Montreal recently beat out Naples on Time Out’s list of best food cities in 2025 — and now we’ve one-upped the birthplace of pizza at their own game.
Montreal’s Pizzéria NO.900 took the top prize in the Neapolitan category at the International Pizza Challenge during Pizza Expo in Las Vegas last week. The honour was handed to a flawless pizza marinara crafted by Chef Mirko D’Agata, who beat out over 100 of the world’s top pizzaioli.
According to a press release from NO.900, it was D’Agata’s “perfectly executed” take on the classic that won over a panel of some of the most demanding pizza experts in the industry.
The 900 team called it a “historic victory” in a statement shared with MTL Blog — and for good reason. It’s the first time a Quebec-based chef has ever taken home the top prize at such a major international competition.
Out of 110 competitors in the Pizza Napoletana Division, D’Agata, who was born in Italy, advanced to the semifinals as a Top 5 qualifier before ultimately securing the win. That’s no simple feat, as the division adheres to some of the strictest pizza-making standards in the world.
According to Pizza Today, the Neapolitan Pizza Division allows only three official variants: Margherita, Marinara, and Margherita Extra. Pizzas must be made with type “00” or type “0” wheat flour and topped with specific ingredients like plum or cherry tomatoes, sea salt, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh basil, mozzarella, and grated cheese. Each pizza is then baked in a 905°F oven for just 45 to 90 seconds to achieve the perfect balance of chew and char.
And in case you’re wondering, that temperature level is where the Quebec pizza chain got its name when it was founded back in 2014.
But the awards didn’t stop there. Another NO.900 chef, Fiodar Huminski, earned the 3rd place prize in the Traditional American Pizza category, giving the local chain a rare double podium finish at the global event.
“We are proud to see our passion and expertise recognized on an international scale,” said NO.900 president Alexandre Brunet, who was present at the event
The Montreal-born pizzeria is the only eatery in Quebec certified by the AVPN (Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana), a Naples-based organization that enforces the strict rules of traditional Neapolitan pizza making. That means wood-fired ovens, imported Italian flour, hand-kneaded dough, and classic technique are a must.
And even before their big win in Vegas, NO.900 was already making waves on the global scene. In 2024, they earned third place at the 2024 Campionato Mondiale della Pizza (Pizza World Championship), an annual competition held in Parma, Italy. The brand was also recently named one of the top 50 artisan pizzeria chains in the world.
With all that in mind, if you’re ever craving an authentic slice of Italy, a plane ticket probably won’t be necessary.
