14 New York City Pizza Spots You Can’t Afford To Miss
New York City lives and breathes pizza, and some spots have earned legendary status with locals and visitors alike.
From thin, foldable slices to perfectly charred crusts and rich, bubbling cheese, each pizzeria has a flavor and rhythm all its own.
Crowded counters, long lines, and the scent of fresh dough fill neighborhoods with irresistible energy.
In New York, pizza is more than food; it is a ritual, a conversation starter, and a reason to explore the city one slice at a time.
Missing these spots means missing a true taste of the Big Apple and its iconic culinary culture.
1. Lombardi’s Pizza, Nolita (Manhattan)
Often credited as America’s first pizzeria, this classic spot traces its roots back to 1905, and it still serves some of the most authentic coal-fired pies you’ll ever taste.
Located at 32 Spring Street in Nolita, this legendary place has brick walls and vintage photographs that transport you back over a century.
The coal oven reaches scorching temperatures that create those signature charred bubbles on the crust. Order the classic margherita or the white clam pie, both of which showcase balanced flavors and a chewy texture that snaps with every bite.
Fun fact: Gennaro Lombardi originally sold pizza for five cents a pie, wrapped in paper for workers to take on the go.
The exposed brick interior and tin ceiling add to the old-world charm that makes every visit feel like stepping into pizza history.
2. Prince Street Pizza, SoHo (Manhattan)
Walk into this tiny storefront at 27 Prince Street and prepare for a memorable square slice experience.
The Spicy Spring is a fan favorite among pizza lovers, featuring thick Sicilian dough topped with pepperoni that curls into crispy cups filled with spicy oil.
Lines snake out the door during lunch hours, but the wait moves quickly as the staff cranks out fresh pies nonstop.
The small space has minimal seating, so most people grab their slices and eat while strolling through SoHo’s cobblestone streets.
The Morano family’s recipes helped turn the shop into a social media favorite.
The storefront features simple red and white signage that’s easy to miss, but once you spot the crowd, you’ll know you’re in the right place for seriously craveable pizza.
3. Rubirosa, Nolita (Manhattan)
Family recipes and a love of old-school red-sauce comfort shape the experience at Rubirosa at 235 Mulberry Street, where the thin-crust pies have built a devoted following over the last decade-plus.
The Tie-Dye pizza has become a signature, featuring swirls of creamy pink sauce that taste like pure comfort.
Warm lighting and exposed brick create an intimate atmosphere that works for date nights and family dinners.
The thin crust strikes a perfect balance between crispy and foldable, holding toppings without getting soggy.
Originally a pasta joint in Staten Island, the family brought their recipes to Manhattan and added pizza to the menu.
The restaurant’s name honors the matriarch who started it all, and her portrait hangs proudly on the wall watching over satisfied customers devouring slice after slice.
4. NY Pizza Suprema, Midtown West (Manhattan)
Right across from Madison Square Garden at 413 8th Avenue, this family-run pizzeria has been feeding hungry commuters and concert-goers since 1964.
The location makes it a convenient stop before catching a train at Penn Station or heading to a Knicks game.
Their classic cheese slice represents everything great about New York pizza: perfectly tangy sauce, stretchy mozzarella, and a crust with just enough chew.
The bright, no-frills interior keeps the focus squarely on the food rather than fancy decorations.
Joe Riggio started the business and passed it down through generations who still use his original recipes.
The Supreme Slice loaded with pepperoni, sausage, peppers, and mushrooms weighs nearly a pound and requires two hands to handle properly.
The casual counter-service setup and bustling atmosphere capture the authentic New York pizza experience perfectly.
5. Arturo’s Coal Oven Pizza, Greenwich Village (Manhattan)
Live jazz music fills the air at 106 West Houston Street, where coal-fired pizzas have been the main attraction since 1957.
The combination of great food and nightly musical performances creates an experience you won’t find at your average pizza joint.
Coal ovens give the crust a distinctive smoky flavor and those coveted leopard spots that pizza enthusiasts obsess over.
