Good pizza is no joke! From traditional Neapolitan-style pies to pizzerias that put an Italian-American twist on the classics, these are the absolute best pizza spots in NYC to visit when you’re itching for a slice.
*Note: the numbers on this list do not rank quality!
1. Patsy’s Pizzeria, Turtle Bay/UWS
One of NYC’s premier brick-oven pizzerias, Pasquale Lancieri opened his first pizza shop in Harlem in 1933 (though his pies can trace their origins back even farther to the Lower East Side). Often credited with inventing the New York slice itself, the shop with locations in Turtle Bay & the Upper West Side is now owned by the fourth generation of family pizza-makers.
What We Recommend: Old School Round Pie
Where: 801 2nd Ave (Turtle Bay), 61 W 74th St (UWS)
2. Song’ E Napule, SoHo/Greenwich
If you’re looking for the closest thing to Neapolitan pizza from Italy in NYC, Song’ E Napule is your place. It was awarded “Pizzeria of the Year” by Gambero Rosso International, a prestigious Italian food, drink and travel company. Though their classic margherita pizza is to die for, we adore the Calzone Classico. It’s not the Americanized version of a calzone though, chewy dough overstuffed with cheese. Instead, the folded-over dough is filled with mozzarella (fiordilatte di agerola), spicy salami, ricotta, tomato sauce (san Marzano DOP eccellenze nolane) and basil.
And if you still have room for dessert, you’ve got to try the gigantic Pallone di Maradona overflowing with Nutella.
What We Recommend: Margherita or the Calzone Classico
Where: 146 W Houston St.
3. Joe’s Pizza, Greenwich Village
Joe’s Pizza has been a Greenwich Village institution since 1975. The original owner Joe Pozzuoli from Naples, Italy still runs the pizza shop. It’s been named the “best authentic slice” in NYC by multiple media outlets (GQ, New York Magazine, LIVE! with Regis and Kelly and more!).
What We Recommend: Keep it simple–plain cheese or fresh mozzarella
Where: 7 Carmine St (though there are now multiple locations throughout the city, see here)
4. Prince Street Pizza, SoHo
Prince Street’s famous “SoHo Square” slice with tiny, thick slices of pepperoni was a viral trend, but also one that rightfully lives up to the hype. This pizza has the perfect ratio of doughy to crunchy to sweet to spicy (it does have a kick!). But expect to wait on a very long line, especially on the weekends or during lunch time.
What We Recommend: SoHo Square Pepperoni
Where: 27 Prince St A
5. John’s of Bleecker St., West Village
John’s of Bleecker was started by Italian immigrant John Sasso way back in 1929, arguably one of the first pizzas joints in NYC (and the country!). It moved locations in 1954 and has since had different owners, but is still run by a family. You have to get a full pie (no slices), but its coal-fired brick oven method is what makes it so famous. It’s also a sit-down restaurant, not one of the usual eat-a-slice-while-standing-outside joints like a lot of the other NY pizza spots.
What We Recommend: Ricotta/basil pie
Where: 278 Bleecker St
6. Paulie Gee’s, Greenpoint
Though you can visit its slice shop right down the street, it’s best to get the full experience by sitting down at Paulie Gee’s and getting a pie piping hot out of their legendary wood-fired ovens in Brooklyn. There are endless options for pies (from the Marcella Matriciana to the Ricky Ricotta) — just get there early because there’s always a line when it opens right at 5 p.m.!
What We Recommend: Hellboy® (can never say no to hot honey!)
Where: 60 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn
7. Lucali, Carroll Gardens
You can often find chef/owner Mark Iacono slinging pies at this coveted pizza spot in Brooklyn. Known for delectable thin-crust pies and BYOB attitude, it’s been rated the “best pizza in NYC” again and again. Since it’s walk-in only be prepared to WAIT, especially on a weekend.
Hey, if it’s good enough for Jay-Z, it’s good enough for us.
