The Ultimate Guide to the Best Pizza in NYC (2025 Edition)

Craving a perfect slice? Discover the best pizza in NYC with our local’s guide to iconic pies, hidden gems, and Instagrammable slices.

Introduction

There’s something sacred about grabbing a slice in New York City. It’s not just food—it’s a ritual, a culture, a lifestyle. Whether you’re stumbling out of a bar at 2 AM or hunting down an artisanal pie in Brooklyn, NYC pizza isn’t just everywhere—it’s exceptional.

But with over 1,600 pizzerias across five boroughs, how do you find the best slice? This guide is your curated map to NYC’s most iconic, mouth-watering, and Instagram-worthy pizza joints. From dollar slices to wood-fired masterpieces, we’ve handpicked the places that make New York the undisputed pizza capital of the world.

Let’s eat.

---

A Slice of History: Why NYC Pizza Reigns Supreme

Before we dive into cheese pulls and crispy crusts, let’s take a quick walk down pizza memory lane.

Pizza in NYC began with Italian immigrants in the early 1900s. Lombardi’s, the city’s first pizzeria, opened in 1905 in Little Italy—and it’s still slinging pies today. Since then, pizza in New York has evolved into a blend of traditions, cultures, and culinary innovations.

What makes NYC pizza special?

• The Water: Many claim the secret is in the NYC tap water, known for its unique mineral content that helps create that chewy, flavorful dough.
• The Slice Culture: Unlike deep dish or Neapolitan pies that require cutlery, NYC pizza is all about grabbing a foldable slice and eating it on the go.
• The Variety: From coal-oven classics to Detroit-style squares, the city serves every style imaginable.

---

Top 10 Pizzerias in NYC That Live Up to the Hype

1. Lucali (Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn)

Style: Thin-Crust, Brick-Oven
Instagrammable, candle-lit, and often visited by celebrities like Jay-Z and Beyoncé, Lucali is legendary. The catch? It’s BYOB and no reservations. But the wait is worth it for their perfectly blistered pies.

What to order: Plain pie with fresh basil — simplicity never tasted so divine.

---

2. Di Fara Pizza (Midwood, Brooklyn)

Style: Classic NY-style
Domenico DeMarco made every pizza by hand for over 50 years before passing the torch. His legacy lives on in every slice topped with fresh basil, Parmigiano, and a drizzle of olive oil.

What to order: Di Fara Special – pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, and onions.

---

3. Prince Street Pizza (SoHo)

Style: Sicilian Square
This is the spot behind those viral pepperoni slices with crispy cupped edges. It’s greasy, cheesy, and totally Instagram-famous.

What to order: Spicy Pepperoni Sicilian slice. Trust the hype.

---

4. Scarr’s Pizza (Lower East Side)

Style: Retro NY-slice shop
With a throwback 80s aesthetic, stone-milled flour, and a killer playlist, Scarr’s feels like pizza’s past and future all in one.

What to order: Pepperoni or plain slice with a root beer.

---

5. L’Industrie Pizzeria (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

Style: Modern NY-style with Italian flair
This spot blends Italian ingredients with NYC technique. Their burrata slice is viral for a reason.

What to order: Burrata slice + fig jam = magic.

---

6. Joe’s Pizza (Greenwich Village + multiple locations)

Style: Classic NY Slice
Open since 1975, Joe’s is as New York as it gets. It’s fast, reliable, and every slice tastes like home.

What to order: Plain slice. Always fresh. Always foldable.

---

7. Rubirosa (Nolita)

Style: Thin-Crust, Family-style
This Italian-American hotspot is known for vodka sauce pies and cozy vibes. Great for sit-down meals.

What to order: The Tie-Dye Pie (vodka sauce + pesto + tomato sauce).

---

8. Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)

Style: Retro-style, vegan-friendly options
Retro counter, modern flavors. Their rotating slice menu includes vegan options that even meat lovers crave.

What to order: The Hellboy (with Mike’s Hot Honey) or vegan mozzarella slice.

---

9. Emmy Squared (Multiple locations)

Style: Detroit-Style Square
If you love thick crust, caramelized cheese edges, and bold toppings, this is your heaven.

What to order: The Colony — pepperoni, pickled jalapeños, and hot honey.

---

10. Lombardi’s (Little Italy)

Style: Coal-Oven, Historic
America’s first pizzeria is still going strong over 100 years later. It’s touristy, yes, but it’s also historic and delicious.

What to order: White clam pie or the classic Margherita.

---

The Best $1 Slice in NYC (That Doesn’t Taste Like Cardboard)

If you’re ballin’ on a budget, you’re in luck. NYC’s dollar slice game is surprisingly strong.

✅ 2 Bros Pizza (Multiple Locations)

It’s the GOAT of cheap eats. While quality varies by location, it’s hard to beat hot pizza for $1.50.

✅ Percy’s Pizza (West Village)

A hidden gem offering $1.75 slices that taste like $4.

---

Where Locals Go for Late-Night Pizza

New Yorkers know that the best slices often hit after midnight.

• Artichoke Basille’s Pizza (East Village) — The creamy artichoke slice is a gut bomb in the best way.
• Joe’s Pizza (Times Square) — Yes, the touristy one. But it stays open late and never disappoints.
• Koronet Pizza (Upper West Side) — Massive slices the size of your head.

---

Hidden Gems Only Pizza Snobs Know About

Not all great pizza makes the headlines. Here are a few local secrets:

🔥 Mama’s Too! (UWS)

Famous for square slices with thick, airy dough and creative toppings. Their pepperoni slice? A revelation.

🔥 Leo (Williamsburg)

Known for sourdough crust and seasonal pies.

🔥 Ops (Bushwick)

Natural wines + wood-fired pies = date night gold.

---

Vegan & Gluten-Free Pizza in NYC (That Actually Slaps)

Craving pizza without the gluten or dairy? NYC’s got options.

• Double Zero (East Village) — Plant-based Neapolitan pies.
• Wild (West Village) — Gluten-free, organic, and still tasty.
• Screamer’s Pizza (Greenpoint) — 100% vegan slices with attitude.

---

Instagram-Worthy Pizza Spots You’ve Gotta Tag

Let’s be honest—half the fun is snapping the slice.

📸 L’Industrie’s Burrata Slice
📸 Prince Street’s Pepperoni Cups
📸 Rubirosa’s Tie-Dye Pie
📸 Lucali’s Candlelit Table with Pizza
📸 Paulie Gee’s Retro Interior

Use tags like #BestPizzaNYC #NYCSliceLife #PizzaGram to get discovered.

---

How to Plan the Ultimate NYC Pizza Crawl

Want to turn this blog into an epic food adventure?

🗺 Route Idea:

1. Start at Joe’s Pizza in Greenwich Village
2. Walk to Scarr’s for a quick slice
3. Take a train to L’Industrie in Williamsburg
4. End at Lucali (get there early!)

Bring cash, comfy shoes, and a fully charged phone—you’ll want pics of every bite.

---

Conclusion

Pizza in NYC isn’t just food—it’s a love language. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or a born-and-bred New Yorker, there’s always a new slice to try, a new spot to obsess over, and another reason to fall in love with the city.

So grab a napkin, fold your slice, and take a bite of the best pizza NYC has to offer.

🍕 Which spot are you trying first? Tag us on Instagram @PizzaInTheCity and share your favorite slice!