The margherita pizza lets the quality ingredients shine through with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves.
Brick walls covered in vintage photographs and musician memorabilia give the space a bohemian Village vibe that feels authentically old New York.
The original coal oven still operates after more than six decades, cranking out pies at temperatures that would make most modern ovens melt.
Tables are packed close together, encouraging conversations with strangers who become friends over shared pizza love.
6. Motorino Pizza, East Village (Manhattan)
Neapolitan tradition meets creative innovation at 349 East 12th Street, where chef Mathieu Palombino earned a cult following for his Brussels sprout pizza.
Yes, you read that right, and yes, it’s absolutely incredible with garlic, pecorino, and a drizzle of olive oil.
The wood-fired oven imported from Naples reaches the perfect temperature for creating those puffy, charred crusts that define authentic Neapolitan pizza.
The sleek, modern interior features exposed brick and an open kitchen where you can watch pizzaiolos toss dough with practiced precision.
Palombino trained in Naples and brought back techniques that earned him recognition from pizza purists worldwide.
The Soppressata Piccante with spicy salami and chili oil delivers serious heat that pairs perfectly with their house-made lemonade.
The minimalist design keeps attention focused on the beautiful pies emerging from the glowing oven every few minutes.
7. Emily, West Village (Manhattan)
Creative, comfort-forward pizza takes center stage at Emily at 35 Downing Street, proving that great pies can borrow ideas from anywhere without losing their New York energy.
Square pies can show up with crisp, caramelized cheese edges that crunch satisfyingly with every bite.
Named for co-owner Emily, this lively spot pairs a full restaurant menu with seriously impressive pizza options.
The Emmy burger pizza sounds unusual but tastes like genius, topped with burger-style flavors including pickles and a special sauce that somehow works perfectly.
Exposed brick walls, warm bulbs, and reclaimed wood tables create a welcoming atmosphere that attracts both visitors and locals.
Rectangular pans help the cheese seep to the edges and caramelize into crispy perfection.
Beyond pizza, their burger has earned plenty of love, making this a destination for multiple cravings at once.
8. Roberta’s, Bushwick (Brooklyn)
Hidden in a converted warehouse at 261 Moore Street, this Bushwick pioneer helped transform the neighborhood into a dining destination.
The industrial space features an outdoor garden where they grow herbs and vegetables that end up on your pizza minutes after being picked.
Wood-fired pies here push creative boundaries without losing sight of quality fundamentals.
The Bee Sting pizza with spicy soppressata and honey delivers sweet and savory flavors that dance across your taste buds in perfect harmony.
What started as a tiny pizzeria in 2008 has expanded into a full restaurant, radio station, and rooftop garden complex.
The warehouse aesthetic includes exposed beams, graffiti art, and communal tables that encourage a lively, social atmosphere.
Weekend brunch adds another dimension with pizza topped with eggs and breakfast meats that redefine morning dining possibilities completely.
9. Paulie Gee’s, Greenpoint (Brooklyn)
Retired credit union executive Paul Giannone followed his pizza dreams and opened this Greenpoint gem at 60 Greenpoint Avenue in 2010.
The wood-burning oven, which he named Gracie, produces perfectly blistered crusts that pizza purists travel across the city to experience.
Creative pie names honor friends, family, and neighborhood characters, adding personal touches that make the menu feel like a love letter to the community.
The Hellboy features spicy soppressata, Berkshire honey, and fresh mozzarella in a combination that shouldn’t work but absolutely does.
Vintage decor and dim lighting create an intimate atmosphere that feels more like a neighborhood hangout than a trendy restaurant.
Giannone spent years perfecting his dough recipe and studying with master pizza makers before opening his doors.
The vegan options here rival the traditional pies, proving that great pizza doesn’t always require dairy to satisfy completely.
10. Best Pizza, Williamsburg (Brooklyn)
Confidence radiates from the name, and the pizza at 33 Havemeyer Street backs it up completely.
