Are you searching for the best pizza in NYC? If so, keep reading!
I’ve narrowed down my 28 top picks for the best pizza in NYC!
You come to NYC for 2 things… The city, and the pizza. So if you’re wondering ‘What is the best pizza in NYC?’… You’ll find the answer here.
The truth is, you can’t visit NYC without trying the pizza here. Finding the best pizza in NYC is like a New York tradition…
Basically, I’ve eaten my way around the city, so you don’t have to. And I’ve compiled a list of all the best pizza places in NYC right here.
After all, pizza is a part of the lifestyle, the culture. The pizza slice might as well be the city’s mascot.
If you’re searching for the best pizza in New York City, then hopefully this list I’ve compiled can point you in the right direction.
This list is made up of all of our top choices for the best pizza in NYC, and I promise you, none of them will disappoint. These are the best pizza in NYC, hands down.
So, let’s get started on this epic list of the best pizza in NYC.
My favorite 28 choices for the best pizza in NYC!
Prince Street Pizza
My top choice for the best pizza in NYC? It’s Prince Street Pizza.
This place isn’t a restaurant, more of a grab-and-go place, but it’s amazing. Simply put, if I had to choose one slice to rule them all – it would be the Pepperoni Square from Prince Street Pizza.
Prince Street Pizza don’t just serve up the traditional New York City slice, they also serve up more of a Detroit-style pizza (it has a thicker base and a thicker, crispier crust). It’s this slice that continually features in my daydreams, it’s that good.
It’s something else. This is the kind of pizza you dream about. And you simply have to try it.
Their “SoHo Square” slice is the one that went viral, and with it’s with tiny, thick slices of pepperoni loaded on top of their caramelized crust – it’s heavenly and well worth an Instagram post.
Another amazing choice for the best pizza in NYC, and somewhere you’ll be talking about for weeks (maybe months) after. It’s one of the best pizza in NYC, and you’ll love it.
Upside Pizza
Second, on my list of the best pizza in NYC, it’s Upside Pizza.
Now, this is one of the most ‘New York’ pizza slices you can get in the city, and it’s totally delicious and everything you’ve been craving and hoping for.
There’s a couple of Upside Pizza places in NYC, but my favorite is located between Soho and the LES, and it’s a great little friendly pizza joint.
Honestly, my favorite thing to order here is the cheese slice. Sure, it’s simple. But it’s also the perfect example of how good a plain slice can be when done properly. I give it a 10/10.
Top tip! Their garlic dough balls deserve a mention too! Also 10/10! Overall, It’s a great choice if you’re looking for the best pizza in NYC.
Joe’s pizza
Next up on our list of the best pizza in NYC, it’s Joe’s pizza. This is the classic NYC ‘pizza joint’ – and you absolutely NEED to eat here at least once during your trip to NYC.
Listen, Joe’s isn’t the fanciest, the most instagrammable, or the trendiest pizza place in NYC – but it’s the iconic grab-and-go style pizza joint that New York City has become famous for, so it deserves a spot on our list of the best pizza in NYC.
Order by the slice, because one of the reasons Joe’s is the best pizza in Nee York City is their way of reheating and making the base perfectly crispy.
Large slices are reheated in the oven, which means you get a crispy base and crusty – and an oozy cheesy top. It’s amazing. This has to be some of the best pizza in NYC hands down!
Rubi Rosa
Rubirosa is one of the most well-known pizza places in the city, so it had to make our list of the best pizza in NYC. The pizza here is perfection, but you’ll need to think-ahead when it comes to booking.
This place is a super popular sit-down restaurant, with limited seating. And it’s incredibly difficult to secure a table here, especially at the last-minute.
What’s the pizza like? Well, it’s fresh, rustic and delicious.
To be honest, this place is so good, that you can’t really go wrong with anything on the menu – but if you’re feeling fancy, then order their namesake pizza, the Rubirosa Supreme.
It is a love letter to pizza, featuring hand-cut spicy pepperoni, diced basil, and mini meatballs. Another iconic choice for the best pizza in NYC!
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Williamsburg Pizza
Next up on our list of the best pizza in NYC, it’s Williamsburg Pizza.
This is a pretty casual pizza place, serving up delicious slices of traditional NYC-style pizza. It’s definitely some of the best pizza in NYC.
Our favorite slice from Williamsburg Pizza? It has to be their Cup and Char Grandma slice (on the right in the photo below!).
They have a few shops in NYC, but our favorite is the LES one. This is one of the best pizza places in NYC to visit when you’re down exploring the Lower East side.
Simo
Next on our list of where to find the best pizza in NYC, it’s an amazing place called Simo in the West Village.
We discovered this little pizza place when visiting the Whitney Museum of American Art, because it’s handily located right across the street!
We stumbled in looking for a quick, cheap lunch and were seriously wow’ed by how tasty the pizza was here.
It’s not traditional NYC pizza here, but more Italian Napoli-style pizza. So think big fluffy crusts, freshly cooked and light dough. The pizza takes 90 seconds to cook fresh, and it’s pure magic.
