Pizza in New York City…
You can’t think of New York City and not think of pizza. They go hand in hand… two peas in a pod… friends for life… okay I need to stop but you get the idea.
I often have real estate clients new to New York City ask me where to find the best pizza. It’s challenging because I’ve had hundreds of slices in my 20+ years here and have a lot of personal favorites depending on my mood. What I thought might be easiest is if I do a review of all my favorite go to NYC Pizza spots right here… enjoy!
This list of delicious pizza places is in alphabetical order to not show overall preference. Ray’s Pizza is mediocre and isn’t mentioned.
Cafe Fiorello (Fiorello’s)
Broadway & 63rd Street
Cafe Fiorello, or Fiorello's as we say, is a classy Upper West Side, Met Opera-adjacent italian restaurant catering to locals and anyone who might be attending a performance. They have great wood fired pizzas made to order.
https://www.cafefiorello.com
Freddie and Pepper’s
Amsterdam & 74th Street
If I’m on the Upper West Side and need a slice pizza, Freddie and Pepper’s is where I’m going. I think they've been in business for over 40 years. They have a small dine-in area, so if the pies on display aren’t what you’re after, order a custom pie and hang out, you might even see a celebrity.
Joe’s Pizza
6th Avenue & Carmine Street
Joe’s Pizza is the picture perfect stereotype of NYC pizza. A greasy, perfectly cooked cheese heavy slice that droops off the paper plate and into your mouth. I’ve had countless slices here either before, after or during a bar hop with friends in the neighborhood.
John’s of Bleeker Street
Bleecker Street & Jones Street
John’s, right down the street from Joe’s, is a more family-oriented, sit down and order a whole pie type of place. They don’t do individual slices to go. This is where you go for a very patient methodical pizza experience.
Libretto’s
3rd Avenue & 36th Street
When I lived in Murray Hill, Libretto’s was my ‘go to’ pizza spot any and all the time. They make a very traditional NY slice using their own homemade tomato sauce that is amazingly flavorful. If I’m ever in Midtown and crave pizza, I’ll take the time to get over to Libretto’s.
Luzzo’s
1st Avenue & 13th Street
Luzzo’s is a great date spot for pizza. They have a cool dining room that’s dimly lit and of course, there’s the wood fired oven creating ambiance. The pizzas are fantastically made-to-order. The Piccante Pizza (made with tomato sauce, mozzarella, Italian ham, hot cherry peppers & basil) is my personal favorite.
San Matteo
2nd Avenue & 81st Street
San Matteo is a Neapolitan style pie, so it falls into the non-traditional NYC slice category. The pizzas here are made to order and on the smaller side… like a personal pizza. Wood fired and with a crust that I could eat on it’s own, seriously it’s that good. My personal favorite here (and highly recommended) is the Diavolo which has spicy soppressata as a topping.
Song e Napule
Houston Street & MacDougal Street
Song e Napule is a Neapolitan style pie, so it falls into the non-traditional NYC slice category. These guys make a Neapolitan slice that is to die for. Wood fired ovens char the thin crust and singe the cheese in just a way making it so that you can’t stop eating it. It’s a problem for me. If you visit you have to try the Montanara which is a deep fried pizza with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, marinara and basil, it rocks.
Stromboli’s
1st Avenue & St. Mark’s Place
If you’re in the East Village and need a slice to go, Stromboli is the place. One of a few remaining ‘old school’ pizza joints, they make a very perfectly greasy NYC slice. I’d opt for a slice of pepperoni here and so would The Beasties.
V & T’s
Amsterdam & 110th Street
On the Upper Upper West, or Morningside Heights if you will, V & T has been serving amazing pizza to Columbia students and locals for decades. This is a destination for sure, so plan on sitting in the dining room, or outside as I prefer, and really enjoying the experience.