The 13 Best Pizza Spots On The Jersey Shore

Summer on the Jersey Shore is an unforgettable time. If you hit a busy town like Wildwood or Ocean City, you'll have a boardwalk of things to do, from riding a Ferris wheel to getting Philadelphia Water Ice (not Italian ice, water ice) to popping in boutiques. If you swing by a slower town like Cape May or Stone Harbor, you'll likely lounge on your beach towel all day and maybe ride a bike to a local coffee shop.

However, no matter what beach town on the Jersey Shore you go to, you'll get pizza. You won't be getting it from any large chain — that would be a heinous mistake. You'll get some classic Jersey pizza from a place that's made its home at the Shore for generations. Whether you're a shoobie or a local, here are the best pizza spots on the Jersey Shore you're shore to love. Per Philadelphia, if you don't know what a shoobie is, you are one. Sorry. Here are some unique pizzas you need to try at least once on the Jersey Shore.

With three locations on the Ocean City boardwalk alone, Manco & Manco Pizza is a tried-and-true favorite. Some OCNJ (Ocean City, New Jersey) natives claim this place is crawling with tourists, but that doesn't mean it's not worth your time. If you decide to take a hot girl walk along the boardwalk, the Manco & Manco Pizza sign glittering in the distance will be your shining beacon (and we mean glittering). If you hear your parents call it Mack & Manco Pizza, don't shrug them off. That was its old moniker, per NBC10 Philadelphia. The pizza spot is still serving up the same pies it's been known for since 1956 with a sweet but tangy sauce that makes it stand apart from the pizza crowd.

Manco's also has gluten-free pizza options for those gluten-averse folks looking to participate in the beach pizza craze. If you don't want to chance it standing in line for a slice, the shop sells half-baked pies that you can buy and cook to completion in your oven at home. Talk about convenience!

Known as the Shore town where New Yorkers go on vacation (it's only an hour and 20-minute drive from the city), Belmar's pizza scene has to live up to NYC pizza standards — and it does. Federico's Pizza and Restaurant (locally referred to as Federico's on Main) serves New Yorkers and New Jersey natives alike, pleasing both crowds. If your friends aren't in the mood for pizza (are they okay?) Federico's offers hoagies, pasta, salads, and calzones so that there is something for everyone. If you want pizza (as you should), you'll find some classic pie options here. White pizza (ricotta, mozzarella, garlic), Margherita (mozzarella, plum tomatoes, basil), and even a Federico's Special (sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, peppers) are just some of the pies available.

If you're in North Jersey looking for a good pizza spot at the Shore, Federico's Pizza and Restaurant is the spot. It's right on the main street, so you can pair your slice with a stroll to antique shops, the iconic Stay Gold Cafe, and even end your walk with an ice cream cone. Idyllic, right?

Known for its cozy atmosphere and fresh ingredients, Porta in Asbury Park is an ideal choice if you're in the beach town. Opening every day at 11:30 a.m., it's the perfect spot if you've been sitting on the beach since 9 a.m. and are starting to get hangry. It's also just a block away from the beach. If you're comfortable, leave your chair on the sand and bring back a slice to sit and watch the waves.

If you're more of a night owl, Porta also caters to that lifestyle. With crafted cocktails (we recommend Frankie T's Pain Killer for beachy vibes with orange juice, pineapple juice, and coconut cream) and outdoor seating, you can sip a cocktail, have a slice, and breathe in the salt air. One Tripadvisor user even noted they had their wedding here. That's a double commitment to each other and their favorite pizza place.

Vic's Italian Restaurant in Bradley Beach is many people's favorite pizza spot, not just at the Jersey Shore but anywhere. Even though it can have long wait times, according to a Yelp user, especially in the summer, a long wait usually means it's worth your time. That's a good rule of thumb for almost every pizza spot on this list. Vic's Pizza, as it's commonly known, has the classic thin-crust pies but also seafood, pasta, sandwiches, burgers, and salad options. Affectionately known for its old-school charm and outdated decor, Vic's has been kicking it since 1947.

