Best Pizza in New York City: A Guide

If you’re a pizza lover, New York City is the place to be! From traditional New York-style thin crust pizza to Neapolitan, Sicilian, coal-oven, and wood-fired pizzas, there’s something for everyone to try and enjoy.

Key Takeaways:

• New York City has a wide variety of pizza styles that are unique to the city, each with its own distinct characteristics, toppings, and cooking methods.
• There are many famous pizzerias in New York City that specialize in these different styles of pizza, and offer a range of prices and specialties depending on the borough and location. 
• Some of the most famous pizzerias include Di Fara Pizza and Prince Street Pizza in Manhattan, and Lucali and L&B Spumoni Gardens in Brooklyn

New York City is famous for its pizza, and for good reason. With countless pizzerias and pizza joints scattered throughout the city, it can be overwhelming to choose where to go for a slice. However, fear not, because we have compiled a comprehensive guide to the best pizza in NYC. From classic New York-style pies to Neapolitan masterpieces, we’ve got you covered. We’ve identified the top contenders for the title of best pizza in the city. So, whether you’re a local looking to try something new or a tourist on the hunt for the quintessential NYC pizza experience, read on to discover where to find the best pizza in New York City

Types of Pizza in New York City

Pizza is one of the most popular foods in New York City, and there are several different styles of pizza that are uniquely New York. Here are five types of pizza that you can find in the city:

1. Thin Crust Pizza: The New York-Style Pizza

New York-style pizza is known for its thin, crispy crust that is foldable and easy to eat on-the-go. It is typically large and wide, and the slices are served with a simple tomato sauce and a generous amount of mozzarella cheese. This type of pizza is baked in a high-temperature oven, which gives it a crispy crust and a slightly charred flavor. Some popular places to try New York-style pizza include Lombardi’s, Joe’s Pizza, and Di Fara Pizza.

2. Neapolitan Pizza: The Italian-Style Pizza

Neapolitan pizza is a traditional Italian pizza that has a soft, chewy crust and is cooked in a wood-fired oven. It is topped with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. The pizza is known for its simplicity and high-quality ingredients. Some popular places to try Neapolitan pizza in New York City include Kesté Pizza & Vino, Motorino, and Roberta’s.

3. Sicilian Pizza: The Square Pizza

Sicilian pizza is a thick, square-shaped pizza that is typically served in slices. It has a soft, fluffy crust and is topped with tomato sauce and a generous amount of cheese. This type of pizza is baked in a square pan, which gives it a crispy crust on the bottom and a soft, doughy center. Some popular places to try Sicilian pizza in New York City include L&B Spumoni Gardens, Prince Street Pizza, and Di Fara Pizza.

4. Coal-Oven Pizza: The Classic Pizza

Coal-oven pizza is a classic New York-style pizza that is cooked in a coal-fired oven. The oven reaches temperatures of up to 800 degrees, which gives the pizza a crispy, charred crust and a smoky flavor. The pizza is typically thin and crispy, and it is topped with a simple tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella cheese. Some popular places to try coal-oven pizza in New York City include Lombardi’s, Patsy’s Pizzeria, and Grimaldi’s.

5. Wood-Fired Pizza: The Artisanal Pizza

Wood-fired pizza is a newer style of pizza that has gained popularity in recent years. It is cooked in a wood-fired oven, which gives it a unique, smoky flavor. The crust is typically thin and crispy, and the toppings are often more gourmet and creative than traditional pizza toppings. Some popular places to try wood-fired pizza in New York City include Paulie Gee’s, Roberta’s, and Motorino.

Best Pizza Places in New York

New York City is known for its iconic pizza, and there are plenty of options to choose from in each borough. Here are some of the best pizza places in New York City by borough, along with their specialties and prices:

Manhattan:

• Di Fara Pizza: This pizzeria in Midwood, Brooklyn is known for its traditional New York-style pizza made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Prices start at $5.00 for a slice and $30.00 for a whole pie. 
• Prince Street Pizza: Located in NoLIta, this pizzeria is famous for its square pepperoni pizza. Prices start at $3.95 for a slice and $30.00 for a whole pie. 
• Kesté Pizza & Vino: This Greenwich Village pizzeria specializes in Neapolitan-style pizza made with imported Italian ingredients. Prices start at $12.00 for a Margherita pizza and $20.00 for a pizza with prosciutto di parma.

Brooklyn:

• Lucali: This Carroll Gardens pizzeria is known for its classic Margherita pizza made with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil. Prices start at $24.00 for a whole pie. Cash only. 
• L&B Spumoni Gardens: This Bensonhurst pizzeria is famous for its Sicilian-style pizza with a crispy crust and sweet tomato sauce. Prices start at $3.00 for a slice and $24.50 for a whole pie.
• Paulie Gee’s: This Greenpoint pizzeria offers a variety of creative, artisanal pizzas made with unique toppings and fresh, homemade dough. Prices start at $14.00 for a Margherita pizza and $22.00 for a pizza with prosciutto di parma.

