Best Pizza at the Jersey Shore
From boardwalk slices to legendary pizzerias. The ultimate guide to shore pizza, from Wildwood's Sam's to Ocean City's Manco & Manco.
Shore Pizza Styles
Boardwalk Thin
Paper-thin crust, slightly crispy, minimal toppings. Eaten while walking.
Where: All boardwalk towns
Bar Pie
Thin, crispy, and served in 8-10 slices. Often at taverns.
Where: Northern shore, Neptune area
Sicilian
Thick, square slices with focaccia-like crust.
Where: Available at most pizzerias
Grandma
Thin-crusted square pizza with chunky tomato sauce.
Where: Vic's, various spots
Tomato Pie
Sauce on top of cheese. Trenton tradition.
Where: Maruca's, select spots
Creative/Specialty
Loaded toppings, unique combos, artisan crusts.
Where: Tony Baloney's, newer spots
Featured Pizza Spots
Manco & Manco
Ocean City
The most famous pizza at the Jersey Shore. Multiple locations along the Ocean City boardwalk serve up the thin, crispy slices that have made Ocean City a pizza destination. The plain cheese slice is perfection.
- ✓Multiple boardwalk locations
- ✓Iconic thin crust
- ✓Quick-moving lines
Best For
Tip: Go before 6pm on weekends to avoid 30+ minute waits. All locations taste the same.
Pete & Elda's
Neptune City
The definitive Jersey Shore bar pie experience. Pete & Elda's has been serving impossibly thin, crispy pies since 1950. Expect a wait, but it's absolutely worth it. The Carmen's Special is loaded perfection.
- ✓Legendary since 1950
- ✓Paper-thin bar pie crust
- ✓BYOB
- ✓Worth the wait
Best For
Tip: Arrive early (before 5pm) or late (after 8:30pm) on weekends. Bring your own beer.
Maruca's Tomato Pies
Seaside Heights
A Seaside Heights institution serving tomato pies with tangy sauce and perfect char on the crust. The boardwalk location means you can grab a slice and keep walking.
- ✓Perfect charred crust
- ✓Tangy tomato sauce
- ✓Open late
Best For
Tip: Great late-night option after the bars. The sauce is what makes it.
All Pizza Spots
Three Brothers
Ocean City🍕 Boardwalk ThinCash Only
Local favorite rivaling Manco. Crispier crust, loyal following.
Must try: White pizza
Sam's Pizza Palace
Wildwood🍕 Boardwalk Thin
Wildwood boardwalk institution since 1957. Open late.
Must try: Pepperoni slice
Vic's
Bradley Beach
Family pizzeria since 1947. Excellent sauce.
Must try: Grandma pie
Sawmill Pizza
Seaside Park🍕 Boardwalk Thin
Across from Seaside Park beach. Consistent quality.
Must try: Fresh tomato slice
Tony Baloney's
Atlantic City🎨 Creative/Specialty
Creative pies and massive slices on the Boardwalk.
Must try: Taco Pizza
Mack & Manco
Ocean City🍕 Boardwalk ThinCash Only
The original Manco family. 9th Street boardwalk location.
Must try: Cheese slice
Prep's Pizzeria
Wildwood🍕 Boardwalk Thin
Great alternative to Sam's. Solid pies, good prices.
Must try: Sicilian slice
Joe's Pizza
Point Pleasant Beach🍕 Boardwalk Thin
Jenkinson's boardwalk spot. Quick service, classic taste.
Must try: Plain slice
Bruno's Pizza
Cape May
Washington Street Mall favorite. Family-friendly.
Must try: White clam pie
Pizza by Region
Northern Shore
Sandy Hook to Point Pleasant
More influenced by North Jersey Italian traditions.
- • Pete & Elda's (Neptune City)
- • Vic's (Bradley Beach)
- • Federici's (Freehold)
Bar pies reign supreme here.
Central Shore
Seaside Heights to LBI
Peak boardwalk pizza culture. Late night slices.
- • Maruca's (Seaside)
- • Sawmill (Seaside Park)
- • Joe's (Point Pleasant)
Classic boardwalk thin is king.
Southern Shore
Atlantic City to Wildwood
Mix of classic boardwalk and creative newcomers.
- • Tony Baloney's (AC)
- • Sam's (Wildwood)
- • Prep's (Wildwood)
Best late-night options.
Cape May Region
Ocean City, Cape May, The Wildwoods
Ocean City is the pizza capital. Fierce local rivalries.
- • Manco & Manco (OC)
- • Three Brothers (OC)
- • Bruno's (Cape May)
Pick a side in the Manco debate.
Pizza Tips
Bring Cash
Most boardwalk pizza spots are cash-only. ATMs have fees.
Go Off-Peak
Lines at Manco's can be 30+ minutes on summer weekends. Try before 6pm.
Fold Your Slice
Boardwalk slices are meant to be folded. It's the Jersey way.
Try Multiple Spots
Don't just hit one place. The shore is a pizza paradise.
Ask Locals
Every local has a favorite. They'll happily share opinions.
Late Night Options
Many boardwalk pizza spots stay open until midnight or later.
The Manco & Manco Story
The great Ocean City pizza debate centers on two family pizzerias. The original Manco & Manco (now called Mack & Manco at 9th Street) split years ago, creating the current Manco & Manco chain with multiple boardwalk locations. Locals fiercely debate which is better. Our advice? Try both and join the conversation.
Ocean City GuideFrequently Asked Questions
What are the best pizza spots at the Jersey Shore?
Top spots include Manco & Manco and Three Brothers in Ocean City, Sam's Pizza Palace in Wildwood, Maruca's in Seaside Heights, and Sawmill in Seaside Park. For sit-down, try Pete & Elda's in Neptune City and Vic's in Bradley Beach.
What is boardwalk pizza?
Boardwalk pizza refers to the iconic thin-crust slices sold at shore boardwalk pizzerias. They're characterized by crispy thin crust, simple toppings, and being served on paper plates for walking. It's a Jersey Shore tradition dating back decades.
Where can I get Trenton tomato pie at the shore?
While authentic Trenton tomato pie (sauce on top of cheese) is mostly found inland, some shore spots offer similar styles. Papa's Tomato Pies has influenced shore pizza. Look for "tomato pie" on menus in Atlantic City and Cape May regions.
Are shore pizza spots cash only?
Many traditional boardwalk pizza spots are still cash-only or have minimum card purchase requirements ($10-15). ATMs are available on most boardwalks. Newer and sit-down pizzerias typically accept cards.