Another reason this makes our list of the best pizza in NYC? At $11.90 for an entire Margherita pizza, it’s really damn affordable.
Lucali
Some of the best pizza in NYC, can also be found in Lucali. Lucali is located across the river in Brooklyn, but it’s easy to get to, and worth the trip out of Manhattan.
The pizza in Lucali is a labor of love, and you can taste all the years of perfecting and love that has gone into these pies.
Pizza guru Mark Iacono owns it, and this place has been visited by celebrities such as Beyonce – so that should be the only seal of approval you require!
There are no arguments that this is some of the best pizza in NYC!
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Famous Ben’s Pizza
Next on my list of the best pizza in NYC, it’s Famous Ben’s Pizza. This place has been open for almost 40 years, so you know they must be doing something right!
This is one of my favorite local pizza places, and I love visiting here when we’re stopping in the Soho area.
The pizza here feels like a nice cross between Sicilian-style pizza and NYC-style pizza, and I love it.
The staff here are great too, they’ll treat you like a local, even if your first time visiting.
Zazzy’s
Next on our list of the best pizza in New York city, it’s Zazzy’s. This is a great choice for the vegans and vegetarians – as they have a plant-forward menu.
There are two NYC locations to pick from, one in the Lower East Side and one in Greenwich Village. Another epic choice for the best pizza in NYC!
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Coco pizzeria
Coco pizzeria is next on our list of the best pizza in New York City. This place was founded by famous restaurateur Pino Luongo, and pizzaiolo Ciro Verde.
You’ll find delicious wood-fired pies here – and (if you fancy branching out a little) you’ll also find their iconic focaccia.
This place offers dine-in and takeaway, and it’s seriously worth a visit. This is definitely some of the most unique and the best pizza in NYC!
Di Fara Pizza
Another great choice for the best pizza in NYC, is Di Fara Pizza! Di Fara Pizza is one of the oldest, and one of the best pizzas in New York City.
You might have spotted this place on the TV show ‘Somebody Feed Phil’ – and if so, you’ll know the amazing story behind this incredible pizza shop in NYC.
Honestly, this isn’t just some of the best pizza in New York City, it’s also the most legendary! It has been around for years – and still offers the tastiest and most delicious around.
John’s of Bleeker
John’s of Bleeker is another classic and iconic choice for the best pizza in New York City.
This amazing NYC pizza place was opened by Italian immigrant John Sasso in 1929 (yes this place is that old!). It’s an NYC institution, and it’s an amazing place to grab pizza in the city.
They don’t do slices here (it’s a full pie or nothing) but it’s so delicious that you’ll be thankful for the extra portions! Save some for breakfast the next day! A classic pick for the best pizza in NYC!
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Koronet Pizza
Next on our list of the best pizza in NYC, it’s Koronet Pizza.
This pizza place in NYC is known for delicious oozy slices, and it’s one of those pizza places you’ll want to visit after a night out drinking.
This place is (quite rightly) known for their huge jumbo slices, and (trust us) they won’t disappoint you!
With a slice coming in around $5, it’s also a really affordable way to experience some of the best pizza in New York City.
Emmy Squared
As the name suggests, Emmy Squared offer up delicious pizza in a crispy, crusty square shape, rather than the traditional circular shape.
This place is insta-famous, and you’ll probably have seen photos of their square pizzas in your explore feed at some point!
We recommend the Roni Supreme (a scrumptious pizza dotted with pepperoni and firey Calabrian chilis).
We also love that they put honest on their spicy pizzas too (this was revolutionary when we first tried it!). It’s absolutely some of the best pizza in NYC, and we think you’ll love it.
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Emmett’s on Grove
Next on our list of the best pizza in NYC, it’s Emmett’s on Grove Pizza. If you want to make your mouth water, look at the photo of Emmett’s on Grove pizza below!
It looks so good and definitely deserves a spot on this list of the best pizza in NYC.
This is what pizza dreams are made of, so of course we had to include it on our list of the best pizza in New York City. It’s also an adorable restaurant too (located in the heart of Greenwich Village) and makes a super cute date night location.
This is definitely some of the best pizza in NYC, just wait until you try it.
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John’s of Bleeker Street
Next on our list of the best pizza in NYC, it’s the gorgeously charming John’s of Bleeker Street.
This place is such a cute place to eat some of the best pizza in NYC. First of all, we love the staff (they’re friendly, cheeky and so welcoming), but we obviously also love the pizza too.
John’s of Bleeker Street serve up both slices and full pies, so you can order what’s best for you, depending on your hunger levels.
If you can, we recommend dining inside the restaurant itself, because the decor is really fun and unique. See our photo below!
Arturo’s
Arturo’s is next on our list of the best pizza in NYC. This place is a no-frills, but amazing food kinda place.
It oozes old-school vibes, the kind pf pizza place your grandparents might have experienced in NYC back in the day. And that’s kind of the point, and that’s how they like it.
The pizza is great, the atmosphere is cosy and homely, and there’s even live jazz too. You’re going to LOVE this place for the best pizza in NYC.
