We Ranked The 10 Best Pizza Places In Connecticut And Here Is Who Made The Cut

The oldest oven at one famous Connecticut pizzeria has been baking pies since 1925, and it still gets fired up today. That oven sits inside a small spot next door to the main dining room.

I love that a century-old brick box can still turn out dinner.

Then there’s the clam pie. Somebody decided fresh littleneck clams, garlic, olive oil, and grated cheese belonged on pizza dough, and the idea stuck for generations.

It became famous across the Northeast, and it still makes people blink.

This list covers far more than old ovens, though. You’ll find sourdough crusts, Detroit-style squares, Neapolitan pies with buffalo mozzarella, and a mashed potato pie that sounds like a dare.

I ranked the places that make the drive feel like a smart decision. A few have lines.

One is a tiny takeout window. Which one are you trying first?

1. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana

A pizzeria that hit its 100th birthday in 2025 has earned the top spot, and honestly, the oven deserves a medal too. Frank Pepe started selling tomato pies on Wooster Street in 1925, and his family still runs the business today.

The coal-fired brick ovens give these thin pies their famous char. That slightly blackened edge is part of the style, so don’t send it back thinking something went wrong.

New Haven calls this pizza apizza, and Pepe’s gets credit as the place that made it famous. The main restaurant has stood at 157 Wooster Street since 1937.

Here’s a fun twist. The original 1925 oven still bakes pies next door at a spot the family calls The Spot.

Your first order should probably be the White Clam Pizza. It comes topped with littleneck clams, grated cheese, olive oil, fresh garlic, and oregano.

Visiting in summer? The Fresh Tomato Pie shows up from July through September with native tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella.

Other menu favorites include Meatball and Ricotta, Doppio Pepperoni, and Spinach Mushroom and Gorgonzola. Save room for tiramisu or a Cannoli Pie slice if you can.

Pepe’s has poured Foxon Park soda since 1925, so grab a bottle of birch beer soda. Plan on a wait, because the restaurant doesn’t take reservations.

Weekend afternoons and Friday nights get the busiest. A weekday lunch is your best shot at a shorter line, and the doors open at 11 a.m. daily.

Address: 157 Wooster Street, New Haven, CT 06511

2. Zuppardi’s Apizza

Bread came first, and pizza took over later. Dominic Zuppardi was a bread baker from Italy who opened a bakery in New Haven in 1932.

He moved the business to Union Avenue in West Haven in 1934. His son Anthony later went all in on pizza and renamed the shop Zuppardi’s Apizza in 1947.

Today the family is on its fourth generation. You can see that history on the walls, which are covered in family photos.

So what should you order? Start with anything featuring the homemade Italian fennel sausage, because the house is known for it.

The Special piles on mozzarella, mushroom, and that sausage. Want to try a true old-school pie?

Go for the Traditional Plain, with tomato sauce and Pecorino Romano but no mozzarella.

Clam fans have reason to smile here too. The baby clam pie is one of the standouts, and the brick oven gives the crust a thin, chewy bite with a little char.

Not feeling pizza? Escarole and beans with hot peppers is on the menu, along with a Caesar salad and cannoli.

The kitchen runs fast, which helps when the dining room fills up on weekend evenings. Weekday mornings are the quietest time to stop by.

Craving it far from home? Zuppardi’s sells frozen pies and even ships them across the country.

Address: 179 Union Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516

3. Hartford Pizza Garden

Can’t choose between a thin round pie and a thick square one? Good news, because you don’t have to pick a side in Hartford.

Hartford Pizza Garden bakes both New Haven-style and Detroit-style pizza. That makes it a smart pick for a group that can never agree on dinner.

The name isn’t just cute, either. The restaurant uses fresh ingredients grown right on site, which is a pretty rare move for a pizza place.

Detroit fans should look at the Margherita Detroit or the Veggie Pizza Detroit. Those square pies make a fun contrast with the thinner New Haven crust.

Feeling bold? The Fabs Jerk Chicken Pizza brings a Caribbean-style kick you won’t find at many pizzerias.

There’s also a Goat Cheese Pizza, a Buffalo Chicken Pizza, and a Chopped Cheese pie. The Giant Pretzel makes a great starter while you wait for the main event.

Plant-based eaters get real options here too. The menu includes a full vegan lineup and a full vegetarian lineup.

End with a small cannoli for something sweet. On nice days, you can grab a seat outside.

Timing matters, so plan ahead. The restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday and opens at noon the rest of the week.

