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a hand reaching for two pizza pies, one with peppers and mushrooms and another with cheese and stripes of red tomato sauce
Down North Pizza in Strawberry Mansion.
Gab Bonghi/Eater Philly

20 Essential Places for Pizza in Philly

Where to find naturally leavened Neapolitan pies, thin-crust classics, and thick, crispy square pizza topped with porchetta

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Down North Pizza in Strawberry Mansion.
| Gab Bonghi/Eater Philly

Philadelphia, being the historically working-class East Coast city with a large Italian population that it is, undoubtedly has great pizza. Regional specialties like tomato pie and the pizzaz (American cheese, sliced tomatoes, and banana peppers) live among uber-Italian, wood-fired Neapolitan pies and Roman al taglio. A new crop of spots offering naturally leavened pies only rounds out the already excellent selection. This map is a collection of Philly's staples when it comes to cheese on sauce on bread — or, sometimes, sauce on cheese on bread.

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Santucci's Original Square Pizza Roxborough

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The square, sauce-on-top pies at local chain Santucci’s have been the stuff of Philly legend for decades. To truly get a full understanding of the pizza landscape here, this is a must-try style. Find it near the Italian Market, on North Broad Street, in Roxborough, and at a few other locations in the suburbs and down the shore. You can also order online for takeout and delivery.

Pizza Jawn

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Manayunk’s Pizza Jawn specializes in not just one but many varieties of pizza and Philadelphians are luckier for it. The round pies (a Neapolitan-New York hybrid); homey sauce-on-top grandma pies; and thick, square Detroit-style pies with cheese to the very edge are all fantastic. The shop also has cheesesteaks and Caesar salads. Order online in advance.

Down North Pizza

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This Strawberry Mansion pizza spot started as a weekend pop-up with an admirable mission: Down North employs formerly incarcerated folks at a fair wage, providing culinary training and educational resources. With executive chef Michael Carter at the helm, the shop’s crispy Detroit-style pizza and wings are nothing short of a hit. Order pickup online or get there at noon if you want a taste.

Tacconelli's 

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Tacconelli's super-thin pies are an undisputed classic. The brick oven, revamped in the ’90s, has been roaring since the ’20s. Founder Giovanni Tacconelli originally built it for bread before turning to the tomato pie business. The Port Richmond pizzeria has over 100 seats but you should call ahead to reserve dough. Bring cash — and beer and wine.

If you’re looking for a thoughtful menu of seasonal wood-fired sourdough pies, a list of interesting and well-curated natural wines, and a beautifully designed space in Kensington, Eeva is definitely the spot. Chef Greg Dunn’s pizza dough is tangy, chewy, and airy, and side dishes like gem lettuces and fresh ricotta served with house-made focaccia are worthy complements. And don’t miss the sourdough loaves, bagels, and sandwiches on the weekends. You can order pickup online and make reservations on Resy.

A top-down view of a white hand holding a round pizza with a thick crust, bright sauce, and big dollops of melty mozzarella all over.
Eeva
Ted Nghiem

Hook & Master

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The concept for Hook & Master in Kensington is multilayered: It’s a pizzeria with Chicago- and Brooklyn-style pies from chef Steven Seibel. It’s a nautical-themed tiki bar with daiquiris and surf-inspired cocktails. There are fresh seafood small plates. And there’s a takeout window for pies to go. Walking around the neighborhood and can’t seem to find it? Just look for the giant black-and-white octopus mural.

Pizzeria Beddia

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By now you’ve probably heard of Philly favorite Pizzeria Beddia, so no need for the preamble; in short, the pizza is great. It’s on the crispier side and in a larger format than most dine-in places that happen to also serve natural wine. Try high-end pies with spicy arrabbiata sauce, Calabrian cream, or a simple variety with fragrant Sicilian oregano. The takeout holds up exceptionally well, but eating on the covered patio is great if you like to people-watch, Fishtown-style. You can make reservations online.

Pizza Plus West

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Dan Gutter, a.k.a. Pizza Gutt, gained a loyal following on Instagram before opening Circles + Squares in Kensington and then Pizza Plus South in South Philly; now you can find his pan pizza and hand-tossed pies at this West Philly location too. A handful of signature options include one with Buffalo chicken and ranch as well as a pesto pie, and you can get them in snack boxes that come with smash burgers and chicken tenders or a vegan seitan cheesesteak. Call or order online for takeout and delivery.

