As New Yorkers, we take our pizza seriously. Whether you prefer thin-crust or deep-dish, extra sauce or more cheese, simple-and-plain or loaded with toppings, you'll find it here. But, while there's no question that New York serves the most delicious pizza of any American city, identifying the very best joints can be difficult when there's a pizzeria on practically every corner.
Luckily, we just so happen to be self-taught pizza connoisseurs, and we've done the not-so-painstaking work of narrowing it down for you. Click through to see our picks for the most exceptional pies in town — just don't forget to save us a slice.
Don Antonio by Starita
For all the things Times Square is known for (topless women! dropping balls!), food is sadly not one of them. But even those New Yorkers who avoid 42nd Street like the plague must, at times, drop in, if only to see a show. And, if you look beyond the neon signs and chain restaurants, you can find a pizzeria that's not only good for the neighborhood, it's just good, period. Don Antonio by Starita is brought to you by the same chef responsible for the delicious Neapolitan-style pizza at Kesté, plus his mentor, Antonio Starita. Here, you'll get classic pies straight from the wood-fired oven, as well as their specialty fried pizzas. It might be enough to make even the most hardened New Yorkers reconsider their stance on Midtown.
Don Antonio By Starita, 309 W 50th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues); 646-719-1043.
Emmett's
New Yorkers tend to get a tad defensive about their cultural staples, and pizza is no exception. While some (including, famously, Jon Stewart) may thumb their noses at Chicago's famed deep-dish pizza, we just love pizza too much to have to choose. Sure, you can't fold it like a classic New York slice, but the Chicago-style pizza served up at Emmett's is proof that everyone, even New Yorkers, should give the deep-dish pie a try.
Emmett's, 50 Macdougal Street (between Prince and Houston); 917-639-3571.
Juliana’s
Patsy and Carol Grimaldi sold off their namesake restaurant under the Brooklyn Bridge years ago, and now they’re back with Juliana’s, named for Patsy’s mama. There are a few exquisite standards like marinara on the menu, plus specialty combinations with ingredients like white truffles and smoked salmon.
Juliana’s, 19 Old Fulton Street (between Front and Water Streets); 718-596-6700
Photo: Courtesy of Juliana's.
Prince Street Pizza
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a bad slice at this beloved NoLita spot, but there’s one pie in particular that gets customers lined up out the door. A piece of Spicy Spring is huge, thick, and covered in extra crispy pepperoni.
Prince Street Pizza, 27 Prince Street (between Mott and Elizabeth Streets); 212-966-4100
Photo: via @rickysjones.
Best Pizza
The name says it all, right? This Williamsburg eatery aims to bring back Brooklyn’s heyday as the mecca of pizza, and their pies and topping combos never stray from the classics… aside from a kale slice, of course.
Best Pizza, 33 Havemeyer Street (between N 7th and 8th Streets); 718-599-2210
Photo: Courtesy of Best Pizza.
Patsy’s Pizza
Every neighborhood has its preferred pizza spot, and in East Harlem it’s Patsy’s. Opened by two Italian immigrants in 1933, it has served up slices to paesanos like Frank Sinatra, Joe DiMaggio, and Francis Ford Coppola over the years.
Patsy’s Pizza, 2287 First Avenue (at 118th Street); 212-534-9783.
Photo: Courtesy of Patsy's Pizza.
Sottocasa
As the Italian name suggests, this pizzeria started out in a basement. Four years later, the Boerum Hill restaurant is so major that they are now opening outposts in Williamsburg and Harlem. All the better for serving up pies with mountains of toppings on a delicate charred crust.
Sottocasa, Multiple locations.
Photo: Courtesy of Sottocasa.
Kesté Pizza & Vino
At this restaurant it's all in the name. Kesté, meaning "this is it" in the Italian dialect of Naples, Italy, has been rated the number one pizza in the city by New York Magazine. The authentic West Village pizzeria offers a variety of 50 different pies, wood-fired to perfection, so plan to make several trips here to try it out for yourself!
Kesté Pizza & Vino, 271 Bleecker Street; 212-243-1500.
Photo: Courtesy of Kesté Pizza & Vino.
Lil' Frankie's
This East Village staple prides itself on their brick wood burning oven where their pizzas come to life, that was handcrafted by a 3rd generation Neapolitan oven builder. The ambiance is casual and romantic- great for dates and groups of friends. They offer a variety of different pies, perfect for sharing.
Lil' Frankie's, 19 1st Avenue; 212-420-4900.
Photo: Courtesy of Lil' Frankie's.