*Cash only
What We Recommend: Both the pizza and the calzone (those are your only choices, with a few toppings selections)
Where: 575 Henry St., Brooklyn
8. Di Fara, Midwood
If you love Lucali, you have to check out where Iacono learned some of his signature pizza-making techniques, Di Fara. This old-school joint was opened by Italian immigrant Domenico De Marco, better known as “Dom,” in 1965 in Brooklyn and is still family owned and operated. This was also one of Anthony Bourdain’s favorite New York picks!
*Currently open for takeout only
What We Recommend: Square Pie
Where: 1424 Ave J, Brooklyn
9. Lombardi’s, Little Italy
Known as “America’s first pizzeria,” Lombardi’s is as much of a U.S. institution as it is a New York one. What began in 1905 by Napolitan immigrant Gennaro Lombardi is still a Little Italy staple, promising “smoky-crusted coal oven baked pizza, topped with purist tomato sauce, fresh whole milk mozzarella, and basil.”
*Cash only
What We Recommend: Meatball slice or Margherita with pepperoni
Where: 32 Spring Street
10. Zero Otto Nove, Arthur Ave/The Bronx
Zero Otto Nove is located in the “Little Italy of the Bronx,” Arthur Avenue. Known for its brick-oven pizzas and homemade pastas, you’ll definitely get a taste of Napoli from Salerno-born owner Roberto Paciullo. They don’t take reservations so you may (very likely will) have to wait! In the warm weather, the outdoor courtyard will have you feeling like you’ve traveled to Italy midday. Fun fact: it’s named after the area code of the owner’s hometown.
They also have locations in Flatiron and Westchester.
What We Recommend: Classic Margherita
Where: 2357 Arthur Ave, The Bronx
11. Ribalta, Union Square
Ribalta is another truly authentic Neopolitan pizza restaurant. They import all of their ingredients directly from Italy, and “only use the mixture of flours for pizza certified by the Italian flour mill ‘Le 5 Stagioni’ and the natural yeast coming from Italy, which makes the pizza light and easy to digest,” according to their website. They also have gluten-free and vegan options.
What We Recommend: The “DOC”
Where: 48 E 12th St.
12. L&B Spumoni Gardens, Bensonhurst
This is a very particular style of pizza that originated in Brooklyn, with an emphasis on the sauce! L&B style is almost a pizza in reverse: they layer the mozzarella cheese first on the dough so it’s under the homemade tomato sauce. It started as a horse-and-wagon operation in 1939, and now is an iconic brick-and-mortar in Brooklyn (with plans for a DUMBO addition).
What We Recommend: The classic L&B Sicilian slice
Where: 2725 86th St, Brooklyn
13. Rubirosa, Nolita
More Italian-American than Italian, Rubirosa was created by the son of Giuseppe Pappalardo, who founded Joe & Pat’s on Staten Island. Reservations are highly recommended online here. It’s a bit tight inside, but that just makes it especially cozy, right?
What We Recommend: Try something different with a vodka or pesto sauce instead of the classic tomato.
Where: 235 Mulberry St
14. Fumo, Harlem
Head uptown for a cozy atmosphere and delicious brick oven pizza right across the street from City College. Lots of candlelight and a gorgeous marble bar add a classy vibe, perfect for date night. And wine bottles are half price on Mondays!
What We Recommend: Vodka pie
Where: 1600 Amsterdam Ave
This East Village pizzeria has allllll the toppings. From a bacon/Brussels sprouts/white truffle oil combo to a pepperoni square, it’s perfect if you’re in the mood for more than just cheese. Plus they have a $5 beer-and-slice deal!
What We Recommend: Pepperoni slice or mushroom with truffle oil
Where: 201 Avenue A
16. Roberta’s, Bushwick
Roberta’s wood oven pizzas helped make a name for Bushwick, Brooklyn, and has been known as one of the top pizzas in NYC. Their pies are individual and light and pillowy, and meats and salumi are cured in-house.
What We Recommend: For weekend brunch, get the breakfast pizza with drippy egg!