Parking is easy thanks to a free lot. Note that delivery isn’t offered, but curbside pickup and takeout are available.

Address: 2053 Park Street, Hartford, CT 06106

4. Roseland Apizza

Lobster ravioli at a pizza joint sounds like a plot twist. At Roseland Apizza in Derby, it’s one of the most famous things on the table.

The restaurant has served New Haven-style pizza since 1935. The setting leans old-school, which fits a place with that many decades behind it.

Pizza still comes first, though. The thin crust gets a good crunch, and the cheese and sauce work together nicely.

Seafood lovers should look at the Seafood Pizza. Clams also appear on the menu, a nod to the region’s long love of clam pies.

Prefer a classic? The Large Pepperoni and the Cheese Pizza are both menu highlights.

Roseland feels more like a full Italian restaurant than a quick slice shop. You’ll find Lasagna, Chicken Cutlet Parmigiana, and Hot Antipasto alongside the pies.

That lobster ravioli comes in a generous portion. Splitting a pizza and a pasta dish might be the smartest strategy at the table.

Here’s your planning tip. Roseland opens at 3 p.m. on weekdays and is closed Mondays.

Weekends start at 1 p.m., so a Saturday lunch-dinner combo is possible. Reservations aren’t accepted, and a wait is common.

Evenings from Wednesday through Sunday tend to be the busiest. Tuesday afternoons are usually calmer if you want an easier table.

Address: 350 Hawthorne Avenue, Derby, CT 06418

5. ZENELI Pizzeria e Cucina Napoletana

Big ovens. Bigger expectations.

Opening a pizzeria on Wooster Street is a bold move, especially when some of America’s most legendary pizza spots are already your neighbors.

ZENELI took the challenge anyway, with a different style in mind. Instead of thin New Haven apizza, the focus here is classic Neapolitan pizza.

That means a softer, chewier dough with puffy edges. Toppings lean on sweet San Marzano tomatoes and bufala mozzarella.

The Margherita Verace is the classic way to start. It shows off that simple tomato and cheese combo without any distractions.

Craving something meatier? The Tre Carni brings sweet sausage, spicy salami, and prosciutto together on one pie.

A sweet and salty pizza is also on the menu. Then there’s the Nutella dessert pizza, which might be the happiest ending on the whole street.

ZENELI is a full Italian kitchen, not just a pizza counter. Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe, Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, and Rigatoni all’Amatriciana are all on the lineup.

Ricotta e Miele and a fresh burrata salad round out the starters. Vegan and vegetarian diners get full menus too.

The restaurant is family-owned and uses handmade cheeses, meats, and veggies. Outdoor seating is available when the weather cooperates.

Remember that ZENELI closes on Tuesdays. Street parking nearby can be tricky, so give yourself a few extra minutes.

Address: 138 Wooster Street, New Haven, CT 06511

6. Harry’s Bishops Corner Pizza Napoletana

West Hartford takes its thin crust seriously. For many pizza fans in town, the name Harry’s comes up first.

Harry’s Bishops Corner Pizza Napoletana serves thin-crust pies topped with farm-fresh ingredients. The crust has a little crunch but still stays chewy.

Sauce gets a lot of attention here too. It’s a big part of why this spot has stayed a West Hartford staple.

Not into red sauce tonight? The Gorgonzola White Pie is one of the menu standouts, and it’s a great pick for cheese lovers.

Start with garlic bread while you wait. A house salad or Caesar salad adds something green to the table.

Diners with special diets have choices here. Harry’s offers full vegan and vegetarian menus, so more people in your group can join in.

The vibe is casual, with both counter service and table service. That makes it easy for a quick weeknight dinner or a relaxed weekend lunch.

Families will feel at home too. High chairs are available, and the menu works well for kids.

Watch the Monday hours, since the restaurant opens at 3 p.m. that day. Other days start at 11:30 a.m.

Parking usually isn’t a headache in Bishops Corner. Free lot and street spaces are typically easy to find.

Can’t make the trip? Delivery and takeout are both options, so the thin crust can come to you.

Address: 732 North Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06117

7. Domenic’s & Vinnie’s Pizza

Mashed potatoes belong next to turkey, right? Domenic’s and Vinnie’s in Middlebury politely disagrees and puts them on pizza.

The family story goes back to 1949. Three uncles came from Castel Paganica, Italy, and brought their cooking traditions to the Waterbury area.

Decades later, the business still makes its sauces and dough fresh daily. The homemade meatballs and sausage are big menu highlights.

