Featured photo by @surfclubnewport on Instagram
There’s a reason I keep coming back time and time again to write about the food in the smallest state.
If you’ve been reading my articles for a while now, you know I’ll stand true to the fact that the best food in the United States can be found in Rhode Island. Not New York, not New Haven Connecticut, Rhode Island. Any kind of cuisine is fair game in Rhode Island – but most especially the pizza.
Johnston, RI is the most Italian municipality in all of the United States. A whopping 46.7% claim Italian ancestry, which can be dated back to the 19th century when Italian immigrants flocked to Providence’s North End.
So, as you can imagine, the Italian food in the surrounding areas is really good.
With that being said, I’m sure it doesn’t surprise you when I say that any chance I get, I’m in Rhode Island to visit some authentic Italian restaurants.
And I’m not even slightly ashamed of it.
Federal Hill in Providence is one of my favorite places to go for authentic Italian food, but sometimes, I need my fixings for some delicious Italian-American food. And sure, I love places like Al Forno for this. But sometimes, I want to get out of the city for a bit.
And this is where Newport comes in.
Even for the beaches and iconic stores alone, Newport, Rhode Island is one of the coolest spots in the country. There’s something for everyone here; whether it be the historic sightseeing, popular beaches, and stunning ocean walks and seascapes.
But the main reason I love Newport so much is for the food.
Particularly, the pizza.
What’s so special about the pizza in Newport, RI?
As I stated before, many of these pizza places are owned and operated by people of Italian descent, using classic Italian-American pizza recipes. The rest are owned and operated by people who really know what they’re doing when it comes to pizza making.
Another thing that I love about the pizza in Newport, RI is that it’s just starting to take off in terms of popularity.
Even when researching ahead of my Newport pizza tour, there really aren’t many articles, if any at all, on the pizza scene in Newport.
Which is why I’m determined to provide that for you, so you can see for yourself what truly is the best pizza in Newport, RI for the first time ever in one comprehensive list (I don’t pick favorites, so this is really up to your best judgment).
So here it is, a list of my favorite spots for the best pizza in Newport, Rhode Island!
*Did I miss your favorite spot? Should I try anything new the next time I visit? Please let me know in the comments section!*
Il Forno
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Right on Thames Street in the heart of all the action is a casual pizza joint that’s a favorite for both locals and tourists alike.
This great spot makes the most delicious thin crust pizza, along with other menu items like pasta, salads and sandwiches.
They’re especially known for their All White Pizza, which includes mozzarella, parmigiano, fontino, ricotta, and fresh basil.
My favorite thing about this pizza place is their late night vibe. They’re open until 1:30-2:00 am most nights, which is perfect for the late night crowds when all the bars close. Who hasn’t ever craved pizza at 2am?
This is the perfect place to go for some of the best pies whenever you’re in Newport.
Nikolas Pizza
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Even though this local favorite place isn’t Italian owned and operated, the pizza is still delicious.
Nikolas Pizza is actually a full service restaurant, very different from your classic standard pizza place. Located between two iconic spots, the Red Parrot and Pasta Beach, this great place serves up some of the area’s best Greek style pizza and other dishes that have been passed down for generations.
Most of the recipes used in the restaurant have been passed down for generations and generations, arriving in the United States directly from Greece. When you eat here, you can be assured that the food is as fresh and authentic as can be.
This local spot has been awarded Best Pizza in Newport by Newport Life Magazine, and is also a late night spot. Stop here when you’re craving a delicious midnight snack!
Mama Leone’s
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Though this may not be the Mama Leone that Billy Joel sings about, she makes a damn good pie.
This is about as old school of a pizza shop as you can get. It’s a branch of a very popular pizza chain. And while I typically try to stay clear of chains, there are a few places that I will make an exception for. And Mama Leone’s is one of them.
Aside from some of the area’s best thin crust pizzas, you can also get calzones, salads, grinders, pastas, and even burgers at this location.
Come hungry; this place is Italian, so you already KNOW there’s going to be lots of delicious food.
Pasta Beach
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To me, there are few things better than wood fired pizza.
So it should come as no surprise that Pasta Beach is one of the best pizza restaurants in Newport for authentic Neapolitan wood fired pizza.
