Don't you dare travel to NYC and stop at a random pizza joint on some random corner. Friends don’t let friends eat bad pizza! I’m here to make sure that doesn’t happen.
First things first, not all pizza is created equal. Moving across the country and diving into the New York City pizza scene made me truly appreciate the art of a perfectly crafted pie. In our house, pizza is broken down into categories: NY Regular Slice, Detroit, Square, Neapolitan, and Artisanal.
Over the past 8 years, I’ve indulged in many slices and somehow ended up marrying Pizza Paul. Paul is known in our close circle of family and friends as a pizza connoisseur (or snob, if you prefer). I can confidently say that he has dragged me to every borough—except Staten Island—in search of the perfect slice.
We have come pretty close, but it’s nearly impossible to land on a favorite. If you are visiting New York, you can’t leave without grabbing a *good* slice.
Our taste buds have done the homework to ensure you're savoring the best of the best. Below is a roundup of our personal favorites that we believe are absolutely worth a try.
Top 10 Must-Try Pizza Joints in NYC
L’Industrie — #1 must try spot if you are visiting NYC. Order the burrata slice, it’s the best on the menu. If you like something sweet, the fig will not disappoint.
Mama’s Too — Another solid slice. Paul’s favorite is the vodka square, but you can’t go wrong with the classic regular.
New Park Pizza — It's quite the trip from the city, but definitely worth a stop if you are flying in or out of JFK. Stick with the regular. The sauce is sweet and the undercarriage is thin and crispy.
Ace’s Pizza — No longer new on the pizza scene, but HOLY SHIT — it’s good. If you love crispy cheese, this spot is for you. Paul orders delivery at least once a month (it’s quite dangerous). Located just a short walk from the Bedford stop on the L train, this place serves up Detroit-style pizza that will blow your mind. Our go-to is the Buffalo Chicken — who knew celery curls on pizza would be a hit? We order half pepperoni and half buffalo chicken with a side of pickled jalapeños and lots of blue cheese dressing. If we're feeling extra indulgent, we get the cheese bread too! If you go, tell Steve that Paul and Kai say hi!
Dani’s House of Pizza — If you find yourself near Kew Gardens (which is rare) be sure to stop into Dani's House of Pizza for a slice. Order the pesto slice with sweet sauce and be amazed. The combo of pesto and the sweet red sauce is perfection.
Johns of Bleeker Street — A classic establishment in the heart of the West Village, John’s is the perfect spot to sit down and enjoy a whole pie. This is Dave Portnoy’s favorite pizza in the city, so we had to try it. While it wasn’t my top pick, it was still very good. They don’t serve slices, but they do take reservations and offer delivery. Be prepared for a line out the door—it’s worth the wait!
ByEmily — Don't sleep on this corner spot in the West Village. ByEmily serves a solid Detroit-style pizza. We often visit the West Village location when we're looking for a relaxed, upscale, and moody date spot that offers both pizza and a burger! Our go-to was the Colony until an employee recommended the MVP with Pesto, and now it's all we order. If you go, make sure to order the burger and curly fries too and share them with someone.
Prince Street Pizza — Not a traditional thin NY slice, but a staple in the city. Prince is known for their square pie and perfectly crispy oil filled pepperonis. It's worth any wait & will be sure to cure any hangover.
Scarr’s — This spot is located deep in the LES and is often forgotten, but they have great pizza. My go to slice is the one with jalapeños and hot honey. Paul swears that they have the best Sicilian slice in the city (that is up for debate in our house).
Lucali — Acclaimed to be the “best pizza in the world,” this spot is a must-try. Walk-ins only, no reservations, but definitely worth the trek and the wait. Show up at 4 PM to add your name to the waitlist and make sure to bring cash! The pizza is delicious, and you can tell all the ingredients are super fresh. Not sure if the wait is worth it if you're visiting for a short amount of time, but if you’ve already hit all the other spots and are here for a while, check it out.
Other notable mentions:
Bleeker Street Pizza — This used to be my favorite spot, but the last time we had it, I was far from impressed. If you go, the Nona Maria and White Slice are the only two to get.
Joe’s Pizza — I like to call this the McDonald’s of NYC pizza. It’s a quintessential slice, but can be hit or miss. It’s not horrible, but the only slice I will get there is a regular. Everything else is meh.
Esters — This is not on any pizza list however it is our neighborhood go to spot. The dough is so fluffy and delicious.
Motorino — If you like Neapolitan, check it out.
New on the scene and on our list to try:
Wizard Hat Pizza
Lucia Pizza
Omggg transport me back to New York right now! Yum!!!
This post has me 🤤🤤