Pizza is one of New York’s “iconic” foods. New Yorkers will happily live on pizza every day of the week.
I've lived in New York City my whole life and I've been eating pizza before I could walk!
I've also had pizza in different regions of Italy and I actually like NYC pizza better!
I cannot even begin to count the number of pizza places in NYC I've tried but I've narrowed down my picks for you.
The list focuses on popular Manhattan neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, Midtown, Little Italy and the East Village as well as a few in the outer boroughs.
In this video, my fellow tour guides Katie and Lori here at Tours by Foot NYC, introduce you to the best foods in Greenwich Village, including pizza (at the 5 minute mark if you want to race ahead!).
I'd love for you to try all the places in this list but I know that time may be an obstacle.
So I've marked with an asterisk (*) pizzerias that I think you shouldn't miss.
These are the ones that New Yorkers year after year say are THE best pizzas in town.
Some of the places on this list sell pies only. I've indicated that if it is the case.
Pie-only pizzerias are some of the older, historic, and well-known pizzerias.
You'll have to pay more than trying a slice or two, but frankly, the pizza is worth it.
I recently split an incredible 8-slice pie with a friend at one of the historic pizzerias.
With a tip, we paid $30. That comes to just under $4 a slice which, at some places, is the price.
One way to try great pizza without buying a whole pie is by joining our Greenwich Village Food Tour which stops at two of the pizzerias on this list for samples.
Alternatively, you can also discover a lot of great pizza shops on a pizza tour with Scott Wiener.
I took this tour and it was great fun and filling. Check out his TripAdvisor reviews.
If you book one of Scott’s tours, use our exclusive promo code FreebyFoot to get $2 off.
At the end of this post is a video of Scott talking about pizza's history and the best pizza in town.
TIP: NYC has so many more iconic foods you should try, so read our post on 20 classic NYC foods.
MANHATTAN NEIGHBORHOODS
Greenwich Village
Artichoke Pizza 111 MacDougal Street (map).
Try their signature slice - thick-crusted, with a creamy white sauce mixed with bits of artichoke covered with plenty of mozzarella cheese.
Slices are large, filling enough to be a meal unto itself.
A few stools are at the counter, but either be ready to stand or take your slices to go.
Here you can see some of my tour guests loving the pizza. Just look at those smiles!
They also have locations in Long Island City, Chelsea, and East Village.
* Bleecker Street Pizza at 69 7th Avenue (map).
This is my favorite slice in town. Hands down. Several of my fellow tour guides agree with me too.
The Nonna Maria slice represents the best of New York-style pizza – a thin, crispy crust, a juicy sauce of crushed tomatoes, topped with splotches of fresh mozzarella cheese and ribbons of fresh basil.
There’s seating inside as well as a restroom. In nice weather, you can grab a table outside.
Bleecker Street Pizza is just two blocks from the next place Joe's so I suggest you try both and see which you like better.
The classic New York slice. A perfect symphony of red sauce and mozzarella on a not-too-thin, not-too-thick crust.
Do what we locals do: fold it and gobble your slice down!
If you want to be a real New Yorker, walk as you eat your folded slice. You'll blend right in.
* John's of Bleecker Street 278 Bleecker Street (map) Pies only.
One of the oldest pizza joints in the city, and still using its coal oven since 1929.
They only serve pies so bring someone to share with -- the pizza is so good that two people can easily eat an entire pie!
This is a place I recommended to so many of my tour guests traveling in groups. If this is you, check it out.
Keste 271 Bleecker St. (map) Pies only.
Opened by the president of the U.S. branch of the Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani (Neapolitan Pizza Association) Roberto Caporuscio of Keste opened this restaurant promising to deliver the hallmarks of Neapolitan pizza.
He got it right! Pizzas here include San Marzano tomatoes and doppio zero flour and are cooked in a custom-built, wood-fired, volcanic stone oven.
The atmosphere in this sit-down restaurant is lovely. It's cozy yet lively and I've enjoyed all the meals I have had over the years.
Rosso Pomodoro 118 Greenwich Ave. (map) Pies only.
This is Eataly’s extension of their in-house pizza counter. The first time I tried Rosso Pomodoro was in Italy so I was pretty pleased to see it here in NYC.
It's also around the country should you try it and love it
Go for the simple Mozzarella di Bufala and tomato sauce or more adventurous Brussels sprouts, guanciale, and creme fraiche.
SoHo
Prince St. Pizza 27 Prince St. (map)
This pizzeria’s specialty is what they call the “Soho Square”.
A Sicilian style slice, with a crust of perfect crunchy/chewy ratio, fresh mozzarella on top of their tasty sauce.
It's great pizza in a great neighborhood!
Arturo's 106 W Houston St. (map) Pies only.
I adore this cozy restaurant opened in 1957. There are no creative, unusual pizzas here.
That's one reason I like it. Traditional pies speed out of a coal oven.
With live jazz every night, Arturo’s is a great spot to enjoy the best of what New York City has to offer.
Ben's of SoHo 123 MacDougal St. (map)
When I was a kid, this was my family's go-to for a slice when we were in SoHo.
Try the the spectacular Sicilian slices.
After your slice, get some zeppole, Italian doughnut holes fried and dusted with powdered sugar.
Fun fact: Ben's was featured in the movie, Men in Black!
Little Italy
* Lombardi's 32 Spring St. (map) Pies only. Cash only.
Another must-try. They sell only pies so I get very excited when I have a group of friends who want a pizza night out!
Opened in 1905, immigrant Gennaro Lombardi was the first pizza maker to get a merchant license, making Lombardi’s the first pizzeria in NYC.
It takes just a few minutes from when you order your pie until it comes freshly cooked to perfection out of their coal oven.
There is always a wait for tables, but it is well worth it.
Lower East Side
*Scarr's Pizza 35 Orchard Street (map)
The owner has worked at Artichoke, Joe’s and Lombardi’s -- three places in my list.
So he had quite a head start when he opened his own pizzeria.
What makes the crust so excellent is that the flour is freshly milled in the basement and it’s baked thin and crispy.
The menu has five types of slices to start with: original, Sicilian (square slice), white, pepperoni, and vegan.
Add toppings like Pepperoni, Chicken Sausage, Anchovies, Cremini Mushrooms, Fried Eggplant, Olives and more.
I love the Sicilian just as it is. I also love all the vegan options, even though I'm not a vegan.
Be warned. The lines are long, especially at lunch hour and on weekends. They can snake around the corner.
East Village
Motorino 349 E. 12th St. (map)
You wouldn’t expect such a perfect New York slice to be made by a Belgian chef who has cooked at some of the top restaurants in NYC like Bouley.
But believe the hype, Motorino is pizza at its best.
I know not everyone likes blue cheese, but I do and Motorino makes a mean Gorgonzola-speck-and-cippolini pie.
It has Williamsburg and Upper West Side locations also.
I was in college when Two Boots opened (1987). Hmm. Cajun pizza.
My friends and I were both confused and intrigued.
We checked it out and ended up bringing pies back to the dorms all the time.
Two Boots fuses New Orleans and Italian flavors, named for the “two boots” on the map - Italy and Louisiana.
Pick from the fun combos like the Bayou Beast slice, topped with spicy shrimp, crawfish, andouille sausage, and jalapenos.
Multiple locations around the city, including Williamsburg and Park Slope.
Harlem
Patsy Lancieri opened this oasis in Harlem in 1933, after learning the tricks of the trade working at Lombardi’s.
This is one of only two places in NYC that offers coal-oven pizza by the slice (the other is Sac's Place in Queens, also on this list).
It's a classic place serving insanely delicious pies.
Patsy's was Frank Sinatra's favorite pizza. He even had pies flown out to him in L.A.
It is just that good.
Midtown
NY Pizza Suprema 413 8th Ave. (map)
The best slice near Madison Square Garden and in fact all of Midtown West.
After your Knicks game or concert at the Garden, walk over to what looks like your average pizza shop. It is anything but average.
If you have never tried an “upside-down” slice (sauce on top, cheese in the middle), I say this is where to start.
Upper West Side
Sal & Carmine's Slice 2671 Broadway. (map)
Panic ensued in the neighborhood when this Upper West Side institution appeared to have closed in 2015.
Locals were relieved when after a few months the place reopened and served up the same perfect not-too-thin crust, savory sauce slice it had been serving for decades.
Just a few blocks away from Central Park so do what I do -- grab a few slices to go and have a picnic!
BROOKLYN NEIGHBORHOODS
DUMBO
Two amazing places in DUMBO are yards apart and I've eaten pizza from both...when they were in the same building.
Just not at the same time.
Before reading my reviews, see this fun article about the feud between these pizzerias.
Both pizzas are delicious (though I do have a favorite). Try both and let me know what you think!
Grimaldi's 1 Front Street (map) Pies only.
Probably in your guidebook and rightfully so.
Its thin-crust pizza is so good you don't need toppings to make it perfect.
But if you do want something more, stick with pepperoni, roasted red peppers, olives, and mushrooms and you can’t go wrong.
Be prepared to wait for a minimum of 45 minutes to an hour for a table.
* Juliana's 19 Old Fulton St (map) Pies only.
In 2015, Juliana was ranked on Tripadvisor as the No. 1 pizza in America.
The short of the article I linked to above about the feud between this pizzeria and Grimaldi's is this:
The Grimaldi family had a pizzeria named Grimaldi's at this location.
In 1998, the family retired from the business and sold its name (now a franchise) to Joe Ciolli, the current owner of the Grimaldi's I write about above.
Ciolli moved Grimaldi's to a space around the corner, leaving this address empty.
This was perfect for the Grimaldi family who came out of retirement in 2012 and opened up a pizzeria in its former home and named it Juliana's.
I prefer Juliana's for a few reasons besides the pizza having a slight edge over Grimaldi's.
Juliana's has a simple decor of red and white checkered tablecloths. The kitchen is wide open and you can go stand by it and see the pizza being made.
Plus the line is shorter since not everyone realizes that Juliana's is the Grimaldi family, not Grimaldi's!
I mentioned at the start of this post about a $30 pie (with tip) I shared with a friend and said it was worth the money.
What I didn't tell you is how fast we gobbled that pie up!
Williamsburg
Best Pizza 33 Havemeyer St. (map)
The name doesn't lie!
Go for the white pie made with mozzarella made in-house, fresh ricotta, pecorino, caramelized onions, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds on the crust.
Patrizia's 35 Broadway (map) Pies only.
Their wood-fired brick oven bakes your pizza in a matter of minutes. Perfect ratio of sauce to cheese on a thin crispy crust.
They have a full menu of Italian dishes which are also great. Fun for the kids and big groups.
Williamsburg Pizza 265 Union Ave. (map)
The gold standard for tomato sauce on pizza is that it should be made with San Marzano tomatoes. That's what this pizzeria does.
The traditional red sauce and cheese pizza is sold as the Brooklyn (triangle slice) and the Grandma (square slice).
It's the Grandma square slices where the toppings get a bit creative.
I love the Vegetarian, with fresh mozzarella, Grana Padano, red onions, Artichokes, basil, roasted red peppers, spinach, garlic and tomato sauce.
Either shape, it tastes great. Also in the Lower East Side.
Greenpoint
Paulie Gee's 60 Greenpoint Ave. (map) pies only and Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop 110 Franklin St. (map)
Creative with a capital C! The sit-down pies only location goes wild!
Ever had pizza with fresh mozzarella, gorgonzola cheese, prosciutto di Parma,
dried Bing cherries, and orange blossom honey? Try the Cherry Jones.
For vegans, you’ll love the In Ricotta Da Vegan pie made with vegan tomato sauce, house-made vegan sausage, vegan parmesan, post-oven house-made cashew ricotta dollops, baby arugula, and extra virgin olive oil.
At the slice shop, there are fewer wacky pies, but still some fun ones like the Hellboy: an upside down Sicilian with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, Pecorino Romano, Ezzo pepperoni, Mike’s Hot Honey and a sesame seed bottom.
Bushwick
Roberta’s Pizza 261 Moore Street. (map) Pies only.
Before Roberta’s opened up in Bushwick, no one was that interested in coming to the ‘hood. Not to make great street art, and certainly not to live there.
Roberta’s helped put Bushwick on the map.
The pizza’s unusual combinations of high-quality ingredients earned a Michelin star and a visit from Jay Z and Beyonce. Locals and celebs love this place alike.
TIP: I combine my visits to Roberta's with a walk over to the Bushwick Collective, famous for its street art and murals. Check it out.
Gravesend
L&B Spumoni Gardens 2725 86th St. (map)
One of the most beloved Brooklyn pizzerias and worth the trip.
Ludivico Barbati arrived in New York in 1917 and 100 years later, the fourth generation of the family is still in charge.
There's no messing around with fancy toppings. They sell one type of slice: a thick crust, square Sicilian pizza.
Follow up your slice with a cup of spumoni, a molded Italian ice cream made with layers of different colored ice creams.
L&B will be opening a location in DUMBO which is a lot closer to Manhattan than the 86th St. location.
Coney Island
Totonno 1524 Neptune Ave., Coney Island (map) Pies only.
Owned and operated by the same family that started it in 1924, it's so “old school” that it’s as if it was transported straight from a rustic Italian coal oven.
That suited The Ramones just fine as the members of this legendary punk rock band would each order a pie for themselves and enjoy it two blocks away at the boardwalk at Coney Island.
They no longer have a lot of indoor dining tables and there are some outdoor tables. So do what The Ramones did. Order a pie and eat it on the boardwalk.
Boerum Hill
Sottocasa 298 Atlantic Ave. (map) Pies only.
Right near hipster-ish Smith Street, this restaurant only serves pies, but these are awesome pies.
I used to live in this neighborhood and every time I go back to eat here, I regret moving.
Try playful combinations like the Autunno pie with smoked mozzarella, ricotta, Brussels sprouts, speck, sage, and truffle oil!
And oh-la-la Nutella pizza for dessert.
Also in Williamsburg and Harlem.
House of Pizza and Calzone 132 Union St. (map)
Cozy space in a cool neighborhood. Opened in 1952, they are known for its…you guessed it…calzone.
A calzone, when made properly as theirs is, is a delectable mix of ricotta, mozzarella, and ham in a deep-fried shell.
They also make a fabulous “upside-down” slice with a perfectly crisp yet chewy crust on the bottom, topped with cheese followed by sweet tomato sauce on the top.
QUEENS
Long Island City
Rizzo's 30-13 Steinway St. (map)
Opened in 1959, Rizzo's started off by serving only one kind of slice: thin-crust Sicilian pizza.
Typically Sicilian squares have a doughy fluffy crust. Rizzo’s is unique in this way.
Definitely order a Sicilian slice—or two!
If you have ever been skeptical about a BBQ chicken slice, Rizzo’s may turn you into a true believer.
BRONX
Here are two pizzerias that can be reached by subway and aren't too far from Manhattan.
They are near the Bronx Zoo so you can combine a visit to both.
These are in the Belmont neighborhood which is home to the famous Arthur Avenue which is, to some New Yorkers, considered the REAL Little Italy.
If you are a foodie, check out our self-guided food tour of Arthur Avenue.
Tino’s Deli 2410 Arthur Ave. (map) Pies only.
Tino’s is well-known for its Italian sandwiches but they do serve up very tasty pizzas from their brick oven.
They start with a thin, crisp crust and create the classics like a Margherita, a beautiful Bianco (‘white’) pizza with fresh mozzarella, pecorino romano and arugula.
The one I can't get enough of the sweet and tangy Pizza Tartufato with Blue Cheese, Dried Figs, Olive oil, Arugula, and Truffle honey.
Zero Otto Nove 2357 Arthur Ave. (map) Pies only.
This is a cozy trattoria with a full menu. But it’s the pizza you really want.
Pizzas are creative with toppings like butternut squash puree, cream of truffle, mushrooms & fresh mozzarella.
You can stick with the classic Margherita with Tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, Parmigiano & basil.
Do not leave without having the Nutella pizza for dessert (pictured on the left).
Now with a Manhattan location.
STATEN ISLAND
This borough and its residents have deep Italian immigrant roots with more than one-third of its population having Italian ancestry.
Accordingly, Staten Island has some incredible authentic Italian restaurants and some of the best pizza in New York City.
Staten Island is very residential and unless you have a car, you have fewer options for your pizza adventure.
Don’t despair! Some of the best pizzas are within distance of the Staten Island commuter ferry.
If you didn’t already know this, a ride on the Staten Island Ferry is an absolute must while in New York.
It’s a free boat ride with stunning views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines so have your cameras ready.
Click here for detailed information about taking the Staten Island Ferry.
I've included directions to these places from the ferry dock.
Denino’s Pizzeria and Tavern 524 Port Richmond Ave. (map and directions by bus) Pies only.
Opened in 1937, this is the Island’s best-known pizzeria and most likely to be visited by tourists. It’s an easy 30-minute bus ride from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal.
Just because it might be a little touristy doesn’t mean that it isn’t fabulous pizza!
Try the M.O.R. pie, (meatballs, onions, and ricotta cheese). Simple but sublime.
Pier 76 76 Bay St. (map and directions by foot) Pies only.
Located a few blocks from the Staten Island Ferry, this pizzeria serves up a pretty good pie.
Don't be surprised that you can order a calamari pizza. Staten Island has a small fishing and seafood industry.
I go crazy for the Arugula pie. This sharp salad green is my favorite. It goes so well with the salty shaved Reggiano and a drizzle of reduced balsamic vinegar.
Goodfellas 4029 Hylan Blvd. (map and directions by bus) Pies only.
Located a 20-minute bus ride from the ferry terminal, come here for the Vodka Pie. Just like Vodka sauce pasta, it’s a pinkish sauce of tomato sauce and cream with peas mixed in.
It is possibly their most loved pizza.
If you are a bit more daring try their Sally Pie: lemon garlic chicken, gourmet cheddar scallion cream cheese, fresh mozzarella, cheddar cheese, mushrooms, caramelized onions.
This pizza has won awards so clearly the odd combination works!
HOW TO TRY DIFFERENT PIZZAS IN ONE DAY
Too many pizzas, too little time!
As I mentioned above, a great way to sample lots of pizza and learn tons of the interesting history of pizza in America is by taking one of Scott's Pizza Tours.
They are really great and that's why we got you a $2 off on one of his tours.
Just book at Scott’s Pizza Tours and enter promo code FreeByFoot.
Our walking tours:
- Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO
- Midtown Manhattan
- SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown
- Greenwich Village Food Tour
- Harlem
- East Village Food Tour
- Lower East Side Food Tour
- Central Park
- Grand Central Terminal
Our self-guided tours and neighborhood guides
