The Best Pizza in the World This Side of Naples is in Alpharetta, Georgia

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Do you love pizza?

Who doesn't?

I have eaten pizza all over the world, including the birthplace of pizza, Naples, Italy. And yet, the best pizza I have ever eaten can be found right here in Alpharetta, Georgia, at Antico Pizza.

Growing up in Atlanta in the sixties, we weren't exposed to great pizza. There were Pizza Hut and a few other chains. And there were the rare independent Italian restaurants that sold pizza. By the '70s, a few local restaurants were gaining renown for their pizza, including Everybody's in Emory University and a tiny hole in the wall begun by a couple of Georgia Tech students named Mellow Mushroom.

And there were debates among transplants from other parts of the country on which was best, New York pizza or Chicago pizza.

But if you were from Italy or had ever eaten true, authentic Napolean pizza, you were out of luck.

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That is until 2009 when Giovanni Di Palma opened up a tiny pizzeria near the Georgia Tech campus named Antico Pizza Napoletana. I only had the opportunity to eat there a couple of times, but it spoiled me for pizza forever.

Until he opened up a location in the brand new Avalon in Alpharetta in 2015. Since then, it has been our go-to pizza place. Sure, we will get the occasional delivery pizza. We will even eat (gasp) frozen pizza in a pinch.

But when we want authentic pizza, Napolean pizza, we head down to Alpharetta and hit Antico.

Several years back, we were on a European cruise that stopped in Naples, Italy. Knowing it as the birthplace of pizza, we had one destination in mind; authentic pies. We wandered around for a bit, taking in the sights and smells until we found just the right place. They had a little outdoor terrace, so we could scope out the pizza before committing ourselves.

The waiter was accommodating and attentive, and we were soon noshing on the real thing. Napolean pizza from Naples. What could be better?

Antico Pizza in Alpharetta, Georgia, could be better, that's what.

It was good, but in my opinion, Antico is better.

And we are not alone in that assessment. The Festa Della Pizza in Naples awarded Antico with its Top in Class award across the entire United States.

I have little memory of the downtown location, but I make the trip to Alpharetta several times a year to feast on the real deal. It is also a favorite for family gatherings where you can commandeer one of the long tables arranged around the restaurant.

Screenshot of Antico Menu

And if you are accustomed to pizzerias with 37 different toppings, pasta, salads, and all that, you may be disappointed with their menu of only ten styles. But there are good reasons for that. Not only does the pizza and the process have to pass the rigorous standards set back in the old country. But the ingredients are carefully chosen and sourced from the best possible locations.

Di Palma's cheese comes from Lioni Mozzarella and Specialty Foods, the country's biggest importer of du bufala mozzarella cheese. And every other ingredient is given the same care. Of particular interest to me are the spicy soppressata and the unbelievable Calabrian Chilis used on the eye- and mouth-watering Diavola pizza. For those who may fear going all in one of those spicy pies, the Calabrian chilies are available whole and chopped at the excellent condiment bar, which also has fresh parmesan cheese and traditional dried chili flakes.

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Antico also sells Calzones on their small and limited menu, but I don't know anyone who has tried it. I am sure it is up to their exceptional standards, but how can you go in there and not order a pizza hand-tossed and made before your eyes? It is then fired in one of the Acunto ovens imported from Naples. The original location is the only place in the world that has three of those ovens. The Alpharetta location only has two.

If it's just my wife and me, we will opt for the simple yet tasty Margherita pizza or add pepperoni to it. I love the Diavola but can only do that when I have some help.

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If you are looking for authentic Napolean pizza, you can fly to Naples. Or you can take the short drive down to Avalon in Alpharetta, Georgia, and have some of the best pizza on the planet at Antico Pizza Napoletana.

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