Pepe in Grani Pizzeria in Caiazzo is still the best in Italy and Campania in 2026.

Caiazzo – Franco Pepe's success has been confirmed again this year, with his pizzeria in Caiazzo, in the province of Caserta, winning the titles of "Best Pizzeria in Italy 2026" and "Best Pizzeria in Campania." In second place, as well as "Best Pizzeria in Lazio," is Pier Daniele Seu's Roman restaurant SEU Pizza, which also won the title of "Best Pizza Chef of the Year," just ahead of Franco Pepe and Luca Pezzetta (who came in sixth with his Clementina).

In third place was Diego Vitagliano, whose eponymous Neapolitan pizzeria won the special award for "Best Pizza Menu." Francesco Martucci of I Masanielli in Caserta came in fourth, followed by one of the year's revelations, Francesco Capece, "Best Pizza Chef Under 35" (like last year), whose Confine in Milan also won the award for "Best Pizzeria in Lombardy."

The awards ceremony at the EUR district in Rome for the fifth edition of Pizza Maxima, organized by E20-Events Factory and RistorAgency.

These are the results of the fifth edition of "Pizza Maxima," the Oscars of Italian-made Pizza organized by E20-Events Factory and RistorAgency, whose awards ceremony took place in the Spazio Novecento in the EUR district. Also noteworthy was the success of Roberta Esposito of La contrada di Aversa, Caserta, who repeated last year's success by winning the title of "Best Pizza Maker of the Year" again, beating Amalia Costantini of Mater (Fiano Romano, RM) and Teresa Iorio of A pizz è femmena (Naples).

In the top ten, five pizzerias are from Campania, three from Lazio, one from Lombardy, and one from Calabria.

Of the top ten pizzerias, five are from Campania, three from Lazio, one from Lombardy, and one from Calabria. The latter, Roberto Davanzo's Bob Alchimia a Spicchi (Monte Paone, CZ), took home three titles, more than any other: "Best Pizzeria in Calabria," "Best Contemporary Pizza," and "Best Dining Room Service." Also receiving awards were Gino Sorbillo for "Best Format" for Pop, Sasà Martucci for "Best Opening of the Year" in Milan, and Francesco Arnesano of Lievito Pizza Pane (Rome) for "Best Pizza by the Slice." Finally, noteworthy for "Best Roman Pizza," the 180g win by Jacopo Mercuro and Mirko Rizzo's L'Elementare tied for first.