Join Us On The Apizza Bus To Celebrate CT's NEW Top 100 Pizza Trail Features Pizza CT Pizza Trail New Haven Pizza Homepage Gina Zammit November 19, 2025 Connecticut, like the rest of the country was buzzing with excitement this week as election day loomed. But last month, there was a very different kind of election with sauce, crust, and plenty of cheese. After more than 13,000 votes from pizza and apizza fans were tallied, Connecticut launched its first-ever Pizza Trail, a culinary map celebrating 100 of the Nutmeg State’s most beloved pizzerias.I, along with CT Bites Editor in Chief, Stephanie Syrop Webster, were there for the unveiling of the trail and boarded the couldn’t-miss-it-you-tried giant DATTCO bus wrapped in apizza pies. Read More
Revisiting BAR’s Take on New Haven Pizza Restaurant Pizza New Haven New Haven Pizza CT Pizza Trail Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger October 20, 2025 Bar is located at 254 Crown Street in New Haven, CT, in an industrial building that proudly boasts its historical heritage with exposed brick, garage-style doors that open in warm weather, and vintage prints. As you walk through the different rooms and look at the food-beer offerings, you wonder whether Bar is a pizzeria that serves great pizza with a side of beer, or a microbrewery that drafts in-house microbrews with a side of New Haven pizza. For us, we were there for the pizza, and our single question was how it would compare to the other legendary New Haven pizzas. Read More
Why Modern Apizza in New Haven is #1 on the New CT Pizza Trail Restaurant Pizza New Haven New Haven Pizza CT Pizza Trail Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger October 06, 2025 Over the past months, I’ve been on a quest to find the best pizza in the Valley, exploring Waterbury and its neighboring towns. Now, it feels like the right time to turn my attention to what many consider the epicenter of Connecticut pizza: New Haven, where you're met with no shortage of options to explore. When a couple of buddies and I were scheduling a pizza lunch, we decided to sidestep the potential chaos of Wooster Street and headed over a few blocks to Modern Apizza on State Street. Once you manage to find parking, be prepared to wait, and count yourself lucky if you have that lucky timing of an immediate opening. We arrived just after noon and, to our good fortune, a booth was open in the back room. We took it as a sign of good things to come. As soon as our server arrived, we ordered a couple of bottles of Foxon Park, Kola and Root Beer, then got down to topping talk. We kept it semi-classic: one pie fully loaded with pepperoni and the other topped with sausage and onion. Read More
Bartone's Apizza: Community Meets Great Pizza in Derby CT Restaurant Pizza New Haven Pizza Opening Homepage Noah Schwartz September 18, 2025 On March 15, 2024, a new pizza place opened in Derby with little fanfare. No social media push, no PR blitz. They just opened.Being a self-proclaimed pizza obsessive, I quietly noted it and planned to visit soon.A few months later, I did. It was a simple takeout order: cheese and pepperoni. And it was fantastic.When I picked it up, I noticed how genuine and engaged the lady was who was serving me. She made an immediate impression. I have since been back several times and recently got to sit down with her (Sheryl) and her husband Marcus, the unassuming pizza maker.Bartone’s Apizza is their pride and joy, and it is highly worth a visit for any pizza lover with red sauce running through their veins. It’s also the kind of place that is, sadly, a dying breed. The couple simply wants to serve and support the community they grew up in—and will literally do almost anything to make you feel at home (keep reading). Read More
“Pronounced Ah-Beetz” Exhibit to Open at New Haven Museum October 9 Features Museum Exhibit New Haven Pizza CTbites Team September 17, 2025 From Frank Pepe’s original hat to celebrity-signed pizza boxes (including Gwyneth Paltrow and Yogi Berra!), if you love the crust, the crunch and the char of New Haven apizza, or simply have strong views on what comprises a good pie, you’ll find something to feed your personal pizza passion in the new exhibit “Pronounced Ah-Beetz,” which will open at the New Haven Museum (NHM) at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2025. Slices from Pepe’s, Sally’s, and Modern will be included. Free admission. Register here. Read More
