Charlotte pizzeria named Top 50 in U.S. for third year in a row
The North Carolina pizza scene is quietly tremendous, and two pizzerias have been named among the best in the country.
Charlotte’s Pizza Baby and Winston-Salem’s Mission Pizza Napoletana have been named among the Top 50 pizza joints in the United States. The honor comes from the Italian pizza-rating agency Top 50 Pizza, which reviews and ranks pizzerias around the world.
This year, Mission Pizza was ranked No. 19 in the United States, making it the second year in a row it was included in the Top 20 and the sixth straight year it made the Top 50.
Pizza Baby landed at No. 42, one spot down from last year’s ranking of No. 41. In 2024, the Charlotte restaurant known for its specialty Americana pies came in at No. 43.
In a new twist for the 2026 list, Top 50 Pizza added an “Excellent Pizza” list, essentially operating as an unranked honorable mention roundup. Pizzera Toro in Durham was included on the Excellent Pizza list, alongside some of the biggest names in American pizza.
Pizza Baby
Pizza Baby’s entry on the list says: “Trey Wilson and Steven De Falco, two bodies and one soul would write Petrarch. But also two locations on opposite sides of the city and one single project.
“The pizzeria successfully run by the two chefs has at its core: an artisanal vision that starts from the selection of raw materials to the processing of the dough: this rigor, in addition to the ability to offer a good product in an engaging and simple environment, is the foundation of the success of this close-knit and rapidly growing team.
“In addition to pizzas, ranging from the one with Pineapple to Sicily, the restaurant offers small appetizers, salad, some pasta dishes and obviously side dishes. Also, a lot of attention to wine, especially Italian. Customers are sure to find here an excellent New York Style that does not disappoint expectations. Also for sale is the bread, delicious. A quality reference that is nourished by the great passion of its chefs.”
Co-founder Steven De Falco told CharlotteFive that he and co-founder chef Trey Wilson are honored to make the list for a third year in a row.
“We both live here in Charlotte. Our families are here, and Trey and I work in the restaurants. We’re here to cook and bake for Charlotte and serve the community. We just love opening our doors for the Queen City — for everyone. It brings us pure joy to do so to host everyone.”
He recommends newcomers try “one pizza in the minimalist or purest fashion, probably our Queen Margherita,” with Italian tomatoes, locally made Siano mozzarella, basil and pesto, and then a specialty creation.
His pick? The 90s Supreme, with Italian tomatoes, pepperoni, sausage, onions, mushrooms and peppers.
“It’s one of our top sellers. People go crazy for it,” De Falco said.
Mission Pizza
Owned by former Wake Forest soccer player and Winston-Salem native Peyton Smith, Mission Pizza serves up piping hot pies from its wood-burning oven. The crust is dappled with char, airy and chewy and the toppings blend like a composed dish you eat with your hands.
Last year, Smith acknowledged the artsy small city is an unconventional place to find world-class pizza.
“Now 12 years on, certainly Winston-Salem is the least likely place to be on a pizza list,” Smith said.
Pizza Baby
Location: 2135 Thrift Rd #101, Charlotte, NC 28208
Location: 1601 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
Menu: East location, West location
Cuisine: Pizza
Instagram: @eatpizzababy
Portions of this story were previously published in The News & Observer.
This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 2:15 PM.
