Craving Pizza?

The next time you’re craving Pizza, residents living in The Union need not go further than their front door for the best Pizza in the state of Connecticut.

The February 2016 issue of Connecticut Magazine revealed the results of their taste test to determine the best Pizza in the entire state, ranking the restaurants in categories.  ‘Legend’ – the top category, indicates the best-of-the-best in Connecticut pizza. ‘Legends in the Making’ indicates pizzerias currently making a name for themselves with their outstanding taste sensations.

To the true pizza aficionado we don’t think the results will be surprising . . .

Legends

The Original Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana

Every pie is blessed with authenticity, tradition and the taste derived from the original coal-fired pizza ovens. Frank Pepe and his wife, Filomena, started making pizza in 1925. Still operating in the original location Pepe’s is always overflowing with pizza lovers Legend, empire, royalty—call it what you will, but Pepe’s white clam, seasonal fresh tomato and white spinach, mushroom and gorgonzola pies remain the holy grails for pizza lovers.

157 Wooster Street

New Haven, CT 06511

(203) 865-7602

pepespizzeria.com

Sally’s Apizza  

The war between Sally and Pepe’s fans has waged on for decades—and there are devoted legions in both camps. Located a few doors down from Pepe’s, Sally’s has been a Wooster Street institution since Salvatore and Flora Consiglio opened its doors in 1938.  Thin crust, charred edges and asymmetrical wedges are Sally’s signatures and pies continue to be made in the same coal-fired oven. Even with its fate currently in the balance, Sally’s remains high on the list.

237 Wooster Street

New Haven, CT 06511

(203) 624-5271

sallysapizza.com

Modern Apizza  

The third highly acclaimed legend in New Haven’s pizza pantheon; Modern is located on nearby State Street.  Here the pies are fired in an oil-fueled brick oven instead of a coal-fired oven, but Modern sticks to the thin-crust, irregular sliced pies that Elm City is known for. Originally opened in 1934, the restaurant was called State Street Pizza.  Today, other than a name change, the location and quality of the pizza remains the same.  Nearly any topping is available, but the classic Pizza Margarita with fresh mozzarella from Liuzzi Cheese in North Haven, the Clams Casino pie with bacon and peppers, and the Italian Bomb pizza with bacon, sausage, pepperoni, mushroom, onion, pepper and garlic are all must-tries.

874 State Street

New Haven, CT 06511

(203) 776-5306

modernapizza.com

Roseland Apizza 

Roseland Apizza is not for the fair-weather pizza fan. Tucked away in a residential neighborhood in a neon-signed house that’s been around since the 1930s, it’s a challenge to find, although you can follow the long lines that form on weekends.  The place is a cozy, no-frills, old school Italian restaurant where the wait can be long, the service lacking and the prices expensive—a large plain mozzarella pizza starts at $20.  But those who persevere and make the pilgrimage are amply rewarded with amazing New Haven-style pizza, featuring a thin, chewy crust and delicious toppings such as homemade sausage and fresh seafood.  Their web site takes you to their Facebook page only.

350 Hawthorne Avenue

Derby, CT 06418

(203) 735-0494

www.RoselandApizzacom

BAR  

In 1996 BAR opened the BruRM, serving traditional New Haven style thin crust brick oven pizza and BAR’s own fresh micro brewed beer.  A large, oblong, thin-crust pie, with a variety of delicious toppings, including an outrageous mashed potato pizza (really!) is what sets Bar apart from others.  Pizza can be ordered for dinner all week, and lunch from Wednesday through Sunday, and persons under 21 are welcome if accompanied by their legal guardian.  When live entertainment and dancing begins to heat up the nightlife nobody under the age of 21 is permitted on the premises.

254 Crown Street

New Haven, CT

(203) 495-1111,

barnightclub.com

Of the top five Legend pizzerias, four are located within the boundaries of New Haven, while Roseland Apizza is located only a short, but unnecessary, eight miles away.  Quite impressive!

Of the four listed in the ‘Legends in the Making’ category, two are located in New Haven.  With a plethora of choices available right here in New Haven, we don’t feel it is necessary to list the two out-of-towners.

Legends in the Making

Da Legna  

High on the list is Da Legna, the wood-fired pizza and gourmet Italian restaurant co-owned by Daniel Parillo, who arrived in New Haven in December of 2011.  He and chef Francisco Pereira produce flash-fired pizzas so inspired Da Legna is flirting with the legendary status of Pepe’s, Sally’s and Modern.  Taste the pies and you’ll see why.

858 State Street

New Haven, CT 06511

(203) 495-9999,

dalegna.com

Tarry Lodge  

With famous names like Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich behind this restaurant, its no surprise this brand of contemporary Italian cuisine has made an impression on diners in New Haven where the pizza competition is already stiff.  The pizza served at Tarry Lodge is thin-crusted, authentic and delectable, and often served with gourmet toppings with combinations like goat cheese, pistachios and truffle honey or burrata with pancetta and chili oil or guanciale with black truffles and egg.   If you’re more adventurous than the basic Margherita version, this is the place to go.

278 Park Street

New Haven, CT 06511

(203) 672-0765

tarrylodge.com

New Haven establishments that made the list in other categories are;

Unusual Places

This is not a location where great pizza is traditionally found, but we dare you to step outside the pizza box.

Nica’s Market 

Nica’s may be known for its artisanal food products, but the pizza is great, too. Whole pizzas are made to order and can be topped with any number of ingredients from pepperoni to eggplant.  Try specialty pies like the Sorrentina with fresh tomato, ricotta, eggplant, basil and mozzarella, or the Campagnola with artichoke, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and goat cheese.

603 Orange Street

New Haven CT 06511

(203) 787-5919

nicasmarket.com

Best of the Rest

This restaurant also makes delicious pizza, and is well worth a try.

Kitchen Zinc 

Kitchen ZINC is all about ingredients.  Like its sister restaurant, ZINC, it focuses on local, sustainable and fresh ingredients in the form of artisanal pizzas.

966 Chapel Street

New Haven CT 06510

(203) 772-3002

kitchenzinc.com