SRO
A speakeasy pizza bar might be the most New York thing that's ever happened — except a speakeasy pizza bar with six pies named after NYC streets. If you can find SRO where it's hidden off Bowery, you can dig into the "Montanara," (the "original NYC fried pizza") or go luxe with the "Prince Street," topped in three kinds of cheese and truffle honey. Is it the best 'za in the city, or just the swankiest? You won't know until you go.
SRO, 334B Bowery (between Great Jones and Bond streets); 212-466-3301.
Photo via @sropizza.
Tavola
When greasy-slice overload leaves you craving something more rustic, Hell's Kitchen's hidden gem, Tavola, is where you should go to find pizza paradise. Helmed by Nick Accardi, who learned the perks of regional Italian cooking when he followed his family roots to Sicily, the menu boasts an arsenal of homegrown recipes you'd typically only find in nonna's kitchen.
Tavola, 488 Ninth Avenue (between 37th and 38th streets), 212-273-1181.
Photo via @tavolanyc.
Rizzo's Fine Pizza
Gluten-avoiders, tree-huggers, meat-lovers, UNITE! Rizzo's may just have the most accommodating menu in the wide world of New York pizza. Bring all your friends — a knockout meal is perhaps the only thing you can't substitute here.
Rizzo's Fine Pizza, Multiple Locations.
Photo via @rizzosles.
Marta
Insane lines lead to insane pizza. At least that's how it goes at Marta, the Italian hotspot from Maialino 's Nick Anderer. Here, classics like the Margherita Di Bufala and creative twists like like Cavolini, are pizzas equally worth the wait. Go if you can get a reservation or a first-come-first-serve spot; linger outside if you can't.
Marta, 29 East 29th Street (between Park and Madison avenues); 212-651-3800.
Photo via @martamanhattan.
Toby's Public House
A pub-like setting with to-die for brick over pizza and a hearty selection of beers on tap. The selection of pies is lengthy as well, with options ranging from the classic Margherita to concoctions like the Tartufata (truffle cream sauce and parma cotto ham) and the Smoked Pancetta (cured Italian bacon, mushrooms, and garlic).
Toby's Public House, 86 Kenmare Street (at Mulberry Street); 212-274-8629.
Photo via @danielsandal.
Nick's Pizza
Consider Nick's thin-crust pies (and it's old-fashioned, family-run atmosphere) a little slice of heaven on the Upper East Side.
Nick's Pizza, 1814 Second Avenue (at East 94th Street); 212-987-5700.
Photo via @soundsmells.
Motorino
The perfect neighborhood joint for wood-fired pizza. Be daring and order one of its more creative pies, like the Brussels sprouts with smoked pancetta or the cherry-stone clam with parsley, lemon, and sea salt.
Motorino, 349 East 12th Street (between First and Second Avenues); 212-777-2644.
Photo via @motorino_ph.
Speedy Romeo
Justin Bazdarich and Todd Feldman's artisanal pies have earned Speedy Romeo a loyal following — and a coveted spot on Michelin's 2014 Bib Gourmand list. We recommend The Kind Brother (wild mushrooms, smoked mozzarella, farm egg, and sage) and The Dick Dale (speck, pineapple, Provel cheese, and grilled scallions).
Speedy Romeo, 376 Classon Avenue (at Greene Avenue), Brooklyn; 718-230-0061.
Photo via @speedyromeo.
Zero Otto Nove
The only problem we have with this place? How to choose among its 14 different types of pies.
Zero Otto Nove, 2357 Arthur Avenue (at East 186th Street), Bronx; 718-220-1027.
Photo via @zeroottonove.
Patsy's Pizzeria
Patsy's has been serving up the perfect "New York-Style Pizza" for more than 100 years. It's a sure bet for a hearty slice.
Patsy's Pizzeria, 67 University Place (between East 10th and 11th streets); 212-533-3500.
Photo via @leeya1216.
Lucali
Mark Iacono's baby has officially come to life in the form of a cozy Carroll Gardens spot practically made for posting up and devouring some thin-crust goodness. They don't take reservations, so your best bet is to get there as soon as it opens, and pray.
Lucali, 575 Henry Street (at Carroll Street), Brooklyn; 718-858-4086.
Photo via @afrancini.
Joe & Pat's
The family-owned and -operated Staten Island eatery is as close as you can get to authentic Italian cuisine without setting foot on an airplane. Buon appetito!
Joe & Pat's, 1758 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island; 718-981-0887.
Photo via @el_nopalito.
Lea
This cool Ditmas Park resto, which opened less than a year ago, features a Stefano Ferrara wood-fired oven, imported from Naples — the secret to its rustic personal pies.
