Margherita Pizza: The legend and best slices

One of my travel dreams has always been to eat pizza in Naples. Specifically, a slice of margherita pizza. So, this last summer when my husband and I headed to Italy for two weeks to celebrate our tenth anniversary you better believe Naples was on the agenda.

That slice of glorious pizza came with a surprise however. My husband didn’t know why it was called margherita pizza. What?! After fifteen years together, listening to me ramble off food and nutrition facts, having a mini food history library in our house, and making pizza a weekly requirement – he didn’t know the story.

If you don’t know the story, I give you a pass . . . you don’t live with me after all. But just in case anyone ever asks you (or you need a fun fact at a dinner party) here you go.

In 1889 Queen Margherita of Savoy visited Naples. In honor of this royal visit gifts and great food were presented. One chef, Raffaele Esposito, presented a pizza using the colors of the flag of united Italy – red, green, and white – tomato sauce, basil, and fresh mozzarella. The queen loved the pie and it went on to become popular across the country as a result.

This legend has its naysayers and there is plenty of evidence that it isn’t true, but it makes for a great origin story.

Regardless of the true origins of the recipe, this simple pizza has become a symbol of the country of Italy. As such, it is one of three Pizze Napoletane with an STG (Traditional Guaranteed Specialty) EU label. For a true pizza margherita you need top quality ingredients and the right cooking method. I can get the ingredients, but I still haven’t convinced my husband to build me that outdoor wood-brick oven so for now I will have to settle for dining out for my favorite slice.

Here are some of our favorite spots for pizza margherita in the US:

Punch Pizza, St Paul, MN

Forno Rosso, Chicago, Il

Ribalta, New York City, NY

If you want to find a great pizza margherita near you I highly recommend checking out this list from VPN Americas. This group gives its designation only to “pizzerias who meet strict requirements that respect the tradition of the art of Neapolitan pizza making.”

Of course, if you can get to Naples for a slice of the real deal I highly recommend it. And if you would like to take me along, I wouldn’t argue.