I know what you’re thinking: “Another city claiming pizza supremacy? Isn’t it enough that New York and Chicago duke it out like mozzarella-covered gladiators?”. To that, I say, bless your naive little pepperoni heart, child. New Haven pizza isn’t a contender, it’s the reigning champion. A Michael Jordan of melted cheese, a Beyoncé of crispy crust, a… well, you get the point. A New Haven Pizza Tour is sure to change your mind and any previously held notions of your favorite pizza. If you need more convincing to try New Haven pizza I’ll let you know I’m not the only one proclaiming it the Pizza Capitol of the World. If El Presidente (Barstool’s Dave Portnoy) says it, it must be true, right?!
But be warned, this pizza journey isn’t for the faint of heart (or weak of stomach). Be prepared for lines that rival Disney World, debates as heated as a coal oven itself, and enough garlic to leave you smelling like you bathed in a vat of fresh sauce (totally worth it).
Keep reading to learn how to build your own New Haven Pizza Tour like a local.
There are some local groups that will allow you to purchase tickets to a guided pizza tour. In my opinion it’s much more fun to grab a group of friends and go at your own pace!
Buckle up, pizza pilgrims! I’m taking you on a pilgrimage to the holy land of charred crusts, white clam bliss, and enough garlic to ward off even the most persistent vampire (or ex).
Why New Haven Pizza?
If you’re a New England local, you know there is no contest when it comes to the best pizza. Those from elsewhere in the US just haven’t had the profound opportunity of trying New Haven pizza yet.
These aren’t your average delivery joints where soggy cardboard masquerades as dough. This is pizza with a pedigree. Born from the fiery loins of coal-fired ovens and hand-crafted by pizzaiolos who treat flour like Michelangelo treated marble. We’re talking about pizza so legendary, Frank Sinatra used to serenade it (literally). The main players of New Haven apizza have been doing this for generations and generations. Their recipes are sacred, and the competition between these apizza behemoths runs deep!
After you’ve gone on your own New Haven pizza tour let us know your favorites in the comments below.
What The Heck Is Apizza?
No, we’re not just saying it wrong or with a funny accent. New Haven-style apizza, pronounced “ah-BEETS,” is a unique breed, far removed from your average pizza chain slice. Imagine a thin, crackly crust kissed by the flames of a coal oven. Emerging slightly charred and boasting a satisfying crunch. Forget the mozzarella overload. Here, the spotlight shines on a simple yet powerful trio: tangy tomato sauce, sharp and salty Pecorino Romano cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Think somewhere between a cracker thin bar pie and a Napolean style pizza. I promise you haven’t had pizza like this anywhere else.
While the exact origin of New Haven-style apizza is debated, most point to 1925 and Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria Napoletana. Born from the hands of an Italian immigrant longing for a taste of home, Frank Pepe created a unique style influenced by local ingredients and ingenuity. Their coal-fired brick oven, fueled by anthracite coal, delivered intense heat, creating a thin, crispy but chewy crust unlike anything found elsewhere.
But don’t underestimate its simplicity! The smoky char from the coal, the subtle sweetness of the tomatoes. And the sharp bite of the cheese create an umami explosion that’s both complex and incredibly satisfying. White clam pizzas are a New Haven specialty. They elevate the experience further, with fresh clams and garlic adding a briny, seafood-forward punch. Don’t knock it until you try it!
Soon, Frank’s nephew Sally Consiglio opened Sally’s Apizza down the street, sparking a friendly rivalry that further honed the style. This legacy lives on in these legendary pizzerias and the many others that followed.Keeping the spirit of innovation and deliciousness alive, bite after delicious bite.
Keep reading to learn more about Pepe’s, Sally’s and the other apizza legends.
It’s a pizza that challenges expectations, demanding respect with its unpretentious yet powerful flavor profile. Be warned, though, one bite and you might just become a New Haven apizza convert!
Planning Your New Haven Pizza Tour
As we mentioned earlier, New Haven pizza is the stuff of legends and can draw quite the crowd! If you’re driving through New Haven on a Saturday night the lines that wrap down the street and around the corner may give you pause. I’m here to tell you that while it is worth the wait there is also a certain way to ~do~ a New Haven Pizza Tour that will help streamline the process!
Getting There
Since just about everybody has some sort of navigation system at their fingers tips I don’t need to bore you with actual directions. But I will provide a few tips that can make getting to your New Haven Pizza tour easier.
