The Best Pizza in New York City

Without pizza, New York City would be a zestless, hollowed out version of itself. Pizza isn’t just the city’s most famous dish: it’s an essential part of everyday life. Ask a New Yorker and they will point you to their local slice joint (perfect for emergency bouts of hunger — or hangovers), the place their family’s been going since the ’70s, and that secret neighbourhood haunt that they don’t want anyone else to get word of. In other words, if you’re visiting New York, plan to eat pizza early and often.

The history of New York pizza begins with Italian immigrants, who, from the 19th century onwards, settled in the city in large numbers - and, happily for locals, also brought their favourite snack along with them. While you can find good pizza all over the city, we think these 10 spots have mastered the art of the perfect char and chew.

How good is Lucali, even among the other top spots for pizza in Brooklyn? So good that celebrity chef David Chang, of Momofuku fame, counts among the regulars who queue up for hours for a taste of the restaurant’s pies and calzones. Though owner Mark Iacono famously opened Lucali back in 2006 almost by mistake (he had no pizza-making background at the time), his pizzas are the stuff of legend, thanks to their perfect crust - and his grandma’s secret sauce recipe.

Praised by The New York Times and celebrated by the city’s food-loving scenesters, Roberta’s is tucked away in a stretch of Bushwick that falls beyond the typical tourist track. Don’t let that deter you, though. Through its entryway you’ll find a veritable carnival of pizza: pies flying out of the hot oven, hungry masses waiting to be seated, and some seriously heavenly aromas wafting through the dining room.

A rite of passage for first-time visitors, Joe’s Pizza has been serving quintessential New York slices since 1975. Its formula - foldable crust, molten mozzarella, no fuss - is so perfect that it’s become the gold standard for the city’s classic slice. Grab one fresh from the counter, fold it in half, and eat it standing up like a local. Go to the original on Carmine Street in Greenwich Village for the real-deal experience.

Famous for its thick, square Sicilian slices and pepperoni cups that crisp into perfection, Prince Street Pizza is a SoHo icon. Expect a queue and a photo op — both are part of the experience. The tangy sauce, bubbling cheese, and satisfyingly chewy base make it one of Manhattan’s most Instagrammed (and most devoured) pies.

Family-run Rubirosa is a sit-down favourite in Nolita, loved for its wafer-thin, crispy pies and family-friendly vibe. The vodka slice is its signature (rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced) although everything on the menu feels like a modern homage to New York’s Italian-American roots. It’s ideal for lunch after shopping in SoHo, or before catching a Broadway show.

Coal-fired since 1929, John’s of Bleecker Street serves whole pies only, and that’s just how New Yorkers like it. The blackened crust, gooey mozzarella and lively, no-reservations energy make it a city institution. Grab a booth, order a pie, and watch the old brick ovens work their magic.

In a candlelit space in the northernmost tip of Brooklyn, Paulie Gee’s awaits. More a sit-down spot than a take-away joint, the restaurant has the pizza game nailed, with its crispy-chewy crust, high-quality ingredients, and hospitable atmosphere (just try not to love the “Hellboy”, drizzled with spicy honey). Really, it’s hard to do better when it comes to pizza in Brooklyn - which is good, because Paulie himself is likely to make the rounds and ask how things are going.

Deep down in Bensonhurst, L&B Spumoni Gardens has achieved local landmark status, thanks in part to its famous square pie. These aren’t the crispy, super-thin slices you’ll find elsewhere: this is Sicilian-style pizza with a hearty, bready crust, topped first with cheese before being ladled in red sauce and finished with olive oil and salty pecorino. For a delicious, nostalgia-inducing glimpse into New York’s old-school pizza culture, it’s a must.

A sister to the Bleecker Street original, John’s of Times Square brings old-school pizza to the heart of Midtown. Housed in a former church, it’s cavernous but charming - a perfect pre- or post-Broadway stop with a menu of family-sized, coal-fired pies. Despite its tourist-friendly location, the pizza remains pure New York.

You can’t talk about New York pizza without paying homage to Lombardi’s, America’s first pizzeria. Founded in 1905 in Little Italy, it still serves coal-oven pies topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and fresh basil. Sit among black-and-white photos of the early days and taste the recipe that started it all.