Pennsylvania Pizza Gems Where Landing A Reservation Feels Like Winning
Pennsylvania has some of the most amazing pizza places you’ll ever taste, but getting a table at these spots can feel like hitting the jackpot.
From Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and everywhere in between, these pizzerias have earned their legendary status through years of serving incredible pies that keep customers coming back.
Whether you’re craving crispy square slices or massive New York-style pieces, these fourteen restaurants are worth the wait and the effort it takes to snag a reservation.
1. Santucci’s Original Square Pizza – Italian Market
If you’ve never tried pizza with sauce on top of the cheese, you’re missing out on something special. Santucci’s flips the traditional pizza formula and creates magic with their signature square pies. The corners get extra crispy, forming these incredible pockets of crunchy, cheesy goodness that people drive across the city to enjoy.
Located right in Philadelphia’s Italian Market, this spot has been perfecting their craft for decades. The line stretches down the block most weekends, and tables fill up fast. You’ll want to call ahead or risk waiting for over an hour just to get your name on the list.
Once you bite into that first square slice, you’ll understand why securing a spot here feels like winning the lottery.
2. Mineo’s Pizza House
Since 1958, this Pittsburgh institution has been serving square-cut pizzas that locals consider sacred. The thick, fluffy crust acts like a pillow for the sweet sauce and gooey cheese that covers every inch. Weekend lines snake out the door and down Murray Avenue, with hungry customers willing to wait as long as it takes.
Families have been coming here for three generations, passing down their love for these pies like treasured recipes. The staff moves quickly, but demand always exceeds supply during peak hours. Calling ahead might save you some time, though many regulars say the wait is part of the experience.
When you finally get your hands on a slice, the flavors transport you back to old-school Pittsburgh pizza culture.
3. Fiori’s Pizzaria
Are you ready for a pizza that’s basically a meal and a half? Fiori’s doesn’t hold back when it comes to toppings, piling their thick, bready crust high with everything you could want. The slightly sweet sauce balances perfectly with the mountain of cheese they add to each pie.
This Pittsburgh favorite has been around since 1979, building a reputation that brings crowds every single night. Getting a table without a reservation feels nearly impossible on Fridays and Saturdays. The dining room fills up within minutes of opening, and takeout orders back up for hours.
Your patience pays off when that loaded slice hits your plate, steaming hot and absolutely delicious.
4. Aiello’s Pizza Squirrel Hill
Established in 1978, Aiello’s has mastered the art of creating pizzas that satisfy every texture craving. Their Sicilian slices feature thick, fluffy, airy dough that somehow stays perfectly crispy on the bottom. The thin pies also deserve attention, offering a hearty bite despite their slimmer profile.
Located in Squirrel Hill, this spot attracts students, families, and pizza enthusiasts from all over Pittsburgh. Tables disappear fast, especially during dinner hours and after local events. Many customers order ahead and still end up waiting because the place stays perpetually busy.
When you finally sit down with your Sicilian slice, the contrast between the fluffy interior and crispy exterior makes every minute of waiting worthwhile.
5. Lorenzo & Sons Pizza
How big is your appetite? Lorenzo & Sons serves slices that measure roughly the size of your face, cut from massive 28-inch pies. The gooey cheese and slightly sweet sauce cover every inch of these monster slices, making them legendary among late-night food seekers.
Located on South Street in Philadelphia, this place becomes absolutely packed after midnight when bars close and hungry crowds descend. The late-night hours make it a magnet for anyone craving pizza at 2 AM. Even during slower afternoon hours, the small space fills up quickly with tourists and locals alike.
Grabbing one of those enormous slices feels like a victory, especially when you’re competing with dozens of other hungry customers.
6. Pizzeria Beddia
Once named the best pizza in America, Beddia operates on a completely different level. The small Fishtown location seats maybe twenty people, and reservations book up weeks in advance. Chef Joe Beddia crafts each pie with obsessive attention to detail, using only the finest ingredients available.
The crust achieves that perfect balance between chewy and crispy, with char marks from the high-temperature oven. Toppings change based on what’s freshest at the market that day. Limited seating means you’re competing with serious pizza lovers who know exactly what they’re after.
Securing a reservation here feels like joining an exclusive club, and the pizza absolutely lives up to the hype surrounding it.
7. Piccolo Forno
Did you know that Piccolo Forno literally means little oven in Italian? This tiny Lawrenceville restaurant takes that name seriously, with a wood-fired oven producing authentic Italian pizzas that transport you straight to Naples. The intimate space seats fewer than thirty people, creating an atmosphere that feels more like dining in someone’s home.
