Una Pizza Napoletana of the Lower East Side in Manhattan has been named the best pizza pie in the world by 50 Top Pizza. This prestigious title comes after being named the best in the U.S. for a third consecutive year. The pizzeria, owned by Anthony Mangieri, has beaten out well-known locations in southern Italy to claim the top spot globally last year, where Napoli’s 10 Diego Vitagliano and Caserta’s Francesco Martucci tied for first. This year, those two locations tied again, but Una Pizza Napoletana came out on top as the number one pizza place in the world.
Anthony Mangieri, originally from the Jersey shore, believes that the key to a good pizza lies in the dough. At Una Pizza Napoletana, he personally makes the dough every morning to ensure high quality. He stresses the importance of using the best ingredients and keeping the dough properly hydrated. While he is grateful for the recognition that Una Pizza Napoletana has received, Mangieri remains focused on his higher purpose in the kitchen. He sees the accolades as fuel to continue giving love and attention to every ball of dough served at the pizzeria.
Other notable mentions in the top ten pizza places globally include Tokyo’s The Pizza Bar on 38th in third place, Confine in Milan, Italy in fourth, and Napoli on the Road in London, England in fifth. Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco claimed sixth place, I Tigli in San Bonifacio was seventh, followed by Sartoria Panatieri in Barcelona, 50 Kalo in Naples, and Seu Pizza Illuminati in Rome to round out the top ten. Locally, other New York City pizzerias made the list, such as Ribalta near Union Square at 19th place, Don Antonio of Midtown at 30th place, and L’Industrie of Brooklyn at the 80th spot.
Mangieri’s dedication to upholding the purest tradition in pizza toppings with extraordinary quality ingredients has garnered Una Pizza Napoletana numerous awards and recognition. Despite moving the location of his storefront multiple times, from New Jersey to San Francisco, and finally to the Lower East Side, Mangieri maintains the same level of quality and authenticity in his pizza. Being recognized in Naples, the birthplace of pizza, is especially meaningful for him after 30 years in the industry. His commitment to crafting each pizza with care and attention has not wavered over the years, with every dough ball still made by hand by Mangieri himself.
The award site commended Mangieri for his focus on traditional toppings and high-quality ingredients, noting that his dedication to the craft shines through in every pizza served at Una Pizza Napoletana. The pizzeria’s menu features classic flavors such as Marinara, Margherita, and Cosacca styles, with a rotating pie added to the mix. While the accolades are appreciated, Mangieri remains humble and continues to pour his heart and soul into each pizza that comes out of his kitchen. The recognition serves as a reminder to him to not take anything for granted and to approach each day with love and focus in creating the best pizza possible.
