Where to Find the Best Pizza Joints in NYC
You can’t talk about New York City without mentioning pizza! If I could, I’d totally eat NYC pizza every day. In fact, when I come back home to visit family, they already know what I want to eat. When I tell you I dream about NYC pizza, I am not exaggerating! I even worked at a pizzeria on Long Island, NY, during my high school days. So, with pizza being my favorite thing to eat, it is only fitting I let you in on the best places to get pizza in NYC.
Since opinions can differ, I even polled my entire born-and-raised New York family to weigh in on the list of best pizza places. Food is very important to my cousins, so they just know they didn’t take this task lightly.
So, without further ado, let’s get into the best places to get pizza in NYC – in no particular order.
Related: Must-Try Food in NYC
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Where to Find the Best Pizza Joints in NYC
- NYC Pizza Terminology
- Can you Get Bad Pizza in NYC?
- Totonno’s Pizzeria Napolitano
- L&B Spumoni Gardens
- Lucia Pizza Of Avenue X
- Pizza Wagon
- Joe’s Pizza
- Delmar
- Denino’s Pizzeria and Tavern
- Juliana’s Pizza
- Joe and Pat’s Pizzeria
- Di Fara Pizza
- DaVinci Pizzeria & Restaurant
- Prince Street Pizza
- Campania Coal Fired Pizza
- Brother’s Pizzeria in Staten Island
- Artichoke Basille’s Pizza
- Bleecker Street Pizza
- Roberta’s Pizza
- Lombardi’s Pizza
- Scarr’s Pizza
- Andrew Bellucci’s Pizzeria
- Best Pizza in NYC Wrap-up
NYC Pizza Terminology
Before learning about the best pizza places in NYC, let’s quickly cover some pizza terminology.
Most pizzerias will serve pizza by the slice. Therefore, you will say can I get a slice of “your chosen slice.”
Other pizzerias only sell pizza by the pie, where you will then be ordering a pie of whatever you’d like. A large pie is usually 18 inches.
If you hear someone ask for a regular slice, that means a plain cheese slice. Regular = Cheese.
A Sicilian slice will usually be called a square slice, however, this can depend on the pizzeria since there are a handful of other squares like a grandma slice.
Specialty slices are anything out of the ordinary, like a baked ziti slice, eggplant slice, chicken, bacon, ranch slice, vodka slice, etc; you get the picture. Specialty slices are always more money.
Pizza is usually served on a paper plate, especially at old-school NYC pizza joints.
Additionally, in New York, pizza is expected to be folded down the middle and held while you eat it. Normal toppings include parmesan cheese, basil, garlic powder, and red pepper. Don’t ever put ketchup on your pizza.
Related: First time in NYC? Read these NYC Travel Tips!
Can you Get Bad Pizza in NYC?
I will be the first to tell you pizza is not created equal in NYC, and you can get bad pizza. With that being said, even bad pizza in New York can still be better than the pizza I get in North Carolina, so there you have it.
With this NYC pizza list, however, you will be experiencing the best of the best, so no worries about getting bad pizza at any of these joints below!
Totonno’s Pizzeria Napolitano
Update: They are currently only accepting takeaway orders. You can go to the door and order or on Uber, but you can’t sit down here anymore.
Tortonno’s, a family-owned restaurant, has been around since 1924. Easily known as one of the best places to get pizza in NYC, their motto is – Just give the experts some dough and let them create their fine-crafted pizza!
Tortonno’s has had a history of uphill and downhill events, including multiple building fires that closed the restaurant for 11 months at a time and the passing down of recipes through multiple generations after loss. Yet, all of the ups and downs have made this pizzeria a staple in New York City.
They are hands down one of the best places to get pizza in Coney Island.
Address: 1524 Neptune Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Hours: Thursday – Sunday 12 PM – 8 PM
L&B Spumoni Gardens
L&B Spumoni Gardens is another one of the most famous pizza joints in NYC. Founded in 1939, L&B prides itself on the premises that they never serve prepackaged food and that each dish is fresh, not frozen.
While the menu has multiple options, including classic Italian pasta dishes, the Sicilian squares are what keep people coming back. I personally love their fettucini alfredo.
They also have delicious desserts like the classic spumoni and tiramisu gelato to indulge in.
On a nice summer day, you will always see a line at the window of people ordering their slices and spumoni! See additional Reviews here.
