Pizza.
It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser, the cure for late-night cravings, and the centerpiece of every celebration worth its salt (and mozzarella).
In New Jersey, though, pizza is practically a way of life.
Whether you’re folding a slice in half at the counter or battling it out with friends over who has the best spot, one thing’s clear: we take our pizza seriously.
This love affair with pizza goes back to 1912 when the humble tomato pie made its debut in Trenton.
Since then, it’s evolved into an art form.
Thin crusts that crackle like autumn leaves, pan pies with edges that crunch just right, and toppings ranging from classic pepperoni to blue cheese and even beets. Yes, beets.
With over 2,000 pizzerias scattered across the state, finding a great slice isn’t hard.
But finding the best pizza in NJ? Now, that’s a challenge we’re always up for.
From family-run joints to new-wave spots shaking things up, these places keep us coming back.
Grab a napkin—it’s time to dive in.
1. Boardwalk Pizza
Location: 333 Passaic Ave, Fairfield
Kicking things off is Boardwalk Pizza, where variety is the name of the game.
They have pizzas in every size, from an 8-inch personal pie to a 24-inch jumbo that’s perfect for a group.
The Bruschetta pie, topped with grilled chicken, fresh tomatoes, and balsamic glaze, is a local favorite, for sure, but they don’t stop there.
There’s plenty to try, including options like Chicago deep dish, skillet pies, and even a caramelized cheese crust.
And their menu goes beyond pizza with burgers, pasta, heros, and a half-dozen daily specials that give you even more to choose from.
This spot keeps it simple but satisfying—a solid pick for New Jersey pizza.
2. Coniglio’s
Location: 11 South Street, Morristown
The best pizza in New Jersey doesn’t just happen—it’s crafted, and Coniglio’s in Morristown is proof of that.
Chef Nino Coniglio, who grew up in Bridgewater and says pizza kitchens “saved his life,” brings a lot more than skill to the table.
He’s a personality, a champion dough-tosser with international trophies, and a familiar face to Chopped fans.
At this retro BYO spot, aside from the pizza, the menu has homemade bread, bagels, Sicilian snacks, and even fountain-style Cokes and egg creams.
Whether it’s his pies or pasta, everything feels personal, right down to the three-minute walk Nino, his wife Shealyn (a pizza influencer), and their baby Penny take to get there every day.
3. Bivio
Location: 107 Pine Street, Montclair
Bivio is where jazz and pizza meet; the result is nothing short of art.
Owner and chef Tomasso Colao, a former jazz musician from Paterson, sees making Neapolitan pizza as a performance—quick, precise, and full of expression.
The crusts at Bivio are light, chewy, and kissed with just the right amount of char.
Colao’s repertoire features about 50 variations, but locals adore the amatriciana, a sausage and eggplant combo, and the lemon pie with buffalo mozzarella and hot soppressata.
It’s a BYO spot with a wood-fired oven at its heart, and it’s delivering pizza New Jersey can be proud of.
4. Roman’s Pizza House
Location: 3718 Bayshore Rd, Cape May | Cape May County
Roman’s Pizza House keeps it simple in the best way possible.
You have choices—personal 12-inch pies, large 16-inch pizzas, and Sicilian thin crusts with just the right crunch.
Their Margherita, Quattro Formaggi, and Authentic Prosciutto pizzas stick to the classics and do them justice.
Although, the Hungry Dog, Pesto Presto, or Chicken Ranch pies are a great shout for something with a little more personality.
It wouldn’t make sense not to include Roman’s Pizza House on this list—they don’t overdo it; they just make good pizza—the way it should be.
5. Brooklyn
Location: 908 West Kings Highway, Haddon Heights
Brooklyn in Haddon Heights has a vibe—and pies—to match its name.
Filippo Sparacio, who split his early years between Brooklyn and Sicily, puts everything he’s learned about pizza into this spot.
To let you in on his secret, he lets the dough rest in olive oil for a couple of days so the crust is perfectly crisp with just the right amount of chew.
And there’s no question the star of the menu is the Brooklyn pie, a thin-crust square topped with chunky marinara.
At the same time, the twists are just as good: the Upside Down with cheese under the sauce, the Drunk Grandma with creamy vodka sauce, and the Honey Moon, where chili-infused honey brings just enough heat to the sausage and pepperoni.
Sparacio’s pizzas have character—like him—and that’s what makes this place somewhere you have to try, as it just might be the best NJ pizza.
You’ll have to try it to find out.
6. Lucky Bones
Location: 1200 Route 109 South, Cape May
Lucky Bones has been a Cape May favorite since 2006, thanks to owner David Craig, who’s also behind the Washington Inn and Cape May Winery.
While their menu covers everything from bacon-wrapped shrimp to steaks, it’s the 12-inch crunchy pizzas that steal the show.
The team even went to Naples to perfect their recipe, and you can tell.
Their top three pies are the Margherita, the American (classic tomato sauce and mozzarella), and the Clam Boat, which combines Jersey clams, roasted garlic, Parmesan, mozzarella, and oregano.
If one thing’s for sure: Lucky Bones is a go-to spot for pizza that NJ locals and visitors can agree on.
7. Mannino’s
Location: 170 S. Broadway, Pitman
Mannino’s feels like a love letter to pizza.
After seeing how popular pizza was as an appetizer at his Italian restaurant down the street, Vito Mannino decided to open this cozy pizzeria in 2015.
It’s safe to say the secret is the dough—it ferments for 72 hours, which gives it a tangy sourdough flavor and a light, airy texture that won’t leave you feeling weighed down.
And, without question, Mannino’s attention to detail is everywhere.
He makes his own mozzarella but brings in tomatoes from Sardinia, claiming they might be the key to a long life.
But hear me out: if you try one pie, make it the Grandma pizza.
It’s topped with Parmigiano Reggiano, sharp Provolone, mozzarella, and Sardinian tomatoes, and it’s finished with fresh basil, olive oil, and herbed breadcrumbs that give it a subtle crunch.
How good does that sound?
8. Low Fidelity
Location: 328 Palisade Avenue, Jersey City
Lo-Fi, as the locals call it, is anything but typical, and that’s the point.
Opened in 2017 by Kent Baker and Jesse Weeks, the minds behind Jersey City’s Archer cocktail bar, this Heights hangout leans into Detroit-style pizza with confidence.
The dough goes through a 24-hour ferment and prebake, coming out thick, crispy, and perfectly chewy.
When it comes to the best pizza in North Jersey, the Aloha Satellite might have to take the crown.
Guanciale, tasso ham, fermented pineapple, serrano peppers, and pecorino cream come together for a twist on Hawaiian pizza that actually works.
Pair that with Lo-Fi’s laid-back vibe, and you have a pizza joint that gets it right.
The Final Slice
New Jersey doesn’t mess around with pizza; we’ve seen that today throughout this list.
Perhaps it’s Mannino’s tangy Grandma pie, Lo-Fi’s Aloha Satellite with that sweet-and-spicy kick, or Brooklyn’s perfectly crispy square pies; either way, the state clearly has pizza joints writing home about.
So, can we pick the best pizza in NJ? Probably not, but that’s part of the fun.
The best way to find your favorite is to get out there and taste them for yourself.
That said, good luck; you’ve got a lot of pizza ahead of you.
Just before you get out of here, have you checked out the best places to visit in the Garden State?—you could even grab a slice on the way to one of them.
