From the legendary New Haven pizza spots to lesser-known hidden gems, here is the best pizza in Connecticut.
Connecticut is home to a plethora of great pizza. From classic New Haven locations that have drawn pizza lovers since the 1920s or ‘30s to new school spots offering everything from Napolitano to New York to Detroit-style pizza, Connecticut has something for every pizza lover.
As a food and drink journalist who has written about the state for a decade and a half, I’ve enjoyed more than my fair share of Connecticut pizza. Here are my picks for the best pizza in Connecticut.
The Original Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
The original Frank Pepe's located in between the larger Frank Pepe's and Consiglio's (Photo Credit: AJ Forrisi)
157 Wooster St., New Haven (original location). @frankpepepizza
You can’t talk about the best pizza in Connecticut without talking about Pepe’s. The godfather of New Haven pizza opened in 1925 and has been a go-to spot for generations of pizza lovers who crave its coal-fired thin and chewy crust topped with sausage, pepperoni, and tomato sauce, or the signature white clam pizza. Today Pepe’s has seven Connecticut locations, three Massachusetts locations, and one location each in New York, Rhode Island, Florida, Maryland, and Virginia. All the outposts I’ve been to, do a decent job recreating the flavors of the original, but purists, myself included, still maintain there’s nothing quite like the original Wooster Street location in New Haven.
Sally’s Apizza
Located on the corner of Wooster Street and Olive Street, this Apizza place has been serving fine Apizza since 1938 (Photo Credit: AJ Forrisi)
237 Wooster St., New Haven (original location). @SallysApizza
When I spoke with Bobby Consiglio in 2019, he told me he never really had pizza other than that made by his family at Sally’s. As surprising as this was, it made sense. Why would he get other pizza when he has this world-class New Haven-style “apizza” available every day? Sally’s was opened in 1938 by Bobby’s parents Salvatore (Sally) and Flora (Flo) Consiglio. Salvatore had learned the trade up the block at his uncle Frank Pepe’s pizzeria. Now the legendary pizza joint is following in Pepe’s footsteps once again by expanding beyond New Haven. In 2021 a second Sally’s opened in Stamford and more locations are planned in Connecticut and beyond.
Check out our article "Italian Neighborhood Guide: New Haven" which features Sally's, Modern Apizza, and The Original Frank Pepe's.
Modern Apizza
874 State St., New Haven. @ModernApizza
Together with Pepe’s and Sally’s, Modern completes the holy trinity of New Haven pizza. However, as the Pepe and Sally’s brands have focused on expansion in recent years, Modern still has only one location. Perhaps, as a result, Modern has risen up the depth charts on many connoisseur lists of the best New Haven pizza in recent years and has become my personal go-to New Haven pie. I love the cheese and mozzarella but a popular item is an Italian Bomb, an extravagant pizza topped with bacon, sausage, pepperoni, mushroom, onion, pepper, and garlic.
Swyft
3 Maple St., Kent. @swyftct
The pizzas at this farm-to-table restaurant and bar in Kent may be small but they pack more than ample flavor into every delicious bite. From a sourdough crust to a sauce made from local tomatoes, when the pies here are on, they cannot be beaten. The restaurant also earns regular accolades for other menu items, including the wonderful Swyft burger. It is worth a trip to this beautiful country town to dine here.
Strega
(Photo Credit: Winter Caplanson)
9 River St., Milford. @strega.milford
This downtown Milford Italian restaurant was recently nominated as one of the best restaurants in Connecticut overall by the Connecticut Restaurant Association. The super thin-crust, light, and utterly delicious pies are a big reason why. They are easy to consume and hard to forget. Chef and owner Danilo Mongillo are passionate about what he does and it shows in the cuisine he produces.
Good Old Days Pizzeria & Cocktail Den
19 Main St., Newtown,@goodolddayspizza
Chef and co-owner Matt Stanczak is obsessed with different types of pizza dough and fresh tomato sauces. This love of craft shows up in the mouthwatering Detroit-style square pies and ultra-thin crust round pies served here that have quickly propelled this pizza upstart which opened in 2020 to the top tier of most Connecticut pizza rankings. Grab a seat at the bar, order a pepperoni square pie with vodka or red sauce and as you wait try one of the restaurant’s signature cocktails.