The house salad could feed an army, so bring lots of friends and family to this spot. Bradley Beach, in general, is located in Central Jersey. Does Central Jersey exist? Let the debate commence (via NJ.com). If you're in "Central Jersey," Bradley Beach is a quintessential New Jersey beach town with a quiet atmosphere and an ideal spot to bring kids (especially since you have that house salad from Vic's Pizza to conquer).

Piccini is another OCNJ favorite, and it's the spot to try if you've already ventured to Manco & Manco Pizza and want something different. Piccini stands apart from the crowd because of its sit-down Italian restaurant atmosphere. You probably can't walk in with sandy flip-flops and a bathing suit (although you can try). Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the boardwalk but still conveniently located near the Asbury Avenue shopping area, Piccini is serving up pizza and classic Italian food. If you're a Pennsylvania native who's found yourself in OCNJ and are missing your tomato pie from Corropolese, Piccini has a substitute for you. Its tomato pie is solid and will get you through your Corropolese deficit.

Tomato pie, for those wondering, is a Philly staple brought over by Italian immigrants. It's typically a cold, square pie with red sauce and no melted cheese (but sprinkling grated parmesan on top is best), per Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. If you don't want to branch out and try a tomato pie, don't worry because classic wood-fired pizzas are Piccini's specialty. Throw on the nice outfit you packed and wear it to Piccini's to get dinner. You won't regret it.

Though "holey baloney!" is a phrase most commonly used by older generations (no shade), Tony Boloney's in Atlantic City is a spot frequented by people of all ages. With a warning on its website that says "indecisive folks beware," Tony Boloney's menu is extensive. However, in this case, we see that as a good thing. Whether vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian, gluten-free, pescetarian, or meat lover, this pizza joint has something for you.

Tony Boloney's is a saving grace for Jersey Shore pizza in a desert of vegan options. Atlantic City may be known for its slot machines and poker games, but you still need to eat amidst all that gambling. When looking for a greasy slice, look no further than the Shore staple Tony Boloney's. The Atlantic City shop is the original location, and if you like what you taste, you can have it again if you're in Hoboken, Jersey City, Long Branch, or Margate. It also ships nationwide, so you can enjoy some Jersey pizza wherever you are.

Long Beach Island (LBI) can be a confusing concept to those unfamiliar with it. If you say, "I'm going to LBI for the day," and plug it into your phone maps, you'll be looking at a long island (pun intended) with six towns, says The Best of LBI. Those towns are Long Beach Township, Barnegat Light, Ship Bottom, Harvey Cedars, Surf City, and Beach Haven. While Beach Haven often receives fewer visitors than the other options, it's worth a look. Some of the best hotels on the island are here, and if you're looking to stay longer than a day, it's worth a weekend trip.

Now that you're here for the weekend, you need to eat. It's time to go to Bay Village Pizza. As underrated as the town, Bay Village Pizza is a quaint shop that will win you over with slices as large as your head and salty fries to share.

This double whammy shop has two locations on the Shore worth mentioning: Wildwood and Ocean City (on the boardwalk). Since you've heard all about Ocean City, we'll focus on the Wildwood shop. 3 Brothers Pizzeria in North Wildwood has been operating since 1971, which has given the chefs plenty of time to perfect their pizza recipes. If you have never walked along a boardwalk at a New Jersey beach town, you're in for a bit of a culture shock.

The Wildwood boardwalk, compared to other ones in New Jersey, is a bit more, well, wild. If Ocean City is for families (it's also a dry town), Wildwood (not a dry town) is for teens and young adults. The boardwalk reflects this culture. Young people looking for some summer fun should pop by Wildwood. Before going to the bar, you may want that perfect greasy item to satiate your hunger. Go to 3 Brothers Pizzeria. Be warned, however, that they close at 11 p.m., so this is the spot for a pre-going out slice.

