Pizzeria La Rosa in New Rochelle made USA TODAY’s list of best restaurants in the country.
The USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year 2026 list, released today, features 39 restaurants from fine-dining establishments to roadside burger shacks.
“This recognition is truly an honor,” said chef/owner Matt Di Gesu. “We may be eight years in existence but we still consider ourselves a work in progress as we’re constantly learning from our mistakes, improving on ourselves, growing, changing and reevaluating every week.
“We’re blessed to have found this 100-year-old space, on a dead end street, in the middle of a working class neighborhood; the character, charm and unpretentiousness of it all is something we’ve always organically embraced.
“From the music we play, the visuals we display, and even the merch we create, it’s about giving people a feeling before they even try the food.”
USA TODAY Network food journalists from across the country pooled their expertise to select the list, which includes the places they know, love and recommend.
Pizzeria La Rosa was chosen for its nostalgic charm, made-from-scratch dishes, carefully curated menu (no slices here — it’s all about the pies), and wood-fired oven that, at 100 years old, is the oldest in Westchester.
Here’s the full list and more about Pizzeria La Rosa.
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: USA TODAY named its Restaurants of the Year. This Westchester favorite made the list
Reporting by Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
