Best Pizza in NYC: A Local Expert's Guide to Top Pizzerias and Must-Try Slices

As tastes evolve with age—from discovering artichokes to preferring goat cheese over orange cheddar—some foods remain timeless. For me, that's pizza. I've hunted the perfect slice worldwide, including Buenos Aires' unique style. In New York City, options span classic street slices to gourmet varieties like artichoke and goat cheese (though not together).

In 2013, during two months housesitting in Brooklyn, I researched 15 highly recommended spots claiming the title of NYC's best pizza. I narrowed it to these top 10 and tested them firsthand:

1. Grimaldi’s in Brooklyn – tried, verdict below
2. Patsy’s in Harlem – tried, verdict below
3. John’s of Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village – tried
4. Kesté in the Financial District – tried, verdict below
5. Bleecker Street Pizza – tried
6. Lombardi’s on the Lower East Side – tried, verdict below
7. Artichoke Basille’s – tried, verdict below
8. Di Fara in Brooklyn – tried, verdict below
9. Roberta’s Pizza in Brooklyn – tried, verdict below
10. Totonno’s Pizza at Coney Island – tried, verdict below

Note: Additional reviews below cover spots discovered later or stumbled upon:

1. Joe’s Pizza – thumbs up!
2. Don Antonio’s – solid pizza
3. Best Pizza – amazing
4. 089 – very good
5. Fornino’s – good pizza
6. Underground Pizza – solid slice
7. Ribalta – okay

I was determined to try them all.

2015 Update: My Top 5 Pizza Spots in NYC

After years of exploring NYC's pizza scene, here are my top recommendations for the best pies or slices:

1. Roberta’s
2. Artichoke Basille
3. Best Pizza
4. Kesté
5. Paulie Gee’s (pizzeria, not slice shop)

2014 Update

Extended time in NYC expanded the list. Some tried, others pending:

1. Luzzo’s – yet to try
2. Juliana’s – tried, verdict below
3. Speedy Romeo’s – excellent Neapolitan wood-fired pies
4. Lucali’s – tried, solid but not impressive
5. L&B Spumoni Gardens – tried, loved it
6. Table 87 – tried, okay
7. L’Industrie – amazing slices
8. Mamma’s Too – fantastic slices with unique toppings
9. Williamsburg Pizza – nothing special
10. Scarr’s Pizza – great cheese slice
11. NYC Pizza Suprema – awesome slices, great selection
12. Baby Luc’s – yet to try

The $1 Slice

$1 slices tempt with aroma and price, but quality varies (especially post-drinks). For reliable cheap slices, head to 2 Bros Pizza, NYC's best budget chain in my experience.

Locations: Dollar pizza spots citywide.

Verdict: Great value.

Grimaldi’s

A Brooklyn Heights icon with coal brick-oven pizzas reaching 1200°F for crisp results. Long lines draw tourists. We tried classic cheese—good, but hype exceeded expectations. Tip: Founder Patsy Grimaldi opened Juliana’s next door post-1998 sale—better pizza and ambiance (no plasticware).

Address: 1 Front Street, New York, NY 11201

Verdict: Solid if nearby and lines are short—not the best.

Juliana’s

Patsy Grimaldi's superior alternative to his original. Margherita ($16, serves 2-3) shines. Tip: Order pickup for Brooklyn Bridge Park picnics with skyline views.

Address: 19 Old Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Verdict: Top-tier NYC pizza, worth the wait and better than Grimaldi’s.

Paulie Gee’s

Greenpoint gem with creative pies like Cherry Jones (cherries, gorgonzola, prosciutto, honey). Fun names and vegan options abound. Tip: Wide vegan menu—check it out.

Address: 60 Greenpoint Ave, New York, NY 11222

Verdict: Exceptional for innovative pizzas—worth the trip.

Speeding Up the Hunt: Scott’s Pizza Tour

A guided tour sampled four neighborhoods via school bus. Started at Lombardi’s.

Lombardi’s

America's first pizzeria (1905). Coal oven runs near-continuously. Superior sauce/cheese to Grimaldi’s. Tip: Arrive at noon opening to avoid lines.

Address: 32 Spring St., New York, NY 10012

Verdict: Iconic, worthy coal-oven NY-style.

Patsy’s Pizza

East Harlem original with full cheese coverage. Tour highlight. Tip: Mid-August anniversary features Depression-era prices.

Address: 2287 First Avenue, New York, NY 10035

Verdict: Superb—worth the Harlem trek.

Roberta’s

Bushwick standout in a humble spot. Beyoncé-approved perfection. Original location best. Tip: Lunch to skip lines; May/Sept at Madison Sq Eats.

Address: 261 Moore St, Brooklyn, NY 11206

Verdict: NYC's best—go now via L train to Morgan Ave.

Artichoke Basille

Signature artichoke-spinach dip pizza revolutionizes toppings. Tip: Bushwick (18 Wyckoff Ave) favorite; multiple locations.

Addresses: East Village 328 E 14th St; West Village 111 MacDougal St; Chelsea 114 10th Ave

Verdict: Drool-worthy top-5 slice.

Joe’s Pizza

Greenwich Village legend, ideal post-bar. Perfect cheese-sauce balance. Tip: Quintessential NY slice—try fresh mozz ($3.50).

Address: 7 Carmine St, New York, NY 10014

Verdict: Best Village cheese slice.

Bleecker Street Pizza

Food Network award-winner near Joe’s. Vast toppings, celeb fans. Tip: Compare with Joe’s nearby.

Address: 97 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014

Verdict: Elite NY slice.

Otto Zero Nove (089)

Bronx Arthur Ave gem. Pizza La Cirilo (butternut squash, mushrooms, truffle oil) excels. Tip: Italian imports; unique options.

Address: 2357 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

Verdict: Outstanding Italian-style in Bronx Little Italy.

Fornino’s

Neapolitan with skyline views at Pier 6. Tip: Seasonal; lunch special bargain.

Addresses: Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6; Greenpoint 849 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Verdict: Tasty with unbeatable location.

Best Pizza

Williamsburg hidden gem. White pizza with ricotta, parmesan, onions wows. Tip: Grandma slice is NYC's finest.

Address: 33 Havemeyer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Verdict: Must-try beyond classics.

Kesté Pizza & Vino

Vesuvius lava oven. Neapolitan specialties like Pizza del Papa. Tip: Date-night worthy; full pies only.

Address: 66 Gold St, New York, NY 10038

Verdict: Perfect Neapolitan.

Totonno’s

Coney Island since 1924, Lombardi alum. Tip: Full pies; board menu.

Address: 1524 Neptune Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224

Verdict: Good for Coney visits, but hyped beyond delivery.

Don Antonio’s

Theater District Neapolitan by Kesté's Roberto Caporuscio and Naples maestro. Tip: Arrive early—busy area.

Address: 309 W 50th St, New York, NY 10019

Verdict: Authentic and solid.

Di Fara’s

Midwood legend with Italian imports. Long waits, awards galore. Tip: Bourdain/Zagat favorite.

Address: 1424 Avenue J, Brooklyn, NY 11230

Verdict: Excellent, but not endless lines.

Underground Pizza

FiDi standout. Eggplant parmigiana shines. Tip: Avoid lunch rush.

Address: 3 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004

Verdict: Flavorful slices for downtown.

Experience NYC Pizza on My Tour

After years of tastings, I launched Brooklyn Pizza Walks in Williamsburg (2018)—NYC's top-rated on Airbnb Experiences. View on Airbnb: Brooklyn Pizza Walk.