Hidden New Haven Pizza Gem: Ernie's Pizza - Outrageous Pizza for Over 50 Years Restaurant Pizza New Haven New Haven Pizza Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger July 31, 2025 I guess after making pizza for over fifty years, it comes as no surprise that one of the best pizzas in the greater New Haven area, as well as one of the best pizzas in CT, is made by Pasqual (Pat) DeRiso at Ernie’s Pizza. Pat is the second-generation owner of Ernie’s, which was started by his father and mother, Ernesto (Ernie) and Jennie De Riso, in 1971. Pat purchased the business in 1989 and now continues the family tradition, personally crafting every single pizza that comes out of the oven. Read More
New Haven Pizza: One6Three – The Pizza Joint Celebrating 10 Years Restaurant Pizza New Haven New Haven Pizza Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger July 09, 2025 My CT Pizza journey continued in the East Rock section of New Haven with a visit to One6Three – The Pizza Joint, as it approaches its 10th anniversary. One6Three is located on the corner of Foster and Willow, and I have been hearing a lot of positive feedback from my pizza buddies, so I wandered over to check it out. As I drove through the East Rock section it was a déjà vu experience for me, the area was reminiscent of my neighborhood growing up, lots of two-family homes lined the street and you could feel the sense of community. It was that environment that first molded my love of Italian food and great NJ pizza Read More
Don't Miss: Three Sons Pizza Pop-Up At Graduate Hotel Bar in New Haven Restaurant New Haven Pizza New Haven Pizza Pop-Up Homepage Leeanne Griffin March 31, 2025 New Haven’s Graduate by Hilton Hotel is about a mile’s walk from Wooster Street, and in fact has a “pizza pay phone” in its lobby, with a direct line to Sally’s Apizza. But downstairs at its bar, a Connecticut dad has turned his own passion for pizza into a weekend pop-up with a loyal following.Joe Pangia’s Three Sons Pizza got its start at Old Heidelberg last May, offering fresh-baked 16-inch pies and slices out of its bar kitchen on weekends. Pangia, who lives in Middletown, is an insurance professional and avid home cook who began to perfect his pizza recipes during the pandemic, working on the dough, sauce and toppings and asking for feedback from friends and family. Read More
The Best Pizza In Connecticut: 120+ Spots for National Pizza Day Feb 9 Features Restaurant Pizza Best of CT Highlight New Haven Pizza Homepage Amy S. White February 07, 2025 An exceptionally vibrant and passionate pizza culture coupled with the May 2024 designation by the U.S. Congress of New Haven as the “Pizza Capital of the United States” makes creating a list of Connecticut’s best pizza joints a monumental task. By all accounts, there are over 1,200 pizza-making establishments that call the Nutmeg State home, which is the most pizzerias of any state per capita, as well as the most family-owned pizzerias. Pizza here is sacred. Serious. A point of pride. An area of contention. And, most of all, it’s a legacy that began exactly one hundred years ago on Wooster Street in New Haven.Keeping all of that in mind, we offer this list that we feel represents the approximate top 10%, the very best of the best pizzerias this small but mighty state has to offer. From the legendary coal-fired ovens of New Haven’s famed apizza places to scattered hidden gems to mobile pizza trucks, this list contains “The Pizza State’s” unique takes on America’s beloved dish in multiple places throughout every county (and a bonus surprise entry at the very end!). One is a century old. A few are brand new. Most have been in business for at least a couple of generations. No matter how long they have been serving pies, each is about savoring tradition, history, and that distinct flavor profile that continues to captivate locals and visitors alike. Connecticut pizza enthusiasts, rejoice! Hit the road, try a slice, and let us know your favorite in the comments. Read More
Zeneli Celebrates 5 Years on Wooster Street, New Haven Features Restaurant New Haven Pizza New Haven Pizza Homepage James Gribbon September 12, 2024 “People said to me ‘You want to open a pizza place on Wooster Street? Are you crazy?’, and I said yes.”I’m talking to Jeshar Zeneli in March of this year. The first hint of buds are on the trees, and no one is yet brave or hearty enough to seat themselves at the outdoor cafe tables, directly across from Libby’s Italian pastries. I’m at the small bar with a glass of red and a ball of mozzarella which tells his life story. It both explains, and justifies, the crazy idea.The Zeneli brothers – Aleko, Gazmir, Jeshar, and Jetmir – have a history of bold ventures. When the Iron Curtain fell from the borders of their native Albania in 1991 and friends and neighbors were making their way out of the former Soviet Bloc to countries like Greece or Germany, the brothers wisely decided on Naples instead, where they became cheese makers and pizzaiolos. Jeshar was recruited as a consultant in New Haven, teaching a local shop to make Buffalo mozzarella, ricotta, burrata, scamorza, and first got a taste of the local apizza. The brothers by then were living in New York, where Gazmir had won a Caputo Cup for his pies at Rossopomodoro at Eataly. They became convinced there was room for classic Neapolitan pizza in New Haven’s dining scene. On August 1st, Zeneli Pizzeria e cucina Napoletana celebrated its five year anniversary. Read More