Address: 2725 86th St, Brooklyn, NY 11223
Hours: Everyday 11 AM – 11:30 PM
Lucia Pizza Of Avenue X
Lucia is all about the details. Family-owned and operated, this restaurant has a lineage that goes back way to the 1970s!
This pizza joint sticks to what it does best with a minimal menu. They spent years making pizza in their backyard and delivering it to hungry New Yorkers while they searched for a Brick and Morter store. In 2021, they secured their Avenue X location and got to work.
They have an incredible regular slice and margarita slice. They also tout that their vodka slice is their specialty. You can expect to get fresh parmesan and basil topped on your slice. In fact, they may be my new favorite place to get pizza in NYC, which is perfect because they are right by my mom’s house.
See more reviews here.
Address: 2201 Avenue X, Brooklyn, NY 11235
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 12 PM – 10 PM
Pizza Wagon
This old-school pizza joint is easily one of the best places to grab a pizza in NYC. In fact, they hold a top 3 spot within my family – which is saying a lot.
Family-owned and operated since 1966, Pizza Wagon never seems to have an empty seat inside. The popularity of their pizza comes down to having constantly great pies.
They even recently opened up a location in Los Angeles, and my brother-in-law will be a taste tester to ensure you can still taste NYC across the country.
See more reviews here.
Address: 8610 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209
Hours: Everyday 10 AM – 1 AM
Joe’s Pizza
Joe’s Pizza is one of the most famous Pizza joints in NYC and has been dubbed as the best pizza in NYC by many! Joe’s Pizzeria always seems to be on every tourist’s list, but know that we New Yorkers still love Joe’s, too. Is it my absolute favorite pizza, maybe, but it really is hard to choose.
What I can say about eating Joe’s Pizza is that you can expect this to be what a really good traditional New York Style Pizza, and yes, I don’t mind waiting on line for them!
Founded in 1975 by Joe (of course) Puzzuoli, this restaurant has been delivering classic New York-style pizza for 47 years. The original location is in Greenwich Village, but due to its rising popularity, you can now find Joe’s Pizza all across New York City.
Joe’s Pizza delivers a thin crispy crust, great sauce, and melty mozzarella. You can compare it to pizza heaven. Although being slightly more expensive than some of the other pizza spots around the streets of NYC, you definitely pay for quality. Celebrities even come to Joe’s.
It is not uncommon to find queues at this restaurant, so it is recommended that you go early in the morning, at around 10 AM, if you really want to experience this pizza without the rush. That being said, the wait in line is well worth it!
Honestly, Joe’s Pizza is a must on anyone’s NYC itinerary! See more reviews here.
Address: Multiple locations around Manhattan
Hours: Everyday – 10AM – 4 AM
Delmar
I’m not sure why, but I never see Delmar on any best NYC pizza lists, and to be honest, I am not sure why. Maybe they haven’t had an influencer make them go viral yet, because people are sleeping on their slice.
Local Brookylnites to the area of Sheepshead Bay know Delmar is serving up some of the best pizza in NYC and has been doing so since 1957. This has been my go-to pizza parlor as of late! When we order a pie, we just ask for it to be well done with no oregano.
I have to say, there is something a little different in the taste of their regular slice compared to other NY pizza joints. Maybe it’s more basil? Whatever it is, I am all for it and always happy to spend my money here!
Address: 1668 Sheepshead Bay Rd. Brooklyn, NY 11235
Denino’s Pizzeria and Tavern
Denino’s is a landmark in New York. Opening in 1937, Carlo Denino, generations of family, and friends that followed have been serving award-winning pizza that is prepared fresh daily for decades now.
Their shop motto, “Come as a guest. Leave as a friend,” is exactly the kind of atmosphere you can expect upon your arrival.
Deninos offers more of a dining experience compared to other pizza shops you will find around NYC.
Their pizza is cooked to perfection, and undoubtedly one of the best spots to get pizza in NYC. That, combined with excellent service, accommodating staff, and a delicious menu, makes this restaurant the perfect location for an evening spent in the big city or Staten Island. See more reviews here.
Original Location: 524 Port Richmond Ave. Staten Island, NY 10302
Greenwich Village Address: 93 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012
Hours: Opening hours change daily
Juliana’s Pizza
Patsy’s Grimaldi, before retiring, was once NYC’s most celebrated pizza proprietor, and for two decades, New York was deprived of her delicious thin crust and tasty pies. That was until Juliana, Patsy’s friend, reestablished the restaurant in 2012.
