Growing up, I used to love traveling to New Haven to visit my grandparents. In addition to my grandmother’s amazing cooking, I knew I was always going to get some delicious pizza, too. However, it wasn’t until much later in life that I came to a startling realization… That same pizza I grew up eating was not just some of the best in New Haven Connecticut, but in the entire world! Just over the last few years, New Haven pizza has grown in popularity, drawing in massive crowds to places like Frank Pepe’s, Modern, and Sally’s Apizza. And want to know the wildest part? They’re all within just a couple of blocks of each other!
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Quick History of New Haven Pizza
Way back in 1925, an ambitious Frank Pepe opened the first pizza restaurant on Wooster Street. Modern was the next to open its doors in 1934, and the New Haven pizza revolution was officially underway! After watching the success of his uncle, Frank Pepe’s nephew would go on to start Sally’s Apizza down the street in 1938.
These three have created what most feel is the holy trinity of pizza places in New Haven. The Neapolitan style thin crust is cooked in coal-fired brick ovens, which gives it its now famous char on the bottom.
Frank Pepe’s and Sally’s still use the coal fire method to this day! You may notice Modern and Sally’s added the “A” on the front of the word pizza creating what sounds like the most Italian word ever in “Apizza.” This is part of a dialect of the Italian language only used in Naples… Talk about authentic!
Best Pizza in New Haven Connecticut
So what’s the best pizza in New Haven CT? Well, that all depends on who you ask! I should start off by telling you I’m 100%, completely biased to Frank Pepe’s New Haven. We have been everywhere from New York City to Italy, and I still completely swear by this pizza!
I have cousins that prefer Modern, friends that LOVE Sally’s, and know people that exclusively eat at Frank Pepe’s. They’re all technically New Haven-style, but they do have their own swag and flavor that truly stand out.
So what’s your favorite New Haven pizza? You’ll have to try them all to find out!
Modern Pizza New Haven
Let’s start with good old Modern. Modern Apizza New Haven may have been the second to open, but that doesn’t make it any less delicious!
Conveniently located off the highway, this New Haven staple combines a classic thin crust with a heavy portion of cheese and sauce to die for. I swear whenever we get a Modern pie I almost drop it because it’s so heavy. And I mean that in the best way possible!
Frank Pepe’s Pizza New Haven
Welcome to the original New Haven Pizzeria! Frank Pepe’s Pizza New Haven has perfected the art of coal-fired pizza and has been excelling at it for almost 100 years. From the moment you step in and see the massive coal-fired brick oven to when you sit down at your table, it will feel like home.
One of the most unique pizza creations that Frank Pepe’s New Haven is famous for is the White Clam pizza. They’re credited for inventing this seafood pie, and we’ve now seen it on menus as far away as New Zealand!
For better or worse, you should know the secrets out on Pepe’s. If you’re going on a weekend be prepared to wait up to 2 hours for a table.
Sally’s Apizza New Haven
Sally’s Apizza New Haven is truly an acquired taste. They take coal-fired to the max on every pie which makes for a crispy charred bottom. For some, this would seem burnt and overcooked. Yet, to others, it’s what makes Sally’s the best pizza in New Haven Connecticut.
Sally’s is essentially a hole in the wall and has the smallest space to dine in out of the three pizzerias. Although recently, it looks like they have added some outdoor seating.
Legend has it that Frank Sinatra ate at Sally’s in New Haven. He loved it so much, he would even have pizza delivered all the way from Sally’s whenever he was in New York!
Have any questions on Pepe’s, Sally’s, or Modern Pizza New Haven? How about sharing more of the best pizza in New Haven Connecticut? Let us know your favorite in the comments!
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Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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From Manhattan, just did a New Haven pizza run (doing it for years), we did Modern, Sally, Pepe’s, and the newly opened Zenelli’s ..the Neapolitan style from Zenelli’s was hands down best for our entire group.
So lucky to have so many amazing choices!
Need to try Zenelli’s! Crazy how many options there are for great pizza there.
Once again the same old story. I swear Pepe’s and Sally’s must pay for these reviews. I’m always surprised at the idiots waiting in huge lines outside.
News flash – it’s “ok” but certainly doesn’t deserve the overblown fanfare
Colony is just as good or better along with Zuppatdis in West Haven.