Sally’s Apizza Opens in Wethersfield August 29th Restaurant Pizza Sally's Apizza Wethersfield Opening New Haven Pizza CTbites Team August 27, 2024 Sally’s Apizza, the iconic New-Haven restaurant and bar, founded by Salvatore “Sally” Consiglio in 1938, will open on Thursday, August 29 at 5:00pm in Wethersfield. Situated on the ground level of the residential complex, The Borden at 1178 Silas Deane Highway, the Sally’s Apizza in Wethersfield marks the first of four forthcoming Hartford area locations, including Farmington, Newington, and South Windsor. Executive Chef and Director of Culinary Bret Lunsford created a menu of noteworthy additions to complement long standing favorites. Guests will notice a variety of starters and salads to start off the meal such as Italian Wings with Calabrian Chili; Meatballs served in marinara and accompanied with house-made focaccia; a Wedge and Caesar Salad as well as a selection of bruschettas including Tomato and Eggplant. An expanded entree section features both Chicken and Eggplant Parmesan; two pastas including a ricotta-filled Ravioli and Chicken Francese. Read More
Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria Opening Stamford Location June 17 Features Restaurant Opening Stamford Pizza New Haven Pizza Homepage CTbites Team June 12, 2024 This just in from the folks at Frank Pepe’s.Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, the 99-year-old legacy brand world famous for its New Haven-style pizza, will open its highly anticipated Stamford location Monday, June 17. Ahead of the official opening, the restaurant will host a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 am with Frank Pepe’s family members, staff, the Stamford Chamber of Commerce and city officials.The new restaurant, located in Bull’s Head Shopping Center at 64 High Ridge Road, marks the brand’s 17th location spanning the east coast. Read More
Pizzeria Owners & Legislators Head to DC To Declare New Haven the Pizza Capitol of the US Features New Haven Pizza New Haven Pizza Homepage CTbites Team May 18, 2024 CTbites is proud to be a sponsor for this historic event. We will bring you live coverage from the US Capitol.On Wednesday, May 22, a delegation of over 100 Connecticut pizza makers, legislators, veterans, and community leaders will embark on a historic journey to Washington, D.C. On the steps of the U.S. Capitol, this delegation will join U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (representing Connecticut’s Third District which includes the City of New Haven) who will enter a statement into the Congressional Record declaring “New Haven the Pizza Capital of the United States.”U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro stated, “New Haven has the best pizza in the country – and it is not even close. Ask anyone from Connecticut and they will tell you Connecticut pizza, or "apizza" as we call it, is hands down — no contest — the best pizza in America. I am looking forward to dropping the hammer on this debate and formally declaring in the Congressional Record that New Haven is the Pizza Capital of the United States.”This official proclamation will settle the long-standing debate over where the best pizza is made. Declaring Connecticut “The Pizza State” honors the thousands of families and workers who have devoted their lives to crafting America’s best pizza. Read More
GIOIA New Haven Launches BRUNCH...and It's Delicious Restaurant Brunch New Haven New Haven Pizza Pizza Breakfast Gelato Jessica Ryan March 22, 2024 The CTBites team paid a visit to Gioia right before it opened last fall— you can read about it here. This past weekend, CTBites returned to check out the newly launched brunch menu where you’ll be sure to find everything your brunch-craving heart desires. In typical fashion, we browsed the menu with discerning eyes, deciding which items seemed particularly delicious as well as photo-worthy. While doing so we nibbled on some Weekend Pastries – a selection of 3 different baked treats served with honey butter and a fruit preserve. Included was a flaky cherry turnover loaded with fruit and a cornmeal scone. This was not your run of the mill scone; this one was particularly light. The cornmeal added a lovely texture and a touch of sweetness which paired beautifully with the honey butter. These were joined by an old-fashioned glazed cake doughnut, reminiscent of eras past — the kind you want to dip into your cappuccino and savor slowly. Read More
