Two New Haven Pizzerias Named Among America’s Best by Italian Experts

Connecticut’s pizza dominance just got a fresh stamp of approval—straight from Italy, the land where pizza was born. Take that, New York!

The prestigious 50 Top Pizza Guide, run by Italian pizza experts Barbara Guerra, Luciano Pignataro, and Albert Sapere, just released its 2025 list of the best pizzerias in the United States. Two New Haven pizza joints landed honors that’ll make any Nutmegger’s mouth water.

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Zeneli Pizzeria, located in the heart of New Haven’s famed Wooster Street, ranked #35 in the country. Known for its traditional Neapolitan pies, Zeneli dishes up wood-fired, charred-crust perfection. This isn’t your average Friday night takeout—it’s pizza made with slow-fermented dough, San Marzano tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella that could make an Italian grandmother weep with joy.

Zeneli also snagged a special prize: the Pastificio Di Martino Award for their handmade pasta dishes, proving that their kitchen magic extends well beyond pizza.

READ MORE: Connecticut Scores 3 Spots on USA Today’s Prestigious Top 10 Lists

Meanwhile, another New Haven institution, Modern Apizza, landed on the guide’s “Excellent Pizzerias” list—essentially a high-profile honorable mention. Modern Apizza has been serving iconic New Haven-style “apizza” since 1934, offering coal-fired pies with crispy crusts and bold, smoky flavors.

And here’s where it gets extra fun: While Frank Pepe’s and Sally’s Apizza usually hog the spotlight (and half the parking spots in Wooster Square), this year’s awards shine the spotlight on some of New Haven’s other heavy-hitters. In other words, the pizza scene here runs so deep, even Italy’s food snobs are tipping their chef hats. Italy has spoken, folks—and it turns out the Pizza Capital of America might just be in Connecticut after all.

THIS JUST IN..... from the website, newyorkupstate.com: Rochester, NY, claims THEY have been named the No. 1 pizza city in America, according to a new list by Clever Real Estate. Them's fightin' words, Connecticut!