The Best Pizza in NYC: Slices to Eat in New York City

What’s the best pizza in NYC? That, of course, is a matter of opinion, preference, and hot debate. But in the battle of the best pizza places in NYC, some slices and pies continually come out on top. We’ve rounded up our picks for the best pizza in NYC, including newcomers, old school favorites, spots in Little Italy, Brooklyn, and beyond. Looking for a great NYC pizza delivery option? Lots of these pizzerias will come to you. (One final note: In many cases, you need to buy a whole pizza, but that’s not so bad.) Dig in!

Don Antonio

No list of the best pizza places in NYC would be complete without midtown restaurant Don Antonio. Established by partners Roberto Caporuscio (owner of the popular Kesté Pizza & Vino), and Antonio Starita, the third-generation owner of one Naples’ oldest and most revered pizzerias, this spot serves more than 60 classic and creative takes on pizza—including vegan and gluten-free—made in the Neapolitan tradition. The pies are wood-fired and the mozzarella is made in-house. Many people say the lightly fried pizza, the “Montanara Starita,” is a must.

Don Antonio
309 W 50th Street
New York, NY 10019
646-719-1043
Don Antonio website: donantoniopizza.com
Don Antonio hours: Mon. – Thurs. 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; 4:30 p.m.-11 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., 4:30 p.m.- 11 p.m., Sun., 11:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Cost of Don Antonio Pizza: $16 and up

DiFara Pizza

One of the tell-tale signs of great pizza in New York City is the lines, and DiFara Pizza in the Midwood section of Brooklyn has them. Since 1965 Domenico DeMarco has been personally hand-crafting legendary pies that draw crowds and high praise from native New Yorkers and culinary luminaries. (Anthony Bourdain was a big fan.) Expect waits, and to pay for the experience (a slice is $5, a pie is $30), but know that many people say the delicious pizza is worth it.

DiFara Pizza
1424 Avenue J
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-258-1367
DiFara Pizza website: difarapizzany.com
DiFara Pizza hours: Noon- 8p.m., Mon.Fri.; Sat., Noon-8 p.m., Sun., 1 – 8 p.m.
Cost of DiFara Pizza: $5 per slice; $30 per pie

Lucali Brooklyn

Another spot where the lines and the wait can be long, relative newcomer Mark Iacono has achieved rock star status with his Carroll Gardens pizzeria, which many say turns out the best pizza in NYC. Expect a delicious mix of sweet marinara, thin crust, aromatic herbs, and heavenly cheese. It’s BYOB, cash-only, and there’s a system: show up before 5 p.m., put your name on a list, and they’ll call you when your table is ready.

Lucali Brooklyn
575 Henry Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
718-858-4086
Lucali Brooklyn website: lucalibrooklyn.com
Lucali Brooklyn hours: open 5:45-11 p.m. daily, closed Tuesdays
Cost of Lucali Brooklyn Pizza: $24 per pizza

Totonno’s Pizzeria Napolitona

Established in 1921 by Anthony Totonno Pero (who did a stint at famous pizzeria Lombardi’s in Little Italy before doing so), this Coney Island institution has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation as an American Classic. This Zagat top-rated spot has endured a devastating fire and Hurricane Sandy, and continues to turn out some of the best pizza in NYC, featuring fresh ingredients and a perfectly thin and crispy crust thanks to the coal oven. Heads up: it’s cash only.

Tototnno’s Pizzeria Napolitona
1524 Neptune Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11224
718-372-8606
Tototnno’s Pizzeria Napolitona website: totonnosconeyisland.com
Tototnno’s Pizzeria Napolitona hours: Fri. – Sun., Noon- 8 p.m.
Cost of Tototnno’s Pizzeria Napolitona Pizza: $18.50 for a small pizza

Roberta’s

While Roberta’s is a youngster compared to many of the other establishments on this list (it opened in Bushwick in 2008) many people have declared its pies as the best pizza in NYC. The ultra hip restaurant crafts wood-fired pizza both classic and inspired with the freshest of ingredients, and its tasting menu restaurant Blanca was awarded two Michelin stars. People love the Bee Sting pizza, made with tomatoes, mozzarella, soppressata, chili, basil, and honey. If you’re lucky enough to live in the surrounding area of Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, or East Williamsburg, they’ll deliver to you from 11 a.m.-11 p.m., seven days a week.