- Take the train: If at all possible, try to take the Metro North train into New Haven. This will help you avoid having to find parking or paying a hefty day rate.
- Train tickets are usually very affordable and trains run regularly on weekends.
- The New Haven Metro North Station is just a quick 10-15 minute walk from 2 of your first Pizza Tour stops.
- Bonus: If you plan to be sampling beer along with your pizzas you don’t have to worry about driving!
- Driving: If you aren’t conveniently located near a train station and need to drive, be sure to think about parking ahead of time.
- If you’re early enough in the day you can typically find street parking right in front of Sally’s & Pepe’s.
- The New Haven Green is a great central location to find parking that is close to all the New Haven Pizza Tour stops.
- Street parking is free on Sundays!
- There are several paid parking garages around the Green which you can find here.
When To Go
Timing is everything. If you hit the New Haven Pizza scene at the wrong time you could be waiting in line for over an hour. Is the pizza worth is? 100%. But if you plan well you can make the day go a lot smoother.
If you go on a weekday you shouldn’t have a problem getting into one of the the pizza places. But sadly most of us work during the week and this just isn’t an option. So, if you’re going to go on a weekend you need to time your visit right!
Start your New Haven Pizza Tour at 11 am. This may seem early for lunch, but you’re going to make a day of it anyway, right? This is when most of the pizza places open, and they typically won’t get super busy until later in the afternoon. Starting at 11 am will give you an early start and allow you to avoid most of the crowds. You may wait a little bit at some of your later stops, but it won’t be nearly as bad as if you start your day at 4 or 5 pm.
I would also recommend going in either the Spring or Fall. During the summer months the weather can get quite hot and humid. A brisk Spring or Fall day makes the walk between stops much more enjoyable.
Pizza Places to Tour
Alright now let’s get to the fun part. Where should you stop on your pizza tour?! There are a lot of pizza places in New Haven, and they will all claim to have the best pizza. There are a handful that stand head and shoulders above the rest that you should definitely add to your tour. Locals have BIG opinions on what the actual best pizza place in New Haven is. But there’s no argument that the following spots are the top contenders.
1st Stop: Frank Pepe’s
Frank Pepe is the one who started it all. What started out as an Italian immigrant selling pizza from a wagon quickly turned into the pizza establishment we know and love today. The Pepe family has been making apizza in New Haven since 1925!
Stepping into Frank Pepe’s in New Haven is like stepping back in time to the birthplace of New Haven-style apizza. The air hums with the scent of coal smoke and garlic, and the walls whisper tales of Frank Pepe. The interior is simple, and stays true to it’s origins. The main focal point of the pizzeria is the large coal burning oven in the back, which is actually closer to a bread oven than a typical pizza oven! This along with their proprietary way of fermenting their dough is the secret to their success.
The original claim to fame here is their classic tomato pie. A canvas of crushed tomatoes adorned with Pecorino Romano, blessed with a drizzle of olive oil. It’s simple, but absolutely delicious. If you’re feeling adventurous you can also try their specialty clam pie. This is a white pizza, topped with fresh clams, garlic and Pecorino Romano. This can be pricier due to the fresh clams but if you’re splitting with friends it’s well worth it!
While Pepe’s has expanded to many locations New Haven is the original. They have replicated the original ovens at all the newer locations. You can find locations on their website here.
2nd Stop: Sally’s Apizza
The history of Sally’s pizza is very interesting, and directly intertwined with Frank Pepe’s. Frank’s nephew, Salvatore “Sally” Consiglio, worked for him for a few years learning the ins and outs of the pizza restaurant. In 1938, Frank’s sister, and Sally’s mom, Filomena Consiglio purchased an eatery for Sally to start his own business.
Coincidentally it was (and still is) right down the street from Pepe’s. I can imagine that caused a lot of tension at family gatherings! But that does make it an easy 2nd stop on the New Haven Pizza Tour.
The pizza at Sally’s is largely the same as Pepe’s. It keeps to it’s simple roots with high quality ingredients and that incredible coal fired crust. Sally’s does have a large outdoor space that is tented which helps with some of the overflow from the restaurant.
You’ll want to try the classic tomato pie here as well. While similar to Pepe’s the sauce has a little more tang which is absolutely delicious! The crust is a little thinner than Pepe’s and therefore crispier too. They also offer a clam pie if you’re looking for a 1:1 comparison.
Recently, new owners of Sally’s have started a large expansion. New restaurants are popping up throughout Connecticut and they are welcoming investors. I have tried a few of the other locations and have to say they taste pretty dang close to the original in New Haven. You can find their locations online here.
