What shall we get? A pizza expert’s guide to Connecticut’s primo pies
New Haven native Colin Caplan is a recognized pizza expert. He runs five pizza tours, including a six-hour Pizza Lovers Tour of New Haven, produced a 2019 documentary titled Pizza: A Love Story, and this year set the Guinness World Record for hosting the Largest Pizza Party with 4,525 attendees. We asked him to share his favorite orders from Connecticut’s top pizzerias, ranked by the Connecticut Pizza Trail and his own list. Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
Modern Apizza
The mozzarella pizza here is sublime, perfectly blending flavors, textures, and the gooey delight pizza promises. Meat lovers should try the Italian Bomb, which features three meats, four vegetables, sauce, and cheese all layered thinly for an intense flavor and texture experience.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
Try Pepe’s original sauce and grated cheese pie with garlic—this classic Neapolitan tomato pie is baked in the iconic coal-fired ovens that define Pepe’s. For devoted pizza fans, the white clam pizza is a must-try, linking the Native Quinnipiac shoreline tradition to the immigrant flatbread heritage of New Haven.
Sally’s Apizza
The original sauce pizza with added garlic is a favorite of founder Salvatore Consiglio and a key menu item.
“This is the original Neapolitan tomato pie, tried and true, immortalized in the alchemy of Pepe’s massive coal-fired ovens.”
Caplan’s guide highlights the deep-rooted traditions and bold flavors defining Connecticut’s best pizza spots.