Best Pizza at the Jersey Shore
From legendary boardwalk slices to artisan Neapolitan pies, discover the shore's best pizza spots.
18
Top Pizza Spots
6
Shore Regions
4
BYOB Spots
6
Historic (Pre-1970)
Jersey Shore Pizza Culture
Jersey Shore pizza is legendary for good reason. For over 70 years, family-owned pizzerias have perfected the art of the boardwalk slice: thin, crispy, slightly charred crust topped with quality mozzarella and a tangy-sweet sauce.
The shore pioneered the "pizza-while-walking" experience. Boardwalk slice shops are designed for efficiency—watch them stretch dough, pull pies from blazing ovens, and hand over perfect slices ready to fold and devour as you stroll past the arcades.
Beyond boardwalk slices, the shore offers diverse pizza styles: tomato pies with sauce on top, Neapolitan wood-fired artisan, Detroit squares, and classic Italian-American bar pies. Many of these spots have been family-owned for generations.
Ocean City
Home of Manco & Manco and classic boardwalk pizza
Manco & Manco
$Est. 1956Iconic Ocean City boardwalk institution since 1956. Watch them toss dough, enjoy thin crispy slices with quality cheese. Multiple boardwalk locations.
Must try: Plain cheese slice
Prep's Pizzeria
$BYOBLocal favorite off the boardwalk with specialty pies and generous toppings. Great for whole pies to take back to your rental.
Must try: Buffalo chicken pizza
Vic's Pizza
$Est. 1967Family-owned pizzeria serving Ocean City since 1967. Known for their thick Sicilian slices and friendly service.
Must try: Sicilian slice
Seaside Heights & Park
Legendary tomato pies and boardwalk slices
Maruca's Tomato Pies
Seaside HeightsTomato pie | Boardwalk institution
Seaside Heights legend since 1950. Famous for their tomato pies with sauce on top of the cheese. A true Jersey Shore original.
Try: Classic tomato pie
Whole piesThree Brothers Pizza
Seaside HeightsBoardwalk pizza | Late-night boardwalk
Boardwalk favorite with huge slices and quick service. The go-to spot for late-night slices after the bars.
Try: Pepperoni slice
Sawmill Pizza
Seaside ParkClassic thin crust | Neighborhood spot
Just south of Seaside Heights, this local favorite serves classic pies away from the boardwalk crowds.
Try: White pizza
Atlantic City
Historic pizzerias and classic thin crust
Tony's Baltimore Grill
Atlantic CityThin crust classic | Historic AC
Atlantic City institution since 1927. Old-school thin crust pizza in a classic setting. Cash only and totally worth it.
Try: Thin crust cheese
Angelo's Fairmount Tavern
Atlantic CityItalian-American | Neighborhood landmark
Neighborhood Italian spot since 1935 with excellent thin-crust bar pies alongside classic Italian-American dishes.
Try: Bar pie
Whole piesWhite House Sub Shop
Atlantic CityClassic thin crust | Casual AC classic
Famous for their subs but their thin crust pizza is an underrated gem. Same quality ingredients, less of a wait.
Try: Cheese pizza
Wildwoods
Boardwalk slices and late-night bites
Sam's Pizza Palace
WildwoodBoardwalk pizza | Classic boardwalk
Wildwood boardwalk staple serving huge, foldable slices. Perfect fuel for riding the coasters at Morey's Piers.
Try: Cheese slice
Mack's Pizza
WildwoodBoardwalk thin crust | Boardwalk late-night
Multiple boardwalk locations serving classic thin crust slices. The late-night spot when the amusement piers close.
Try: Pepperoni
Poppi's Brick Oven Pizza
WildwoodBrick oven artisan | Casual artisan
Elevated pizza experience off the boardwalk with quality ingredients and brick oven cooking. Great for a sit-down meal.
Try: Margherita
Whole piesAsbury Park
Artisan and wood-fired Neapolitan pies
Porta
Asbury ParkWood-fired Neapolitan | Hip & trendy
Hip pizzeria with wood-fired Neapolitan pies, craft cocktails, and a cool industrial vibe. The artisan pizza destination of the shore.
Try: Margherita
Whole piesTalula's
Asbury ParkCreative artisan | Trendy neighborhood
Creative New American restaurant known for their excellent pizzas with quality, seasonal toppings. Great cocktails too.
Try: Seasonal specials
Whole piesPop's Garage
Asbury ParkDetroit-style | Retro fun
Retro-cool spot serving Detroit-style square pies with crispy cheese edges. A fun departure from traditional shore pizza.
Try: Detroit square
Whole piesLong Beach Island
Beach town favorites and casual vibes
Beach Pizza
Beach HavenClassic beach pizza | Beach casual
LBI go-to for quick slices and whole pies. Consistent quality and fast service make it a summer staple.
