8 Hole-In-The-Wall New York Pizza Spots That Locals Can’t Stop Talking About
Ask any New Yorker where to find the best pizza, and prepare yourself for a debate that could last well into the night. Everyone has a favorite spot, and the loyalties run deep.
Beyond the tourist-packed institutions, however, lies a whole world of neighborhood treasures—the tiny, hole-in-the-wall joints where the ovens have been running for decades and the slices speak for themselves.
These unassuming pizzerias don’t need flashy décor or celebrity endorsements. What they serve up instead is authenticity: generations-old recipes, perfectly blistered crusts, and that elusive balance of sauce and cheese that keeps locals coming back, slice after slice.
1. Louie & Ernie’s Pizza: The Bronx’s Treasured Time Capsule
Every bite at Louie & Ernie’s transports me back to 1959 when this Pelham Bay institution first opened its doors. The tiny storefront hasn’t changed much since then – and thank goodness for that!
Their sausage pie steals the spotlight with handmade fennel-spiked sausage that crisps perfectly in their old-school ovens. The cheese stretches just right with that signature New York pull when you lift a slice.
Locals whisper about this place like it’s a family secret, which technically it is – the same family has kept the recipes intact for generations. No frills, no fuss, just pizza perfection that makes the trip to the Bronx absolutely worth it.
2. Scarr’s Pizza: Lower East Side’s Flour-Milling Maverick
The first time I stumbled into Scarr’s, I thought I’d walked through a time portal to the 1970s. Wood paneling, vintage Pepsi signs, and that unmistakable aroma of perfect pizza welcomed me.
What makes Scarr’s revolutionary? Owner Scarr Pimentel actually mills his own flour in-house – a labor of love that creates a digestible, flavor-packed crust unlike anything else in the city. The classic slice boasts a crispy-yet-chewy texture that somehow stays light.
The line stretching down Orchard Street speaks volumes. Locals don’t queue for mediocrity, especially not in New York. This retro slice shop has quickly become the benchmark for pizza perfection in a city full of contenders.
3. Rizzo’s Fine Pizza: Queens’ Square Slice Sensation
The moment you spot Rizzo’s iconic thin-crusted Sicilian squares through the window, you understand why this Astoria landmark has thrived since 1959. My grandpa used to take me here as a kid, and the recipe hasn’t changed a bit.
Each square slice offers the perfect ratio of tangy sauce to cheese, with a distinctive crispy bottom that somehow never gets soggy. The simplicity is the secret – no fancy toppings needed when the foundation is this good.
Brothers Joseph and Salvatore Rizzo created something truly special here. Their legacy continues with lines of Queens natives who refuse to accept imitations. For authentic Sicilian squares that define neighborhood comfort, Rizzo’s remains undefeated.
4. Lucali: Brooklyn’s Candlelit Pizza Sanctuary
Mark Iacono never intended to become a pizza legend when he rescued this Carroll Gardens storefront from becoming a candy shop. Now people wait hours for his brick-oven masterpieces!
The magic happens at a massive wooden table where Iacono rolls dough with wine bottles – an unconventional technique yielding impossibly thin, perfectly charred crusts. Candlelight flickers across red-checkered tablecloths as servers deliver pies topped with fresh basil and velvety homemade sauce.
No reservations, no slices, BYOB policy – Lucali plays by its own rules. The communal vibe feels like dinner at a friend’s place, if your friend happened to make the most sought-after pizza in Brooklyn. Worth every minute of the notorious wait.
5. John’s of Bleecker Street: Greenwich Village’s Coal-Fired Classic
The moment you push through John’s weathered door, the intoxicating scent of coal-fired pizza envelops you. The 1929 oven – one of the city’s oldest – still works its magic daily, creating that distinctive char impossible to replicate elsewhere.
Graffiti-carved wooden booths tell stories of generations who’ve sat in the same spots since 1929. My father carved his initials here in the 70s, and I found them decades later! The no-slices policy ensures every pizza emerges perfectly intact.
Village locals fiercely protect this institution from becoming too touristy. The sauce recipe remains a closely guarded secret, passed down through families who’ve worked here for decades. For authentic coal-fired history in every bite, John’s stands unrivaled.
6. New York Pizza Suprema: Midtown’s Pre-Game Slice Paradise
Tucked across from Madison Square Garden, Pizza Suprema has fueled concertgoers and sports fans since 1964. The first time I stopped here before a Knicks game changed my pizza standards forever!
Owner Joe Riggio still makes his sauce fresh daily using a recipe his father Salvatore brought from Italy. The upside-down Sicilian – sauce atop the cheese – creates caramelized magic that regulars crave. Crisp, foldable crust with the perfect chew factor makes each slice structural perfection.
Despite its prime location, Pizza Suprema remains refreshingly no-nonsense. Counter service only, minimal seating, maximum flavor. Midtown workers form lines out the door at lunch, proving that sometimes the best things in New York hide in plain sight.
7. Rubirosa: NoLita’s Paper-Thin Pizza Phenomenon
Family recipes shine brightest at Rubirosa, where fourth-generation pizza maker AJ Pappalardo brought his father’s Staten Island legacy to NoLita. The paper-thin crust recipe dates back to 1960 at Joe & Pat’s – a technique that creates a delicate cracker-like base that somehow supports generous toppings.
Their tie-dye pizza blends vodka sauce with pesto swirls that create Instagram-worthy masterpieces actually worth the hype. Despite the trendy location, Rubirosa maintains authentic Italian-American soul through family photos and vintage decor.
Regulars know to order the classic vodka pie – a marriage of creamy pink sauce and fresh mozzarella that haunts your dreams afterward. Though slightly more polished than other spots on this list, Rubirosa’s heart remains decidedly old-school.
8. L&B Spumoni Gardens: Brooklyn’s Sicilian Square Sanctuary
Summer evenings at L&B Spumoni Gardens feel like stepping into Brooklyn’s collective memory. Since 1939, this Gravesend institution has served thick Sicilian squares to generations of families gathered around outdoor tables.
The signature upside-down square – sauce atop cheese atop dough – creates a magical harmony unlike any other slice in the city. The bottom crust develops a golden crispness while the interior stays pillowy soft. No trip is complete without their namesake spumoni, a tricolor Italian ice cream that perfectly caps the experience.
Fourth-generation family members still oversee operations, preserving traditions while accommodating modern crowds. L&B isn’t just a pizzeria – it’s a Brooklyn rite of passage where first dates, family celebrations, and everyday dinners create lifelong memories.