What shall we get? A pizza expert’s guide to Connecticut’s primo pies
New Haven native Colin Caplan is an authority on pizza. He leads five pizza tours, including the famous six-hour Pizza Lovers Tour in New Haven, created a 2019 documentary titled “Pizza: A Love Story,” and recently set a Guinness World Record for hosting the Largest Pizza Party with 4,525 attendees. Caplan shared his top picks among Connecticut’s best pizzerias, based on the Connecticut Pizza Trail and his personal rankings. Responses are edited for clarity.
Modern Apizza
The mozzarella pizza here is exceptional, delivering the perfect balance of flavors, textures, and melty satisfaction pizza lovers expect. Meat enthusiasts should try the Italian Bomb, featuring three different meats, four vegetables, sauce, and cheese, all in a thin crust packed with rich, vibrant taste.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
Order the original sauce and grated cheese pizza with garlic for the classic New Haven-style experience. This traditional Neapolitan pie gains its unique flavor from Pepe’s huge coal-fired ovens. For true aficionados, the white clam pizza stands out as a symbol of New Haven’s culinary heritage, blending local Native Quinnipiac seafood with beloved immigrant flatbread traditions.
Sally’s Apizza
The original sauce pie with added garlic was the favorite of Sally’s founder, Salvatore Consiglio, and remains a local favorite.
“Pizza: A Love Story” — Colin Caplan’s 2019 documentary.
Summary: Colin Caplan, a New Haven pizza expert and tour guide, highlights the best pies from Connecticut's top pizzerias, celebrating traditional flavors and iconic recipes.