(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that on Friday, March 14, 2025 (National Pi Day!), the Connecticut Office of Statewide Marketing and Tourism will invite the public to begin voting on which pizzerias they think should be included in the Pizza Capital Trail, an upcoming collection of the top 100 most celebrated independent pizza restaurants in Connecticut that will serve as a guide for visitors and pizza enthusiasts on where they can get some of the best pizza in the country.
With more than 1,000 independently owned pizzerias spanning every corner of the state, this competition gives foodies and pizza lovers the power to help shape the ultimate list of Connecticut’s best.
“Connecticut is known as the Pizza Capital of the United States for good reason, and our small state has many pizzerias that take the top spots in national rankings and food critics’ lists year after year,” Governor Lamont said. “The Pizza Capital Trail is a chance for our state to celebrate the independent pizza – and apizza – restaurants that make Connecticut a destination for anyone who loves a great slice and an opportunity to let visitors know where they can get some of the best pizza they’ve ever had.”
To cast a ballot, pizza lovers should visit PizzaCapitalTrail.com. Voters can select up to ten pizzerias from a list of more than 900 restaurants or submit a write-in vote for a spot that may have been missed. Voting ends May 1, 2025, and the Pizza Capital Trail will be unveiled in late September, just in time for National Pizza Month.
To be eligible, restaurants must have a permanent brick-and-mortar location that can be featured on the Pizza Capital Trail map. This means that food trucks (while certainly loved!) are not eligible. Every independent pizzeria counts as one restaurant regardless of how many locations that business may have. So, whether a pizzeria has one location or four, it will be represented as one single entity in the voting and rankings. This ensures that every vote reflects quality, tradition, and taste, rather than just a footprint.
Because many pizzerias have similar names (e.g., multiple “Village Pizza” locations owned by different families), voters are strongly advised to double check and make sure they are voting for the right one.
Final rankings will be determined through a combination of public voting and an expert panel of 10 food critics and influencers, ensuring that both passionate pizza lovers and industry experts have a voice.
“Ask anyone where to find the best pizza, and you’re guaranteed a debate – but in Connecticut, you’re guaranteed a great pie no matter where you go,” Anthony Anthony, Connecticut’s chief marketing officer, said. “This isn’t just about New Haven, Stamford, Hartford, or Mystic – this is about the entire state. Every pizzeria has a shot. From the shops that have been family-owned for generations to the hidden gems people swear by in their hometowns, this competition is built on fairness, passion, and – most importantly – great pizza.”
For more information about the Pizza Capital Trail, visit PizzaCapitalTrail.com. For information about Connecticut tourism, visit CTvisit.com.