Hi friends, welcome back! As promised, I’ve got a recap of all our favorite pizza spots that we’ve tried thus far. While writing this, I discovered Jon and I still haven’t been to some top spots, so there will be an updated post eventually. People are very particular about their pizza in NYC, and opinions can be controversial, but I’ve compiled our honest thoughts and organized them into a few categories. (disclaimer: this post will cause hunger)
Our Top Three Pizza Spots:
L’Industrie Pizza is our #1 spot for pizza in NYC and we are not alone because it was voted the top slice in the country by 50 Top Pizza. Their original location is in Williamsburg, but they recently opened a spot in the West Village that we’ve been to twice. Both times we’ve gotten the same slices because they’re just so good! I’ve also heard their gelato is incredible, but I haven’t tried that yet. My favorite slice is the sausage & ricotta.
Scarr’s Pizza is very similar tasting to L’Industrie but we rank it just behind L’Industrie because the location isn’t our favorite area, and when we went the line hardly moved so it felt like we were waiting an eternity. The area with the pizza oven is so small that the same person that took orders had to box the slices so there were some big inefficiencies. I think if we would’ve sat down in their little restaurant and ordered a pizza we would’ve been in and out faster. The pizza is amazing, but we didn’t love the slow line while we were borderline hangry. The Hotboi (hot honey & pepperoni) was our favorite slice.
Lupo Rosso is our favorite Neapolitan style pizza in the city and we’re obsessed with the Vodka Pesto pizza. The combination of flavors just go so well together. It’s probably a good thing this place is in Long Island City and not right down the street or we’d be addicted! Their pizza oven is from Naples and uses ash from Mount Vesuvius so it tastes very authentic. The only downside here is they are only open for takeout and delivery, but they’re hoping to open indoor dining soon.
Popular Spots & Our Thoughts
Joe’s Pizza – some say this is the best in NYC but we think it’s just ok. There’s a location by our apartment, but we’ve only gotten takeout from it once and never ordered it again. We want to try the original location because we’ve heard that’s the best.
Bleecker Street Pizza – I said a long time ago this was the best, but I’ve come to my senses. It’s a good slice, but didn’t blow our minds when we had it recently on a food tour.
John’s of Bleecker – this sounds bad but Jon and I both thought it reminded us of bowling alley pizza. I think we just hadn’t had brick oven pizza in so long. The pizza tasted good but we wouldn’t wait in a long line to eat here. It’s been around since 1929 so I think the history and legacy of it is part of the draw.
Prince Street Pizza – they have square pizza and don’t skimp on the pepperonis. We really enjoyed this pizza but it’s very greasy so make sure you grab some napkins.
Mama’s Too – this place was really hyped up and recently opened a second location in the West Village. Sadly they tend to overcook their pizza and it scratches the roof of your mouth. We liked the flavor of the square, but it was cooked too long and then reheated, so it really was overdone. They also have sandwiches that cost $25 and the reviews on that was the bread is like a sword slicing the roof of your mouth, so it seems we weren’t just there on an off day.
Little Italy – this might be a questionable choice, but Little Italy is our go-to for takeout pizza. They must have about twenty locations around the city but we consistently get good pizza when we order it in and liked it better than Joe’s. We always get a classic pepperoni and it hits the spot.
Restaurants with Great Pizza
Emily: West Village – I think I’ve been here three times and they have great Detroit style pizza in addition to one of the most popular burgers in NYC. Our favorite pizza is the pistachio one. They also have other locations around under the name Emmy Squared that seems to have a similar menu. Pizzas pictured in order: Emily, Angel, and Colony.
Song E Napule – they have great Neapolitan style pizza and were ranked #33 in the world by 50 Top Pizza. It’s a very cozy restaurant that makes you forget you’re in the middle of NYC.
On our radar: L&B Spumoni Gardens, Una Pizza Napoletana, Rubirosa, Lucali, Keste, and La Rose
Have you tried any of these spots?