Reservations disappear almost immediately when they become available online. The menu changes regularly based on seasonal ingredients, keeping regulars constantly excited. Each pizza emerges from that little oven with a perfectly blistered, bubbling crust that crackles when you bite into it.
Getting through on the reservation line feels like winning a golden ticket to pizza paradise.
8. Pizzeria Vetri
When celebrity chef Marc Vetri decided to open a pizzeria, he didn’t cut any corners. This Philly spot serves authentic Neapolitan pies that follow strict Italian traditions, from the imported flour to the specific fermentation time for the dough. The result? Pizza that rivals anything you’d find in Naples itself.
The open kitchen lets you watch pizzaiolos stretch dough and slide pies into the blazing hot oven. Tables fill up fast, especially during weekend dinner service. Walk-ins often face hour-long waits, while those smart enough to book ahead get seated promptly.
That first bite of perfectly charred crust topped with fresh mozzarella makes you grateful you planned ahead.
9. Spak Brothers
It’s not every day you find a punk rock pizzeria serving incredible vegan options alongside traditional pies. Spak Brothers in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood has built a cult following by doing exactly that. The creative menu features everything from classic pepperoni to innovative plant-based combinations that even meat-eaters rave about.
The eclectic atmosphere attracts a diverse crowd of students, artists, and families looking for something different. Seating stays limited, and prime dinner hours see the place absolutely packed. Late-night service brings another wave of customers seeking post-concert fuel.
Snagging a booth here on a Friday night requires either perfect timing or serious luck, but the unique pizzas make it worth the effort.
10. Tacconelli’s Pizzeria
Though this Port Richmond institution has been around since 1918, getting a table still requires serious planning. Tacconelli’s operates on a unique system where you must call ahead to reserve your dough, not just your table. The coal-fired brick oven produces pizzas with an unmistakable char and flavor that modern gas ovens simply cannot replicate.
The thin crust crackles under your fork, while the edges develop dark, crispy bubbles full of concentrated flavor. Limited dough production means they literally run out when it’s gone. Regulars know to call days in advance, especially for weekend visits.
Successfully reserving your dough feels like the first step toward pizza perfection.
11. Slice on Broadway
Where else can you find authentic New York-style pizza in the Lehigh Valley? Slice on Broadway brings that classic Big Apple experience to Fountain Hill, serving enormous slices that fold perfectly in half. The thin, crispy crust supports a generous layer of cheese and sauce without getting soggy.
The small shop operates mainly on a first-come, first-served basis, with limited seating that fills up during lunch and dinner rushes. Office workers, students, and families all compete for the handful of tables available. Counter service moves quickly, but finding a place to sit becomes the real challenge.
Timing your visit just right means enjoying your slice in comfort rather than standing on the sidewalk outside.
12. Pizza Taglio
Have you ever tried authentic Roman-style pizza al taglio? This State College spot specializes in rectangular pies sold by weight, just like you’d find in Rome. The focaccia-like base gets topped with creative combinations that change daily based on available ingredients. Each slice offers a completely different experience from traditional round pizzas.
The airy, light crust somehow manages to be both crispy and tender at the same time. Limited space means the handful of tables disappear quickly, especially during Penn State game days. Students and professors alike consider this place a hidden treasure worth protecting.
Finding an open seat during peak hours requires either incredible timing or divine intervention.
13. Frank & Shirley’s
Old Forge claims the title of Pizza Capital of the World, and Frank & Shirley’s helps prove why. This family-owned spot serves the distinctive Old Forge style featuring a thick, rectangular crust topped with multiple layers of cheese and absolutely no sauce. The unique approach might sound strange, but one bite converts skeptics into believers.
The cheese blend creates a creamy, rich flavor that doesn’t need sauce to shine. Locals pack this place during weekends, with families reserving tables for special occasions. The small dining room fills up fast, leaving walk-ins waiting outside.
Experiencing this regional pizza style at its source makes the reservation process feel like a treasure hunt with a delicious reward.
14. Nomad Pizzeria
When a pizzeria commits to using only local, seasonal ingredients, you know they’re serious about quality. Nomad operates in rural Hopewell, sourcing vegetables from nearby farms and creating pizzas that change with the seasons. The wood-fired oven produces pies with perfectly charred crusts and toppings that taste incredibly fresh.
The countryside location might seem remote, but food lovers make the pilgrimage regularly. Limited seating and growing popularity mean reservations book up quickly, especially for weekend dinners. The casual, rustic atmosphere makes you feel like you’ve discovered a secret that you want to keep to yourself.
Securing a table here means enjoying pizza that truly captures the flavors of Pennsylvania’s agricultural bounty.