Queens:

• Nick’s Pizza: Nick’s Pizza in Forest Hills is a popular spot for traditional New York-style pizza. Their menu offers a variety of options, including small and large round pizzas and a grandma square pizza. The prices for their pizzas start at $18.25 for a small round pizza and go up to $21.50 for a grandma square pizza.
• Dani’s House of Pizza: Located in Kew Gardens, Dani’s House of Pizza is a top choice for Sicilian-style pizza in Queens. They use only the freshest ingredients, including homemade sauce made from Italian plum tomatoes, and offer a range of toppings to choose from. The prices for their pizzas start at $19 for a small Sicilian pizza and go up to $32 for a large pie with three toppings. 
• Milkflower: Milkflower in Astoria is known for its artisanal pizzas, made with high-quality ingredients like locally-sourced mozzarella and San Marzano tomatoes. Their menu offers a variety of unique pizza options, including a Brussels sprout pizza and a clam pie. The prices for their pizzas start at $16 for a small margherita pizza and go up to $22 for a large pizza with three toppings. 

The Bronx:

• Louie & Ernie’s Pizza: Louie & Ernie’s Pizza in the Pelham Bay area of the Bronx is a classic spot for traditional New York-style pizza. Their pies are made with fresh ingredients, including homemade sauce and high-quality cheese. The prices for their pizzas start at $14 for a small cheese pizza and go up to $26 for a large pie with four toppings. 
• Emilio’s of Morris Park: Emilio’s of Morris Park is a popular destination for Sicilian-style pizza in the Bronx. Their menu offers a range of toppings to choose from, including classics like pepperoni and sausage as well as unique options like eggplant and sun-dried tomatoes. The prices for their pizzas start at $16.50 for a small Sicilian pizza and go up to $29 for a large pie with three toppings.
• Pugsley’s Pizza: Pugsley’s Pizza in the Castle Hill area of the Bronx is known for its artisanal pies made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Their menu offers a variety of unique pizza options, including a mac and cheese pizza and a chicken bacon ranch pizza. The prices for their pizzas start at $15 for a small margherita pizza and go up to $25 for a large pizza with three toppings. 

Staten Island 

• Lee’s Tavern: Lee’s Tavern is known for serving the best traditional New York-style pizza on Staten Island. Their pizza is thin, crispy, and loaded with toppings, including their famous white clam pie. Lee’s Tavern offers a cozy atmosphere with a bar and an outdoor seating area. Prices at Lee’s Tavern range from $5 to $1.
• Pizza Wagon: Pizza Wagon is known for serving the best Sicilian pizza on Staten Island. Their pizza is thick, crispy, and topped with plenty of cheese and sauce. Pizza Wagon is a small and casual eatery that offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Prices at Pizza Wagon range from $2.50 to $30.

• Goodfella’s Pizza: Goodfella’s Pizza is known for serving the best artisanal pizza on Staten Island. Their pizza is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and baked in a wood-fired oven for a crispy crust. Goodfella’s Pizza offers a cozy and upscale atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating options. Prices at Goodfella’s Pizza range from $6 to $38.

In conclusion, New York City is a hub for various pizza styles, including the popular thin crust New York-style pizza with crispy crust, Neapolitan pizza with a soft, chewy crust, Sicilian pizza with a fluffy crust, coal-oven pizza with a crispy, charred crust, and wood-fired pizza with unique, smoky flavors. While there are numerous pizzerias serving these styles, some of the best pizza places in New York City include Di Fara Pizza, Prince Street Pizza, Kesté Pizza & Vino, Lucali, and L&B Spumoni Gardens. Prices vary based on the pizzeria and the type of pizza. 

FAQ’s 

What makes New York-style pizza different from other pizza styles?

New York-style pizza is characterized by its large, thin slices that are foldable and crispy. It typically has a hand-tossed crust that is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, with a light layer of tomato sauce and plenty of melted mozzarella cheese. Unlike other styles of pizza, New York-style pizza is not too heavy on the sauce or the toppings, allowing the crust and cheese to shine.

What is the origin of pizza in New York City?

Pizza was first introduced to New York City by Italian immigrants in the late 19th century. The first pizzeria in New York City was Lombardi’s, which opened in 1905 in Little Italy. Since then, pizza has become a staple food in New York City and is enjoyed by millions of people every day. 

What are the best pizza places in New York City that offer vegan and gluten-free options?

There are several pizza places in New York City that offer vegan and gluten-free options, including Paulie Gee’s, Vinnie’s Pizzeria, and Two Boots Pizza. These restaurants offer a variety of vegan and gluten-free toppings, such as dairy-free cheese, gluten-free crust, and a variety of fresh vegetables. 

What are the most popular toppings for New York-style pizza?

The most popular toppings for New York-style pizza are pepperoni, mushrooms, sausage, onions, and peppers. Other popular toppings include olives, bacon, ham, and extra cheese. However, many pizza lovers in New York City prefer to keep their pizzas simple with just cheese or a few toppings, so as not to overwhelm the flavors of the crust and cheese.

Who serves the most authentic pizza in New York City?

As for which pizza place serves the most authentic pizza in New York City, it’s hard to say as it’s subjective. However, the spots mentioned above are known for their delicious and authentic New York-style pizza.

How does New York-style pizza compare to Chicago-style pizza?

When it comes to comparing New York-style pizza to Chicago-style pizza, there are several notable differences. New York-style pizza is known for its thin, crispy crust, while Chicago-style pizza has a deep-dish crust that is more similar to a pie. Additionally, Chicago-style pizza often has more cheese and toppings than New York-style pizza. However, both styles are delicious in their own right and it’s up to personal preference.