10 New York Pizza Slices That Locals Say Are Perfection

Nothing says New York like a perfect slice of pizza.

As a longtime New Yorker, I’ve spent years hunting down the best slices in the city, from hole-in-the-wall joints to legendary institutions.

The perfect New York slice has that magical combination of thin, foldable crust, the right cheese-to-sauce ratio, and that indefinable something that makes you close your eyes when you take the first bite.

These ten spots represent what locals consider the absolute pinnacle of pizza perfection in the five boroughs.

1. Scarr’s Pizza: The Organic Revolution

Last Tuesday I stumbled into Scarr’s on the Lower East Side after a rough day at work, and the slice I had literally turned my day around. Owner Scarr Pimentel mills his own flour in-house – a detail that sounds pretentious until you taste the difference.

The regular slice has this incredible depth of flavor that makes other pizzas taste flat in comparison. The crust somehow manages to be both crispy and chewy, with that perfect fold that prevents the precious orange oil from dripping down your arm.

The retro 1970s wood-paneled interior adds to the experience, making you feel like you’ve discovered a secret spot that time forgot. Trust me, this slice is worth braving the inevitable line that forms during lunch hours.

2. Joe’s Pizza: The Classic Greenwich Village Staple

My first apartment in New York was two blocks from Joe’s, which meant I probably ate more of their slices my first year here than actual home-cooked meals. This Greenwich Village institution serves what many consider the quintessential New York slice – no frills, no gimmicks, just pizza perfection.

Founded in 1975 by Joe Pozzuoli from Naples, this spot has maintained its quality through decades of neighborhood changes. The sauce has this subtle sweetness that balances perfectly with the salty mozzarella, and the crust has that magical thin-yet-sturdy quality that defines New York pizza.

Celebrity photos line the walls, but nobody gets special treatment in the perpetually long (but fast-moving) line. Tourists and locals alike agree: if you want to understand New York pizza culture in one bite, Joe’s is your education.

3. Di Fara Pizza: Dom DeMarco’s Brooklyn Legacy

“Worth the wait” doesn’t begin to describe the religious experience that is Di Fara. My cousin from Chicago once complained about the hour-long line until his first bite rendered him speechless. For decades, the late Dom DeMarco (pizza saint, I’m not even kidding) handcrafted each pie himself, snipping fresh basil with scissors and drizzling olive oil imported from Italy.

The crust emerges from the oven with the perfect char, supporting a harmonious blend of three cheeses and that signature slightly sweet sauce. While Dom’s children now carry on his legacy, the methods remain unchanged since 1964.

Located in Midwood, Brooklyn, this pilgrimage-worthy spot represents pizza as artisanal craft long before that concept became trendy. The slightly higher price tag ($5+ per slice) reflects the premium ingredients and decades of expertise.

4. L’Industrie Pizzeria: Williamsburg’s Local Favorite

“Have you been to L’Industrie yet?” That’s how pizza conversations start among my Brooklyn friends these days. This Williamsburg spot might be newer to the scene, but it’s already earned legendary status among pizza-obsessed locals like me.

Owner Massimo Laveglia brings his Tuscan background to create slices that respect New York tradition while introducing subtle Italian refinements. The crust has this incredible light, airy quality with the perfect amount of chew and those coveted leopard spots of char on the bottom.

Their burrata slice has ruined me for all other white slices – the creamy cheese melts into a puddle of dairy perfection atop their impeccable dough. The tiny storefront barely fits three people, but that just adds to the thrill of scoring one of the city’s most sought-after slices.

5. New Park Pizza: Queens’ Flame-Kissed Wonder

My first visit to New Park happened after a Mets game when a local friend insisted we skip the obvious spots and trek to Howard Beach. That detour changed my pizza life forever! Since 1956, this Queens landmark has been cooking their pies in a spectacular gas-fired oven that kisses each slice with flames.

The result is a uniquely crispy-yet-chewy crust that somehow remains sturdy while maintaining incredible lightness. Their slightly sweet sauce has this concentrated tomato flavor that haunts my dreams, and the perfectly browned cheese creates those tiny crispy bits that provide textural magic.

