13 New Jersey Pizza Joints So Popular You’ll Struggle To Get A Table (And Regret Nothing)
New Jersey doesn’t mess around when it comes to pizza. Some of the best slices in the country are being pulled from ovens in no-frills shops and corner joints across the state.
These places don’t rely on trends or gimmicks, just good dough, quality ingredients, and years of doing it right. Whether it’s a crisp, coal-fired pie or a bubbling square cut straight from the pan, the flavors speak for themselves.
Getting a table can take time, but no one leaves disappointed. In Jersey, great pizza isn’t hard to find, but the best ones are worth the wait.
1. Razza, Jersey City
Wood-fired magic happens daily at this Jersey City hotspot where chef Dan Richer transforms simple ingredients into pizza poetry.
Reservations disappear faster than fresh mozzarella on a summer day, but smart diners know the bar seats offer front-row views of the action.
Each pie showcases seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms, creating flavors that change with New Jersey’s harvest calendar.
2. DeLucia’s Brick Oven Pizza, Raritan
Family recipes from the old country meet modern appetites at this Raritan treasure where three generations perfect their craft daily.
The brick oven burns hot enough to create those coveted leopard spots on crusts that pizza purists dream about nightly.
Weekend crowds spill onto the sidewalk, but regulars swear the margherita pizza here rivals anything found in Naples itself.
3. De Lorenzo’s Tomato Pies, Robbinsville
Since 1947, this legendary spot has been slinging tomato pies that make grown adults weep with joy and nostalgia.
The secret lies in their paper-thin crust topped with chunky tomato sauce and a light sprinkle of cheese that somehow creates perfect harmony.
Lunch crowds arrive early because once they run out of dough for the day, the doors close without exception.
4. Papa’s Tomato Pies, Robbinsville
Competition runs fierce in Robbinsville where Papa’s stands toe-to-toe with other tomato pie legends using recipes passed down through generations.
Their coal-fired oven reaches temperatures that would make other pizzaiolos jealous, creating crusts with unmatched texture and flavor depth.
First-time visitors often become weekly regulars after experiencing what many consider the perfect balance of sauce, cheese, and crust.
5. Conte’s Pizza & Bar, Princeton
College students and professors unite over slices at this Princeton institution where academic debates pause for pizza appreciation.
I remember my first visit during finals week when the place buzzed with stressed students finding comfort in perfectly cheesy slices.
The bar attracts locals while families claim booths, creating an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome regardless of their pizza preferences.
6. Kinchley’s Tavern, Ramsey
Hidden in Ramsey, this unassuming tavern serves tavern-style pizza that converts skeptics into believers with every perfectly crispy bite.
The ultra-thin crust shatters like glass under your teeth while toppings stay put thanks to techniques perfected over decades of service.
Parking becomes a neighborhood scavenger hunt on busy nights, but locals gladly walk blocks for their regular pizza fix.
7. Federici’s Family Restaurant, Freehold
Bruce Springsteen made this place famous, but the pizza keeps people coming back long after the Boss left the building.
Sicilian squares here achieve legendary status through thick, airy crusts that somehow stay light despite their substantial appearance and generous toppings.
Tour buses occasionally stop by, but locals know the best times to avoid crowds while still enjoying the same exceptional pies.
8. Star Tavern, Orange
Orange County’s best-kept secret operates from a building that looks more like your neighbor’s house than a pizza destination.
Their thin-crust pies emerge from ovens with edges so crispy they could cut paper, while centers remain tender and flavorful.
Regulars order by pointing at their usual table, and newcomers quickly understand why this place inspires such fierce loyalty among pizza lovers.
9. Reservoir Tavern, Boonton
Boonton locals guard this secret jealously, but word spreads anyway about tavern pies that redefine what pizza can accomplish.
My buddy from college brought me here once, swearing it would change my perspective on New Jersey pizza forever.
He wasn’t wrong – the combination of paper-thin crust, tangy sauce, and perfectly melted cheese creates something approaching pizza perfection in every single bite.
10. Pete & Elda’s / Carmen’s Pizzeria, Neptune City
Two names, one legendary location where bar pies reach their absolute peak through decades of perfecting the craft.
The paper-thin crust practically dissolves on your tongue while toppings create flavor combinations that haunt your dreams for weeks afterward.
Shore visitors discover this gem accidentally, then plan entire beach trips around securing a table for their next pizza pilgrimage.
11. Brooklyn Square Pizza, Jackson Township
Jackson Township residents know they struck gold when this Brooklyn-style outpost opened, bringing authentic New York flavors to New Jersey soil.
Large slices fold perfectly down the middle without breaking, while cheese stretches for Instagram-worthy photos that make friends jealous.
The owners maintain Brooklyn standards while embracing Jersey hospitality, creating an atmosphere where everyone feels like a regular customer immediately.
12. Rosie’s Pizza, Point Pleasant Beach
Beach pizza reaches its pinnacle at this Point Pleasant institution where summer crowds and year-round locals create constant energy.
Salt air somehow makes every slice taste better, though the quality here stands strong regardless of weather or season.
Parking meters run out faster than patience during peak summer, but smart visitors know off-season visits offer the same great pizza without the chaos.
13. Vic’s Italian Restaurant, Bradley Beach
Bradley Beach’s crown jewel serves pizza alongside traditional Italian dishes, but locals know the pies steal every show.
Three generations of the same family maintain recipes and standards that transform simple ingredients into memorable experiences worth repeating weekly.
The dining room fills with multi-generational families sharing meals, creating an atmosphere where food brings people together in the most authentic way possible.