We’ve never waited in line. Almost always call it in, or go early on a weekday to avoid the crowds. With that said, there is so much good pizza in CT you can’t go wrong. Can’t wait to try some of the other places mentioned in the comments!
I grew up in East Haven and have eaten New Haven style apizza my whole life. No other part of the country can compare to our local apizza. Although, the 3 you mentioned are legendary and still have a great apizza, Pepe’s and Sally’s have lost a step since franchising and selling to new owners and many people that live in the area know it and say it too.. It amazes me no one has mentioned Olde World Apizza, which I think is better than the top 3. Certainly, one of the best in New Haven County. Zuppardis, Ernie’s, Tipsy Tomatoes, Bar and Roseland are all well worth mentioning. Let’s face it, were spoiled when it comes to apizza.. Pretty hard to find a bad one here..
There are so many good pizza places in New Haven it’s unbelievable. So spoiled!
I am from New York City (Manhattan) and we have great pizza, but I absolutely agree the best pizza in the world is in the New Haven area with the names you mentioned. The added bonus for me is making the short trip up I95 with family or friends to visit your neighborhood and get the finest pizza in the world.
So true!
I’ll take a white claim from Pepes, red sause w garlic from Sally’s, and modern for their regular pie, that being said, other contenders Zuparti’s sausage, and Ernies, and Delagna at Nolo are also great ! I really wouldn’t compare other places to even being close to the ones I’ve mentioned ! I’ve lived in New York, and their most famous spots can’t hold up against these New haven Legends.
So true! New Haven is the best for sure
Hi guys. Great article. All three are great. You should try Tipsy tomato bar and pizzeria in derby Ct. Absolutely a must try. Very thin new haven style pizza and also have delicious gourmet pies. Tipsy won an award from the pizza gavones for best specialty pizza. Baked stuffed shrimp pizza. It’s absolutely delicious. 656 new haven avenue derby ct. You won’t be disappointed.
We will definitely stop in! Sounds delicious
I’m from CT living in South Carolina I’ve had both Pepe’s and Modern both excellent pizza’s compared to the pizza’s down here which are far and in between finding a decent pizza. Be happy what you have in New Haven.
Seriously! You forget how good it is sometimes when you’re in other places. The best!
Hi Danny! Grew up around Wooster St, now living in Mt P! Man are you right! I had to fly up to New Haven for my closest cousin’s funeral. Like my brother. I went to Sally’s, new owners, but still the best! Went to Modern & had an excellent pie!
Tolli’s of East Haven, opened in John’s Island. Not Sally’s, but pretty dang good.
Best to you
So many amazing pizza joints around New Haven!
Uniqueness is an absolute. There can’t be rather, more, mostly, very, pretty in front of unique. Almost is okay., as is not quite.
Somebody needs to try Dominic and Pia in Waterbury CT 06704. The best!!!! And it’s made by the cute little Italian grandma. You know it’s made with love.
I need to try it!
Yes do try Roseland….mmmmm I can smell that place…..you get slapped the face with the beautiful aromas when you drive up to the place. I miss being able to enjoy a pie or just a slice
Need to try Roseland!!
I think this New Haven pizza thing is more hype then anything, fueled by somebody on social media with a sports gambling background and no real food background especially Italian Food. Much more gimmicky than substance. I grew up in New York not far from the Connecticut border and New Haven was never mentioned as a good pizza place ever! NYC and bordering towns along with NJ ruled when it came to pizza and Italian food. Sorry I just don’t buy the New Haven pizza hype.
Portnoy definitely made it more popular and brought it to another level, but if it stunk people wouldn’t go at this rate. With that said there’s a ton of good pizza and great Italian food all over the east coast. To each their own!
I am from NYC and have tried all the New Haven spots and I am sorry but New Haven is the pizza capital of the world. Not only is the pizza great, but the people and neighborhoods are an added bonus of friendliness, something NYC could learn about!
Try Zuppardis Pizza in West Haven. I personally think its better than the others mentioned. Try the sausage pizza. The sausage is made in house.
Everyone is telling us that is the spot! Definitely going when we are back home (:
Who are you trying to convince bud? Me…or you?
