San Francisco Pizzaiolo Earns Place in Culinary Royalty

     When it comes to pizza, conversations usually orbit around New York, Naples, or even Tokyo. But San Francisco has thrown a bold challenge onto the global table, and the man leading that charge is none other than Tony Gemignani. His flagship restaurant, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, has just been ranked the tenth best pizzeria in the entire world at the 2025 50 Top Pizza World Awards in Naples, Italy, a recognition that firmly places him among the greats in the international pizza scene.

Breaking into the top ten is no small feat. The awards are judged with meticulous detail, often through anonymous visits, and the criteria are rigorous: dough consistency, balance of flavors, service, presentation, and authenticity. Italy has long held the crown in this culinary kingdom, so for an American pizzeria to land in the upper echelon, particularly one based in San Francisco rather than New York, speaks volumes about Gemignani’s mastery. It is proof that what he has been quietly perfecting in North Beach since 2009 resonates beyond his neighborhood, beyond the city, and now across the globe.

Tony’s reputation has never rested on a single style of pizza, which might be part of the secret to his acclaim. Walk into his restaurant and you can order a blistered, wood-fired Neapolitan pie crafted in a 900-degree oven, or opt for a crisp New York slice, or even a thick, caramelized-edged Detroit square. Each requires a different dough, a different baking method, and a different approach to balance and timing. Most pizzaiolos dedicate their life to mastering one school of pizza; Gemignani decided to conquer them all. The variety has always set him apart, but the consistency is what elevates him. It’s not enough to offer multiple styles. Each has to be excellent, and at Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, they are.

This latest international honor adds to what has already been a banner year for Gemignani. Earlier in 2025, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana was ranked third in the United States at the 50 Top Pizza USA Awards, while his Las Vegas outpost, Pizza Rock, secured the thirty-third spot. That double recognition across two states shows his success is not limited to one location or one set of loyal locals; it is portable, reproducible, and universally respected. For a man whose name has become nearly synonymous with pizza innovation in America, this string of accolades only solidifies his position at the top of his craft.

For San Francisco, the recognition carries more weight than just bragging rights. In a city celebrated for its food culture, from Michelin-starred tasting menus to bustling farmers markets, pizza often gets dismissed as casual fare. Yet Tony’s has demonstrated that pizza, when executed with precision and reverence, belongs in the fine dining conversation. Visitors from around the world come to San Francisco expecting sourdough, seafood, or dim sum; many now leave talking about Gemignani’s pizza. It has turned North Beach into a pilgrimage site for pizza lovers and injected a new kind of culinary pride into the city’s identity.

For Tony Gemignani himself, this moment feels like both a validation and a challenge. Being ranked tenth in the world sets a high bar, but it also creates pressure to maintain and even surpass it. The higher you climb, the steeper the expectations. Every batch of dough, every oven burn, every topping combination will now be scrutinized with even more intensity, not just by customers but by an international community of critics and peers. Yet if Gemignani’s career proves anything, it’s that he thrives under that kind of spotlight. He has built his reputation not only on skill but on an endless curiosity and willingness to innovate while still honoring tradition.

The recognition from 50 Top Pizza sends a message beyond the awards themselves. It shows that craftsmanship, dedication, and a refusal to compromise can place an American pizzaiolo on the same stage as the legends of Naples. It demonstrates that San Francisco, often overshadowed by East Coast pizza lore, can sit confidently at the global table. Most importantly, it proves that a lifelong pursuit of perfection in something as deceptively simple as pizza can transform into something universal, inspiring, and enduring.

Tony’s Pizza Napoletana may now officially be one of the top ten pizzerias in the world, but for those who have waited in line at North Beach, watched the ovens blaze, and tasted the results, the recognition only confirms what they already knew. Pizza royalty doesn’t just belong in Italy or New York anymore. It has a home in San Francisco, and its crown belongs to Tony Gemignani.

Tony's Pizza Napoletana is located at 1570 Stockton Street, San Francisco, right in the heart of north Beach! Click here for more information:  Tony’s Pizza Napoletana