7 New York Basement Pizza Shops That Locals Guard Like Secrets

New York City hides its best pizza treasures underground, away from tourist crowds and Instagram hotspots.

These basement and below-street-level pizzerias serve up some of the most authentic slices in the city, known mainly to commuters, locals, and true pizza aficionados.

From train stations to literal basement operations, these seven spots represent the hidden pizza culture that makes NYC’s food scene truly special.

1. Sauce Pizzeria – Moynihan’s Train Hall Treasure

While tourists flock to famous pizza landmarks, savvy travelers head below street level at Moynihan Train Hall. The concourse-level Sauce Pizzeria serves thin, foldable slices that exemplify NYC pizza perfection.

I discovered this spot during a delayed Amtrak nightmare last winter, and their vodka slice literally saved my sanity.

The sauce – creamy, tangy, with just enough vodka bite – transforms an ordinary commute into a culinary highlight.

2. Prova Pizzabar – Grand Central’s Neapolitan Secret

Harried commuters rush past this Lower Level Dining Concourse gem daily, missing out on some of Midtown’s most authentic Neapolitan pies. The marble counter and stone-deck ovens create a surprising oasis amid the transit hub chaos.

Master pizzaiolo Donatella Arpaia’s dough undergoes a long, slow fermentation, creating that perfect leopard-spotted crust. Grab the Diavola for a spicy kick that’ll make your wait for the Metro-North considerably more bearable.

3. Rose Pizza – Penn Station’s Underground Institution

Beneath the daily chaos of Penn Station lies this LIRR concourse institution, slinging reliable slices to commuters for decades. Recently reopened in the renovated concourse, Rose’s maintains its no-frills approach to classic New York pizza.

The Sicilian here deserves special mention – thick yet light, with a crisp bottom and tangy sauce that somehow tastes better when you’re rushing to catch a train. Late-night hours make this a clutch option for evening travelers.

4. Ace’s Pizza – The Underground Rockefeller Gem

Tucked beneath the glitz of 30 Rock, this basement-level Detroit-style pizzeria remains surprisingly under-the-radar despite its prime location.

Follow the signs for “Under 30 Rock/Rink Level” to discover thick, crispy-edged squares with perfectly caramelized cheese borders.

Their pepperoni Detroit square features cup-and-char pepperoni that curls into tiny grease chalices. The Sicilian, meanwhile, offers a satisfying chew with a light, airy crumb.

5. Louie & Ernie’s – The Bronx Basement Legend

Far from Manhattan’s tourist paths, this Pelham Bay institution began as a literal basement hangout. Now occupying a modest house with basement vibes intact, it’s where Bronx natives take out-of-towners for an authentic slice experience.

Their sausage pie comes topped with hand-pinched chunks of sweet Italian sausage from the nearby S&D Pork Store.

My Bronx-born uncle refuses to call anything else pizza after growing up on these slices, and one bite explains his loyalty.

6. Underground Pizza – FiDi’s Aptly Named Institution

Born in an actual Wall Street basement (hence the fitting name), this Financial District institution now operates at street level but maintains its subterranean soul. Bankers and downtown workers form lines for their sturdy, old-school New York slices.

Their Calabrese pie showcases perfectly cupped pepperoni that curls into crispy-edged cups. The slightly sweet sauce and generous cheese ratio harken back to a pre-artisanal pizza era when a good slice was simply good, without pretense.

7. Ace’s Pizza LIC – The Outer Borough Underground

Cross the East River to find this Long Island City sibling of the Rockefeller Center original. While technically not basement-level, it channels the same underground vibe with industrial decor and those famous Detroit squares.

The “roni” square here develops an almost caramelized cheese crust, with edges that crackle between your teeth.

During my last visit, the pizzaiolo confided that they use the exact same dough recipe as their Manhattan location, but somehow, the Queens water makes it even better.