New York City's reputation for having the finest pizza is well-known, and now they have further evidence to support this claim. Recently, the Italy-based 50 Top Pizza Awards unveiled its 2024 global rankings, with a Lower East Side pizzeria taking the top spot. Una Pizza Napoletana, established by renowned pizza expert Anthony Mangieri in March 2022, not only triumphed over American competitors but also over global ones, including those in Naples, Italy—the birthplace of pizza and a culinary mecca for food enthusiasts.

"It's an honor to receive this recognition in my 30th year of making pizza, especially in Naples, where it all began," Mangieri expressed in an email on Thursday. New Yorkers can also boast about three other pizzerias that made it to the 2024 list, which featured a total of 101 restaurants (despite the "50" in the award's name). The other New York pizzerias ranked were Ribalta at No. 19, Don Antonio at No. 30, and L'Industrie Pizzeria at No. 80.

Italy continued to dominate the list with 41 restaurants, while the United States had 15 places acknowledged. Naples, in particular, outperformed New York with five entries, including a tie for the No. 2 spot with Diego Vitagliano Pizzeria. The awards showcased the global nature of pizza by including countries not typically associated with pizza excellence, such as South Korea, Bolivia, and India.

The 50 Top Pizza Awards explained on its website how Una achieved the highest honor: "In a country known for its extravagant pizza toppings, Anthony offers a return to the purest tradition with ingredients of exceptional quality. The menu features classics like Marinara, Margherita, Cosacca, and a daily-changing pizza based on market-fresh ingredients."

Mangieri, who hails from New Jersey, developed a passion for pizza at a young age, as stated by a restaurant spokesperson. His quest for the "perfect pizza" led his mother to drive him to renowned pizza spots across New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. Mangieri's focus is on naturally leavened, wood-fired pizzas, using ingredients like the finest San Marzano tomatoes, Amalfi wild oregano, buffalo mozzarella DOP, and Sicilian sea salt.

"He has chosen to maintain only one location to ensure an obsessive attention to detail," the spokesperson added. Mangieri emphasized the importance of the dough, stating, "What makes a great pizza is first and foremost the dough. It's not about a specific recipe but understanding hydration, how to handle the dough, and being adaptable to various factors."

"At Una, our uniqueness comes from our naturally leavened and highly hydrated dough, never refrigerated, crafted from a blend of various Italian flours, and made fresh daily," he continued. Una Pizza Napoletana appeals to the "slow food" movement, as they bake only a few pizzas at a time in their wood-fired ovens. The current location at 175 Orchard Street is the sixth iteration of the restaurant, which opened in March 2022.

The 50 Top Pizza Awards also commended Una for its homemade ice cream and seasonal sorbets. Regarding the accolades, Mangieri said, "While the recognition is appreciated, it's not the reason I started or continue to make every piece of dough at Una. It motivates us to pour more love and dedication into our work each day and to never take anything for granted."

When it comes to his own personal food preferences, Mangieri confessed, "I enjoy pasta, which I eat almost every meal, or my fiancée's Mexican cooking." For those hoping to sample Una's pizza, note that the restaurant will be closed until October 4th as Mangieri and his team are traveling in Italy.

For 2024, the top pizzerias around the world, according to the 50 Top Pizza Awards, are as follows:

1. Una Pizza Napoletana (New York, USA)
2. Diego Vitagliano Pizzeria (Naples, Italy)
3. I Masanielli – Francesco Martucci (Caserta, Italy)
4. The Pizza Bar on 38th (Tokyo, Japan)
5. Confine (Milan, Italy)
6. Napoli on the Road (London, England)
7. Tony’s Pizza Napoletana (San Francisco, USA)
8. I Tigli (San Bonifacio, Italy)
9. Sartoria Panatieri (Barcelona, Spain)
10. 50 Kalò (Naples, Italy)
11. Seu Pizza Illuminati (Rome, Italy)