Two Israeli pizzerias reach prestigious '50 Top Pizza' Asia ranking

(JNS) — Two Israeli pizzerias made the Top 50 Pizza list in the Asia-Pacific region for 2025, the influential guide recently revealed.

The pizza industry guide, which divides its rankings into several categories, such as Europe, America and Asia, held an awards ceremony at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Tokyo on Monday.

The “New Entry of the Year 2025—Solania Award” went to NeoPolitan in Haifa, ranked at 25th place.

Piedra from Jerusalem made the 37th place in the Asia-Pacific list and was awarded the best kosher pizza in the world.

“I am thrilled by the honor and the impressive event,” said Avi Sinclair, the owner of Piedra, according to Ynet.

“I am proud we won the title of the best kosher pizza in the world and promise everyone that in the coming years, Piedra will continue to bring innovation with exquisite flavors and continue to honor the dish we live, breathe and love so much—pizza,” he added.

Sinclair stepped onto the stage to receive his award wearing an orange hat in tribute to Shiri Bibas and her two children, Kfir and Ariel, who were brutally murdered by terrorists during their captivity in Gaza.

“The complex period we have been experiencing since Oct. 7 [2023] accompanies us every day and every minute,” he told the audience.

“Even in a joyful moment like this, it is our duty to remember those we were fortunate to celebrate their safe return and, sadly, those who did not return home as we had hoped, leaving us with shock and deep pain,” he continued.

“We will continue to call from every platform for the return of our brothers and sisters who have been held captive for 522 days in Hamas captivity. Their return home will be a great victory and immense joy for all of us.”

The Piedra pizzeria was established in 2016 in Jerusalem and now operates three branches, including one in Petah Tikva. According to its website, it offers Neapolitan-style pizza baked in a wood-fired oven, with dough made from Italian doppio zero flour, slowly fermented for 24 to 36 hours, and combines toppings made from the highest quality ingredients, all prepared by hand on-site.

NeoPolitan also offers Neapolitan-style pizza with a “modern interpretation,” according to its Instagram account. Established about five years ago in Haifa, NeoPolitan is owned by Oren Avni, who learned to make pizza while traveling in Italy.

The Top 50 Pizza list demonstrated a stark contrast to the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants list, which did not include a single Israeli establishment in this year’s edition.

It was the first time that no Israeli restaurants made the list since its inception in 2022.