Where: 261 Moore St. (see all locations on their website here)
17. Scarr’s Pizza, Lower East Side
Scarr’s was opened by Scarr Pimentel on the Lower East Side in 2016. It quickly grew in popularity and became a staple on the New York pizza scene, getting included on many best-of lists (including ours!). They use 100% all-natural and stone milled flour (done on-site), and you can taste the difference.
What We Recommend: Classic Plain Slice
Where: 22 Orchard St.
18. Denino’s, Staten Island & Greenwich Village
Denino’s started on Staten Island in 1937, mainly serving as a tavern hangout for dock workers in Port Richmond. It’s grown exponentially in popularity since then, as word of their delicious thin-crust pizza spread. The newer Greenwich Village location is surprisingly just as tasty as the original!
What We Recommend: White Clam Pie
Where: 524 Port Richmond Ave, Staten Island or 93 Macdougal St., Manhattan
19. Koronet Pizza, Upper West Side
Koronet’s is known for its jumbo-sized slices, which especially hit the spot after a night out on the town. It’s open until 2am on weeknights and 4am on weekdays, and each enormous slice only costs around $5.
What We Recommend: Anything that’s ‘jumbo’
Where: 2848 Broadway (multiple locations, see all here)
20. Eleven B Pizza, Lower East Side
Come to Eleven B for good old-school New York pizza. The owner Vincent Sgarlato is almost always there, just as he’s been since his family brought their pizza recipe to the Lower East Side almost 50 years ago. There’s an express side just for pizza or a sit-down restaurant side with pastas and more if you have a little more time to spend.
What We Recommend: Sicilian
Where: 174 Avenue B
21. L’Industrie Pizzeria, Williamsburg
Many New Yorkers will claim that L’Industrie Pizzeria in Brooklyn has the best slice in Williamsburg, if not the whole borough. Thanks to their fresh ingredients directly imported from Italy, along with their signature dough fermentation process, everything is as fresh as it gets! Their red pizzas are great here but they also have yummy white pizzas too, like the white truffle pizza. There’s no going wrong here.
What We Recommend: Signature Burrata pizza
Where: 254 S 2nd St, Brooklyn
22. Fini Pizza, Williamsburg
This pizza parlor is still relatively new to the bustling Williamsburg pizza scene, but it’s definitely worth trying out once! Fini is owned by the same person as one of our favorite Italian restaurants, Lilia, so you know the flavors are incredible! You won’t find any outrageously unique types of pizza here, but you can find other nice touches like Italian ice and gelato for dessert!
What We Recommend: Long hot pepper and shalot slice
Where: 305 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn
23. Bleecker Street Pizza, West Village
There’s a reason why Bleecker Street Pizza has been recognized as one of the best by the Food Network and New York Times! This cute pizza counter will deliver all of the classics, with a few hidden gems of their own. The Nonna Maria (Thin crust with fresh mozzarella, homemade marinara sauce, the finest Parmesan and fresh basil) and Grandma (Homemade marinara sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, olive oil and fresh garlic on a thick old-world crust) are the best, but everything is tasty.
What We Recommend: Nonna Maria slice
Where: 69 7th Ave S
24. L&B Spumoni Gardens, Bensonhurst
This spot is more than just a stereotypical pizza joint, but more of a traditional sit down spot (although they do have slices and takeout options). You’ll find anything from seafood to classic Italian dishes to of course pizza here, so it’s worth a stop if you’re in the area! Their World Famous Sicilian L&B Pie is the talk of the town and is our top pick. They’re also opening a new DUMBO location soon too so keep an eye out for that unveiling!
What We Recommend: Sicilian square slice
Where: 2725 86th Street, Brooklyn
25. Artichoke Basille’s Pizza, Multiple Locations
Since opening their first shop in the East Village back in 2008, owners Fran and Sal have expanded to over 18 locations across the US, and for good reason! No matter what you order here it’ll always be good, but of course we have to recommend their specialty artichoke slice…I mean come on, it’s right in the name!
What We Recommend: Artichoke slice (Artichoke Hearts, Spinach, Cream Sauce, Mozzarella, and Pecorino Romano Cheese)