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Essex Pizza
Essex Pizza is next on our list of the best pizza in NYC. This place is quite literally a ‘hole-in-the-wall’ kind of pizza joint, but don’t let that put you off!
Essex Pizza is continuously voted among the best pizza places in NYC, and it’s no surprise.
They do those late-night slices to perfection, and after spending Friday or Saturday night at a bar, always make sure you grab a slice from Essex Pizza on your way home!
Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop
Next on our list of the best pizza in NYC, it’s Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop. This place is located in Brooklyn, and is home to that gooey, oozy delicious pizza you probably dream about.
You can order by the slice, or by the pie, and the prices are really reasonable too!
A great place to try some of the best pizza in NYC, especially if you’re based in Brooklyn!
Bleecker Street Pizza
Bleecker Street Pizza is one of the most hyped pizza places in NYC, and so (of course) it deserved a spot on our list of the best pizza in New York City.
They serve up crispy and delicious thin-crust pizzas, and have some really unique combination of toppings which you should definitely try out!
This place won the title ‘best pizza in New York City’ 3 years in a row – so you know it’s going to be good. Not sure what to order? Their best-selling ‘Nona Marie Pie’ is a classic.
It’s an old family recipe, and it’s a local’s favorite, and the perfect place to start!
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Peasant NYC
Next on our list of the best pizza in New York City, it’s Peasant NYC.
This Tribeca restaurant isn’t stricly pizza-only, it’s actually one of the city’s best Italian restaurants – so they serve up plenty of other dishes too.
It was taken over by chef Marc Forgione, and if you want the pizza, you’ll be ordering their ‘Pizza Picante’ – topped with Pecorino Peperoncino, Soppressata, ‘Nduja.
Square Pizza (Clinton St)
Another great pick for the best pizza in NYC (especially if you’re in the LES area) is Square Pizza.
As the name suggests, you’ll find those crunchy, delicious squared slices here! These guys have consistently great reviews, and their pizza is fresh and so tasty.
They’re such a great pick for the best pizza in NYC, and they have so many tasty flavors on offer too.
L&B Spumoni
Next on our list of the best pizza in New York City, it’s L&B Spumoni. The pizza here isn’t your average New York City pizza. It’s thick and rectangular, with a delicious crispy base with so much crunch!
It almost feels like a different dish altogether, and some have even liked it to pizza crossed with lasagna!
However you choose to describe it though, it’s still some of the best pizza in New York City. It’s somewhere you simply have to try out during your trip!
Another amazing pick for the best pizza in NYC, you have to try it!
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Corner Slice
You can never have too many pizza slice places. Especially in New York.
And Corner Slice is another great place to try some of the best pizza in New York City – and if you’re looking for something cheap, quick and tasty – this is for you.
Their square slices are the things pizza dreams are made from! How great does this place look? Another option for the best pizza in NYC you’ll need to add to your list!
Mama’s Too
How could we write a list of the best pizza in New York City, and not include Mama’s Too! This place is located on the Upper West Side, and it’s packing a punch.
The pizza here oozes expertise and attention to detail, and even the most basic items on the menu are delicious beyond words.
This is one of the pizza places in NYC, where you can feel the love that has been poured into each and every slice, and it’s absolutely some of the best pizza in NYC.
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Scarr’s Pizza
Next up on our list of the best pizza in New York City, it’s Scarr’s Pizza. This place is filled with nostalgia, and will have you feeling like you’ve stepped back into the 1960s.
This place is so recognizable and iconic – that they have their own merchandise (something to buy when you’ve had your fill of the pizza).
Song’ E Napule
If you’re looking for Neapolitan pizza in NYC, then this might be the best pizza in New York City for you!
Song’ E Napule do the most amazing Neapolitan-inspired pizza, and it definitely stands apart from the crowds.
The pizza is fresh and light, and the dough and crust is fluffy and risen (almost like naan bread).
It’s so much different to the traditional NYC crispy thin pizza, and it’s definitely worth trying both if you have time, so make sure you put this amazing pizza place in NYC on your to-do list.
A classic choice for the best pizza in NYC, we know you’ll love it.
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Lombardi’s Pizza Soho
Last on our list of the best pizza in NYC, it’s Lombardi’s Pizzeria in Soho.
This charming little pizzeria is located in the cross between Little Italy and Soho, and it’s this gorgeous rustic, traditional pizzeria trattoria.
The pizza here is this delicious smoky-crusted, coal oven baked, cheesy pizza. It’s so tasty, and so New York. They also have the claim to fame of being ‘America’s first pizzeria, est 1905’. So that’s also pretty cool!
It’s absolutely one of the best pizza places in NYC, and we know you’ll love it.
We hope this list of the best pizza in New York City has been helpful!
As you can see, there are so many places to find the best pizza in NYC.
NYC is brimming with pizza places, and they all offer something unique and different. No two pizzas in this city will ever taster the same!
And that’s what we love about searching for the best pizza in New York City! The best pizza in NYC is waiting for you…
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