You must be from one of the outer boroughs (NOT REAL NEW YORK). New Haven produced the second pizza place in the US, (Lombardi’s at 57 and 1/2 Spring Street was the first, and Frank Peppe’s of New Haven puts them to shame). The little Italy of New Haven has a rich history of immigrants and food from the Amalfi coast. Electric oven pizza (AKA “New York Pizza” ) was actually started in New Haven. So was the American Hamburger. Unfortunately the infamous “Italian Grinder” was created in New Haven too, but that was butchered by a Bristol CT resident who created the abomination we know as Subway from it. Also bad pizza meaning “Greek Pizza” was unfortunately created and is still sold in New Haven as well. Unfortunately without that Greek American pizza abomination created in New Haven we would not have Dominos or Pappa John’s or any of the other grotesque pizza substitute s. Did I mention New Haven is one of the 3 hot dog capitals of the world as well!?! Or that the 23 years I lived in Manhattan there where only 5 great pizza places out of 5000!?!
I’m from NY and while I love NY pizza the most… I just had Sally’s and it was phenomenal. Plenty of room for great pizza…except Chicago style. No pizza
Awesome! NY pizza is so good it’s hard to compare them. I just grew up on New Haven so I’ll always love it
Hi Danny! Grew up around Wooster St, now living in Mt P! Man are you right! I had to fly up to New Haven for my closest cousin’s funeral. Like my brother. I went to Sally’s, new owners, but still the best! Went to Modern & had an excellent pie!
Tolli’s of East Haven, opened in John’s Island. Not Sally’s, but pretty dang good.
Best to you
I went to Ct and I was told by the train employee to stop at pepe’s so I went and to me it was not as good as he says I found no flavor in the bread, the cheese or the pepperoni sorry to disappoint but to me is not great or good, now I went to Marco Polo in downtown New Haven and to me it is flavorful pizza.
Everyone has their own taste when it comes to the pizza in New Haven! Can’t blame ya for liking one over the other. In our opinion they are all very good.
They all are terrible. Their pies are undercooked and topping slides off. Best pie in the spare us original Colony Grill in Stamford.
Love to hear how passionate people in CT are about their pizza! I think you’re in the minority saying New Haven pizza is terrible, but we’ll have to give Colony Grill a shot.
I totally agree with your description of Pepe’s, Sally’s, and Modern! Wow, never found anyone else who thought that. My favorite New Haven pizza is
at Bar especially the mashed potatoes one. –from: lived in New Haven for 40 years.
Thank you for this great article. I was a lifelong New Haven county Pizza (ah-beetz) eater. Sally’s, Frank Pepe, Zupardis, Modern, even Roseland in Derby and Bella Napoli in my old hometown of Milford, CT. Pizza is the main focus but alot of other great dishes from many local restaurants also have earned my respect and admonishment. I took for granted all my life that pizza would be pizza no matter where in my world of Connecticut I went… Then I moved to Minnesota. And Midwest pizza is NOT like New Haven pizza. They need to know New Haven pizza. To experience it. To learn how to make it. They need a New Haven Culinary School all across the country.
So true! It’s the best pizza in the world in my opinion… But I’m super biased (:
Did you know The Culinary Instuite of America. A legendary cooking school started in New Haven.. Now it is in Hyde Park N.Y. I know because when I went it was in New Haven. Thinking! Is that why the pizza is so good?
That’s interesting maybe. Also, there’s just a lot of Italian people who make really good food haha!
Exactly. I moved to Maine many years ago and made that painful realization years ago myself. So when I go back to CT for visits it’s usually Zuppardi’s apizza or some whole belly fried clams and a dog at Jimmies, both in West Haven.
So true, Kenneth. I moved to Sacramento, 20 years ago. Most of the patrons at the pizza joints in northern Cal. judge their pizza based on how thick the crust is or how non acidic the sauce is due to the sugar added to the sauce. They want cheddar and gruyere cheese on their pies that have a salad bowl or a bunch of fruit on them.
I grew up on Pepe’s and would go to Modern if the wait was unreasonable. I miss “real” apizza. My Aunt Clara lived in the elder housing behind Roseland…..I need a trip home so I can eat some real food. I will go to Pepe’s and willstop by Libby’s for a cannoli that isn’t filled with whipped cream.
I too took it for granted and didn’t know what I had until it was gone.
