Mission Pizza Napoletana Earned National Recognition

The Winston-Salem pizzeria was named one of the seven best in the U.S. outside New York and Chicago.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Italian Food

Bold vector editorial illustration of a wood-fired pizza with charred crust, emphasizing artisanal quality. — Mission Pizza Napoletana in Winston-Salem was named one of the seven best pizzerias in the United States outside of New York and Chicago by National Geographic. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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National Geographic has recognized Mission Pizza Napoletana as one of the seven best pizzerias in the country outside of New York and Chicago. The Winston-Salem staple is led by owner Peyton Smith.

Why it matters

The recognition highlights the success of Peyton Smith in bringing high-level pizzeria craft to his hometown. It marks a significant achievement for a restaurant that evolved from a mobile oven into a celebrated brick-and-mortar destination.

Mission Pizza Napoletana operates as a brick-and-mortar location that opened in 2014. The restaurant uses a custom wood-burning oven to prepare Neapolitan-style pizzas, including a Margherita featuring bufala mozzarella.

The players

Peyton Smith

He is the owner of Mission Pizza Napoletana and a 2022 James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast.

Mission Pizza Napoletana

This Winston-Salem restaurant serves Neapolitan-style pizza and was recently named one of the seven best pizzerias in the U.S. outside New York and Chicago.

National Geographic

This media organization published a list naming the top pizzerias across the United States.

The details

The pizzeria grew from a mobile oven concept into a brick-and-mortar establishment that expanded briefly to Asheville before closing that location in 2025. Owner Peyton Smith gained professional acclaim as a 2022 James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast.

2014: Mission Pizza Napoletana opened its brick-and-mortar restaurant.
2022: Peyton Smith was named a James Beard semifinalist.
2025: The restaurant closed its Asheville location.
October 6, 2026: National Geographic published the pizzeria recognition.

Culture Shift

The rise of high-craft pizzerias in mid-sized cities reflects a broader culinary trend of decentralizing gourmet excellence away from major coastal hubs. This recognition validates the shift in American dining where specialized, locally-focused artisans can compete with long-standing metropolitan staples.

Residents may see increased demand and longer wait times for tables at the Winston-Salem restaurant following its national feature. The recognition confirms the venue as a premier local destination for authentic Neapolitan-style pizza.

The takeaway

This honor underscores that exceptional culinary craft is no longer confined to the nation's largest food cities. Readers looking for authentic dining experiences should prioritize locally owned establishments that emphasize traditional preparation methods.