Once in a blue moon, you stumble across a pizza spot you won't forget. We think that's what Blue Moon Pizza was going for with its name. And it wasn't wrong. Located in Cape May, this pizza joint serves up some unique pies. With everything from taco Mexican pizza to chicken fajita pizza to chicken caesar pizza to Greek pizza, Blue Moon is for when you're in the mood for something different. Get a group of your most adventurous friends and swap out that Taco Tuesday for a Taco Pizza Tuesday, and you may be pleasantly surprised.

If you're not full from eating a pizza topped with ground beef, mozzarella, parmesan, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and sour cream, you can split one of the desserts. Cannolis, baklava, and strawberry cheesecake are just some of your options. Cape May is a cute little beach town, and though Blue Moon Pizza doesn't quite reflect the traditional vibes of the area, it adds to the charm all on its own.

Have you ever gotten a large pizza, parked your car by the beach, and had a sunset picnic? If not, you're missing out. Ray's Sunset Pizza in Harvey Cedars (one of the six LBI towns we mentioned before) aims to provide the pizza for your sunset picnic. Grab a plain cheese pie, 8-piece wings, and tiramisu for the perfect spread. You could even pack some wine glasses for the TikTok hack of using them as utensils for cake (or tiramisu), per People.

If you're skipping the picnic and dining in, Ray's Sunset Pizza is ready for you. With lots of sunset decor and paintings, you can have your lunch and pretend you're watching the sunset (the vibes are good, people). If you want to do a pizza tour of LBI, feel free to stop at Bay Village Pizza for lunch and go to Ray's Sunset Pizza for dinner at sunset. You won't regret it.

Closing a few hours earlier than most of its Jersey Shore competitors (at 8 p.m.), Rosie's Pizza is worth planning your day around. The Instagram bio notes, "Call at noon to order lunch, call at 2 p.m. to order dinner," so be sure to abide by that if you plan on stopping by. If 9,000 Instagram followers and phone call instructions are indications, Rosie's Pizza has a cult following — and for a reason. Featured in New Jersey Monthly magazine, this restaurant is well-known for churning out delicious pizzas every time (via Instagram). If you've been looking to try out a style of pizza called the "Grandma Pie," Rosie's Pizza is the place to do it.

Grandma Pie is typically made on a cookie sheet and is thin and topped with mozzarella, milled tomatoes, and fresh garlic. As with most pizza joints on the Jersey Shore, you can get more than pizza at this place (but not much more). If you're craving an appetizer, order the meatballs ala carte with a side of ricotta for the perfect meal starter.

Like many pizza spots in New Jersey, Sam's Pizza Palace's origin story begins in Italy. When the owner Sam Spera came to America in the 1950s, he fell in love with the shore town of Wildwood and decided to open his own restaurant. Operating since 1957, Sam's Pizza Palace has been feeding generations of hungry beach-goers. Aside from delicious plain cheese pizzas, a unique aspect of this place is that it's constantly updating its hours on Instagram, so you should always check its page before stopping by. On weekends it's typically open until midnight, so if you're craving a late-night slice, pop on over to the boardwalk and get one.

If you're getting a slice during the daytime, the Wildwood boardwalk has plenty of activities, including theme park rides and games, so you'll never be bored (or hungry). If you really want to commemorate your time in Wildwood, grab a sweatshirt with "Wildwood" on it. However, avoid wearing it on the boardwalk unless you want to seem like a shoobie. Wear it when you get home.

If you thought you'd tried all of the best pizza places on the Jersey Shore but have never been to Maruca's Tomato Pies, you are wrong, my friend. Take the day trip to Seaside Heights, located in (again, does it exist?) Central Jersey, and visit this iconic pizza spot. Maruca's Tomato Pies is a family affair started by four brothers (what's more Italian than that?) and has really expanded since its early days in the 1950s. The restaurant has lots of merchandise you can buy (if you want to remember the slice forever), ships nationwide, and has frozen pizzas for sale.

Don't just take our word for how delicious and memorable the slices are. The New York Times says it has the perfect slice. Bon Jovi is obsessed, too (via USA Today). A highly regarded and hyped-up spot, Maruca's Tomato Pies lives up to the reputation. We recommend getting an order of the calamari, followed by one of its classic tomato pies. You won't be disappointed.