The best pizzas in Elkhart County are not only life-changing, they’re also award-winning. 

The latest chef from Elkhart County to collect an award for outstanding pizza is Carmela Williams of longtime local favorite Antonio’s Italian Ristorante of Elkhart. 

Williams, who is part-owner of Antonio’s with her father, won the Americana division at the recent Caputo Cup in Naples. 

It’s a competition that’s likened to a world championship, according to local food blogger Marshall King.

Pizza awards run in the family. Williams’ sister, Gemma Cataldo, won top honors at the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas in 2023. Their father, Paul Cataldo, started the streak in 2019 at the International Pizza Challenge. 

But you don’t have to travel internationally to taste pizza that blends crunchy and chewy crust and mouth-watering meats, vegetables and cheeses. You can start, of course, with Antonio’s or another venture co-owned by the elder Cataldo, Osteria Amici in downtown Elkhart’s River District. 

They’re not alone in excellence coming out of pizza ovens. 

Venturi in Goshen is the state of Indiana’s first certified Neapolitan pizzeria. And in 2015, readers of Esquire voted their pizza in its top 15 most “life-changing” pizzas. 

And Elkhart County’s communities are full of locally owned pizzerias offering their own delicious take on pizza. 

Here’s a brief list: 

  • Bruno’s Pizza (also in the Cataldo family!), Elkhart 

  • The Fold Pizza Tavern, Goshen 

  • Michael’s Italian Restaurant, Elkhart 

  • Volcano’s Pizza, Elkhart 

Looking for even more choices in Elkhart County? Consider these choices for cuisines to fit every taste.