10 Italian Pizza Parlors In New Jersey That Locals Swear Are Just Like Nonna’s
New Jersey’s pizza scene carries a rich tradition rooted in authentic Italian flavors. Many neighborhood parlors have perfected recipes passed down through generations, serving pies baked in coal-fired ovens or crafted with time-honored techniques.
Each spot offers a unique take on classic Italian pizza, whether thin and crispy or thick and hearty.
Locals return again and again for the comforting taste and familiar warmth that comes with every slice, capturing the spirit of a true Italian kitchen right in the heart of the Garden State.
1. Casano’s Pizza Parlor, Rutherford, NJ
Walking into Casano’s feels like stepping into a time machine that takes you back to when pizza was simple and perfect. The family recipes here haven’t changed in decades, and regulars wouldn’t have it any other way.
Their crust strikes that magical balance between crispy and chewy, with just enough char to remind you it’s been kissed by a hot oven. The sauce tastes like crushed tomatoes mixed with love and secret spices passed down through generations.
Locals line up on Friday nights because they know this isn’t just pizza. It’s a slice of home.
2. Razza, Jersey City, NJ
Razza proves that respecting tradition doesn’t mean you can’t innovate a little. Chef Dan Richer sources ingredients like he’s preparing for a royal banquet, hunting down the finest flour and fermenting dough for days.
The result? Pies that make your taste buds do a happy dance while your grandmother nods in approval. Each bite delivers complex flavors that somehow feel both fancy and comfortingly familiar at the same time.
You might wait for a table, but good things come to those who wait. This place earned its reputation one perfect pie at a time.
3. Bricco Coal Fired Pizza, Haddon Township, NJ
Coal ovens reach temperatures that make regular ovens jealous, and Bricco uses this ancient method to create pizza magic. The intense heat creates a crust with leopard spots that crunch when you bite down.
My cousin brought me here last summer, and I honestly forgot we were in Jersey for a minute. The margherita pizza tasted exactly like the ones we ate in Naples during our family trip years ago.
Toppings stay fresh and simple because when your foundation is this good, you don’t need fancy extras. Just quality ingredients doing what they do best.
4. Lodi Pizza Restaurant, Lodi, NJ
Sometimes the best pizza comes from the most unassuming places, and Lodi Pizza Restaurant proves this theory every single day. No fancy decorations or trendy ingredients here, just honest pizza made the way it’s been made for generations.
The cheese stretches for miles when you pull a slice, creating those Instagram-worthy cheese pulls that never get old. Their sauce has a subtle sweetness that reminds you of Sunday dinners at Nonna’s table.
Regulars know to order the plain cheese first because it showcases everything right about this place.
5. Talula’s, Asbury Park, NJ
Asbury Park might be known for its boardwalk and music scene, but Talula’s gives folks another reason to visit. This cozy spot combines beach town vibes with serious Italian pizza credentials that would make any nonna proud.
Their wood-fired oven cranks out pies with pillowy crusts that puff up like little clouds around the edges. Fresh mozzarella melts into creamy pools while basil leaves add pops of color and flavor throughout each slice.
You can taste the care in every bite, from the hand-stretched dough to the thoughtfully chosen toppings.
6. Brooklyn Square Pizza, Manalapan Township, NJ
Square pizza gets a bad rap sometimes, but Brooklyn Square Pizza shows why this style deserves major respect. Their Sicilian pies come out with thick, fluffy bases that soak up sauce without getting soggy.
Each square piece feels substantial in your hand, like you’re holding real food that will actually fill you up. The corners get extra crispy, creating a textural adventure that keeps things interesting from first bite to last.
Families order whole trays for gatherings because this pizza feeds a crowd and makes everyone happy. Simple as that.
7. Julio’s Pizza Co., Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Tucked away in Atlantic Highlands, Julio’s operates like a best-kept secret that locals guard jealously. The owners treat pizza making like an art form, carefully crafting each pie with attention to detail that borders on obsessive.
I stumbled upon this place by accident last fall when my GPS took a wrong turn. Best mistake ever, because now I drive out of my way just to grab their white pizza with ricotta.
Their dough ferments slowly, developing flavors that quick-rise versions can never match. You’ll taste the difference immediately.
8. Papa’s Tomato Pies, Robbinsville, NJ
Opened in 1912, Papa’s Tomato Pies claims the title of America’s oldest continuously operating pizzeria, and they’ve earned every year of that legacy. They still make tomato pies the old-fashioned way, with sauce ladled on top of cheese.
This reverse construction might seem weird at first, but one bite explains why they’ve stuck with this method for over a century. The sauce stays bright and fresh instead of getting buried under melted cheese.
History tastes delicious here, served up in a no-frills setting that lets the pizza do all the talking.
9. Santillo’s Brick Oven Pizza, Elizabeth, NJ
Santillo’s has been firing up their brick oven since 1918, making pizza the way great-grandparents remember it. The oven itself is a relic, built by hand with bricks that have absorbed decades of heat and pizza perfume.
You can only get pizza here on certain days, which makes each visit feel like a special occasion worth planning around. The limited hours create lines of devoted fans who refuse to settle for anything less authentic.
Their mustard pie sounds strange but tastes like a revelation that changes how you think about pizza toppings.
10. Federico’s Pizzeria, Jersey City, NJ
Federico’s keeps things refreshingly straightforward in a world where everyone tries to reinvent pizza weekly. They focus on perfecting the classics instead of chasing the next viral topping combination.
The family behind the counter remembers regular customers by name and knows their usual orders by heart. That kind of personal touch makes every visit feel like coming home for Sunday dinner with relatives.
Their garlic knots deserve their own fan club, served warm and brushed with butter that makes your fingers shine. Pizza this good needs no gimmicks.