Pizzeria Bianco

Pizzeria Bianco in downtown Phoenix is one of the most celebrated pizza restaurants in the United States and the first pizzeria to win a James Beard Award. Bronx-born chef Chris Bianco opened the original location in a Heritage Square grocery store in 1988 and has since refined his approach over decades of practice. The wood-fired oven produces pizza with a blistered, slightly chewy crust from imported Italian '00' flour, topped with house-made fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, and local Arizona ingredients sourced from producers Bianco knows personally. The Rosa — spread with red onion, Parmigiano-Reggiano, rosemary, and pistachios rather than tomato sauce — has become one of America's most iconic pizzas. The Wiseguy, with wood-roasted onions, smoked mozzarella, and fennel sausage, is a close rival. The menu is intentionally short: six or seven pizzas, a few antipasti, and seasonal specials. The intimate dining rooms in the Heritage Square Victorian building fill quickly and the restaurant operates on a first-come, first-served basis — no reservations. Weekend waits of 90 minutes to two hours are common, but the adjacent Bar Bianco offers cocktails and small plates while guests wait. A second location at the Town & Country shopping centre in Phoenix handles some of the overflow demand. The commitment to simplicity and quality has remained unchanged, making Pizzeria Bianco a must for any serious food traveller visiting Arizona.