What shall we get? A pizza expert’s guide to Connecticut’s primo pies.

What Shall We Get? A Pizza Expert’s Guide to Connecticut’s Primo Pies

New Haven native Colin Caplan is a true pizza authority. As a lifelong enthusiast, he operates five pizza tours, including the legendary six-hour Pizza Lovers Tour through New Haven. He also produced the 2019 documentary Pizza: A Love Story and set a Guinness World Record for hosting the Largest Pizza Party, attended by 4,525 guests. We asked Caplan to share his top picks from Connecticut’s leading pizzerias, as featured on the Connecticut Pizza Trail and his personal list.

Modern Apizza

The mozzarella pizza here is perfectly balanced, with a blend of textures, flavors, and that essential cheesy satisfaction. For meat lovers, the Italian Bomb is the ultimate choice—three meats, four vegetables, sauce, and cheese combined in an ultra-thin, flavor-packed crust.

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana

Caplan recommends Pepe’s original sauce and grated cheese pie with a touch of garlic. This Neapolitan-style tomato pie is a Connecticut classic, baked to perfection in Pepe’s massive coal-fired ovens.

“For the true pizza lover, Pepe’s white clam pizza codifies the New Haven experience, connecting the Native Quinnipiac shoreline staple with the immigrant flatbread we all adore.”

Sally’s Apizza

At Sally’s, the original sauce pie enhanced with garlic remains a timeless favorite, just as founder Salvatore Consiglio preferred.

About the Author

Colin Caplan’s lifelong dedication to New Haven pizza culture reflects his mission to share the city’s rich culinary history one slice at a time.

Author’s Summary: A celebration of Connecticut’s legendary pizzerias through the eyes of expert Colin Caplan, revealing the passion, tradition, and unique flavors behind New Haven-style pizza.

The Boston Globe — 2025-11-07