Michele Pascarella's Napoli on the Road Crowned Best Pizzeria in the World 2026

Napoli on the Road Wins Best Pizzeria Award for 2026

In a grand ceremony held at the prestigious Mercadante Theatre in Naples on September 16, 2026, the esteemed Michele Pascarella's "Napoli on the Road" in London was awarded the title of the best pizzeria in the world by the influential pizza guide, 50 Top Pizza. The event was hosted by Veronica Smaracalegi, a renowned journalist and influencer from Spain, and streamed live on social media.

The rankings were surprising yet well-received, with two other pizzerias closely following Napoli on the Road. Second place was secured by Anthony Mangieri's "Una Pizza Napoletana" located in New York, and third place went to Francesco Capecchi and Mario Ventura's "Confine" in Milan. Notably, there was a tie for fourth place between Francesco Martucci's "I Masanielli" from Caserta and "Seu Pizza Illuminati" from Rome, led by Pierre Daniele Seu and Valeria Zuppardo. Additionally, two pizzerias shared the fifth spot: William Joe's "Pizzeria Sei" in Los Angeles and Tony Gemignani's "Tony's Pizza Napoletana" in San Francisco.

The sixth spot on the list was earned by Andre Guidon's "Leggera Pizza Napoletana" from São Paulo, Brazil, while the seventh rank was claimed by Giuseppe Elettiero's "RistoPizza by Napoli sta ca" in Tokyo. Following were Chiro Cristiano's "Baldoria" from Madrid in eighth place, and Daniele Carson's "The Pizza Bar on 38th" from Tokyo in ninth. Rounding out the top ten was Dan Richel's "Razza" from Jersey City, USA.

The awards also included numerous special recognitions, heralding outstanding contributions in various categories. Daniel Semrani from "Gigi's" in Sydney was named the Pizza Maker of the Year 2026, while the Pizza of the Year title went to "Pomodori" from QT Pizza Bar in São Paulo. Other honors, such as Best Pasta Proposal and Best Dessert List, were awarded to "Pasquale's" from South Kingstown and "IMperfetto" from Puteaux, respectively.

The event highlighted not only the best pizzerias but also celebrated individual and organizational efforts towards the promotion and appreciation of pizza culture. The Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani received kudos for their commitment to spreading the Neapolitan pizza heritage both in Italy and abroad. Furthermore, Pasquale Terenze, president of Gruppo la Piccola Napoli (GPN), and vice president Francesco Conato were recognized for a Guinness World Record achievement of producing and distributing 12,000 pizzas for charity.

This year's ranking saw representatives from 36 different countries, with Italy leading the way with 31 entries, followed by the United States with 22, and Brazil with 6. New York topped the list of cities with seven recognized pizzerias, while Naples and São Paulo had six and five respectively.

Barbara Guerra, Luciano Pignataro, and Alberto Saperi, the guides' curators, commented on the significance of 2026: "This year has been particularly meaningful for 50 Top Pizza, showcasing a growing number of pizzerias and professionals while reflecting the community's increasing awareness of quality. We take pride in the stories shared along the way."

The night concluded with a meticulously planned closing party at Palazzo Caracciolo, where guests enjoyed a warm and sophisticated atmosphere celebrating pizza culture around the globe. Looking ahead, the next edition of the 50 Top Pizza event is set for November 25 in Milan to unveil the '50 Top World Artisan Pizza Chains 2026' guide.

Project Partners

The event was supported by prominent partners, including Pastificio Di Martino, Ferrarelle, Latteria Sorrentina, and many more, highlighting the collaborative efforts behind the scenes to celebrate and elevate pizza artistry.

Complete Ranking of 50 Top Pizza World 2026

1. Napoli on the Road - London, England
2. Una Pizza Napoletana - New York, USA
3. Confine - Milan, Italy
4. I Masanielli - Francesco Martucci - Caserta, Italy
4. Seu Pizza Illuminati - Rome, Italy
5. Pizzeria Sei - Los Angeles, USA
5. Tony's Pizza Napoletana - San Francisco, USA
6. Leggera Pizza Napoletana - São Paulo, Brazil
7. RistoPizza by Napoli sta ca - Tokyo, Japan
8. Baldoria - Madrid, Spain
9. The Pizza Bar on 38th - Tokyo, Japan
10. Razza - Jersey City, USA
... (the full list contains 100 entries)

This year’s event and the resulting rankings solidify the global pizza community's dedication to excellence and innovation, ensuring that pizza lovers worldwide will continue to have a plethora of options to indulge in.