BAR
(Photo Credit: Winter Caplanson)
254 Crown St., New Haven. @bar_newhaven
Arguably as well-known as Pepe’s, Sally’s, and Modern, BAR is the place to get New Haven-style pizza if you’re a night owl as the restaurant doubles as a nightclub and brewery. The signature pizza is the mashed potato pie. That may get some eye rolls from first-timers but trust me, it is so much better than it sounds, and after trying it once you’re sure to order this quintessential Connecticut pie again.
Colony Grill
172 Myrtle Ave., Stamford (original location). @ColonyGrill
The story of how an Irish American bar and grill became a legendary pizza joint is a great melting pot story. In 1935 when the tavern opened, the Irish owners hired Italian Americans in the kitchen. According to Colony Grill lore, these workers wanted to share the pizza recipes of their homeland but had to make a smaller pie to fit the bar. The result was the smaller-than-average ultra-thin and crispy pies topped with hot oil for which Colony is famous. There are now four Connecticut colony locations including the Stamford location as well as hot oil pizza outposts in Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida, Port Chester, New York, and Arlington, Virginia.
Roseland Apizza
(Photo Credit: Winter Caplanson)
350 Hawthorne Ave., Derby. @RoselandApizza
Visiting Roseland Apizza feels like stepping back in time. The striking vintage neon sign on the outside of this neighborhood restaurant proudly proclaims that the establishment has been in business since 1935. That tells you what to expect inside where family-style classic Italian-American dishes are served alongside some of the best New Haven-style pizza you can get outside of New Haven. Try the clam or shrimp casino, a white pie featuring shrimp or clams with mozzarella, bacon, and diced onions and peppers. Also, don’t leave without an order of eggplant parmesan.
Krust
686 Main Street, Middletown. @Krustpizzabar
This pizza and bourbon bar has been a hipster hotspot since 2013. The restaurant has an ultra-sleek custom design that makes you feel like you’re in a steampunk wood sailing vessel. That atmosphere and the great whiskey list is part of the draw here but the main attraction is the Neapolitan-style wood-fired pies that have that perfect charred and chewy flavor.
Zuppardi’s Apizza
179 Union Ave., West Haven,@zupps
This “apizza” hotspot is one of the patron saints of New Haven-style pizza even though it’s located a town over from New Haven proper. Opened as Salerno’s Bakery in 1934 by Anthony Zuppardi, the restaurant continues to be run by his descendants and continues to offer the thin-crust pies that have attracted generations of pizza lovers. Today in addition to the original West Haven location, Zuppardi’s has outposts in Ansonia and Derby as well as a roving pizza truck. Zuppardi also distributes its frozen pies to restaurants, bars, breweries, and grocery stores throughout the state. Though not as good as a fresh Zuppardi pie, these frozen pies are, without a doubt, the best-frozen pizza I’ve ever had.
Domenick and Pia
3 Brook St., Waterbury.
In the heart of downtown Waterbury, this classic by-the-slice pizza joint has long been a favorite of customers. It offers a style of pie that is more New York than New Haven. The cheese pizza is the house specialty and a sure bet. The crispy crust looks thick but has a light flavor and the marinara sauce has just the right amount of sweetness.
Painted Lemon
(Photo Credit: Winter Caplanson)
1 CT-37 East, Suite 5, Sherman. @thepaintedlemonct
Sherman is a small Connecticut town on the border of New York, so it’s not surprising this spot doesn’t show up on many best pizza in Connecticut lists. However, go here on a Friday and Saturday night and you’ll be lucky to find a table — one of the reasons is the pizzas made by chef and co-owner Giovanni Iardazio, who used to teach Neapolitan-style pizza making in Naples where he is from. That said, the pies here can be ordered full-size, which is not the case with many of the Neapolitan-style pizzas found elsewhere in the state.
The Magic 5 Pie Co.
230 East Ave., Norwalk. @magic5pieco
This relatively new spot opened in December of 2021 and is owned by the team behind The Spread Restaurant and El Segundo. It serves up a thin crust of small pies that combine some of the best aspects of a New York-style slice with a Neapolitan style. The pizza joint’s location in a converted industrial space across from the train station features sleek indoor and outdoor bars. There’s also a raw bar and plenty of beer, wine, and cocktail options.