Contest: Win a Full YEAR of New Haven Pizza from Info New Haven x CTbites New Haven Restaurant Pizza New Haven New Haven Pizza Contest CTbites Team February 08, 2024 In recent weeks, New Haven-style apizza has been big in the news, with feature stories splashed across such publications as The New York Times and The New Yorker. To the surprise of some, “apizza” is no typo. Apizza is a culinary cornerstone. Now that we’re on the same pie, let’s talk about how your readers can win free apizza for a year for National Pizza Day (February 9). Read More
Celebrate National Pizza Month with New Haven Pizza (sponsored post) Features Pizza New Haven National Pizza Month Pizza Tour New Haven Pizza Sally's Apizza Pepe's CTbites Team September 29, 2023 New Haven is a foodie destination. We’ve got a scene for every foodie, but here, every “apizza” is personal. Pronounced “ah-beetz” by folks across the Greater New Haven Region, New Haven pizza always wins.In the Elm City, pizza is a way of life and a cornerstone of our foodie culture. On our plates and in the books of state lawmakers, pizza is on its way to becoming the official state food of Connecticut, thanks to the “Pizza Bill.” The bill, SB 390, was authored by New Haven’s pizza historian Colin Caplan, and passed through the state house in 2021, up for a vote in the senate again this year. Our pizzas taste good, and our pies are also truly historic, (Frank Pepe’s, Connecticut’s oldest pizzeria, turned 98 this year, and is the fourth-oldest pizzeria in the country). Read More
Sally’s Apizza Introduces Non-Apizza Menu Items Features Restaurant Sally's Apizza Stamford New Haven New Haven Pizza Fairfield pizza Homepage Andrew Dominick December 18, 2022 A little more than a year ago, we gave you an inside look at the first of the Sally’s Apizza expansion in Downtown Stamford.Well, we’re back with a sequel that comes on the heels of the opening of Sally’s brand new Fairfield location at 665 Commerce Drive. Read More
Sally's Apizza Opening in Fairfield October 2022! Features Pizza New Haven Pizza Fairfield Opening Stephanie Webster September 26, 2022 The iconic New Haven pizza spot, Sally’s Apizza is getting ready to open the doors at their NEW LOCATION IN FAIRFIELD next month!!!! This will be their third location in Connecticut, the 2nd of which opened last year in Stamford.The restaurant will be located in the Trademark building at 665 Commerce Drive, in the space formerly occupied by Barbacoa Smoke House Read More
Atticus Market: New Haven Has A New Pizza Contender Features Interview New Haven New Haven Pizza Pizza New Haven Homepage Atticus Market Bakery Pop-Up Andrew Dominick January 23, 2022 “If this is good, people might throw bricks through the window. It would be a badge of honor.”The “this” that Brian Lance is referring to is the twice weekly pizza pop-up that goes down on Thursday and Friday at Atticus Market in New Haven’s East Rock neighborhood.Lance—who serves as Atticus’ bakery manager—knows that taking on pizza in New Haven could be viewed as crazy, but he, along with chef Matthew Wick and their staff have created something that’s both current and pays tribute to the city’s pizza style.They also know if they were going to tackle pizza, they needed a stellar dough recipe. Read More
Sally’s Apizza Opens in Stamford: A Pictorial First Look Restaurant Features Sally's Apizza Stamford New Haven New Haven Pizza Pizza Cocktails Homepage Andrew Dominick October 09, 2021 Let’s just get right to it.The legendary Sally’s Apizza expanding outside of Wooster Street is a pretty big freaking deal.Yeah, yeah. We know. You like (INSERT YOUR FAVORITE NEW HAVEN PIZZA JOINT HERE) better. Or you’ll have a snarky comment to leave that’s along the lines of “Sally’s New Haven is better!” or “I’m done because they sold out!”Don’t care.We don’t even need to dive into the history of Sally’s. Chances are you probably know it already anyway.But either way you slice it—yeah that’s a pizza pun—you’re intrigued by what the inside looks like and a few tidbits about what’s new at Sally’s first shot at a modern version of their growing ‘za business. And a couple visuals of their famous pies won’t hurt you either!Sally’s. Stamford. Go crazy! Read More
