Pizza is one of New York’s most iconic foods. Being home to some of the best pizza places in the world, it is no wonder that hundreds of thousands of pizza slices are eaten every day in the Big Apple. If you hadn’t had a pizza in New York, have you even really been there?

First things first: What is New York-style pizza?

New York-style pizza is characterized by a thick and crispy crust along the edge. The dough beneath the toppings, however, is soft and thin. The large and wide slices can easily be folded in half. A Chicago-style pizza, on the other hand, is a deep-dish pizza that is thick and baked in a pan.

The Best Pizza in NYC

In New York City, you will find a pizza place at every corner. The choices you have can be quite overwhelming. Below you can find our top places to satiate your pizza cravings in NYC, whether you prefer your pizza as a whole pie or by the slice. Because, after all, a good, authentic pizza in New York should be on everyone’s bucket list.

1. 01

   Juliana’s Pizza

   Italian Restaurant
   in
   Dumbo

   Our Highlight

   

   Red awnings, rustic furnishings and white and red checked fabric napkins – the Italian ambience is unmistakable. The pizzas come fresh from the stone oven and taste incredibly delicious. If you’re travelling in larger groups, you should definitely plan on waiting – there are even barrier tapes in front of Juliana’s for those waiting.

2. 02

   Grimaldi’s Pizza

   Italian Restaurant
   in
   Dumbo

   

   The name Grimaldis Pizzeria stands for a pizza chain that was founded in New York in 1941. Each pizza is prepared in handmade coal-fired ovens in the old Italian tradition. New Yorkers have known for a long time that the pizza is the tastiest in the city and that’s why it comes in masses. Waiting times should therefore be taken into account – but it is worth waiting for a table.

3. 03

   Don Antonio

   Italian Restaurant
   in
   Hell’s Kitchen

   

   Everything on Don Antonio’s menu is delicious, but the real reason why you should come to Don Antonio instead of other pizza places in New York is their fried pizza. Before coming here, I never knew fried pizza was even a thing although you can eat everything fried nowadays. Anyway, this pizza will change your world!

4. 04

   Lombardi’s Pizza

   Italian Restaurant
   in
   Nolita

   Our Highlight

   

   Lombardi’s prides itself in being the first pizzeria in the United States. Gennaro Lombardi from Naples since 1905. You can find the original store in Little Italy and another one in Chelsea.

   “America’s first pizzeria” bakes their pizzas in a coal oven. Thin-crust pizza. Neapolitan style. Fresh ingredients. The crust is very hard.

   Authentic, cozy place lots of photos along the walls. No one has more experience in making pizza. It’s cash only!

5. 05

   Rubirosa

   Italian Restaurant
   in
   Nolita

   

   Already from the outside the restaurant looks like a typical Italian restaurant. You will feel completely at home: there are great red wines, the atmosphere is pleasant and you are definitely among locals. The Rubirosa is one of the most popular Italian restaurants in town, because the food is fantastic. The pasta and also the starters (for example grilled calamari) remind you of Italy – not to mention the pizza.

   If you are looking for a late afternoon glass of wine with some snacks or a quality evening meal this is definitely a good choice. There is also a pizza hour, where – you guessed it – they sell 2 pizzas for $16!

6. 06

   Roberta’s

   Italian Restaurant
   in
   Williamsburg

   

   Brooklyn is filled with culture, a lot of great shopping but also arguably has the best pizza in NYC. Roberta’s is located in Bushwick right off the L train. Do yourself a favor and try out either their “Famous Original” or “Cowabunda Dude” pizza. The ingredients mesh very well and you don’t feel overly stuffed when you do end up finishing a whole pie.

7. 07

   BigA Bite

   Italian Restaurant
   in
   Lower East Side

   

   As the name suggests, there are big pizzas here. They can be up to 8 feet long – so BigA Bite is a great experience especially for groups (or for families with big appetites). The pizza dough is very fluffy, tasty and you have a great choice of toppings. Be sure to try the Pizziri to start beforehand. Or the Spicy Burrata!

Best Pizza Slices in NYC

The best pizza in New York does not only come in pies, but it also comes in slices! In the city, where many people crave a quite bite on the go, you will also find many pizzerias offering prepared slices. Many of the slices are delicious and are worth a try, even when you’re not in a rush. To save you time and calories looking for the best pizza slices in NYC, we’ve listed our favorites here.

