TWO CHAMPIONS. ONE LEGEND.
La Leggenda is the story of Giovanni Gagliardi and Loredana Passariello, partners in life, business, and pizza for more than 30 years.
Giovanni built his reputation through a lifetime dedicated to the art of Neapolitan pizza, becoming World Champion in the Pizza Napoletana STG category in 2012.
Then, in 2026, it was Loredana’s turn to step onto the international stage.
At the International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas, she took 1st Place in the Neapolitan Division, bringing another world-class title home to La Leggenda and becoming the only woman to compete for Pizza Maker of the Year that year.
Different journeys.
The same family.
The same dough.
The same uncompromising respect for pizza tradition.
AUTHENTIC NEAPOLITAN PIZZA IN MIAMI BEACH
SIMPLE INGREDIENTS. SERIOUS PIZZA.
The greatest Neapolitan pizza does not need to hide behind complexity.
It begins with flour, water, salt, yeast, and time.
Then come the ingredients that define the flavors of Southern Italy: San Marzano tomatoes, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP, fiordilatte, Parmigiano Reggiano, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh basil, and carefully selected Italian specialties.
The dough rises slowly. The oven works fast.
The result is unmistakably Neapolitan: a soft, airy interior, a beautifully blistered cornicione and a pizza meant to be enjoyed while it is still alive with the heat of the oven.
This is not our interpretation of Neapolitan pizza.
This is our tradition.
THE PIZZA THAT STARTS IT ALL
MARGHERITA STG
San Marzano tomato. Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP. Fresh basil.
Three colors. Three ingredients. One of the most recognizable pizzas in the world.
Giovanni calls it “the Italian flag in the world.”
And for anyone discovering La Leggenda for the first time, it is exactly where we recommend beginning.
AWARD-WINNING PIZZA.
RECOGNIZED IN MIAMI.
RESPECTED AROUND THE WORLD.
Awards have followed La Leggenda from Italy to Las Vegas and from Miami Beach onto international rankings.
But for Giovanni and Loredana, recognition has never been the objective.
It is the consequence of doing the same thing every day with the same obsession.
Among the milestones:
2012
Giovanni Gagliardi wins the World Championship of Neapolitan Pizza STG.
2018
Miami New Times names La Leggenda Best Pizza – Best of Miami.
2022
La Leggenda reaches No. 8 in the USA and No. 36 in the World according to 50 Top Pizza and receives its Performance of the Year award.
2024
No. 9 in the USA, 50 Top Pizza.
2025
No. 10 in the USA, 50 Top Pizza.
2026
No. 11 in the USA, 50 Top Pizza.
2026
Loredana Passariello wins the Neapolitan Division of the International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas.
FAMOUS FACES. SAME WELCOME
WHERE LEGENDS COME TO EAT.
Over the years, La Leggenda has welcomed international soccer stars, actors, singers, athletes, chefs, television personalities and familiar faces from around the world. The restaurant’s celebrity following has also been noted in independent Miami dining coverage.
Some arrive because someone told them where to find authentic Neapolitan pizza in Miami Beach.
Others come back because they already know.
At La Leggenda, fame does not change the table.
Everyone receives the same welcome, the same passion and the same pizza coming out of the same oven.
GLUTEN-FREE PIZZA
BECAUSE EVERYONE DESERVES GREAT PIZZA.
Gluten-free dough is available for our dine-in guests, so more people can experience the flavors and creativity of La Leggenda.
Our gluten-free pizzas are handled with dedicated utensils and trays; however, they are prepared in the same kitchen and oven as our traditional flour-based pizzas, so cross-contact is possible.
Please speak with our team about your individual dietary requirements before ordering.
Live from Instagram
When it’s time to shoot videos, the champ busts my balls while I’m trying to make the pizza of the day… 😂🍕🎥 @loredanapassariello.38 @giovannilaleggenda #miamibeach #pizzerianapoletana #veracepizzanapoletana #napolifoodporn #miamibeachrestaurant
Today the champ was craving fried pizza… so, like a good husband, I made it for her! 😍🍕
Since my wife is always busting my balls for one, this time I made it in the shape of a ball! 😂🏀
Enjoy it, champ! ❤️ @loredanapassariello.38 @giovannilaleggenda #miamibeach #pizzerianapoletana #veracepizzanapoletana #napolifoodporn #bestpizzaintown @molinosignetti @lafiammante
A photo that looks like it belongs to another era, yet it tells a true story—my story. 🤲🍕
Back when every batch of dough was made entirely by hand, with flour, hard work, and plenty of passion. There were no shortcuts—only patience and the desire to keep learning.
