![\"Gigi's](\"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/restaurants\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789970889_518_image.webp\")
\nPhotograph: SuppliedDaniel Semrani, Gigi’s Balmain <\/p>\n
It\u2019s safe to say Australia knows a thing or two about great pizza. Earlier this year, several of our nation\u2019s most traditional pizzerias claimed spots in the 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific guide, with a Sydney favourite ranking third. Now, that very same spot has earned a place on the 50 Top Pizza World list, with its head chef crowned Pizza Maker of the Year. Way to represent!<\/p>\n
The 50 Top Pizza Awards are essentially the Michelin Guide of the pizza world, with the rankings decided by nearly 1,000 anonymous, unpaid inspectors. Visiting each pizzeria at least twice a year, they evaluate far more than just the final taste, scoring everything from dough quality and ingredient sourcing to service and overall atmosphere.<\/p>\n
In a shocking twist, the top two pizzerias for 2026 aren\u2019t actually in Italy \u2013 aka the birthplace of pizza. First place went to London\u2019s Napoli on the Road, followed by New York\u2019s Una Pizza Napoletana in second.<\/p>\n
\nPhotograph: SuppliedDaniel Semrani, Gigi’s Balmain
<\/p>\n
Australia claimed two spots in the top 50 this year, led by Sydney\u2019s Gigi\u2019s Balmain in 16th place. Even more impressive, Gigi’s head pizzaiolo, Daniel Semrani, snagged the esteemed title of Pizza Maker of the Year \u2013 beating out top chefs from all across the globe.<\/p>\n
According to Semrani, who’s been perfecting his craft for 16 years, the allure comes from what he’s coined \u201cCrunchy contemporary Neapolitan: a technique that sits between traditional Neapolitan and a more structured, high-crunch finish, while maintaining a soft, melting interior.”<\/p>\n
“At Gigi\u2019s, we\u2019ve been refining this process through fermentation, hydration and a unique baking method that challenges the traditional rules of Neapolitan pizza. The goal has always been to evolve the category while respecting its roots,” he previously told Time Out.<\/p>\n
Melbourne\u2019s Shop225 also cracked the top 50, landing in 42nd place. This neighbourhood joint in Pascoe Vale South doesn\u2019t just make exceptional pizza; it was the first pizzeria nationally\u00a0to be gluten-free accredited by Coeliac Australia, and offers heaps of vegetarian options too.<\/p>\n
![\"Pizza](\"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/restaurants\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789970890_837_image.webp\")
\nPhotograph: Parker Blain48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar
<\/p>\n
We need to give one final shout-out to Melbourne institution 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar, which took out 79th place in the broader top 100 rankings. You can\u00a0check out the full 50 Top Pizza guide here.<\/p>\n
The world\u2019s 20 best pizzerias in 2026:
\n
\nNapoli on the Road, London, England
\nUna Pizza Napoletana, New York, USA
\nConfine, Milan, Italy
\nI Masanielli, Caserta, Italy
\nSeu Pizza Illuminati, Rome, Italy
\nPizzeria Sei, Los Angeles, USA
\nTony’s Pizza Napoletana, San Francisco, USA
\nLeggera Pizza Napoletana, S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil
\nRistoPizza by Napoli sta ca, Tokyo, Japan
\nBaldoria, Madrid, Spain
\nAller\u00eda, Providencia, Chile
\nPalazzo Petrucci Pizzeria, Naples, Italy
\nI Tigli, San Bonifacio, Italy
\n50 Kal\u00f2, Naples, Italy
\nAvenida Cal\u00f2, Rome, Italy
\nGigi\u2019s, Sydney, Australia
\nPizzardi Artigianale, Bogot\u00e1, Colombia
\nFiata, Hong Kong, China
\nQT Pizza Bar, S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil
\nDry Milano, Milan, Italy
<\/p>\n
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