1. 01

   Prince Street Pizza

   Italian Restaurant
   in
   Nolita

   

   Prince Street Pizza is a classic in SoHo. Chances are that you will wait in line for a bit, but please believe that it will be worth it. If you’re not sure what to get, we suggest that you try their pepperoni pizza. The famed pizza spot enjoys great popularity, even among celebrities. Inside the shop, you will see walls filled with pictures of those having visited Prince Street Pizza.

2. 02

   Artichoke Basille’s Pizza

   Italian Restaurant
   in
   Chelsea

   

   Artichoke Basille’s Pizza is no longer a secret. Established in 2008, the pizza chain now owns twelve locations across the country, three of which are in New York City, including their first store in the East Village.

   The pizza comes in large very slices, ensuring you will be full after one. When choosing your slice, you don’t have a choice but to try their most famous slice, the artichoke slice, which the pizza spot was named after. The base is a white cream sauce topped with artichoke hearts, mozzarella, and pecorino romano cheese.
   Other available toppings include Crab, Margherita, Vodka, Sicilian, and Meatball.

   A slice costs $7 and is served on low-key paper plates. The clientele at Artichoke Pizza? Native New Yorkers, visitors and even celebrities. In fact, Artichoke Pizza has been featured on many shows like the Tonight Show over the years. Most foodies will tell you that this is the best pizza slice in NYC, period.

3. 03

   Mama’s TOO

   Italian Restaurant
   in
   Upper West Side

   

   This tiny pizza joint offers inexpensive pizza slices in New York. You can order anything from classic slices to gourmet slices that come in triangles and squares. On the menu, you can find some unique flavors, like Cacio e Pepe. In the end, however, pepperoni remains the true crowd favorite. They curl up slightly giving the edge a crispy texture.

   Mama’s TOO offers counter service. Remember that the place is rather small so depending on your timing, you may not be able to grab a seat right away. If you don’t mind eating outside, just head to the adjacent Straus Park and find a bench there.
   traditional pizza sidewalk experience.

4. 04

   2 Bros Pizza

   Italian Restaurant
   in
   East Village

   

   The NYC-based pizza chain is a New York stable and offers the self-proclaimed best pizza in New York City and thousands would agree.

   Whether you are looking for an inexpensive slice or whole pie. 2 Bros has got you covered! The famous $1 slices will stimulate your taste buds with a crispy crust and juicy toppings.

   What makes 2 Bros Pizza attractive in addition to their delicious slices and great pricing are their long opening hours. It’s the ultimate comfort food for those craving a quick bite and especially for those ending a night in the city.

5. 05

   Di Fara Pizza

   Italian Restaurant
   in
   Dumbo

   

   For a pizza to Brooklyn? New Yorkers make the pilgrimage to Di Fara, only to eat the delicious pizza from Chef De Marco. Wafer-thin and known to be one of the best in the city and therefore another of our New York highlights for repeat offenders.

Which is the best pizza in New York?

This may help you narrow down your choices even more: I am a huge fan of Juliana’s Pizza in DUMBO and Rubirosa. Both are excellent with a really nice atmosphere!

New York Pizza Tours

Still can’t get enough pizza? To try more than just one pizza, you can take a pizza tour. Because pizza is such a quintessential food in New York, there are tours dedicated entirely to it. The best pizza tours we have tried out so far are

1. 01

   A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour

   Walking Tour
   in
   East Village

   Our Highlight

   

   The A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour is a combination of sightseeing tour, bus and walking tour. It starts not far from Union Square Park in Manhattan: with your New York guide you drive to Brooklyn to get to know one of the most important neighborhoods like  Sunset Park, DUMBO, Bay Ridge and also Coney Island. 

   On this sightseeing tour you will learn where movies like Goodfellas, Once Upon in America or Annie Hall were filmed and you will stop at two of the best pizzerias in Brooklyn. Because pizza and New York simply belong together!

2. 02

   Greenwich Village Pizza Walk

   Walking Tour
   in
   Greenwich Village

   

   Pizza and New York simply belong together! Next to the famous Brooklyn Pizza Walking Tour, this tour through Greenwich Village and Little Italy is one of the most popular food tours in NYC. Included in the price are 3 slices of pizza from different stores and during the tour you will also learn a lot about these neighborhoods from a New York guide.

What’s your favorite pizza spot in New York? Let us know in the comments!