261 Moore Street
Brooklyn, NY 11206
718-417-1118
Roberta’s website: robertaspizza.com
Roberta’s hours: 11 a.m- 4 p.m. (lunch, Mon.-Fri.); 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (brunch, Sat. & Sun.), 4 p.m.-midnight (dinner, Mon.- Sun.).
Cost of Roberta’s Pizza: $14 and up

Rizzo’s Fine Pizza

Home of the “Original Thin Crust Square” pizza, a Sicilian pizza made with just cheese and sauce (no toppings), Rizzo’s Fine Pizza in Astoria, Queens has been family-owned and operated for more than 60 years. They now also turn out ultra-thin Neopolitan pies and specialty pizzas as well, and so many people think they make some of the best pizza in NYC that now there’s a Rizzo’s on the Lower East side as well.

Rizzo’s Fine Pizza
30-13 Steinway Street
Astoria, NY 11103
718-721-9862
Rizzo’s Fine Pizza website: rizzosfinepizza.com
Rizzo’s Fine Pizza hours: open 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily
Cost of Rizzo’s Fine Pizza: $1.75 per slice; $2.75 for special slice

John’s of Bleecker Street

Famous for its comfortable, old-school ambiance (tile floors, tin ceilings, booths etched with the names of customers) John’s of Bleecker Street was established in 1929 on Sullivan Street. When John Sasso lost his lease, he dismantled the coal-fired brick oven of his shop and moved it to the restaurant’s current location. You can’t get a slice here (pies only), but the zesty sauce will make you want to eat a whole pizza here any way. John’s does take credit cards and also offers pizza delivery.

John’s of Bleecker Street
278 Bleecker Street
New York, NY 10014
212-243-1680
John’s of Bleecker Street website: johnsbrickovenpizza.com
John’s of Bleecker Street hours: open Sun. – Thurs. 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. 11:30 a.m.- midnight
Cost of John’s of Bleecker Street Pizza: $18 and up

L&B Spumoni Gardens

Home to a Sicilian square slice with chewy dough, cheese on the bottom and sweet sauce on top, this Gravesend institution was founded in 1939. You can also get round pies here, and the namesake spumoni, a molded gelato, typically made with three flavors and candied fruits and nuts. Can’t make it to Gravesend? The popular restaurant is opening a location in DUMBO in Fall of 2019.

2725 86th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11223
718-449-1230
L&B Spumoni Gardens website: spumonigardens.com
L&B Spumoni Gardens hours: Sun. – Thurs., 11 a.m. – midnight, Fri. & Sat., 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Cost of L&B Spumoni Gardens Pizza: $3.00 per slice

Paulie Gee’s

Paulie Gee’s is known for its creative (and delicious) pizzas and the crowds they attract. Examples include A Whiter Shade of Kale (fresh mozzarella and nut-free kale pesto) and the Monte Cristo, with mild gouda, sliced Canadian bacon, and a pure maple syrup drizzle. They also do vegan pizza here, but you must dine in at the Greenpoint Avenue location. Need pizza delivery? The pizzeria offers classic pies from a delivery and takeout-only location (via Caviar) at 110 Franklin Street, also in Greenpoint.

60 Greenpoint Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11222
347-987-3747
Paulie Gee’s website: pauliegee.com
Paulie Gee’s hours: Mon.- Fri., 6 p.m.-11p.m.; Sat., 5- 11 p.m., Sun. 5-10 p.m.
Cost of Paulie Gee’s Pizza: $14 and up

Prince Street Pizza

Not far from Little Italy and NYC pizza royalty Lombardi’s, Prince Street Pizza is known for delicious pizza (the Spicy Spring Pie, with fra diavolo sauce, spicy pepperoni and fresh mozzarella is a favorite); late nights (they are open until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday) and pepperoni cooked into cup-shaped perfection, perfect for holding drops of savory oil. Need pizza delivery downtown? Prince Street Pizza is the way to go.

Prince Street Pizza
27 Prince Street
New York, NY 10012
212-966-4100
Prince Street Pizza website: princestreetpizzanyc.com
Prince Street Pizza hours: Sun. – Thurs. 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m., Fri. & Sat., 11:30 a.m. – 4 a.m.
Cost of Prince Street Pizza: $2.95 per slice; $3.50 for specialty slice

—Mimi O’Connor