6 New York Pizza Spots Locals Prefer Over The Big Chains

When I first moved to New York City, I made a rookie mistake – hitting up the chain pizza joints instead of discovering the authentic slice spots that make this city legendary.

Nothing against the big names, but NYC’s local pizzerias offer something magical that franchise formulas just can’t replicate.

After years of personal pizza pilgrimages across the five boroughs, I’ve compiled my go-to list of neighborhood gems where real New Yorkers get their fix.

1. Di Fara Pizza: Where Patience Meets Perfection

The line outside Di Fara in Midwood might test your patience, but trust me—watching Dom DeMarco (or now his children) meticulously craft each pie is part of the experience. I once waited two hours on a frigid February afternoon, questioning my sanity until that first bite dissolved all doubt.

Their classic New York-style pizza features a thin, crispy-yet-chewy crust that somehow supports the perfect ratio of tangy sauce to cheese. The secret weapon? Fresh basil snipped with scissors and a drizzle of olive oil from a copper pot.

Locals know to call ahead or check social media before making the trek. The shop’s erratic hours have spawned countless heartbreaking tales of pizza pilgrims arriving to find locked doors.

2. Scarr’s Pizza: Retro Vibes With Modern Ingredients

Walking into Scarr’s feels like stepping through a time portal to the 1970s pizza joints of my childhood—wood paneling, vintage beer signs, and that unmistakable aroma. But what happens behind the counter is thoroughly modern magic.

Owner Scarr Pimentel mills his own flour in-house, creating a digestible crust that won’t leave you feeling like you swallowed a bowling ball. My favorite order is their pepperoni slice—crisp cups of spicy meat curling up to hold tiny pools of delicious oil.

The Lower East Side location means you’ll often find yourself elbow-to-elbow with everyone from skateboarders to Wall Street types. Grab a slice and a natural wine, then people-watch from their window counter for the full experience.

3. John’s Of Bleecker Street: Coal-Fired Tradition Since 1929

“No slices!” The famous sign at John’s of Bleecker might seem unfriendly to pizza newcomers, but it’s actually a badge of honor. My first apartment in the city was six blocks away, and I celebrated every major life event with their whole pies.

The ancient coal-fired ovens create a distinctive char on the bottom of each pizza that’s impossible to replicate in modern gas ovens. Sliding into one of their wooden booths carved with decades of initials feels like joining a secret New York society.

Pro tip from a regular: their sausage is house-made and criminally underrated. Order it with roasted red peppers and prepare for flavor that’ll haunt your dreams. Just bring cash and friends—they don’t accept cards or single diners looking for individual slices.

4. Patsy’s Pizzeria: Harlem’s Slice Of History

Legend has it Frank Sinatra used to send his driver uptown just to bring Patsy’s pizza back to his downtown haunts. After my first visit to the original East Harlem location (not the franchised versions), I completely understood why Old Blue Eyes would go to such lengths.

Founded in 1933, Patsy’s claims to be the first pizzeria to sell slices in New York, making pizza accessible to working-class folks who couldn’t afford whole pies. Their thin-crust pizza emerges from a blazing coal oven with that perfect New York flop when you hold a slice.

The marinara sauce deserves its own love letter—slightly sweet, deeply tomato-forward, and applied with a surprisingly light hand. When friends visit from out of town, I always bring them here for a taste of authentic New York pizza history.

5. L’Industrie Pizzeria: Williamsburg’s Italian-Brooklyn Fusion

Hidden on a quiet Williamsburg street, L’Industrie looks unassuming until you spot the line of locals stretching down the block. I stumbled upon it while biking home one evening and nearly crashed when the aroma hit me—that’s how good this place smells!

Owner Massimo Laveglia combines traditional Italian techniques with Brooklyn creativity. The result? Thin-crust pizza with a perfect chew and edges that bubble up into blackened pockets of air. Their burrata slice—topped with creamy cheese added post-bake—changed my pizza standards forever.

The tiny shop barely fits four people inside, but that’s part of its charm. Grab your slice, perch on their sidewalk bench, and watch hipsters and Italian tourists alike make pilgrimages to this new-school classic. Just don’t tell too many people about it, okay?

6. Juliana’s Pizza: The Grimaldi’s Comeback Kid

The pizza drama under the Brooklyn Bridge could fill a Netflix series! When Patsy Grimaldi sold his famous pizzeria (Grimaldi’s) and later came out of retirement to open Juliana’s right next door, pizza fans went wild. I’ve tried both, and I’m Team Juliana’s all the way.

The coal-fired oven produces a crust with the perfect amount of char—smoky, crisp, yet still pliable enough for the New York fold. Their No. 1 Special with mozzarella, scamorza affumicata, pancetta, scallions and white truffle oil might sound fancy-pants, but it’s heaven in pizza form.

Bonus: the DUMBO location means you can walk off your pizza coma with stunning Manhattan skyline views. The line moves faster than you’d expect, and yes, it’s absolutely worth choosing over the tourist-packed Grimaldi’s next door.