Don’t let the no-frills interior fool you – this cash-only spot represents Queens pizza royalty. The line of firefighters, cops, and neighborhood regulars testifies to its status as the real deal in a borough filled with pizza contenders.

6. Delizia 73: Upper East Side’s Best-Kept Secret

Stumbling upon Delizia 73 during a rainstorm three years ago might be the luckiest drenching I’ve ever received. This Upper East Side neighborhood joint doesn’t make the tourist lists, and that’s exactly how locals prefer it – more slices for us!

Their regular slice achieves that perfect New York balance: thin enough to fold without being flimsy, with a crust that has just the right amount of chew. The sauce leans slightly sweet with noticeable basil notes, while the cheese coverage is generous without becoming a greasy mess.

What really sets Delizia apart is consistency – I’ve never had a bad slice here, whether at 2pm or 2am. The unpretentious storefront and lifetime-New-Yorker counter staff complete the authentic experience. When Upper East Siders debate their neighborhood’s best slice, Delizia 73 inevitably dominates the conversation.

7. Golden Pizza: The Bronx’s Crown Jewel

“You haven’t tried Golden yet?” My Bronx-born colleague seemed personally offended when I admitted this gap in my pizza education. After one visit to this Arthur Avenue adjacent spot, I understood his outrage – how had I lived in New York this long without experiencing this slice?

Golden’s crust somehow achieves this miraculous texture that’s simultaneously airy and substantial, with a flavor that suggests a long fermentation process. Their sauce has a pronounced garlic presence that complements rather than overwhelms the high-quality mozzarella they use.

The slice itself is slightly larger than the NYC average, making it an even better value in a city of increasingly expensive pizza. The no-nonsense interior and efficient service reinforce that you’re here for one thing only – pizza that represents the Bronx’s Italian heritage in every perfect bite.

8. Family Pizza: Brooklyn’s Neighborhood Champion

Family Pizza saved my sanity during my first Brooklyn winter. When I moved to Bushwick and barely knew anyone, this corner slice joint became my comfort zone. The owners actually remembered my name after just two visits!

Their regular slice embodies Brooklyn pizza philosophy – a touch thicker than Manhattan slices, with a more generous hand with both cheese and sauce. The crust has this wonderful breadiness while maintaining a crisp bottom that never sags under the weight of toppings.

What truly distinguishes Family is their perfectly calibrated oven temperature that creates those magical little charred bubbles around the crust’s edge. While pizza snobs might overlook this unpretentious spot, neighborhood residents fiercely defend it as Brooklyn’s most authentic slice experience – no gimmicks, just generations of pizza-making expertise served without attitude.

9. Luigi’s Pizza: Brooklyn’s Time Capsule

Walking into Luigi’s in South Brooklyn feels like stepping through a portal to 1973. The wood paneling, the ancient cash register, and the same family working behind the counter for over 40 years create this magical time-warp experience that perfectly complements their old-school slices.

Owner Gio (Luigi’s son) still makes dough the way his father taught him – no cutting corners, no modern shortcuts. The result is this incredible crust with a distinct flavor that modern pizzerias simply can’t replicate. Their sauce has a pronounced oregano profile that instantly triggers childhood pizza memories.

The cheese blend remains a closely guarded secret, but whatever it is creates this perfect browning effect in their ancient deck ovens. When friends visit from out of town asking for “authentic” New York pizza, Luigi’s is where I take them – it’s living history in slice form.

10. Pizzatown: Staten Island’s Unexpected Masterpiece

“You’re seriously taking the ferry just for pizza?” My roommate thought I’d lost my mind, but the trek to Staten Island’s Pizzatown changed her tune fast. One bite of their vodka slice had her planning our next visit before we’d even finished eating.

This unassuming strip mall spot defies all expectations with a crust that achieves the holy grail of pizza texture – shatteringly crisp on the bottom while maintaining a fluffy, airy interior. Their sauce (especially on the vodka slice) has this rich depth that suggests hours of simmering and generations of recipe refinement.

The cheese-to-sauce ratio leans slightly heavier on cheese, creating those magnificent stretchy pulls made for Instagram – though the old-school Italian owners would probably roll their eyes at such modern nonsense. Staten Island locals have kept this gem relatively secret from the other boroughs, and after experiencing it, I understand their protectiveness.