One of the world’s most beloved foods, pizza is a particular passion in the U.S. While pizza is undeniably an Italian creation, immigrants brought their amazing recipes to cities around the world, and pizza lovers can find top notch pies in all corners of the globe. A new study by Chef’s Pencil looks into the most pizza-rific cities—those that are most obsessed with it and those that make the best.
To determine the rankings, Chef’s Pencil crunched the numbers from Google Trends and the international pizza guide 50 Top Pizza. The study looked at where pizza-related searches are the highest compared to all other local searches, and the data reveals that Philly is the most pizza-obsessed city in the world. We’re absolutely fixated on pizza. People here search for everything from local pizzerias to chains to recipes, toppings, and even pizza ovens more than any other topic. Philly is even more obsessed than Naples, home of the original pizza and notorious sticklers for pizza perfection. Naples comes in at number two, followed by Turin.
Philadelphia's pizza obsession is deeply rooted in its Italian-American community, especially in South Philly. Some of the city’s most cherished pizzerias, like Marra’s and La Scala’s Birra, were founded by Italian immigrants and have been perfecting their craft for generations.
The U.S. actually ranks as the fourth most pizza-obsessed country in the world, and two other U.S. cities follow Philly in the most pizza-obsessed cities list. In a surprise to pizza purists, Columbus, Ohio, ranks fourth in the world. Known for its own take on pizza—Columbus-style is thin-crust and square-cut—the city has a thriving pizza culture. At number five is Boston, tied with Rome. Rome’s love of pizza is legendary, but Boston’s pizza passion is less expected, given its reputation for seafood and baked beans. Still, the city’s Italian-American neighborhoods, especially the North End, have helped foster a deep pizza tradition.
When it comes to top-rated pizzerias, however, Philadelphia does not make the cut. New York reigns supreme. According to 50 Top Pizza, 34 of the best pizzerias in the U.S. are in NYC. Over the past five years, New York has consistently dominated the rankings, cementing its status as a pizza lover’s paradise. Following New York on the list of the cities with the most world-class pizzerias are unfortunately not in the U.S.: Rome, Naples, Tokyo and Milan.
So, whether you're in Philly, New York or Columbus, pizza has clearly taken root far beyond its Italian origins, with America proudly carrying the pizza torch.
The 10 most pizza-obsessed cities in the world
1. Philadelphia, PA
2. Naples, Italy
3. Turin, Italy
4. Columbus, OH
5. Rome, Italy (tie)
5. Boston, MA (tie)
7. Milan, Italy
8. Copenhagen, Denmark (tie)
8. Indianapolis, IN (tie)
10. Chicago, IL