Your essential guide to pizza in NYC!
Introduction
There is nothing like a New York slice of pizza–the fold, the crunch, and that slightly chaotic energy of eating it on a sidewalk. Ask ten New Yorkers for the best pizza in the city, and you’ll get ten different, very passionate answers. The truth is, the baseline for quality here is much higher than elsewhere, and because the standard is so high, the real challenge is narrowing down the absolute best pizza in New York City.
I have always said that you really can’t go wrong with pizza in New York City, but we all have favorites. Whether you’re looking for a classic coal-fired pie or a vodka sauce masterpiece to include in a whirlwind 1-day NYC itinerary or taking your time to explore further with a 5-day NYC itinerary, some spots just stand above the rest. After eating and walking my way through countless pizza places, I’ve finally narrowed down the best of the best. From thin-crust icons to hidden gems, these are my top 5.
Pizza Quick Comparison
Prince Street Pizza
Neighborhood: Nolita
Must-Order: Spicy Spring Square (Pepperoni)
Vibe: Trendy
Joe’s Pizza
Neighborhood: Several (Times Square most popular)
Must-Order: Classic Cheese Slice
Vibe: Quick and Iconic
John’s of Bleecker Street
Neighborhood: West Village
Must-Order: Coal-Fired Salsiccia
Vibe: Historic sit-down
Rubirosa
Neighborhood: Nolita
Must-Order: Tye-Dye Pie
Vibe: Chic/Date Night
John’s Pizzeria of Times Square
Neighborhood: Midtown/Times Square
Must-Order: Traditional Coal-Fired Pie
Vibe: Grand
Notes: Both John’s locations are whole-pie only—so bring a group or a very large appetite! John’s of Bleecker is also cash-only.
Prince Street Pizza: Modern Icon of the Square Slice
Located in Nolita, Prince Street Pizza is responsible for the “square slice” revolution that has taken over Instagram feeds worldwide. While the shop is tiny, its reputation is massive, primarily due to the “Spicy Spring” pie. This isn’t your average thick Sicilian; it’s a masterclass in texture, featuring a crisp, fried bottom and an airy middle, topped with a spicy fra diavolo sauce and a literal mountain of small, curly pepperoni “cups” that pool with flavor. It’s a bold, heavy, and unapologetically flavorful experience that represents the new wave of New York pizza obsession. To see their full menu, see their official website.
- Location: 27 Prince Street (Nolita)
- Pro-Tip: Get the “Spicy Spring”! It’s their signature square slice with spicy pepperoni cups and fra diavolo sauce. The line moves faster than it looks, but if you want to skip the wait entirely, try going on a weekday around 3:00pm.
Joe’s Pizza: The Quintessential NYC Slice
If you’ve ever seen a movie set in Manhattan where the protagonist grabs a quick slice, it was likely filmed here or inspired by this icon (like in Spider-Man 2). Established in 1975 by Joe Pozzuoli, who originally is from Naples, Italy, Joe’s has become the definitive standard for what a New York slice should be. It’s not about gourmet toppings or artisanal flair; it’s about the perfect ratio of sweet tomato sauce, salty mozzarella, and a thin, pliable crust that demands the classic “New York Fold.”
The walls are famously plastered with photos of every celebrity imaginable, but the real star is the consistent, high-heat bake that ensures every slice is consistently savory and crunchy. I talk more about Joe’s Pizza in my top 5 quick service cheap eats near Times Square post, referencing their Broadway location in Times Square. To see their full menu, visit their official website.
- Location: Several (1435 Broadway, East 14th Street, 7 Carmine Street, 124 Fulton Street, and 216 Bedford Ave in Brooklyn)
- Pro-Tips:
- Keep it simple. While they offer toppings, the “cheese slice” is the classic by which all other NYC pizza is measured. Also, don’t look for a table; Joe’s has very few seats along the walls. Grab your slice, fold it lengthwise, and eat it like a local.
- Consider going to one of their other locations, not the Times Square one. While I do mention the line at their Times Square location moves very fast in my top 5 quick service cheap eats near Times Square post, I have also been to their East 14th Street location twice and did not have to wait in line!
John’s of Bleecker Street: A Century of Coal-Fired Tradition
Walking into John’s is like stepping back into 1929. This is one of the few remaining institutions in the city that still uses a coal-fired brick oven, which produces a characteristic char and smoke you simply cannot get from a standard gas deck. The rules here are legendary: no slices, no reservations, and no nonsense. You come here for a whole pie, served in a dark, wood-paneled booth with decades of history literally carved into the tables. The crust is remarkably thin and firm, carrying the weight of fresh ingredients without ever getting soggy. It is, quite simply, the soul of the West Village on a silver tray. To see their full menu, see their official website.
- Location: 278 Bleecker Street
- Pro-Tip: No slices and no reservations. This is a “pie-only” establishment, so don’t walk in asking for a slice. It’s also cash only (though they have an ATM inside). If the line out front looks long, don’t panic—it moves surprisingly fast because the service is incredibly efficient.