3rd Stop: Modern Apizza
Next up on our New Haven Pizza Tour is Modern Apizza. This is about a 20 minute walk from Sally’s, but honestly it’s a welcome walk that gives you time to digest your last two pizzas! The walk takes you through charming New Haven neighbor hoods and is all very flat.
The Modern Apizza we know today was not founded until 1934. Though it’s original store, State Street Apizza had already been in business for several years. Funnily enough, in 1934 it was an apprentice of none other than Frank Pepe that bought out the pizza store front and reopened as Modern. Since this pizza shop was a little removed from Pepe’s and Sally’s it was able to boom and become a neighborhood staple.
The Modern apizza is slightly thicker than the pizza at your first two stops. It’s a similar style but a bit doughier. To keep comparisons fair I recommend getting their plain tomato pie. On our tour we did ask if they had another “specialty” pizza that was their claim to fame. The waitress replied that they did not, but that many customers liked their “Italian bomb” pie. The Italian bomb was loaded with bacon, sausage, pepperoni, mushroom, onion, pepper and garlic.
To be completely honest the Italian bomb pie was a bit heavy for our liking. On a day when our group ended up eating 8 pizzas this loaded pie was too much. In our opinion Modern was the lowest ranking stop on the tour. However there are others who swear Modern is the absolute best in New Haven! You be the judge!
You can check out Modern Apizza’s menu and full history here.
4th Stop: Barcade for a Game Break!
At this point in your pizza tour you’ve likely eaten more pizza at once than you ever have before. You’re not done yet but a little breather between pies is well deserved. When we planned our New Haven Pizza Tour we made a little detour to Barcade in New Haven. This is about a 20 minute walk from Modern, but in the direction of your final stop and the train station / parking.
This isn’t your average bar – it’s a vibrant playground for adults who miss the golden age of arcades. Relive childhood memories or discover retro gems with over 70 classic arcade games and pinball machines. From iconic titles like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Galaga to cult favorites like Street Fighter and NBA Jam, there’s something for every skill level and taste. Challenge your friends to air hockey or pinball duels, see who can top the leaderboards, and reminisce about pixelated adventures.
Spending an hour playing fun arcade games and having a drink was the perfect break to our pizza tour. After a round of drinks we were ready for our next stop!
You can check out more about Barcade here.
5th Stop: BAR
BAR New Haven is a “newer” addition to the historical pizza legends in the area. It originally opened in 1991 as a dance club, but added it’s brick pizza ovens and microbrewery in 1995. From that point on it quickly grew in popularity as another “must try” pizza in New Haven. The pizza is the classic new haven style apizza, but a little more freeform. Pies are large and have the classic crispy but chewy crust that you’ve come to love by the end of this tour.
In addition to the classic red pie, BAR’s claim to fame is their mashed potato pizza. If you haven’t tried this before let me tell you – your life will never be the same! This is typically served as a white pie, and I highly recommend adding bacon as well. The combination is an instant favorite.
If you’re in the mood to stay out, BAR also has a lively night scene. The front room is more of a night club / bar set up where you can dance and play pool. The vibe makes it the perfect way to end your pizza tour – and dance off some of those pizzas!
Check out BAR’s full menu here.
From BAR you have about a 15 minute walk back to the train station or parking areas (or 5 minute Uber if you’re tired of walking).
Bonus Tips
- Order 1 classic red pie and 1 specialty at each stop.
- This lets you really compare apples to apples (pizza to pizza?).
- We had a group of 8 and 2 medium pizzas at each stop was plenty of pizza to try.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- If you’re taking the train this ends up being about a 4 mile day.
- Since it’s broken up between stops it really is not taxing, but wear sneakers so your feet don’t hurt.
- Hydrate!
- You’re doing a lot of walking and the pizza can be quite salty.
- Make sure you order waters at each stop, or bring a bottle for the road.
- Come up with a ranking system & have everybody in your group score their favorites.
Give yourself a round of applause for conquering 4 of the most legendary pizza spots in New Haven (the world). After tasting these pizza recipes that have been honed to perfection over generations I’m sure you can see why New Haven is the Apizza Capitol of the world. And now, when you hear New Englanders about to go to blows over their favorite New Haven pizza spot, you’ll be able to chime in!
Did I leave your favorite off this list? Let me know in the comments where I should visit on my next New Haven pizza tour!