Time has passed and the tools have changed, but the love I put into my work remains the same. ❤️
Because you never forget your roots.
#HandmadeDough #MyRoots #pizzanapoletana #miamibeach #veracepizzanapoletana @giovannilaleggenda @loredanapassariello.38
Today, the Champion brings real Neapolitan cooking to my pizza. 🇮🇹🏆🍕
She prepared one of Naples’ most iconic dishes: La Genovese Napoletana — short ribs and onions slowly cooked for 5 hours, until the meat and onions melt together into a rich, creamy sauce.
She brings the kitchen of Naples.
I bring the pizza.
Together, we bring Naples to America. 🇮🇹➡️🇺🇸
This is not a trend.
This is our tradition. @loredanapassariello.38 @giovannilaleggenda @molinosignetti #miamibeach #pizzerianapoletana #napolifoodporn #miamifoodporn
🇺🇸 Sometimes, stepping out of a ranking means more than being part of one.
After years of hard work, sacrifice, and recognition, I have made an important decision: La Leggenda is officially requesting to be removed from the 50 Top Pizza ranking.
This decision is not driven by anger, nor does it come from our position in the ranking.
It comes from my desire to defend what I have always believed in: Neapolitan pizza, its history, its identity, and the work we do every single day.
I have always respected guides and other people’s opinions, even when I did not agree with them. But there comes a moment when staying true to your values becomes more important than any number or position.
I am not here to decide who deserves recognition and who does not.
I am not here to attack anyone.
I simply want the freedom to continue my own journey, defending the pizza I have represented all my life.
To me, Neapolitan pizza is not a trend. It is history, culture, and identity.
And from today, our journey continues outside this ranking.
— Giovanni Gagliardi
La Leggenda Pizzeria @giovannilaleggenda @loredanapassariello.38 @pizzanapoletanaverace @50toppizza @albertsapere @lucianopignataro @barbara_guerra_50top #miamibeach #pizzerianapoletana #veracepizzanapoletana #italianfoodporn
The Montanara pizza : fried first, then finished in the oven. 🍕🔥
We’ve always called it simply… Montanara.
Today, I guess we should call it:
“double-cooked pizza”…
Actually, wait… 3, 4, 5 cooking methods. 😂😂
The new generation moves fast…
We were already doing these things, we just didn’t need to give them a new name.
I think I’ve said enough. 😎🍕 @loredanapassariello.38 @giovannilaleggenda #miamibeach #pizzerianapoletana #veracepizzanapoletana #italianfoodporn #pizzanapoletana
Not your usual pizza… and that’s exactly the point. 🔥🍕
Broccoli rabe, crispy porchetta, our homemade marinated eggplant, and smoked provola, all coming together on one incredible pizza.
One bite is all it takes. 🇮🇹❤️
Who’s ordering this today? 👇
Our daily bread… with one little problem: it comes out of the oven so crispy, it’s impossible to resist! 🤤🔥
Golden, crunchy on the outside, soft and airy on the inside. Freshly baked every single day, just the way we love it.
Who would grab the first slice? 🥖❤️#miamibeach #pizzerianapoletana #italianfoodporn #veracepizzanapoletana #miamifood
Not everyone loves pistachio… until they try our dessert. 💚
Inspired by the rich, creamy flavors of a classic Sicilian cannolo, this has become one of our guests’ absolute favorites. Watch my wife prepare it with love. 🇮🇹✨#miamibeach #pizzerianapoletana #italianfoodporn #miamifoodporn #bestpizzaintown @loredanapassariello.38 @giovannilaleggenda
This pizza is fire 🍕🔥🔥🔥….and it’s waiting for you 🫵 @loredanapassariello.38 @giovannilaleggenda #miamibeach #pizzerianapoletana #miamifood @molinosignetti @lafiammante