They all look delicious but I am so glad I live in Michigan and have Buddy’s Pizza. IMHO, nothing beats that.
Buddy’s Pizza is a classic!
I am not a fan of the thinner New York style pizza (I know that’s probably so controversial to write here! LOL) but those thicker pizzas from Lupo Russo & Song E Napule look incredible! Most of our pizza places around here are either Greek style or brick oven- though the brick oven places are much harder to find.
Haha that’s fair! I don’t think I’d be a fan of Greek style, it looks too doughy for me. I’m lucky to have so many good options right at my doorstep.
As it happens, pizza is my favourite food. I’m sure it was tough work to put this list together!! Mmm.
You can never go wrong with pizza! I was most surprised by how many more top spots we still have to visit haha
You take good notes of your pizzas! Since I’m vegetarian I end up eating pizza a lot on our travels (sometimes there’s no other option) so I rarely eat it at home. Guess I’ll have to travel to NYC! Maggie
It’s easy for me to talk about pizza! We like pizza on vacation because it’s so filling after a long day of sightseeing. NYC has so many vegetarian/vegan restaurants that you’d love too!
When in NYC, you gotta have a NY slice! I haven’t returned to NYC in years and I don’t recall having pizza there (shocker!), but I plan to make it back in the next couple of years, so I’ll have to keep your recs in mind. Thanks for sharing, Lyssy!
I agree, it’s a must! I think you can make up for it by going on a pizza crawl in NYC next time you visit 🙂
No, we have some great pizza joints locally so would never think to have pizza in NYC. Also, I don’t do take out but can appreciate the allure.
That is true, especially since you’re so close to Italy.
Exactly, plus we also have some great Italian restaurants
This is great. You’ve covered a lot of territory. I’m getting hungry for pizza now.
Crazy to think there are still so many pizza spots out there to try!
It’s summer, keep them coming. 😉
Yum! I’m definitely going to have to get a slice at one of these spots on my next trip into the city!
Can’t go wrong with a delicious slice!
OMG, I want to go to there, as Elaine from Seinfeld always said. Some primo pies there Lyssy. Your #1 choice looks like it deserves that honour. Have a good evening. Allan
Haha so many good spots to go to! Our top spot is definitely worth waiting in line for.
The variety of options in NYC is impressive, even if the reviews are not always top-notch. It must be nice to choose from so many, depending on your pizza mood. We have two-maybe-three decent options in our town. One in particular stands out because it’s authentic Neapolitan pizza (which I appreciate from my college year abroad), but sometimes you’d rather have just a good ol’ American slice. Props to you and Jon for the occasional jalapenos. If my slice isn’t spicy enough I’m reaching for the red pepper flakes.
It is amazing how many different pizza spots and cuisines in general there is right at our doorstep. True, I love Neapolitan, but sometimes you just want a greasy piece of pizza haha. I’ll admit I pick off the jalapeños.
A great review that we can refer to when we return to NYC.
Great insights from a local! With so many options around, choosing your one pizza joint on a short visit to the city is really difficult. Vodka Pesto pizza sounds quite interesting and innovative. Also the ash from Vesuvius would probably make it one of my top choices.
This is perfect for anyone wanting pizza in NYC! I’d take any of them right now as I settle down for the evening to watch the European Champs football final which England are playing Spain in. The perfect time for takeout!!
OMG my mouth is watering just looking at all these photos! Now I want to make a trip to NYC just to try all of these!
I laughed pretty hard at the “bread like a sword slicing the roof of your mouth.” Ouch! And yikes! I’ve only had pizza once in NYC and I can’t even remember where we went, we just stopped in for a quick slice. Clearly I’m missing out!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Well, this is as close to an expert’s guide to the best pizza in NYC as one can get, Lyssy! No city has slice or pie culture quite like it, and no visit is complete without it. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx