Ever caught yourself daydreaming about that perfect slice of pizza? The one with cheese that stretches for days, sauce that hits the perfect sweet-tangy balance, and a crust that makes you question everything you thought you knew about bread? Well, my fellow pizza enthusiasts, you’re in the right place—because New York City is where pizza dreams come true!
As lifelong pizza hunters (it’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it), we’ve eaten our way through the five boroughs to bring you this ultimate guide. Grab a napkin—things are about to get deliciously messy!
1. Lucali (Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn)
Walking into Lucali feels like entering pizza paradise. This cash-only, BYOB spot has had everyone from local families to Beyoncé and Jay-Z waiting hours for a table—and with good reason.
Mark Iacono crafts each pie by hand, rolling dough with wine bottles and creating magic in a wood-fired oven. The resulting pizza has a perfectly charred, thin crust that somehow remains both crispy and chewy.
What to order: Keep it simple with the classic Margherita. Trust us, you don’t need fancy toppings when the basics are this perfect.
Pro tip: This place doesn’t take reservations, so arrive before 5pm to put your name on the list, then enjoy a drink at a nearby bar while you wait!
2. Prince Street Pizza (Nolita, Manhattan)
That line snaking down the block? It leads to pizza nirvana. Prince Street Pizza has become Instagram-famous for their Spicy Spring slice—a square Sicilian-style pizza topped with spicy tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and those signature crispy, cup-shaped pepperoni slices that collect little pools of flavor-packed oil.
What to order: The Spicy Spring Square. One bite of those crispy-bottomed, fluffy-centered slices with their perfectly charred pepperoni cups, and you’ll understand the hype.
Pro tip: Order online for pickup to avoid the notorious line, especially during lunch hours!
3. Paulie Gee’s (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)
When a former IT professional turns his backyard pizza obsession into one of Brooklyn’s most beloved pizzerias, magic happens. Paulie Gee’s wood-fired Neapolitan pies feature creative combinations that’ll make your taste buds sing.
The main restaurant is sit-down only, but their nearby slice shop offers the same quality in a casual grab-and-go format.
What to order: The Hellboy (fresh mozzarella, Italian tomatoes, Berkshire sopressata piccante, Parmigiano Reggiano and Mike’s Hot Honey) delivers the perfect sweet-spicy combo.
Pro tip: Don’t skip the vegan options—even meat lovers are blown away by them!
4. Roberta’s (Bushwick, Brooklyn)
What started as a scrappy pizza joint in then-industrial Bushwick has become a culinary empire. Roberta’s serves wood-fired pizzas with a perfectly blistered crust and inventive topping combinations in a hipster-cool setting complete with outdoor garden.
What to order: The Bee Sting, with tomato, mozzarella, sopressata, chili, and honey, offers an unforgettable sweet-spicy-savory trifecta.
Pro tip: Can’t make it to Brooklyn? Look for their frozen pizzas at specialty grocery stores or visit their food hall locations!
5. Di Fara (Midwood, Brooklyn)
Watching Dom DeMarco (and now his children) make pizzas at Di Fara is witnessing living history. Since 1965, they’ve been creating masterpieces by hand, with Dom famously using scissors to cut fresh basil over each pie.
The wait can be long and the prices higher than your average slice joint, but this is pizza as art form.
What to order: The Classic Round Pie with added pepperoni. The blend of three cheeses, bright sauce, and that liberal drizzle of olive oil creates pizza perfection.
Pro tip: Go on a weekday afternoon to avoid the worst of the wait, and remember it’s cash only!
6. Joe’s Pizza (Greenwich Village, Manhattan)
When you picture the quintessential New York slice—thin, foldable, no-nonsense—you’re picturing Joe’s. This Greenwich Village institution has been serving perfect slices since 1975, and remains the standard by which all classic NY slices are measured.
What to order: A plain cheese slice. Sometimes simplicity is perfection.
Pro tip: Joe’s is open late, making it the perfect post-night-out refueling stop.
7. L&B Spumoni Gardens (Bensonhurst, Brooklyn)
Three words: Sicilian. Square. Perfection. L&B has been serving their unique upside-down squares (cheese first, then sauce on top) since 1939. The thick, focaccia-like crust has a crispy bottom and pillowy interior that’ll make you rethink everything you knew about square pizza.
What to order: The Sicilian square slice, followed by their namesake spumoni for dessert.
Pro tip: In summer, enjoy your slices at the outdoor tables for the full Brooklyn experience!
8. Scarr’s Pizza (Lower East Side, Manhattan)
Old-school vibes meet new-school ingredients at Scarr’s, where they mill their own flour in-house for superior flavor and digestibility. The retro 1970s décor completes the experience of what might be the healthiest slice joint in the city (though you’d never know it from the perfect taste).
What to order: The classic cheese slice shows off their incredible dough and sauce.
Pro tip: Wash down your slice with their famous “orange drink” for the full experience.
9. John’s of Bleecker Street (West Village, Manhattan)
Coal-fired pizza has a distinctive charred flavor that’s hard to beat, and John’s has been perfecting it since 1929. The thin, crispy crust supports simple but high-quality toppings in this classic West Village pizzeria.
What to order: A whole pie with half pepperoni, half plain (they don’t sell by the slice).
Pro tip: Check out the vintage wood booths carved with decades of patrons’ initials—you’re dining among history!
10. Juliana’s (DUMBO, Brooklyn)
When pizza legend Patsy Grimaldi sold his namesake pizzeria and then came out of retirement to open Juliana’s right next door, a pizza rivalry for the ages was born. Many argue that Juliana’s coal-fired pies have reclaimed the crown with their thin, charred crusts and balanced toppings.
What to order: The No. 1 Special (mozzarella, scamorza affumicata, pancetta, scallions, and Oregon-grown white truffles in olive oil).
Pro tip: After your pizza, take a short walk to the waterfront for stunning Manhattan views!
Your NYC Pizza Adventure Awaits!
From dollar slices to artisanal masterpieces, New York’s pizza scene offers something for every craving and budget. The best part of exploring these legendary spots isn’t just the amazing food—it’s experiencing the unique culture and history baked into every pie.
Which pizzeria will you try first? Have you already visited some of our picks? Share your NYC pizza adventures with us in the comments or tag us in your cheesy Instagram shots!
And remember—there’s no wrong way to eat pizza in New York (though folding your slice is highly encouraged). Now go forth and mangia!