This is a full service restaurant with a bar, and is one of three locations; the other two being in Boston and Providence.
Newport is Pasta Beach’s original location, the one that started it all.
Their open kitchen is used to create some of the area’s best pizza, pasta, and calzones. I love all of their pizzas, but my favorite has to be their Quattro Stagioni, which is a mozzarella and tomato sauce based pizza topped with mushrooms, olives, ham, and marinated artichokes.
Eat in house or take it to the beach—no matter where you decide to go to enjoy this, you’re sure to love it!
Imbriglio’s
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Again, the authentic Neapolitan pizza made in a wood-fired oven just doesn’t miss. I swear.
At Sardella’s Italian restaurant is Imbriglio’s Pizzeria, a pizzeria dedicated to the owner’s grandfather, Riccardo Imbriglio.
The recipe for the iconic soft and chewy but strong dough was created through a lineage of Napoli and New Jersey cooking, where the best ingredients and chefs are cultivated.
To pay tribute to his family, all pizzas are named after Riccardo’s children, who he taught all of his authentic recipes to.
Each and every pizza is so delicious in its own way, so you have to stop by to try it for yourself!
Bar ‘Cino
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If you’re looking for a unique restaurant with a great bar scene, then Bar ‘Cino is for you!
With locations in both Brookline and Newport, this has been a crowd favorite for years.
Here, they serve grilled flatbread pizzas, completely whole, with a pair of scissors to cut the whole pie for yourself. To me, scissors for pizza cutting means business.
As previously mentioned, the bar scene of this popular restaurant is great too, so you can come for the food, and stay for the fun.
This is one of Newport’s most popular spots – you can’t miss it!
Surf Club
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Right in the heart of Newport is the ever-so-popular Surf Club.
This place serves as a prime social spot with the perfect people-watching opportunities, fun cocktails, and of course, pizza.
What’s especially unique about this location is the pizza-making class that they offer.
Here, head chef Brian will teach you all about the ins and outs of how to make a classic Neapolitan style pizza (for the third time, my favorite) by using fresh local ingredients.
People all around Newport can’t get enough of this spot. I highly recommend!
Antonio’s
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If you’re a UMass Amherst graduate or just love pizza, odds are you’ve probably heard of Antonio’s.
Yup, for all of you recent grads who are nostalgic about your college years scarfing down drunk pizza by the slice, I have some good news for you:
This is the same company.
These guys are known for their iconic pizza by the slice. Their pizza is loaded with a variety of toppings, and is located right near the Navy base in Newport.
Aside from pizza, their kitchen is loaded with tons of crowd favorites and their bar is always a great place to spend a night out. If you’re looking for a place that’s a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Newport, you’re in luck!
Tickets Bar & Grille
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So this one isn’t technically in Newport. But it is in Middletown, which is right next door.
This great sports bar is located right next to the beach, and is the perfect spot for some seafood, burgers, pasta, and, you guessed it—pizza.
Here, you can build your own great pizza or choose from their many specialty pizzas, all while remaining close to the water.
When you just want to sit outside on those warm summer evenings, you’re able to dine outdoors with a beautiful ocean view in the distance, and the vibe really cannot be beat.
So, the next time you can’t decide between shooting some oysters or eating a pizza, look no further than Tickets. You can do both here, and leave happy and content.
Aquidneck Pizzeria
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This one is also in Middletown, but I just had to include it—it’s that good.
This long-running pizzeria is located right near the beach in Middletown, and offers pizza, wings, salads, and lunchbox specials.
Aquidneck features many everyday deals, including a large pizza with one topping and order of wings for $21.99; the perfect combo to bring to the beach with some cold beers if you don’t feel like sitting at the bar.
Whether it be for lunch or dinner, dine in or takeout, you really can’t go wrong with Aquidneck.
Foodlove Market
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This high-end grocery store sells lots of prepared food, and is known for their Sicilian style pizza.
I don’t know about you, but if a high-end market is selling pizza, especially Sicilian style, you know it’s going to be good.
In addition to the pizza, this is the place that you want to go to if you’re looking for restaurant-quality food in the comfort of your own home. Which, I don’t know about you, but on the nights that I’m craving something delicious but don’t want to leave my house, this is perfect.
No matter what you’re looking for, Foodlove will have it!
