13 Best Pizza Spots In New Jersey For The Ultimate City-By-City Tour
New Jersey takes its pizza seriously, and each town has its own contenders vying for the crown.
From crispy, thin crusts loaded with fresh toppings to gooey, cheesy masterpieces that pull apart perfectly, the state is a playground for pizza lovers.
Locals argue passionately about which spots reign supreme, making every slice part of the ultimate culinary rivalry.
Exploring these pizzerias reveals the flavors, techniques, and traditions that make New Jersey pizza legendary.
1. Star Tavern (Orange): Thin Crust Royalty
Locals whisper about Star Tavern’s bar pies with reverence usually reserved for religious experiences. Paper-thin yet somehow sturdy enough to hold mountains of toppings without collapsing.
The cheese caramelizes at the edges creating that coveted crispy ring. Family-owned since 1945, Star consistently ranks in national pizza polls, yet remains humble in its wood-paneled tavern setting.
2. Kinchley’s Tavern (Ramsey): The North Jersey Champion
Hidden behind an unassuming roadside facade, Kinchley’s serves up pizza that’s haunted my dreams since childhood.
Their signature ultra-thin pies emerge from the oven with a satisfying cracker-like crunch. Red checkered tablecloths and vintage decor transport you back to 1937 when they first opened.
The tavern fills nightly with multi-generational families sharing the same pizza experience their grandparents enjoyed.
3. Conte’s Pizza & Bar (Princeton): Ivy League Pizza Excellence
Princeton students and professors have been flocking to Conte’s for over 70 years. The no-frills joint serves rectangular trays of pizza cut with scissors instead of a wheel.
Cash only and first-come-first-served, the wait becomes part of the experience.
Their sauce, slightly sweeter than most, pairs perfectly with the chewy-yet-crisp crust. Alumni return decades later swearing the recipe hasn’t changed a bit.
4. Pete & Elda’s / Carmen’s Pizzeria (Neptune City): The Thin Crust Challenge
Famous for their XL thin crust challenge: finish an extra-large pizza solo and you’ll earn a free t-shirt proclaiming your victory.
The impossibly thin crust shatters like glass between your teeth before melting away.
Open since 1961, the joint maintains a classic Jersey Shore vibe. Weekend nights bring hour-long waits, but regulars will tell you the crispy, almost-but-not-quite burnt edges are worth every minute.
5. Vic’s Italian Restaurant (Bradley Beach): Old-School Shore Favorite
Walking into Vic’s feels like stepping into 1947 when they first opened their doors. The tomato pies come on those iconic aluminum trays, sauce on top of cheese in the traditional Trenton style.
Summer crowds line up down the block, a mix of bennies and locals united in pizza appreciation.
The crust achieves that magical balance: puffy edges giving way to a thin, sturdy center that never gets soggy even under generous toppings.
6. Talula’s (Asbury Park): Artisanal Hipster Heaven
Sourdough crust fanatics make pilgrimages to Talula’s, where naturally fermented dough meets seasonal, locally-sourced toppings.
The Beekeeper’s Lament with hot honey drizzle has inspired countless copycats. Founded by music industry veterans who traded touring for pizza-making.
The airy, rustic-chic space fills with equal parts young families and tattooed twenty-somethings. Craft beer selection rivals the pizza in quality and thoughtful curation.
7. Porta (Asbury Park): Neapolitan Perfection By The Beach
Housed in a converted warehouse, Porta transforms from family-friendly pizzeria by day to nightclub after hours.
Their wood-fired Neapolitan pies emerge blistered and bubbling after just 90 seconds in the 900-degree oven.
Certified pizzaiolos trained in Naples’ strict traditions man the flames. The Marinara 2.0 showcases their philosophy: simple ingredients, impeccably sourced.
Weekend brunches feature breakfast pizzas topped with eggs that cook from the residual heat.
8. Tony Boloney’s (Atlantic City): Wild Experimental Creations
Tony Boloney’s throws pizza convention out the window with creations like the Taco Pizza topped with carne asada and guacamole. Their renegade approach has earned them features on countless food shows.
Started as a simple spot to feed hungry casino workers. Walls plastered with rock posters and quirky memorabilia match the rebellious menu.
The signature ‘Ruca’ combines bruschetta, balsamic glaze and ricotta that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about pizza.
9. Brooklyn Square Pizza (Jackson): Detroit-Style In The Garden State
Square pies with crispy cheese edges that climb up the sides of steel pans have made Brooklyn Square a phenomenon.
The upside-down Sicilian puts sauce atop the cheese, creating a perfect harmony of textures. Lines form before opening on weekends.
The dining room buzzes with debates over which style reigns supreme: their Brooklyn round, Detroit square, or upside-down Sicilian. Pro tip: their garlic knots alone are worth the drive to Jackson.
10. Maruca’s Tomato Pies (Seaside Heights): Boardwalk Swirl Sensation
Maruca’s spiral sauce pattern isn’t just Instagram-worthy gimmick. This boardwalk institution has been perfecting their signature swirl since 1950, ensuring every bite contains the perfect sauce-to-cheese ratio.
Surviving hurricanes and boardwalk fires, Maruca’s embodies Jersey resilience.
The intoxicating aroma draws sunburned beachgoers like moths to flame. Nothing beats grabbing a slice, still too hot to eat, and watching the waves crash while waiting for it to cool.
11. Mack’s Pizza (Wildwood): Boardwalk Legend Since 1953
Summer memories in Wildwood aren’t complete without folding a slice from Mack’s while dodging seagulls. The grease that drips down your arm is a badge of honor among Jersey shore veterans.
Three generations of pizza-makers have maintained the same recipe. Thin crust that somehow stays crisp despite the humid ocean air.
The perpetual line moves quickly as staff efficiently sling slices to sunburned customers who debate whether the corner or middle pieces are superior.
12. Sam’s Pizza Palace (Wildwood): The Boardwalk Rivalry
Just steps away from Mack’s stands Sam’s, creating the pizza equivalent of the Hatfields and McCoys. Wildwood families pledge generational allegiance to one or the other, rarely crossing enemy lines.
Sam’s distinguishes itself with a slightly sweeter sauce and more generous cheese.
Founded in 1957 by Sam Spera, who arrived from Italy with pizza dreams. The retro neon sign has become as iconic as the Wildwood Ferris wheel that towers nearby.
13. Rosie’s Pizza (Point Pleasant Beach): Boardwalk’s Hidden Gem
While tourists flock to flashier spots, locals quietly slip into Rosie’s for what many consider the shore’s most underrated slice. The tiny stand has barely changed since opening in 1976.
The perfect New York-style fold with that magical drooping tip. Rosie herself still occasionally works the counter, greeting regulars by name.
The sauce strikes that elusive balance between sweet and tangy, complementing the thin crust that maintains structural integrity despite generous toppings.