4 FL Pizza Places Rank Among The 50 Best In U.S.

FLORIDA — The Sunshine State is home to four of the top 50 pizzerias in the United States, according to a ranking by Italian pizza experts.

When determining whether a pizzeria makes the 50 Top Pizza list, inspectors consider the quality of the dough and the ingredients used for toppings. Experts at 50 Top Pizza, a pizza evaluation site in Italy, also take into account the restaurant’s service, the wine and beverage lists, and the attention and care given to customers.

The Florida pizzerias and their rankings on the national list are:

• No. 7 0′ Munaciello in Miami
• No. 11 La Leggenda Pizzeria in Miami
• No. 15 Fabrica Pizza in Tampa
• No. 40 PizzElla in Miami Beach

“The American pizza movement is very active right now, with a new generation of artisans who are ever more careful with the quality of their product and their ingredients. It is a trend that has been particularly noticeable over the last year,” 50 Top Pizza’s Barbara Guerra, Luciano Pignataro and Albert Sapere said in a statement.

The top five pizzerias in the U.S., according to the ranking, are Una Pizza Napoletana in New York, Razza Pizza Artiginale in Jersey City, Ken’s Artisan Pizza in Portland, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco and Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix.

Here's a bit about each of the honored eateries, according to 50 Top Pizza:

O' Munaciello: "Carmine Candito has brought a piece of Naples to the chic Mimo quarter of Miami. The dining rooms are full of color and fond references to the Neapolitan football club. The classic Neapolitan pizza is baked in a wood-fired oven. The soft dough is thinly spread and topped with authentic Italian ingredients. It gives the palette the experience of an excellent traditional pizza."

La Leggenda Pizzeria: "From San Felice in Cancello to Florida to become one of the most loved and well-known pizza makers: this is the beautiful parable of Giovanni Gagliardi, a lot of apprenticeship and a victory at the world championship in Parma for the Neapolitan pizza category. And that's what enthusiasts find in this place: a classic and traditional Neapolitan-style pizza. The proposal is very articulated: typical Neapolitan cuisine, panuozzi of Gragnano, calzoni, and, obviously, the pizza which comes in different versions."

Fabrica Pizza: "The pizza is the Neapolitan style and 12'' in diameter, made with easily digestible dough which is pleasantly crunchy. There are only a few pizzas on the menu, however, there is a large selection of toppings with which you can make your own personalized pizza: you can choose between white, red, and green (with pesto sauce) as a base, then you get to choose the rest of the ingredients from a substantial list."

PizzElla: "This pizzeria radiates all the family warmth of the historic center of Naples, starting with the name, which is dedicated to the founder's mother. The pizza style is, of course, the traditional Neapolitan one and it makes this place a landmark in Miami Beach. Among the most popular pizzas, we point out the margherita, the 'pepperoni', and the cacio e pepe. The service is perfect, familiar and professional."

Rankings for the top 50 pizzerias in the U.S. were announced on June 27 in New York City. The top 15 spots will automatically be added to 50 Top Pizza’s ranking of the 100 best pizzerias in the world, which will be revealed at a ceremony in Naples in September.

The world’s best pizzerias are selected each year with the help of more than one thousand anonymous inspectors, many of whom visit an enormous number of pizza places across the United States.

See the full 50 Top Pizza USA list.