St. Simons Island Named Pizza Capital of the World
- Adam Zembruski
- Apr 1, 2025
- 2 min read
St. Simons Island, GA — April 1, 2025 — In a move sending shockwaves through the global culinary community, St. Simons Island has been officially named the Pizza Capital of the World, edging out thousands of cities to claim the coveted title.
Critics emphasize that while Naples, Italy and New Haven, Connecticut remain permanently tied for first, St. Simons now holds undisputed third, described by food historians as “a coastal wildcard no one saw coming.”
Long dismissed as a shrimp-and-grits destination, St. Simons has quietly risen to international pizza fame—praised by dough traditionalists, topping rebels, and food critics alike for its bold flavor, marsh-infused crusts, and a sense of place that can only be described as “coastal chewy.”
"There’s something in the sea marsh air,” said David Arrington of Sea Palms Resort, and recently elected President of Pizza Tasters International. “It’s like the humidity turns dough into poetry. We’ve tasted pies from every corner of the world—but the magic happening here? It’s undeniable.”
To mark the honor, the Sea Palms Resort (www.seapalms.com) will host the first-ever International Pizza Festival in Spring 2026. The three-day gathering will feature:
Wood-fired tasting tents and sauce labs
Artisan dough workshops taught by chef Traves Burton and Sea Palms Culinary Team
The annual Pizza Stewbilee competition
The formation of the Golden Isle Crust Council, a new global pizza leadership body
Sunset dinners and community pepperoni tastings beneath the palm trees and oaks
PHOTO:
Pictured: David Arrington and the leadership team at Sea Palms Resort enjoying an early tasting overlooking the resort’s signature marsh views—what some now call the birthplace of the “St. Simons Crust.”
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