Pitruco Pizza

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After slinging its bubbly-crust Neapolitan-inspired pizza from a truck with a wood-burning oven for a few years and selling pies at University City haunt Smokey Joe’s, Pitruco now has a home in the Franklin’s Table food hall at Penn. All the options are worth a try, from classic margherita with buffalo mozzarella to spicy garlic to radicchio. The food truck is still roaming, too: Check the website for locations.

Part of what makes Philly such a strong pizza town is its variety. Case in point: Rione Pizza in Rittenhouse sells pizza a la Roman al taglio, which means you can order it by the rectangular cut or tray. Whether you’re super-hungry or just looking for a mid-afternoon snack, Rione’s Diavola with hot soppressata or Polpette topped with meatballs will hit the spot. Preorders for pickup and delivery are also available.

Barbuzzo

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Center City’s Barbuzzo, a cult-favorite Mediterranean restaurant, specializes in wood-fired pizzas. The menu boasts some truly special rotating specials; try the corn pie, made with roasted corn, pickled shallots, guanciale, and truffled egg, or classics like the margherita and eggplant pizzas, topped with San Marzano tomatoes. You can make reservations on OpenTable or order takeout and delivery.

Pizzata Pizzeria

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Co-owners Davide Labruno, who worked at his family’s pizza restaurant in Naples, and Vinny Gallagher take their craft seriously — these New York-style rounds are sourdough fermented, wood-fired, and hit with high-quality toppings like burrata and spicy salami — but they approach the vibes of their Fitler Square pizzeria with a bit more levity: Pizzata translates roughly to “pizza party” in Italian. Order online for pickup or delivery during open hours.

Fitler Square has the lockdown on natural fermentation; Sally is home to both sourdough wood-fired pizzas that are all the rage and a natural wine shop with a great selection of bottles. If pizza isn’t your thing for whatever strange reason, Sally also excels in seasonal small plates. Make reservations to dine inside or outside at Sally’s idyllic sidewalk patio.

Paulie Gee’s Soul City Slice Shop

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Paulie Gee’s Soul City Slice Shop is so good that even contentious Philadelphians have gotten on board with this Washington Square West export of a famous New York business. White-and-black-tiled floors, wood paneling, and a vinyl ’70s soundtrack set the scene for a nostalgic place to play pool and Atari and eat pizza until 2 a.m. on the weekends. The Freddy Prinze, a Sicilian pie that inverts the standard sauce-then-cheese math on a sesame-seed bottom, is a perfect order, and the shop sells several round pies and vegan varieties too.

Angelo's Pizzeria

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Angelo’s Pizzeria on South 9th Street has some hard-and-fast rules: cash only, takeout only, and preorders only by phone. It’s open from Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. (or until everything sells out), and there are typically lines. If you’re game, it’s more than worth the effort. Chewy, sour crust complements cheesy layers, vibrant tomato sauce, and pungent basil. Still hungry? Angelo’s is known just as much for its hoagies and cheesesteaks on fresh-baked bread as its pizza.

Dock Street Brewery South

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There’s hardly a more perfect union than pizza and beer, and for an excellent combination in Point Breeze, Dock Street Brewery South has you covered. One of the oldest microbreweries in Philly, Dock Street keeps up with modern styles but also makes classics like its Bohemian Pilsner, which complements satisfying wood-fired. Try anything with the thick-cut bacon, like an Alsace-inspired flammkuchen with creme fraiche, caramelized onion, and gruyere. Order beer and pizza for takeout or delivery through Toast. And while the company has closed its West Philly location, keep an eye out for a Fishtown expansion this year.

Square Pie

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This small Queen Village pizzeria does “Brooklyn-style” pizza, meaning Sicilian-style square pies with thick, bubbly crusts and a heavy hand with toppings. Square Pie’s porchetta pie — a take on a Philly roast pork sandwich — will win over any skeptics, and you can bring your own drinks to dine in or place takeout and delivery orders online.

Marra's Restaurant

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With a history stretching back nearly a century and an anchoring presence on East Passyunk Avenue since well before the street was lined with destination restaurants, Marra's offers one of the best old-school environments around. Expect wooden booths full of families digging into pizza and pasta, a handful of charming typos on the plasticky menus, and house red by the glass. Delivery is also available.

Cacia's Bakery

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Another baking institution, Cacia's in South Philly is often named as a favorite choice for tomato pies — those square, cheese-less slices generally eaten at room temp. If you find yourself craving a taste of home away from home, Cacia’s also has several locations in New Jersey.

