MD Pizza Place Ranked As One Of The Best In U.S.

DARNESTOWN, MD — Maryland is home to one of the top 50 pizzerias in the United States, according to a ranking by Italian pizza experts.

Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana in Montgomery County was ranked the 23rd best pizzeria in the country by 50 Top Pizza, a pizza evaluation site in Italy.

“The American pizza movement is very active right now, with a new generation of artisans who are ever more careful with the quality of their product and their ingredients. It is a trend that has been particularly noticeable over the last year,” 50 Top Pizza’s Barbara Guerra, Luciano Pignataro and Albert Sapere said in a statement.

The top five pizzerias in the U.S., according to the ranking, are Una Pizza Napoletana in New York, Razza Pizza Artiginale in Jersey City, Ken’s Artisan Pizza in Portland, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco and Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix.

Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana in Darnestown was the only Maryland pizzeria to make the list.

"The venue, the project and the pizza revolve around (chef-owner) Tony Conte, a multifaceted personality who after various important experiences in different kitchens around the United States has put his creativity at the service of pizza," 50 Top Pizza said. "The pizza is made according to traditional specifications and it clearly satisfies its customers’ palate. You will appreciate the soft and fragrant dough, the pronounced crust, and the toppings that are created based on seasonal ingredients. The Italian wine labels offer very suitable pairings."

Inferno Pizzeria annually lands on Best Pizza lists by The Washington Post, Washingtonian, Eater, and other food sites.

The 44-seat casual pizzeria, located at 12207 Darnestown Road, keeps a menu that is strictly seasonal and based on the local agriculture, according to Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana.

Dishes include Margherita pizza with San Marzanos tomatoes, Fior di Latte, olive oil, and basil; roasted beets with strawberries, yogurt, and beet juice; oven roasted potato and onion pizza with smoked mozzarella and rosemary; and affogato — an Italian coffee-based dessert.

The restaurant is open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. until the dough runs out. For more information, call (301) 963-0115 or email contact@inferno-pizzeria.com.

Slice & Pie was Washington, D.C.’s representative on the list, while A Modo Mio, on Langston Boulevard in Arlington, was ranked the 48th best pizzeria in the country.

Inferno's ranking in the top 50 pizzerias in the U.S. was announced on June 27 in New York City. The top 15 spots will automatically be added to 50 Top Pizza’s ranking of the 100 best pizzerias in the world, which will be revealed at a ceremony in Naples in September.

The world’s best pizzerias are selected each year with the help of more than one thousand anonymous inspectors, many of whom visit an enormous number of pizza places across the United States.

When determining whether a pizzeria makes the 50 Top Pizza list, inspectors consider the quality of the dough and the ingredients used for toppings. They also take into account the restaurant’s service, the wine and beverage lists, and the attention and care given to customers.

See the full 50 Top Pizza USA list.