John’s Pizzeria of Times Square: The Most Stunning Pizza Setting in the World
Don’t mistake this for a typical Midtown tourist trap; John’s of Times Square is a culinary marvel housed in a stunning, de-consecrated 19th-century church. As the largest traditional pizzeria in the United States, it seats over 400 people beneath soaring arches and a massive, multi-story stained-glass dome. While the scale is huge, the soul of the restaurant remains rooted in tradition.
They utilize the same coal-burning methods as John’s of Bleecker Street, producing a crust that is perfectly blistered, crispy, and consistently delicious, although they are separate institutions. It is that rare “mega-restaurant” that manages to deliver high-quality flavor in an absolutely awe-inspiring setting. I also include John’s of Times Square in my top 5 sit-down cheap eats near Times Square post; it is a great place to eat before catching a Broadway show! To see their full menu, visit their official website.
- Location: 260 West 44th Street
- Pro-Tip: Look up! This used to be a tabernacle church, so the stained glass dome is the star of the show. It’s one of the few places in Midtown that can actually accommodate a large group without a massive headache, making it the perfect “emergency” spot if you’re stuck near Broadway and have to figure out what to eat.
Rubirosa: The Fusion of Family Heritage and Chic Dining
“Rubirosa pulled off the impossible: refining a 60-year-old Staten Island family recipe into Nolita’s coolest—and one of NYC’s most elusive—tables. The vibe is “dimly-lit date night,” but the food is pure Italian-American comfort. They are famous for their “cracker-thin” crust—a style that is lighter and crispier than almost anything else on this list. Their signature “Tie-Dye” pie, featuring swirls of vodka sauce and pesto, has become a cult favorite. It’s the kind of place where you come for the pizza but want to stay for the incredible pasta and the buzzy, high-energy atmosphere that captures the essence of modern Manhattan dining. To see their official menu, see their official website.
- Location: 235 Mulberry Street (Nolita)
- Pro-Tips:
- Get the “Tie-Dye” pizza. It’s a vodka sauce pizza with swirls of pesto and fresh mozzarella—it’s their most famous pie for a reason.
- After eating here, walk 5 minutes north onto Lafayette Street to grab warm, delicious, fresh-baked cookies from Levain Bakery, one of my top 5 bakeries in NYC!
Honorable Mentions
L&B Spumoni Gardens (Brooklyn): The Undisputed King of the Square
Location: 2725 86th Street
To understand the “Brooklyn Square,” you have to make the trip to Gravesend. L&B Spumoni Gardens is more than a restaurant; it’s a multi-generational restaurant. While most places put the cheese on top of the sauce, L&B does it “upside-down.” A thick layer of mozzarella is placed directly on the dough to protect its fluffiness, followed by a heavy dousing of their secret-recipe sweet tomato sauce and a dusting of pecorino romano. The result is a pillowy, sauce-forward masterpiece with a crunch that can be heard from the other end of the table. It is the gold standard by which all other square pizzas are judged. To see their full menu, visit their official website.
Krispy Pizza (Brooklyn): The Legend of Dyker Heights
Location: 7112 13th Ave
For over 50 years, Krispy Pizza has been the heartbeat of its Brooklyn neighborhood. Winning various “Best Pizza” awards over the decades, this family-run shop has mastered the art of the “Grandma Pie.” Unlike the heavy Sicilian, their Grandma crust is thinner and toasted to a beautiful golden brown. It’s a place that feels like home the moment you walk in, serving up slices that prioritize fresh ingredients and a “krispy” bottom that never fails. It’s proof that sometimes the best pizza in the city isn’t in a skyscraper district, but on a quiet corner in Brooklyn. To see their full menu, see their official website.
Pop’s Pizza (Manhattan): The Hidden Gem of the Upper West Side
Location: 301 W 57th Street, Ground floor
Located just steps from the southwest entrance of Central Park, Pop’s Pizza is the ultimate “locals only” secret. In a neighborhood filled with expensive bistros, Pop’s delivers an elite, no-frills New York slice that rivals the big names downtown. The crust is thin, the sauce is bright and full of flavor, and the cheese is always high-quality. To see their full menu, visit their official website.
It has become the go-to spot for New Yorkers to grab a fresh box before heading into the park for a picnic. It’s reliable, unpretentious, and consistently ranks as one of the best values in Manhattan. It is standing room only, so after buying your slice, walk a few steps north to eat your pizza in Central Park, one of the best parks in Manhattan!
Conclusions
At the end of the day, the search for the best pizza in New York City is a personal journey. Whether you find yourself falling for the historic char of John’s on Bleecker or the modern, pepperoni-stacked squares at Prince Street, you really can’t go wrong. Every neighborhood has a story to tell through its crust and sauce, and by visiting these spots, you’re participating in a delicious tradition that has defined this city for over a century. I hope this list helps you find your new favorite slice– so join the line, grab a napkin, and enjoy every bite! Now, I want to hear from you: which of these spots is at the top of your bucket list, or did I miss your favorite neighborhood gem? Let me know in the comments below!