Famously known as pizzas with personalities, to this day, the pizzas are handmade (with no two looking the same) and baked in a coal-fired oven. Some of the pizzas may not be perfectly round, and some may be more charred than others, but that is why so many love this pizza shop.
Due to the popularity of this NYC pizzeria, you will likely have to wait 10 to 15 minutes per table, but the food is “utterly delicious” and “does not disappoint.”
It is a perfect stop when crossing over the Brooklyn Bridge into Dumbo! See more reviews here.
Address: 19 Old Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Hours: 11:30 AM –3:15 PM, 4–9 PM
Joe and Pat’s Pizzeria
Joe and Pat’s Pizzeria boldly claim that they are home to “the best pizza on Staten Island since 1960.” The two brothers, Giuseppe & Pasquale Pappalardo, were originally from Naples, Italy, and moved to Staten Island, New York. As you may have guessed, they brought their Naples pizza-making secrets with them to NYC.
You can find their original location on Staten Island, where you can enjoy some delicious pizza, or check out their new location in Manhattan on the Lower East Side.
This NYC pizza joint offers up a variety of special pies, along with a bomb regular slice, making them a top contender for the best pizza in NYC. Additionally, they serve gluten-free. See more reviews here.
Address: 1758 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314
Hours: Everyday – 11 AM – 10 PM
Di Fara Pizza
Dom opened Di Fara Pizza in 1965 and has spent over 53 years perfecting the perfect pizza. He cooked for 50 years until the lockdown, and had it not been lockdown, his daughter believes he would have continued cooking. Dom passed at 85 years old in 2022. His seven children grew up helping continue his legacy!
Most of the ingredients used here are mainly imported from Italy, so the taste simply cannot be replicated – although this does make it slightly more pricey in comparison to other pizza shops.
You can even find them at the Seaport in NYC, but I think the original location is the best.
There is no denying that this pizza joint is one of the best in NYC and is iconic. From a Brooklyn secret to a world treasure, Dom’s love for making pizza has made us New Yorkers happy. See more reviews here.
Address: 1424 Avenue J, Brooklyn, NY 11230
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday – 12 PM – 8 PM
DaVinci Pizzeria & Restaurant
Serving the Brooklyn community for the past 50 years, Da Vinci is another top contender for the best pizza in NYC. With the bold statement ” Remember, we don’t deliver… we’re worth the trip” gives you an idea of how much people enjoy a DaVinci slice.
You can find a variety of special slices, spinach rolls, and paninis. If you find yourself in the Bensonhurst area, make sure to stop by! See more reviews here.
Address: 6514 18th Ave, Brooklyn
Prince Street Pizza
Prince Street Pizza has been dubbed one of the best places to get pizza in NYC for quite some time. The famous family recipes that are made here were born from the simple idea that “if you can put it on pasta, then you can put it on pizza.” These pizzas originate from recipes that have been passed down through generations, and they pride themselves on consistency with every bite.
They are famously known for having excellent pepperoni slices aka the Spicy Spring pie, but the regular slice (New York Slang for cheese slice) is just as fire!
If you find yourself in trendy Soho, consider giving them a stop by. They have even expanded the business and you can now find them in Los Angeles and Miami. See more reviews here.
Address: 27 Prince St A, New York, NY 10012
Hours: Opening times vary each day
Campania Coal Fired Pizza
Known for its coal-fired pizzas and antipasto, Campania has some excellent pizza! Using fresh ingredients, their goal is to offer the community authentic Southern Italian cuisine.
Newer to the scene, opening in 2013, Campania Coal fired Pizza has several locations across Staten Island, as well as their location in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
You can expect a more upscale experience here as more of a restaurant you come to sit down and have a meal – as opposed to a traditional pizza joint.
This is also a great restaurant to buy family-style meals to share among multiple people. See more reviews here.
Address: 9824 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209
Hours: Opening times vary each day
Brother’s Pizzeria in Staten Island
Known for having some of the best Sicilian squares, Brother’s has people making their way to Staten Island.
The pizzas here contain a light crispy crust with ample cheese and tomato sauce on top, making them one of the best places to get pizza in NYC! Some of their best specials include their grandma pies and vodka pies.
Topped with friendly owners and welcoming staff, you can rest assured that you will never be disappointed with a trip to this Staten Island pizzeria. See more reviews here.
Address: 750 Port Richmond Ave, New York, NY, United States, New York
Hours: Everyday – 11 AM – 10 PM
Artichoke Basille’s Pizza
Not your traditional New York City pizza, but still delicious never the less.