I’m the same. I grew up in CT, and ate at Sally’s and Frank’s often and never realized after growing up and moving West that that would be the best pizza I’ll ever eat. I love reading these articles and sharing my memories with my family. The closest we have to good pizza out west is Marcos Pizza or you have to go to Vegas to New York New York (casino). I used to tell my family Pizza Hut is trash why do you eat that? That’s not even pizza! I would describe being younger and my father taking me to get a clam pizza on Wednesday nights and nothing in the world compares! Now New Haven is officially on the map and I am SO proud to having been raised on the best pizza EVER!
Right! There’s nothing that beats it in my opinion. You don’t realize it until you’re somewhere else!
Skip the long lines and ‘Soupman’ type attitudes at both Frank Pepe’s and Sally’s, and go to Modern Pizza on State Street nearby!
The pizza is a good or better than the two overrated Wooster Square pizza dynasties!!
We loved Modern, too! So good
nother great pizza spot is Grand Apizza in Fairhaven, CT
Just as good as the others!
Adding it to the list for next time we’re in CT!
Ernies on the west side of New haven is a contender. Bar in New haven is as well. Lotta great pie in the elm city.
Too many to count! Have had a lot of fun times at Bar, but need to try Ernies for sure.
Ernie’s on Whalley Avenue is #1 in New Haven. Let the tourists have the other places.
Just out of curiosity… When did these New Haven pizza places become “touristy?” Was it in just the last few years, or do you feel it’s always been that way? Growing up I always thought of them more as more local joints, but I was always visiting family I am not originally from here.
Was up there last week with my daughter.We started out at Pepe’s,went to Sally”s,then to Modern.
Lastly we went to Zuppardis.
In my opinion Zuppardi’s was the best,without a doubt..But the way I’m from NJ, We have some very good Pizza also.Lidos in Hackensack.Barcelona’s in Garfield to name a couple…
Wow Zuppardis is getting a lot of love! NEED to try this now!
Hands down Sally’s is the best but all are very good. Also a great hidden gem of a pizza joint try Roseland Pizza in Derby not too far from New Haven. Worth the trip!
We love Sally’s! We need to taste Roseland now. Getting so many great tips for new pizza places to try!
Yes do try Roseland….mommy I can smell that place…..you get slapped the face with the beautiful aromas when you drive up to the place.
Over the last 60 yrs i have tried all the mentioned pizza places in New Haven and while they are all excellent my favorite when i visit family in CT
my preference is Roseland in Derby which is close to New Haven
My fsvorite is their Arugala pizza
Wow that sounds amazing! Have to try it
In addition to those 3 legends their is another amazing spit just over the New Haven line in West Haven CT Called Zupardis Apizzia, ive had all the New Haven pies and hands down Zup’s is the best! Give it a shot next time you’re in the area
Wow we’ve never had Zupardis! Definitely will check that out sometime. Thanks!
Zupardi’s is in my old neighborhood. Great Apizza(Abeetz!)
Awesome!! Can’t wait to stop in for a bite (:
I’ve been going to all three places my entire life. Sally’s is the best for me
Same here! Sally’s is soooo good
Frank Sinatra’s chauffeur was Sally’s brother. Needless to say he knew the family and ate there for years. Nothing to do with after a concert.
Good to know! Thanks for sharing
If you watch the documentary PIZZA A LOVE STORY you can learn the full history of these three places and pizza in New Haven. It’s streaming on TubiTV and on dvd.
Awesome! We will check it out
Every town and neighborhood in the tri-state area has pizza restaurants and slice joints. You grow up with a style of pizza that becomes your favorite whether your from Brooklyn, Bed-Sty, the village, Patterson, Yonkers, etc. That said New Haven style pizza is good and worth the drive to sample the three or four most noted pizza places.
I’ve been to Sally’s, Frank Pepe’s a couple of times and most recently Modern. Personally I like Modern Apizza best particularly their eggplant and their pizza Margarita. Ranking the three I would chose Modern, Sally’s then Frank Pepe’s, whose white clam pie which they are famous for, I’d take a pass on.
So true! So much good pizza in the New York/New Jersey area. Need to try the eggplant at Modern next time!
I grew up on Sally’s pizza. My father knew the family personally before I was even born which was before 1969. He did tell me the story’s of Frank Sinatra visiting and being invited to New York for dinner with Sal to see him. But he never went.
Then you grew up on some of the best! Amazing story, thanks for sharing ( :