In a world divided by pineapple toppings and thin-crust loyalists, one question reigns supreme: what is the best pizza?
We’ve bravely ventured into the cheesy, saucy battlefield to settle this once and for all. Prepare for a mouthwatering melee as we slice through the 17 best pizza types, dodging flying pepperoni and arguing for the ultimate slice of perfection.
Let the carb-loading commence!
1. Neapolitan Pizza
Born in Naples, Italy, this pizza features a thin, soft crust with simple toppings like fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and olive oil. The magic happens in wood-fired ovens at blazing temperatures.
Authentic Neapolitan pizzas cook in just 90 seconds! The result? A slightly charred, pillowy crust with minimal yet perfect toppings.
2. New York Style Pizza
Foldable, thin-crusted, and sold in massive slices – New York pizza is an American icon. The secret lies in its special water and hand-tossed technique creating that distinctive chewy texture.
Grab it on the go, fold it lengthwise, and enjoy! The perfect balance of tangy sauce and stretchy mozzarella makes this street food legendary.
3. Chicago Deep Dish
More like a savory pie than traditional pizza, Chicago deep dish features a tall, buttery crust filled with layers of cheese, meat, and chunky tomato sauce on top. One slice can satisfy even the biggest appetite!
Eating requires a knife and fork. The unique upside-down construction keeps the crust from getting soggy.
4. Detroit-Style Pizza
Rectangle-shaped with a thick, airy crust and crispy, caramelized cheese edges – Detroit pizza is pure comfort food. Originally baked in automotive drip pans, this style features Wisconsin brick cheese spread to the very edges.
The sauce goes on after baking! This reverse order creates the signature crispy cheese “frico” crust that fans crave.
5. Sicilian Pizza
Thick, spongy dough distinguishes authentic Sicilian pizza. The rectangular slices feature a focaccia-like base topped with tomatoes, onions, anchovies, and hard cheeses rather than mozzarella.
American versions often include more cheese. The fluffy, olive oil-rich dough creates a satisfying chew.
6. California-Style Pizza
Wolfgang Puck revolutionized pizza in the 1980s by adding gourmet, non-traditional toppings to thin crusts. Think BBQ chicken, goat cheese, or Thai-inspired flavors!
Fresh, seasonal ingredients star in these creative combinations. California pizzas blend culinary traditions with local produce, creating endless innovative possibilities.
7. Margherita Pizza
Created to honor Queen Margherita of Italy, this pizza showcases the Italian flag colors: red tomatoes, white mozzarella, and green basil. Simple perfection!
Quality ingredients make all the difference. San Marzano tomatoes, fresh buffalo mozzarella, and just-picked basil create a harmony of flavors that prove sometimes less truly is more.
8. Grandma Pizza
Grandma pizza originated in Italian-American homes before reaching New York pizzerias. The thin, square crust gets a brief rise time, creating a denser texture than Sicilian styles.
Topped with mozzarella first, then stripes of tomato sauce. The olive oil-coated pan creates a wonderfully crispy bottom while maintaining a chewy interior.
9. Roman Pizza (Pizza Al Taglio)
Sold by weight and cut with scissors, Roman-style pizza features a rectangular, crispy-yet-airy crust. The dough undergoes long fermentation, creating complex flavors and a light texture.
Toppings vary wildly across Rome’s shops. The rectangular slices make perfect street food – easy to walk with while exploring the Eternal City.
10. Greek Pizza
Greek immigrants to America created this distinct style featuring a chewy, oily crust baked in shallow pans. The sauce contains heavy oregano notes, topped with a mix of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.
Feta cheese, olives, and red onion add Mediterranean flair. The slightly thicker crust develops a satisfying crunch while staying tender inside.
11. St. Louis-Style Pizza
Cracker-thin and cut into squares, St. Louis pizza features Provel cheese – a processed blend of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone. The unleavened crust snaps when you bite it!
Locals adore this divisive style. The sweet sauce and unique cheese create a flavor profile you won’t find anywhere else in America.
12. Hawaiian Pizza
Despite its name, Hawaiian pizza was invented in Canada! The controversial combination of ham and pineapple creates a sweet-savory balance that people either love or hate.
The pineapple caramelizes slightly during baking. Modern variations might add bacon or jalapeños to enhance the flavor contrasts in this polarizing pizza style.
13. Quattro Formaggi (Four Cheese)
Cheese lovers rejoice! This Italian classic features four different cheeses – typically mozzarella, gorgonzola, fontina, and parmesan – creating a rich, complex flavor profile.
No tomato sauce needed! The white base lets the cheese flavors shine. A drizzle of olive oil and perhaps some fresh herbs finish this indulgent pizza perfectly.
14. Montanara (Fried Pizza)
Naples’ best-kept secret! Montanara features dough that’s flash-fried before being topped and baked. The frying creates an incredible light, puffy texture unlike any other pizza.
Topped simply with tomato sauce and cheese after frying. The contrasting textures – crispy exterior, cloud-like interior – make this pizza a textural marvel worth seeking out.
15. Calzone
Folded pizza dough filled with ricotta, mozzarella, and other ingredients creates this pizza pocket. The sealed edge keeps all the gooey goodness inside while it bakes to golden perfection.
Marinara sauce served on the side for dipping. The enclosed design was originally created to make pizza portable for workers in Naples.
16. Focaccia Pizza
Combining Italy’s beloved dimpled bread with pizza toppings creates this thick, olive oil-rich delight. The dough is stretched into a pan and dimpled with fingertips to create pockets for oil and flavor.
Toppings can be simple or elaborate. The spongy, airy texture and olive oil-infused base make this a satisfying alternative to traditional pizza styles.
17. Breakfast Pizza
Morning meets pizza with this egg-topped creation! Typically featuring bacon or sausage, cheese, and runny eggs that create a sauce-like coating when broken.
Some versions use breakfast potatoes or hash browns. The versatile concept works with traditional or white sauce bases, making breakfast exciting any day of the week.