Cousins turned best friends, Francis and Sal opened their first store in 2008. Since then, the providers have expanded to 18 different locations, and the customers have followed them. They went viral many times, so you may have already seen their over-the-top cheese galore artichoke slice online.
They have even been featured on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and written about in the New York Times. You can rest assured that you will have a pizza experience when visiting, and they definitely deserve a spot as one of the best places to get pizza in NYC. See more reviews here.
Address: 321 E 14th St, New York, NY 10003
Hours: Everyday – 11 AM – 5 AM
Bleecker Street Pizza
Recognized as one of the best-selling pizzerias in the upper Manhattan area since 2004, Bleecker Street pizza has gathered accolades from top reviewers, including the Food Network and the New York Times. When visiting Bleecker Street Pizza, make sure you try the Nonna Marie pie, which is a secret family recipe.
Their pizzas are another NYC gem, and they even offer gluten-free pizzas so everyone can enjoy a New York pizza experience.
Stop by to see what all the buzz is about, you won’t be disappointed! See more reviews here.
Address: 69 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014
Hours: Opening times vary each day
Roberta’s Pizza
Enter through the iconic red door and be immersed in an industrial history space with a Brooklyn chic flare.
The Bee Sting pizza and the Rosso’s pizza served here are some of the most popular pies to try. This unique joint is located in Domino Park, although they have locations popping up everywhere, making it easier to get a try of their woodfire pizza. See more reviews here.
Address: 6 Grand St Brooklyn, NY 11249
Hours: Everyday – 12 PM – 10 PM; 11 PM on Friday & Saturday
Lombardi’s Pizza
Landmark NoLita restaurant serving coal-fired, thin-crust Neapolitan pizza since 1905 is none other than Lombardi’s Pizza. In fact, they are known as the first pizzeria in the United States and are thought to have created the NY slice.
Here you will find everything made with fresh ingredients and topped with pure tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil – that always keeps visitors coming back again and again. There is no doubt they offer some of the best pizza in NYC.
While you can expect the restaurant to be full of customers due to its popularity, the waiting time usually goes pretty fast, and well worth the wait! See more reviews.
Address: 32 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
Hours: Everyday – 5 PM – 10 PM
Scarr’s Pizza
Scarr’s Pizza has been popping up on many of the best places to get pizza in NYC lists, and it is clear to see why. Serving up classics along with some unique flare pizza slices like the pepperoni with hot honey, you really can’t go wrong!
Scarr Pimentel’s family moved to New York from the Dominican Republic. He remembers growing up in pizzerias. In 2016 Scarr’s Pizza was born.
They claim their success to high-quality ingredients, many of which are organic. You can find them on the Lower East Side in Chinatown. See more reviews here.
Address: 22 Orchard St, New York, NY 1000
Hours: Friday – Saturday 12 PM – 12 AM; Sunday – Thursday 12 PM – 11 PM
Andrew Bellucci’s Pizzeria
As the pizza lovers we are, we couldn’t say no to the invite to try some of the famous Andrew Bellucci’s creations. Known as the Don of Dough, Andrew sadly passed away this year, but his pizzeria remains a true legacy of his traditional and delicious dishes. With a huge focus on community, this pizzeria has become an integral part of the Astoria, Queens neighborhood.
So let’s talk about the pizza. The regular slice is fantastic, but what we really loved was the legendary Vodka-Roni” slice! The crust is crispy and light, yet airy, and just overall delicious. If you like spice and clams, then you should definitely try the clams casino slice that has fresh clams on top!
And they are not just a pizzeria. In fact, they hands down have one of the best linguine with clam sauce my cousin has ever tasted! In fact, if you want to learn more about Andrew Bellucci and his legendary dishes, they offer a dining experience where you can learn and eat your way through a 5-course dinner – come very hungry!
Furthermore, you can expect friendly faces and great service, making them one of the best places to get pizza in NYC.
FYI – We were invited to the dining experience – as always, opinions are our own!
Address: 2904 30th Ave., Queens, NY 11102
Hours: Monday – Thursday and Sunday: 11 AM – 9 PM; Friday & Saturday: 11 AM – 10 PM
Best Pizza in NYC Wrap-up
This concludes some of the best places to get pizza in NYC! Now that I am beyond hungry, I hope you find yourself on the way to one of these pizza joints soon!
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Do you think I am missing a ton Pizza Place in NYC, or have any questions? Let me know in the comments below!
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