Back to those potatoes. Da Masher layers white sauce, mashed potatoes, bacon, garlic, and chives on a crisp crust.

Craving a sweet and spicy mix instead? Hot Lips comes with soppressata, hot pepper flakes, and honey.

The menu stays focused, with a handful of specialty pies. Meat Lovers, 4-Cheese, and Clams Casino, served white or red, are part of the lineup.

Picky eaters get a break here too. Half-and-half pizzas let two people order two different toppings on one pie.

The ovens run hot, over 650 degrees. That heat gives the crust a crisp, slightly darker finish.

The Middlebury dining room feels low-key and quiet. It’s a relaxed place for families and groups to settle around a big pie.

Plan around the hours before you go, since the restaurant is closed Mondays. Parking is simple, with a free lot right there.

Address: 1625 Straits Turnpike, Middlebury, CT 06762

8. Grigg Street Pizza

Sourdough isn’t only for fancy toast anymore. In Greenwich, it’s the secret behind some seriously good pizza.

Grigg Street Pizza builds its signature pies on a sourdough crust. The result is chewy and a little tangy, with a satisfying crunch.

That tang makes a big difference. It gives even a simple cheese pie a flavor you’ll notice right away.

Looking for a flavorful combo? Try pepperoni with hot honey, finished with freshly grated parmesan.

The sweet heat of the honey plays nicely against salty pepperoni. It’s the kind of pie you’ll be thinking about on the drive home.

Classic and creative pizzas share the menu. You can also order slices, which is handy when you just need a quick bite.

Pizza isn’t the only draw. Grigg Street also makes gourmet sandwiches stacked with fresh ingredients.

Service happens at the counter, so there’s no table service. Order, grab your food, and dig in.

Now for the important part. The hours are short, so check before you go.

Grigg Street is closed Sunday and Monday. Tuesday is lunch only, and Wednesday through Saturday runs until 8 p.m.

Parking can be tough in this part of Greenwich. Leave a few extra minutes to find a street spot, or plan for takeout and curbside pickup.

Address: 1 Grigg Street, Greenwich, CT 06830

9. Letizia’s Pizza

Strip malls rarely show up on best pizza lists. Letizia’s Pizza in Norwalk is here to prove that a modest storefront can hide some real history.

The Letizia family’s pizza-making history dates back to 1937, while the current Letizia’s Pizza restaurant has operated in Norwalk since 1991. Today it’s a third-generation pizzeria, which means the recipes have had plenty of time to get it right.

Thin crust is the name of the game. The crust bakes up crispy, with a little crisp to the cheese as well.

Then there’s the sauce. It has a rich, unique flavor that sets Letizia’s apart from the average pie.

Keep it simple your first time. Cheese and pepperoni pizzas are the menu stars for a reason.

Letizia’s serves Italian dishes too, so non-pizza people won’t go hungry. Full vegan and vegetarian menus are also available.

Bringing kids? You’ll be happy to know there’s a kids’ menu and high chairs.

The dining room is casual and quiet, a nice change from packed pizza halls. On nice days, outdoor seating is an option, and dogs are welcome outside.

Getting there is easy too. Free parking is usually plentiful, which isn’t always true for famous pizza spots in the state.

Plan your visit around the schedule. Letizia’s closes on Mondays and opens at 3 p.m. on Sundays.

Address: 666 Main Avenue #101, Norwalk, CT 06851

10. Papa’s Pizza

Some of the best pizza in Milford comes out of a shop with no dining room at all. Papa’s Pizza is walk-up and takeout only, so think of your car as the VIP section.

The specialty here is New Haven-style pizza baked in a brick oven. Expect a good char on the crust, plus big bubbles along the edge.

That dark finish is part of the style. If you love a well-done pie, you’re in the right place.

Clam fans should pay attention. The white clam pizza comes loaded with plenty of clams on a fine, thin crust.

Want something classic? The pepperoni and sausage combo is a menu favorite.

Papa’s goes beyond pizza too. Grinders and calzones are on the menu, which helps when someone in the car wants a sandwich.

A few practical notes will save you a surprise. There’s no restroom, and there’s no table service.

Hungry on a Monday? You’ll have to wait, because Papa’s is closed that day.

Hours run shorter than many pizza shops, too. The shop closes at 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday and 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Friday afternoon and evening are the busiest stretch. Parking is usually easy, with a free lot and free street spots.

Grab your box, find a scenic spot nearby, and enjoy a fitting finale to this Connecticut pizza road trip.

Address: 258 Naugatuck Avenue, Milford, CT 06460