50 Top Pizza, which compiles guides to the best pizzerias in the world, released its 2026 “50 Top Pizza USA.” Two Arizona restaurants — one in metro Phoenix and one in Tucson — earned recognition. Two more made it on the “Excellent Pizzerias” list.
This annual ranking started in 2017 and highlights the best pizzerias, with guides to Europe, the U.S., Asia-Pacific and Latin America. The judges visit pizzerias anonymously, pay for their meals and are not professionally involved in the restaurant industry. The U.S guide began in 2021.
Co-founder Albert Sapere told PMQ Pizza that Top 50 Pizza “represents what the NBA is for basketball.”
“The pizza sector in the United States of America is constantly evolving with many different offerings and an overall quality that continues to grow steadily in terms of variety and excellence, all to the benefit of consumers,” said 50 Top Pizza curators Barbara Guerra, Luciano Pignataro and Albert Sapere in a news release.
Here are the Arizona pizzerias that made the 50 Top Pizza USA 2024 lists:
Craft 64 in Scottsdale ranked No. 29
Scott Hagen, James Swann and Sam McNichol of Craft 64. The pizzeria was ranked No. 29 on 50 Top Pizza USA 2026.
Craft 64 has locations in Scottsdale and Chandler, though the 50 Top Pizza favored the Scottsdale location’s pies. The pizzeria was No. 23 in 2025. The judges praised the homemade mozzarella, the quality of the dough and the heartiness of the pizza, saying, “The restaurant combines the soul of American wood-fired pizzeria with that of a contemporary pub.”
Details: 6922 E. Main St., Scottsdale, 480-946-0542. Also, 68 W. Buffalo St., Chandler. 480-247-3002, craft64.com/home.
Penelope Pizza in Tucson ranked No. 41
Jared Schwartz and Ashley Assadi own Penelope Pizza, which ranked 41 on 50 Top Pizza USA 2026.
Penelope Pizza climbed one spot compared to last year. The inspectors were impressed by the service and shouted out two specific pizzas. “Bubba stands out for its balance of garlic oil, pickled green onions, artichokes, mozzarella, arugula, ricotta, and lemon cheese,” 50 Top Pizza wrote. “The OTC is more indulgent, with red sauce, Ezzo cup & char pepperoni, mozzarella, Parmesan, hot honey, and ricotta.”
Details: 800 N. Kolb Road, Tucson. 520-633-5571, penelopepizza.com.
Excellent Pizzeria list
The Excellent Pizzeria list is a roundup of spots that did not make the Top 50 but are recommended and considered excellent by the judges. Among the 56 restaurants on the 2026 Excellent Pizzeria list are Pomo and Pizzeria Bianco.
Are you saying it right? How to pronounce bruschetta and 13 other food words that trip us up
Pizzeria Bianco
Pizzeria Bianco earned praise for ambience, market salad and especially for pizza Rosa, which the inspectors referred to as “one of the house’s great classics.” They wrote, “It finds its strength in simplicity, with the contrast between the sweetness of the onion, the saltiness of the cheese, and the unexpected crunchiness of the pistachios.”
Details: 623 E. Adams St., Phoenix. 602-258-8300. Also at 4743 N. 20th St., Phoenix. 602-368-3273, pizzeriabianco.com.
Pomo Pizzeria
The inspectors focused on the Scottsdale location of Pomo Pizzeria. Pomo’s pizza is certified by Verace Pizza Napoletana Association as a true Neapolitan pizza. The inspectors shouted out the margherita pizza and regional appetizers.
Details: 8977 N. Scottsdale Road #504, Scottsdale. 480-998-1366. Also, 2502 E. Camelback Road, Suite A and B, Phoenix. 602-954-5221. And, 705 N. First St., Unit 120, Phoenix. 602-795-2555, pomopizzeria.com.
What is 50 Top Pizza?
50 Top Pizza is an Italian guide that has been judging the best pizzeria (not best pizza or best pizza chef) in the world since 2018. The judges evaluate all pizza styles and use the following criteria:
Pizza quality and the use of local and seasonal ingredients.
The space, ambiance and decor, including cleanliness.
How the restaurant manages the wait.
Beer, wine and cocktails.
Reach the restaurant critic atBAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow@baharcreative on Instagram.
Looking for the best restaurants? Sign up for Dining with azcentral and get insider recommendations and must-know news.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Best pizzerias in the US include these 2 Arizona favorites
Dining and Cooking