Try: Plain cheese
The Chicken or the Egg
Beach HavenGourmet | Quirky & fun
Famous for breakfast but their pizza game is strong. Creative gourmet pies with quality toppings in a fun atmosphere.
Try: Specialty pies
Whole piesBarry's Do Me a Flavor
Ship BottomClassic Jersey | Local favorite
Local favorite with excellent grandma-style pizza and classic Jersey pies. Ice cream too for the perfect shore meal.
Try: Grandma slice
Jersey Shore Pizza Styles
Know your styles before you order. The shore has more variety than you might expect.
Boardwalk Thin Crust
Classic Jersey Shore style: thin, crispy, slightly charred with quality mozzarella. Perfect for folding.
Try it at: Manco & Manco, Three Brothers, Sam's Pizza
Tomato Pie
Sauce goes on top of the cheese, often served at room temperature. A true Jersey/Philly original.
Try it at: Maruca's Tomato Pies in Seaside Heights
Neapolitan
Wood-fired with leopard-spotted crust, San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella. Soft center, crispy edges.
Try it at: Porta in Asbury Park
Sicilian/Grandma
Thick, square slices with a focaccia-like crust. Often topped with extra sauce and cheese.
Try it at: Vic's Pizza, Barry's Do Me a Flavor
Bar Pie
Thin, crispy, smaller diameter pies designed for bar snacking. Often found at Italian-American spots.
Try it at: Angelo's Fairmount Tavern
Pizza Tips
Cash Is King
Many classic pizza spots are cash only, especially boardwalk locations. Hit the ATM before you hit the boardwalk.
Go Off-Peak
Boardwalk pizza lines can be brutal on summer weekends. Visit before noon or after 8 PM for shorter waits.
Try the Tomato Pie
Tomato pie (sauce on top of cheese) is a Jersey Shore specialty. Maruca's in Seaside is the classic spot to try it.
Whole Pies for Groups
Ordering a whole pie is often faster than waiting for slices during busy times. Split one with friends.
BYOB for Sit-Down
Many off-boardwalk pizzerias are BYOB. Grab a bottle of wine or a six-pack and make it a proper dinner.
Ask About Specials
Many pizza shops have daily specials or secret menu items. Ask what the locals order.
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Pizza FAQ
What is the best pizza at the Jersey Shore?
The top pizza spots include Manco & Manco on the Ocean City boardwalk, Maruca's Tomato Pies in Seaside Heights, Tony's Baltimore Grill in Atlantic City, and Sam's Pizza Palace in Wildwood. For artisan pizza, Porta in Asbury Park serves excellent wood-fired Neapolitan pies. Each shore town has beloved local favorites worth trying.
What makes Jersey Shore pizza special?
Jersey Shore pizza has its own style: thin, crispy crust with quality cheese and a slightly sweet sauce. Boardwalk pizza spots have perfected quick-service slices that are ideal for eating while walking. Many shops have been family-owned for generations, with recipes passed down over decades.
What is a tomato pie and where can I find it?
A tomato pie is a Jersey/Philly style pizza with sauce on top of the cheese instead of under it. It's often served at room temperature. Maruca's in Seaside Heights is the most famous spot for tomato pies at the shore, and several South Jersey pizzerias also specialize in this style.
Are there BYOB pizza restaurants at the Jersey Shore?
Yes! While boardwalk slice shops typically don't allow alcohol, many sit-down pizzerias are BYOB. This is especially common in Cape May and LBI where the BYOB culture is strong. Check individual restaurants for their policies.
What is the best boardwalk pizza?
Manco & Manco on the Ocean City boardwalk is consistently rated the best, with multiple locations serving thin-crust pizza since 1956. Maruca's in Seaside Heights is legendary for their tomato pies. Sam's Pizza Palace in Wildwood and Three Brothers in Seaside are also boardwalk favorites.
Where can I find Neapolitan or artisan pizza at the shore?
Porta in Asbury Park leads the artisan pizza scene with wood-fired Neapolitan pies. Talula's, also in Asbury Park, serves excellent pizza with creative toppings. For a more casual artisan experience, several newer spots in Red Bank and Long Branch offer quality pies beyond the traditional boardwalk style.
What are the oldest pizza places at the Jersey Shore?
Tony's Baltimore Grill in Atlantic City has been serving pizza since 1927, making it one of the oldest. Maruca's in Seaside Heights opened in 1950, and Manco & Manco in Ocean City started in 1956. Many shore pizza shops have 50+ years of history.
Can I get pizza delivered at the Jersey Shore?
Most pizza shops offer delivery within their local areas. During summer, expect longer wait times due to high demand. Boardwalk locations are typically pickup or dine-in only. Apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats cover many shore towns, but calling directly often gets faster service.
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Time for a Slice!
From boardwalk slices to artisan pies, the Jersey Shore serves pizza perfection.