Celebre's

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No study of Philly pizza could be complete without a venture into the world of the pizzaz pie, a local anomaly that layers American cheese, banana peppers, and tomato slices. While pizzaz is available elsewhere (including another South Philly classic, Cacia’s), Celebre's version is hard to beat — and, for the noncommittal types, the pizzeria kindly offers a half-pizzaz option. Order online for takeout or delivery.

Santucci's Original Square Pizza Roxborough

The square, sauce-on-top pies at local chain Santucci’s have been the stuff of Philly legend for decades. To truly get a full understanding of the pizza landscape here, this is a must-try style. Find it near the Italian Market, on North Broad Street, in Roxborough, and at a few other locations in the suburbs and down the shore. You can also order online for takeout and delivery.

Pizza Jawn

Manayunk’s Pizza Jawn specializes in not just one but many varieties of pizza and Philadelphians are luckier for it. The round pies (a Neapolitan-New York hybrid); homey sauce-on-top grandma pies; and thick, square Detroit-style pies with cheese to the very edge are all fantastic. The shop also has cheesesteaks and Caesar salads. Order online in advance.

Down North Pizza

This Strawberry Mansion pizza spot started as a weekend pop-up with an admirable mission: Down North employs formerly incarcerated folks at a fair wage, providing culinary training and educational resources. With executive chef Michael Carter at the helm, the shop’s crispy Detroit-style pizza and wings are nothing short of a hit. Order pickup online or get there at noon if you want a taste.

Tacconelli's 

Tacconelli's super-thin pies are an undisputed classic. The brick oven, revamped in the ’90s, has been roaring since the ’20s. Founder Giovanni Tacconelli originally built it for bread before turning to the tomato pie business. The Port Richmond pizzeria has over 100 seats but you should call ahead to reserve dough. Bring cash — and beer and wine.

Eeva

If you’re looking for a thoughtful menu of seasonal wood-fired sourdough pies, a list of interesting and well-curated natural wines, and a beautifully designed space in Kensington, Eeva is definitely the spot. Chef Greg Dunn’s pizza dough is tangy, chewy, and airy, and side dishes like gem lettuces and fresh ricotta served with house-made focaccia are worthy complements. And don’t miss the sourdough loaves, bagels, and sandwiches on the weekends. You can order pickup online and make reservations on Resy.

A top-down view of a white hand holding a round pizza with a thick crust, bright sauce, and big dollops of melty mozzarella all over.
Eeva
Ted Nghiem

Hook & Master

The concept for Hook & Master in Kensington is multilayered: It’s a pizzeria with Chicago- and Brooklyn-style pies from chef Steven Seibel. It’s a nautical-themed tiki bar with daiquiris and surf-inspired cocktails. There are fresh seafood small plates. And there’s a takeout window for pies to go. Walking around the neighborhood and can’t seem to find it? Just look for the giant black-and-white octopus mural.

Pizzeria Beddia

By now you’ve probably heard of Philly favorite Pizzeria Beddia, so no need for the preamble; in short, the pizza is great. It’s on the crispier side and in a larger format than most dine-in places that happen to also serve natural wine. Try high-end pies with spicy arrabbiata sauce, Calabrian cream, or a simple variety with fragrant Sicilian oregano. The takeout holds up exceptionally well, but eating on the covered patio is great if you like to people-watch, Fishtown-style. You can make reservations online.

Pizza Plus West

Dan Gutter, a.k.a. Pizza Gutt, gained a loyal following on Instagram before opening Circles + Squares in Kensington and then Pizza Plus South in South Philly; now you can find his pan pizza and hand-tossed pies at this West Philly location too. A handful of signature options include one with Buffalo chicken and ranch as well as a pesto pie, and you can get them in snack boxes that come with smash burgers and chicken tenders or a vegan seitan cheesesteak. Call or order online for takeout and delivery.

Pitruco Pizza

After slinging its bubbly-crust Neapolitan-inspired pizza from a truck with a wood-burning oven for a few years and selling pies at University City haunt Smokey Joe’s, Pitruco now has a home in the Franklin’s Table food hall at Penn. All the options are worth a try, from classic margherita with buffalo mozzarella to spicy garlic to radicchio. The food truck is still roaming, too: Check the website for locations.