Lea, 1022 Cortelyou Road (at Stratford Road), Brooklyn; 718-928-7100.
Photo via @coxpriya.
Pie By The Pound
Yes, gluten-free pizza can be good — and Pie By The Pound's is delicious, inexpensive, and perfect for a cozy group gathering.
Pie By The Pound, 124 Fourth Avenue (between East 12th and 13th streets); 212-475-4977.
Photo via @fridaypieday.
Paulie Gee's
Head to this Greenpoint hot spot for unconventional pies like A Whiter Shade of Kale, Hellified Porkpie White, and Cherry Jones, plus an array of equally delicious vegetarian options. Oh, and Zagat named it the best pizza in New York City.
Paulie Gee's, 60 Greenpoint Avenue (between West and Franklin streets), Brooklyn; 347-987-3747.
Photo via @akuban.
Roberta's
If any pizzeria in New York City has earned itself a cult-like following, it's Roberta's. When available, go for the seasonal Bee Sting (topped with spicy soppressata and honey). All year round, treat yourself to the guanciale and egg or the Lil' Stinker (with pepperoncini, onions, and double garlic).
Roberta's, 261 Moore Street (at Bogart Street), Brooklyn; 718-417-1118.
Photo via @supergracey.
Stanton Street Pizza
The perfect hole-in-the-wall joint for the perfect slice of pizza. A win-win.
Stanton Street Pizza, 127 Stanton Street (between Essex and Norfolk streets); 212-533-4252.
Photo via @slaughter_downaz.
Vezzo
The pies may be super-thin and crispy, but they're jam-packed with unreal toppings like broccoli and roasted garlic, feta and black olives, and spicy Italian sausage with caramelized onions. Plus, Vezzo has tons of sibling restaurants across the city: Tappo, Posto, Spunto, and Gruppo.
Vezzo, 178 Lexington Avenue (at 31st Street); 212-839-8300.
Photo via @wwny7.
Vinnie's Pizzeria
At Vinnie's, the motto is simple: The more unusual, the better. There are more than 20 meat, vegetarian, and vegan pies from which to choose, ranging from Avocado Quesadilla to Mac Attack (yes, that's mac-and-cheese pizza).
Vinnie's Pizzeria, 253 Nassau Avenue (at Kingsland Avenue), Brooklyn; 718-389-2600.
Photo via @stevo6954.
Wheated Brooklyn
Sourdough pizza and creative cocktails — what more could we ask for?
Wheated Brooklyn, 905 Church Avenue (at East 10th Street), Brooklyn; 347-240-2813.
Photo via @brianduprety.
Rubirosa
If you can get into this SoHo spot (the wait can average an hour or more), post up and order lots of apps, pies, pasta, and, well, anything else you can fit into your stomach. Bring the whole crew; the portions are massive.
Rubirosa, 235 Mulberry Street (between Prince and Spring streets); 212-965-0500.
Photo via @thecarbqueen.
Emily Pizza
This quaint local spot offers up serious Italian-style pies that are simple, thin, crispy, and undeniably delicious.
Emily Pizza, 919 Fulton Street (between Clinton and Waverly avenues), Brooklyn; 347-844-9588.
Photo via @pizzalovesemily.
Rocky's Pizzeria
These mouthwatering, authentic pies are only $11 each — but they're so good, we'd frankly pay a lot more. Get on it, pronto.
Rocky's Pizzeria, 474 Coney Island Avenue (at Church Avenue), Brooklyn; 718-854-9270.
Photo via @ernastee.
Joe's Pizza
The Greenwich Village Institution, as it's appropriately known, is one of those quintessential New York joints everyone should try, whether you're a tourist or a native. Seriously, we want a pizza this (get it?).
Joe's Pizza, 7 Carmine Street (between Sixth Avenue and Bleecker Street); 212-366-1182.
Photo via @leighade.
Di Fara Pizza
This landmark Brooklyn pizzeria was opened in 1964 by Domenico DeMarco, who still makes the pies by hand. The exterior may be nondescript, but the food is anything but — which is why it's a favorite of everyone from Anthony Bourdain to Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Di Fara Pizza, 1424 Avenue J (at East 15th Street), Brooklyn; 718-258-1367.
Photo via @frojas3440.
Totonno's Pizzeria
Head to Coney Island to sample the pizza equivalent of a Nathan's hot dog. Totonno's has been serving up some of the best pies across the five boroughs for a long time (90 years, to be exact). You'll leave feeling like family — very, very full family.
Totonno's Pizzeria, 1524 Neptune Avenue (between West 15th and 16th streets), Brooklyn; 718-372-8606.
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