Central Jersey
Alfonso’s Trattoria & Gourmet Pizzeria
99-101 West Main St., Somerville
908-526-0616
This old-school Italian trattoria is known for its delicious pies, sure, but also for mouth-watering chicken parm sandwiches and cold subs. Don’t miss their half-priced entrée nights Monday and Tuesday featuring $6 large pies. The lines are often out the door, but trust us, this place—and its kid-friendly build-your-own pizza options—are totally worth the wait.
Runners Up:
2. DeLorenzo’s Tomato Pies (Robinsville)
3. Federici’s Family Restaurant (Freehold)
4. Nunzio’s (Sayreville)
5. Tommy’s Coal Fired Pizza (Red Bank)
Essex County
Star Tavern World Famous Pizza
400 High St., Orange
973-675-3336
A pizza joint that’s so much more than a hole-in-the-wall, Star Tavern has mastered the art of sophisticated thin crust pizza in a dive setting. Huge and crispy, the pies here bring crowds from miles away. Bonus: They’ve got a great jukebox, so make sure to load the kids up with quarters.
Runners Up:
2. Arturo’s Osteria & Pizzeria (Maplewood)
3. Ah’ Pizz (Montclair)
4. Calabria Restaurant and Pizzeria (Livingston)
5. Village Trattoria (Multiple Locations)
Morris County
Multiple locations
At Forte, you can decide exactly how you like your crust—they’ve got pizzas coming out of both the regular and brick oven, so if you like your pie crispy, go with the brick. Try the 3-Alarm pie topped with peppers if you like spice, or a 16” regular pie, with unique toppings like taco, cheese steak or rigatoni vodka. The restaurant has two dining sections: a casual side for a quick bite or dinner with the kids, and a more formal side perfect-for-date night.
Runners Up:
2. Anthony’s Pizzeria (Rockaway)
3. Nonna’s (Florham Park)
4. Frank & Son Pizzeria (Parsippany)
5. Chimney Rock Inn (Multiple locations)
North Jersey
Kinchley’s Tavern
586 N. Franklin Tpke., Ramsey
201-934-7777
With an award-winning thin crust, this North Jersey favorite (which you’ll spot easily: just look for the tall, skinny sign and the horse on the roof), has been rolling dough for its classic pies since 1947. More to love: the model trains on display and the wide selection of drinks (including a constantly rotating selection of regional brews). Bring cash: Credit cards aren’t accepted.
Runners Up:
2. Brooklyn’s Brick Oven Pizzeria (Multiple locations)
3. Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizza (Hoboken)
4. Pizzaiolo by Brothers (Midland Park)
5. Patsy’s Tavern and Restaurant (Paterson)
South Jersey
1. Manco & Manco Pizza (Ocean City)
2. King of Pizza (Cherry Hill)
3. Sam's Pizza Palace (Wildwood)
4. Angelo's (Mt. Laurel)
5. Villa Barone Restorante Italiano (Collingswood)
Union County
Gennaro’s Pizzeria & Restaurant
1100 South Ave. West, Westfield
908-654-7472
A Westfield favorite for 28 years, Gennaro’s is known for achieving pizza nirvana—a pie that’s doughy in the middle and crispy around the edges. Spring for a can’t-go-wrong cheese pie or be daring with something like Hawaiian or Buffalo Chicken. If you’re not in the mood for a slice, Gennaro’s comes through with its traditional baked entrées like ziti, gnocchi and lasagna.
Runners Up:
2. Dimaio's (Berkeley Heights)
3. Santillo's Brick Oven Pizza (Elizabeth)
4. Roma Pizza (Garwood)
5. Pizza Vita (Summit)
