeria Vetri, Circles and Squares, Down North Pizza)
- Premium artisan pizza: $35–50 (special pies and wine pairings at Sally)
Insider Tips for Philadelphia Pizza
- Reserve ahead for Pizzeria Beddia and Angelo's, which are often crowded and difficult to walk into, especially on weekends.
- Call Tacconelli's in advance to reserve your dough; this is not optional and is central to the restaurant's century-old tradition.
- To try Philadelphia's signature specialty, order a Tomato Pie — a rectangular pizza with sauce spread over the cheese, a symbol of the city's local pizza tradition.
- To compare styles in a single day, visit both a classic South Philadelphia pizzeria and a Detroit-style or Neapolitan specialist.
- Both Tacconelli's and Lorenzo and Sons Pizza are cash-only, so bring physical cash before visiting either one.
- Consider ordering from Down North Pizza to actively support its mission of employing and training formerly incarcerated Philadelphians while enjoying genuinely excellent Detroit-style pizza.
- Pizza Shackamaxon and Sally both work well as an evening stop if you're already exploring Fishtown's bars and boutiques.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best pizzeria in Philadelphia?
Pizzeria Beddia is widely regarded as the best pizzeria in Philadelphia, having been named the Best Pizza in America by Bon Appétit magazine in 2015.
What is a Philadelphia Tomato Pie?
A Tomato Pie is a rectangular Philadelphia pizza specialty topped with tomato sauce spread over a layer of cheese, the reverse of a conventional pizza's layering, best sampled at Square Pie or Tacconelli's Pizzeria.
What is the oldest pizzeria in Philadelphia?
Tacconelli's Pizzeria in Port Richmond is among the oldest, having operated since 1918 as a bread bakery before beginning to serve pizza in 1946.
Where can I find the best Detroit-style pizza in Philadelphia?
Circles and Squares and Down North Pizza are the two strongest choices for Detroit-style pizza in Philadelphia, both known for their crisp, caramelized-edge square pies.
Do I need a reservation for Philadelphia's best pizzerias?
Reservations are recommended for Pizzeria Beddia and Angelo's Pizzeria, and are required in advance at Tacconelli's, where guests must call ahead to reserve their dough.
What makes Down North Pizza different from other Philadelphia pizzerias?
Down North Pizza is a social enterprise that exclusively employs formerly incarcerated individuals, combining a genuine social mission with nationally acclaimed Detroit-style pizza.
Where is the original Pizzeria Beddia location today?
The original Girard Avenue location that earned Pizzeria Beddia its Bon Appétit recognition is now home to Pizza Shackamaxon, another highly regarded Fishtown pizzeria.
What is the best late-night pizza in Philadelphia?
Lorenzo and Sons Pizza on South Street is the go-to late-night pizza destination, known for its oversized New York-style slices after a night out.
Is Philadelphia considered a top American pizza city?
Yes — with a Bon Appétit Best Pizza in America winner, a social-enterprise pizzeria acclaimed by The New York Times and NPR, and a century-old family institution, Philadelphia has firmly established itself as one of the country's most compelling pizza destinations.
Final Verdict
Philadelphia's pizza scene combines nationally recognized artisan pizzerias with deep South Philadelphia tradition and genuinely distinctive local specialties, anchored by Pizzeria Beddia's Bon Appétit-anointed pies, Angelo's Pizzeria's authentic South Philly identity, and Tacconelli's century-old dough-reservation ritual. The city's range extends from Detroit-style squares at Circles and Squares and Down North Pizza to Neapolitan tradition at Pizzeria Vetri and the region's own signature Tomato Pie at Square Pie, giving visitors a genuinely comprehensive pizza education in a single city. Whether the goal is a Detroit-style square pie, an authentic Tomato Pie, or a late-night New York slice on South Street, this list of the ten best pizzerias in Philadelphia reflects a city whose pizza ambition matches its cheesesteak fame.
