Javier Ramirez, co-founder of Little River's La Natural, has ranked No. 35 on the list of the World's Top Pizzaioli (pizza chefs). He now stands shoulder to shoulder with dough gods like Gabriele Bonci (aka the “Michelangelo of Pizza”) and Franco Pepe, whose Caiazzo pizzeria has been a shrine for dough pilgrims for more than a decade.
Burrata, za’atar, and seasonal produce top La Natural’s naturally leavened crusts, now recognized on the global stage.
La Natural photo
From Backyard Pizza to Global Acclaim
What started as backyard dinners among friends has transformed into one of Miami's most celebrated restaurants, and now one of the world's most recognized pizza destinations. At the Best Pizza Awards 2025, which gathered more than 500 culinary leaders at Milan's Spazio Antologico, Ramirez was honored alongside pizza legends from around the world."So, this happened last night in Milan, and I'm still in a strange state of disbelief and happiness," Ramirez posted on Instagram. "Thank you, the Best Pizza Awards, and all those who voted. The company I was in last night at the gala was unreal…. Legends and truly the best at this craft. The amazing people who have worked with me at La Natural over the past five years are fundamental to this, and I’m lucky to have had and continue to have some truly passionate, talented, and hard-working humans. Looking forward to celebrating when I get back! Huge thanks to all the people fundamental to making La Natural a reality over the years."
La Natural’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Just last week, the pizzeria scored a spot on New Times' Best of Miami 2025 list, nabbing the title of Best Restaurant in MiMo/Little River. Michelin agrees: La Natural holds back-to-back Bib Gourmand honors. Its signature pies are fermented for 48 hours, topped with everything from burrata to za’atar, then fired in a wood-burning oven behind the bar. La Natural pairs its naturally leavened pies with a relaxed, laid-back setting, a large natural wine selection, and produce-driven small plates.
From Little River to Milan: La Natural’s pizza helped earn co-founder Javier Ramirez a spot among the world’s top pizzaioli.
La Natural photo
How a Miami Chef Landed on a Global List
In Milan, Ramirez joined 13 other U.S.-based chefs recognized on this year's Top 100 list, which included honorees from New York, San Francisco, Portland, and Cleveland, Mississippi. The list reflects pizza's global reach, with selections spanning more than 30 countries and highlighting a range of styles, from traditional Neapolitan to Roman al taglio and sourdough-forward experiments.The awards are determined by an independent panel of 512 chefs, journalists, and industry experts from 60 countries. Organizers say the process is designed to remove commercial influence from the rankings, giving chefs, not sponsors, the final say.
"Our vision for the Best Pizza Awards is to continue building the world's leading platform for recognizing and celebrating pizza's craft, culture, and innovation," said Antonio Rutolo, director of The Best Pizza Awards. In addition to the awards presentation, the event featured panel discussions, technical masterclasses, and collaborative dinners with pizzaioli from Italy, New Zealand, and beyond. According to Best Pizza Awards CEO Cristian Gadau, the ceremony "captured the true spirit of pizza: timeless, yet constantly evolving; deeply rooted in tradition, yet always open to new ideas and innovations."
For Ramirez, the moment marks a career milestone and a reminder of how far La Natural has come since it first opened its doors.
La Natural. 7289 NW Second Ave., Miami; 305-419-0377; lanaturalmiami.com.
