20 international cities for pizza lovers to visit

We obviously had to kick off this list with pizza’s birthplace. Known as a bit rough-around-the-edges destination, you visit for the food, not necessarily for its beautiful architecture or sites. Don’t sit at a restaurant expecting American pepperoni or Hawaiian pies. Neapolitan pizzas are simpler and prioritize fresh ingredients, such as mozzarella, herbs, local meats, and vegetables. 

New Yorkers will say they have the best pizza in the world until their dying breath. From upscale pizzerias to by-the-slice hole-in-the-walls late-night spots, there’s a pizza for everyone. New York pizza is often pitted against Chicago deep-dish, as the thinner, foldable slices are perfect for city residents who are always on the go.

Of course, Italy’s neighbor is going to have delicious pizza. Greek-style pizza (popular in the U.S. as well) is thicker, cheesier, and usually cooked in a pan.

Canada’s second-largest city is also one of its best culinary destinations. That means you’ll find a host of amazing pizzerias here, of all styles!

Home to deep dish pizza that is either one of the best things you’ve ever eaten or an abomination that should be banned. The local style is more pie than pizza and is cooked with layers of cheese and a crust that is more bread than pie. 

Naples isn’t the only Italian town that knows what's up! The capital city is renowned for its great pizzas and a distinct style, known as al taglio. This more oval-shaped pizza, reminiscent of American flatbreads, is baked twice and has a firmer bite. Romans are also a bit more liberal with toppings, although they probably still won’t tolerate pineapple.

Rhode Island might be the smallest state in the U.S., but it still manages to have a unique pizza style. Rhode Island pizza is rectangular, thicker, and often sold in old Italian bakeries, typically with just sauce and no cheese. This comes from a history of wanting meals-on-the-go available all day, but ones that wouldn’t need to be refrigerated, hence the lack of cheese.

The southeast of France has amazing cuisine and is heavily influenced by Italy across the border. Thus, you’ll find fantastic pizza around Nice, characterized by local ingredients of fresh veggies and seafood from Provence.

Sicilian pizza is very different from that in Naples. The crust is thicker, most similar to focaccia with a bunch of sauce and cheese. Toppings aren’t always a given, but olives and anchovies are popular.

Turkey is better known for kebabs and mezze, but pide, a popular pizza-adjacent street food, puts it rightfully on this list. The pita-like flatbread base is filled with cheese, olives, and your choice of meat or veggies and baked to perfection. 

Detroit-style pizza has gained popularity in recent years. The city serves up unique slices, which are more like rectangles and deep-ish dish, but not quite on the same level as Chicago. The crust, though, is crispy as it’s bathed in oil before baking.

Wood-fired pies have a long history in Brazil, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a street of restaurants without at least one pizzeria on it! However, Brazil is known for interesting pizza toppings such as corn, so bring an adventurous spirit!

Albania is undergoing a significant marketing effort to attract tourists, and as a result, its capital city has undergone a bit of a renaissance. That means many great spots are popping up, including pizza, influenced by neighboring Italy!

The German capital is a hotbed of amazing cuisine, so, of course, the pizza scene is top-notch. Visitors will delight in a mix of styles from Italian to Turkish and Greek, as well as fun twists and, notably, lots of gluten-free and vegan options. 

Alsatian flatbread, also known as tarte flambée in French or flammkuchen, may or may not be classified as pizza; it depends on who you ask. The extremely thin pies are delicious and pair perfectly with local wine and beer. The traditional topping is fresh cream, onions, and bacon, but you’ll find a variety of combinations on menus.

Yes, there’s more to Japan’s dining scene than sushi and ramen! Tokyo, specifically as an international hub, is a great spot for all kinds of food. Making headlines right now is umami pizza, which features a blend of Italian and Japanese ingredients, including seaweed, mushrooms, and melty cheese.

As a massive international metropolis, you can usually find high-quality bites in London, no matter your preference. It hosts many top, world-renowned pizzerias all over the city.

Cape Town has a great dining scene, so it's no surprise that its pizza is fantastic. Most places prioritize fresh, local ingredients and offer fun twists.

Many Italians and Greeks settled in Australia, which is why Australians are now so particular about their coffee. That also means the pizza scene in cities is absolutely stellar, and that’s particularly true in the foodie favorite of Sydney.

Long an international culinary destination, Copenhagen is now becoming known as a pizza connoisseur for the adventurous. Come here for seemingly odd creations such as blue cheese and pickled veggies, that just work. Oh, and they don’t skimp on the portions either.