Jerusalem Pizzeria Wins ‘Best Kosher Pizza In The World’ For 2nd Year Running

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The prestigious TOP 50 PIZZA guide, the world’s most respected magazine for Italian/Neapolitan-style pizzas, held its annual competition on Monday morning in Tokyo, Japan. As part of the event, it ranked the best pizzerias worldwide and awarded the Israeli pizzeria Piedra the title of Best Kosher Pizza in the World.

Piedra, with two stores in downtown Jerusalem, is owned by Yoel Drexler, a charedi Jerusalem father of eight, and Avi Sinclair, who doesn’t wear a kippah but says he observes most of the Torah, keeps Shabbat, and studies with a chavruta twice a week. “At home, I wear a kippah and keep kosher.” Sinclair also hails from a charedi Jerusalem family, but his Argentinian mother taught him his love for pizza.

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The pizza store competed in the Asia-Pacific category, the designated category for Israeli pizzerias. This marks the third consecutive year that the prestigious guide has ranked an Israeli pizzeria, and once again, Piedra earned a place on the esteemed list—this time securing the 37th spot overall, making it the top kosher pizzeria in the world.

Yoel Drexler (l) and Avi Sinclair

During the prestigious event, which brought together the finest pizzaiolos from around the globe, Avi Sinclair was called to the stage to accept the award on behalf of his pizzeria and partners. He received a certificate from the guide—often referred to by experts as the “Michelin of Pizza”—along with an official chef’s jacket. In a heartfelt gesture, Sinclair took to the stage wearing an orange cap in tribute to the Bibas family, who were murdered while in Hamas captivity. As he held up the certificate to the audience, he made a three-finger hand gesture in honor of Emily Damari, a hostage who was recently freed alive.

Following the win, Chef Avi Sinclair said:
“I am deeply moved by this honor and by this incredible event. I am proud that Piedra has been awarded the title of the best kosher pizza in the world, and I promise that in the coming years, Piedra will continue to set new standards with its exceptional flavors while paying tribute to the dish we live, breathe, and love—pizza. On this occasion, I am also excited to announce that Piedra will soon be launching a delivery service for the first time!”

Regarding his powerful tribute on stage, Sinclair added:
“The difficult period we have been experiencing since October 7th is with us every day, every moment. Even in a joyful occasion like this, it is our duty to remember those who were fortunate to return home safely and, sadly, those who did not make it back, leaving us with deep sorrow and pain. We will continue to call for the return of our kidnapped brothers and sisters, who have now been in Hamas captivity for 522 days. Their return home will be a tremendous victory and a moment of immense joy for us all.”