Vesta Rooftop Kitchen
8 P T Barnum Square, Bethel.
Even some people who live in town or nearby are unaware of this hidden gem that’s located above La Zingara Restaurant and is owned and operated by the same team. Take the stairs at the side of La Zingara’s back entrance and you’ll find yourself in a small enclosed rooftop bar with an open kitchen dominated by a pizza oven. The speakeasy vibe and excellent small-pie pizza make this place worth seeking out.
Fire Engine Pizza
2914 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport (original location). @fireenginepizza
In 2011 Martin McCarthy began serving pizza out of a converted fire truck in Bridgeport. The unfussy but high-quality full-sized pies quickly had a cult following leading to the opening of a firefighter-themed location in Bridgeport followed by a second in Shelton. McCarthy and business partner Phil Segneri will soon be opening a long-delayed third location in Milford. This is the perfect place when you’re seeking a no-nonsense, crave-fulfilling slice.
Papa’s Pizza
258 Naugatuck Ave., Milford (original location).
This Milford hole-in-the-wall pizza joint is a slightly lesser-known pervuyer of the New Haven-style pizza so beloved in Connecticut and beyond. The brick-fire oven gives this pizza the charred and chewy goodness for which New Haven-style pizza is celebrated and the New Haven classic white clam pizza is offered. Milford is also home to Papa’s Pizza II, which is a second location for this sometimes underrated pizza gem.
Atticus Market
771 Orange St., New Haven. @atticusmarket
It’s worth adjusting your schedule to be in New Haven on Thursday through Saturday evenings when Atticus Market hosts its pizza popups. Chef Matt Wick and the celebrated baking team at Atticus joined forces to create this one-of-a-kind pie inspired by the char-forward sourdough New Haven-style pizza but featuring sifted wheat from Maine Grains instead of the usual white flour. The result is a char and flavor-forward pizza worth seeking out.
Otto
69 Main St, Chester. @ottopizzachester
A hidden gem in downtown Chester that is run by the team at the nearby River Tavern, this upscale pizza spot offers wonderful wood-fired small, Neapolitan-style pies. In addition to a flavorful crust, the toppings here are often sourced to local farms and include ingredients such as pickled onions, beets, Little Neck clams and, of course, excellent mozzarella.
Zephyr’s Street Pizza
968 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. @zephyrsstreetpizza
Chef and owner Dante Cistulli has opened several excellent pizza spots in the greater Hartford area over the years. In his latest endeavor, he offers medium pies with classic toppings as well as creative twists. For instance, the OG Street Taco, is a white pie with braised Calabrian pork, fontina, pico, parsley, creme fraiche, and shredded Napa cabbage.
Trackside Brick Oven Pizzeria
118 Dudley Ave., Wallingford.
Located inside a beautifully converted 1920s subway car this aptly named pizza place has charm and character to spare. It also has excellent brick oven pizza that is the perfect go-to when you are just craving a good old-fashioned slice.
Sasso’s Coal Fired Pizza
(Photo Credit: Winter Caplanson)
52 Main St., Torrington. @sassoscoalfiredpizza
Since 2016 in the know in pizza connoisseurs in the Torrington area have come to this great bar and restaurant for their pizza fix. The coal-fired oven churns out high-quality New Haven-style pizzas topped with locally sourced products including fresh meats and seafood. The other coal-fired snacks including the wings and broccoli rabe are also worth getting.
Sophia’s Pizza Bar
1275 Post Road, Fairfield. @sophiespizzabar
Thin crusts and good vibes are the names of the game here at this new pizza destination opened by the same team that runs the nearby Italian restaurant Molto nearby. The space was previously occupied by Brick + Wood, which was a personal favorite, so I was pleased to see a new spot carry on the location’s legacy of excellent pizza.
Erik Ofgang
Erik Ofgang is the co-author of “The Good Vices: From Beer to Sex, The Surprising Truth About What’s Actually Good For You” and the former senior writer at Connecticut Magazine where he helped oversee dining coverage among other duties. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, Atlantic, Thrillist, and Associated Press. When he’s not writing or looking for good Italian food he teaches in WCSU’s MFA in Creative and Professional Writing Program as an adjunct professor.