Owner Frank Pinello grew up in the neighborhood and opened this spot to serve the kind of straightforward, delicious slices he loved as a kid.
The small corner location keeps things simple with a handful of tables and a counter where you can watch pies being assembled.
Square grandma slices showcase a perfect ratio of sauce, cheese, and crispy bottom crust that demonstrates why less is often more.
Pinello later hosted a pizza show on Vice, but he still works behind the counter serving customers personally.
The white pizza with ricotta and garlic proves that sometimes skipping tomato sauce lets other flavors shine through brilliantly.
Simple white walls and minimal decoration keep the focus exactly where it belongs: on consistently excellent pizza that never tries too hard to impress.
11. F&F Pizzeria, Carroll Gardens (Brooklyn)
Brothers Francesco and Felice opened this Carroll Gardens spot at 459 Court Street, bringing authentic Neapolitan techniques to a neighborhood already famous for Italian food.
The wood-burning oven imported from Italy reaches temperatures that create those signature puffy, charred crusts in just 90 seconds.
San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, and extra-virgin olive oil are imported directly from Italy to maintain authenticity.
The margherita pizza here represents the gold standard, with every element perfectly balanced and bursting with fresh flavor.
Exposed brick walls and vintage Italian posters create a cozy atmosphere that feels transported from Naples.
The brothers learned pizza making from their grandfather, who ran a pizzeria in southern Italy for decades.
The Montanara, a fried pizza dough appetizer, offers a unique starter that showcases their dough’s incredible texture before it even hits the oven for the final bake.
12. Juliana’s Pizza, DUMBO (Brooklyn)
Patsy Grimaldi came out of retirement to open Juliana’s at 19 Old Fulton Street, right next door to the pizzeria that still bears his name.
The coal-fired oven produces pies that rival anything in the city, with a perfectly charred crust that crunches and chews in all the right ways.
Named after his mother, this restaurant represents Grimaldi’s return to his pizza-making roots after years away.
The margherita pizza showcases his decades of experience with simple ingredients transformed into something extraordinary through technique and passion.
Brick walls and red-checkered tablecloths create a classic Italian-American atmosphere beneath the Brooklyn Bridge.
The location offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline that add to the dining experience.
Lines form early, but the pizza is worth every minute of waiting, especially when you bite into that first perfect slice still steaming from the coal oven.
13. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, DUMBO (Brooklyn)
Legendary status comes from decades of serving exceptional coal-fired pizza at 1 Front Street, where tourists and locals alike queue for tables with views of the Brooklyn Bridge.
The original location opened in 1990 and quickly became a destination that people plan entire New York trips around.
Coal ovens create intense heat that produces a crust with distinctive charred spots and a smoky flavor impossible to replicate with gas or electric ovens.
The no-slice policy means you order whole pies, encouraging sharing and making the meal feel more like an event.
Brick walls covered with celebrity photos prove that everyone from movie stars to politicians has made the pilgrimage here.
The building’s waterfront location in a converted warehouse adds industrial charm to the dining experience.
While the original owner has moved next door, the recipes and techniques remain consistent, delivering the same quality that built this reputation over thirty years.
14. Joe & Pat’s Pizzeria, Staten Island
Staten Island can be overlooked by visitors, but Joe & Pat’s at 1758 Victory Boulevard has been serving outstanding pizza since 1960.
The thin-crust pies here represent old-school New York pizza at its finest, with a crispy bottom that holds toppings without any flop.
Family recipes passed down through generations create consistent quality that keeps neighborhood regulars coming back weekly.
A creamy pink-sauce pie adds a rich twist to the classic tomato pie, while the Margherita stays true to simple perfection.
Red vinyl booths and vintage decor create a nostalgic atmosphere that feels frozen in time in the best possible way.
The original owners started with a small storefront and grew through word-of-mouth reputation rather than hype or marketing.
Making the trip to Staten Island specifically for pizza might sound like a lot, but one bite of their balanced slices makes the journey feel worthwhile.