Rione

Part of what makes Philly such a strong pizza town is its variety. Case in point: Rione Pizza in Rittenhouse sells pizza a la Roman al taglio, which means you can order it by the rectangular cut or tray. Whether you’re super-hungry or just looking for a mid-afternoon snack, Rione’s Diavola with hot soppressata or Polpette topped with meatballs will hit the spot. Preorders for pickup and delivery are also available.

Barbuzzo

Center City’s Barbuzzo, a cult-favorite Mediterranean restaurant, specializes in wood-fired pizzas. The menu boasts some truly special rotating specials; try the corn pie, made with roasted corn, pickled shallots, guanciale, and truffled egg, or classics like the margherita and eggplant pizzas, topped with San Marzano tomatoes. You can make reservations on OpenTable or order takeout and delivery.

Pizzata Pizzeria

Co-owners Davide Labruno, who worked at his family’s pizza restaurant in Naples, and Vinny Gallagher take their craft seriously — these New York-style rounds are sourdough fermented, wood-fired, and hit with high-quality toppings like burrata and spicy salami — but they approach the vibes of their Fitler Square pizzeria with a bit more levity: Pizzata translates roughly to “pizza party” in Italian. Order online for pickup or delivery during open hours.

Sally

Fitler Square has the lockdown on natural fermentation; Sally is home to both sourdough wood-fired pizzas that are all the rage and a natural wine shop with a great selection of bottles. If pizza isn’t your thing for whatever strange reason, Sally also excels in seasonal small plates. Make reservations to dine inside or outside at Sally’s idyllic sidewalk patio.

Paulie Gee’s Soul City Slice Shop

Paulie Gee’s Soul City Slice Shop is so good that even contentious Philadelphians have gotten on board with this Washington Square West export of a famous New York business. White-and-black-tiled floors, wood paneling, and a vinyl ’70s soundtrack set the scene for a nostalgic place to play pool and Atari and eat pizza until 2 a.m. on the weekends. The Freddy Prinze, a Sicilian pie that inverts the standard sauce-then-cheese math on a sesame-seed bottom, is a perfect order, and the shop sells several round pies and vegan varieties too.

Angelo's Pizzeria

Angelo’s Pizzeria on South 9th Street has some hard-and-fast rules: cash only, takeout only, and preorders only by phone. It’s open from Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. (or until everything sells out), and there are typically lines. If you’re game, it’s more than worth the effort. Chewy, sour crust complements cheesy layers, vibrant tomato sauce, and pungent basil. Still hungry? Angelo’s is known just as much for its hoagies and cheesesteaks on fresh-baked bread as its pizza.

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Dock Street Brewery South

There’s hardly a more perfect union than pizza and beer, and for an excellent combination in Point Breeze, Dock Street Brewery South has you covered. One of the oldest microbreweries in Philly, Dock Street keeps up with modern styles but also makes classics like its Bohemian Pilsner, which complements satisfying wood-fired. Try anything with the thick-cut bacon, like an Alsace-inspired flammkuchen with creme fraiche, caramelized onion, and gruyere. Order beer and pizza for takeout or delivery through Toast. And while the company has closed its West Philly location, keep an eye out for a Fishtown expansion this year.

Square Pie

This small Queen Village pizzeria does “Brooklyn-style” pizza, meaning Sicilian-style square pies with thick, bubbly crusts and a heavy hand with toppings. Square Pie’s porchetta pie — a take on a Philly roast pork sandwich — will win over any skeptics, and you can bring your own drinks to dine in or place takeout and delivery orders online.

Marra's Restaurant

With a history stretching back nearly a century and an anchoring presence on East Passyunk Avenue since well before the street was lined with destination restaurants, Marra's offers one of the best old-school environments around. Expect wooden booths full of families digging into pizza and pasta, a handful of charming typos on the plasticky menus, and house red by the glass. Delivery is also available.

Cacia's Bakery

Another baking institution, Cacia's in South Philly is often named as a favorite choice for tomato pies — those square, cheese-less slices generally eaten at room temp. If you find yourself craving a taste of home away from home, Cacia’s also has several locations in New Jersey.

Celebre's

No study of Philly pizza could be complete without a venture into the world of the pizzaz pie, a local anomaly that layers American cheese, banana peppers, and tomato slices. While pizzaz is available elsewhere (including another South Philly classic, Cacia’s), Celebre's version is hard to beat — and, for the noncommittal types, the pizzeria kindly offers a half-pizzaz option. Order online for takeout or delivery.

Related Maps