Top 5 Pizzerias in NYC Every Pizza Lover Should Try

Ask any New Yorker about pizza and you will probably get a strong opinion. Mine may be less popular: I think cheese slices and especially overrated cheese slices get more attention than they deserve. The old thin slices, foldable slices, and greasy slices that were once known as $1 slices or dollar slices are part of the experience, but they are not the only reason I love New York pizza. After over a decade of eating pizza around New York City, my go-to spots, current favorite spots, and favorite spots are the places that show how varied the city’s pizza scene really is. Some serve a classic pizza slice, a quick slice, or a portable slice, while others focus on foldable pizza, portable pizza, thin crispy slices, crispy slices, crispy pizza, or even chewy pizza.

You can also find Neapolitan pizzas, including soft Neapolitan pizzas and bouncy Neapolitan pizzas, alongside sourdough pies, tangy sourdough pies, and chewy sourdough pies. That variety is what makes the top 5 pizzerias in NYC more interesting than a simple ranking of pizzerias or popular pizza spots. For me, good food is about more than a quick carb fix; it is about finding a style worth returning for, whether you want to grab a slice or devour a pie.

That variety comes from a long culinary history and an especially rich culinary history shaped by Italian immigrants who brought the humble pie stateside. Lombardi’s, widely associated with New York’s first pizzeria and the city’s first pizzeria, opened in 1905, helping shape American pizza and the wider story of American pizza evolution away from its European roots. Over a century later, constant experimenting, innovating, new baking techniques, and ongoing pizza innovation have made the Big Apple a pizza capital of the world in the eyes of many people around the world.

The city’s pizza history, pizza culture, and Italian pizza heritage now stretch from New York’s signature style and its familiar signature style to bold creative toppings and unusual pizza toppings. New York is also closely tied to hot honey, hot honey on pizza, and the often-cited birthplace of hot honey trend. My own route through the New York pizza scene has included calzones at Lucali, tie-dye pesto pizza and pesto pizza at Rubirosa, quick slices in the East Village, and plenty of stops across Manhattan and Brooklyn. That mix of tradition and personality is what keeps the city’s pizza worth exploring, one pie at a time.

Rubirosa: A Downtown Pizza Favorite

After years of eating pizza across NYC, Rubirosa is still one of my current favorite spots when I want to grab a slice or devour a pie. Located in Manhattan, it stands out even in New York City, a place many people consider the pizza capital of the world. A century later than the early days of the city’s pizza culture, the pizza scene now ranges from dollar slices in the East Village and famous calzones at Lucali in Brooklyn to Neapolitan pizzas and sourdough pies. Rubirosa takes the familiar New York signature style in its own direction, with thin slices, crispy slices, a thin crust, and a satisfying crispy crust that still has enough soft, bouncy, and chewy texture to keep each bite interesting. I’ve dined here on 10+ separate occasions over the past decade, and for me, the hype around this place makes sense.

The order I keep coming back to is the Tie Dye Pizza, also known for its tie-dye pesto pizza look, where fresh cheese, marinara, homemade vodka, and pesto sauces come together in layers of flavorful sauces. The result is rich, slightly tangy, and more memorable than many restaurants that depend mainly on creative toppings such as hot honey, whose birthplace is closely tied to New York pizza culture. Rubirosa also delivers, although a 90-minute wait can happen when demand is high. If you want to eat there in the evening, remember that they take limited reservations and leave space for walk-ins. My practical advice is simple: arrive when they open and put your name on the list early, especially if you want to understand why this pizza spot remains so popular.

Rubirosa Tie Dye Pizza with mozzarella, tomato sauce, and pesto on a crispy crust.

Rubirosa

Address & Contact Information
235 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012
Website

Mama’s Too

Frank Tuttolomondo has turned Mama’s Too into a pizza joint that feels much bigger than its tiny slice shop setting. On my visit to the Upper West Side, the well-deserved long lines were the first clue that this spot was special. The original Upper West Side location is known for pizza that is fresh, made fresh, and served until it runs out. Its real stars are the square slices, especially the incredible square pizza slices, heavily topped square slices, and thick square slices. These squares have a thick, doughy center similar to focaccia, while the outside stays crispy with a deep caramelized crust. The crust holds plenty of heavily topped toppings, from rich tomato sauce to simpler tomato sauce combinations. My favorite pizza slice is the vodka slice, where Vodka sauce adds a rich flavor, while Cacio e Pepe and the elote pizza are easily my two favorites when the menu changes seasonally.

The shop also serves triangular slices, including traditional thin crust options for anyone who prefers thin crust over the heavier square style. Even a simple slice shows why this location has become such a talked-about name in NYC. The triangular style is lighter, but the square pies remain among my favorite items because of their texture and generous toppings. The popularity has also helped Mama’s Too expand to the West Village, giving pizza lovers another shop beyond its first location. After working through the savory slices, saving room is worth it because the homemade gelato is excellent; the gelato tastes smooth, rich, and genuinely divine. Even with the long lines, this is the kind of spot I would happily return to for another slice.

Mama’s Too square pizza slices with crispy crust and pepperoni.

MAMA'S TOO

Address & Contact Information
2750 Broadway, New York, New York
Website

L’Industrie Pizzeria

If you want a great New York slice shop, start with Williamsburg, where L’Industrie Pizzeria opened in 2017. Its original Williamsburg location helped turn this simple slice joint into a trendy stop for people with a serious pizza craving. There is now also a West Village location, making it easier to enjoy the same pizza style in the West Village. What stands out to me is the balance between super thin pizza, crispy pizza, and crunchy pizza. Each slice has a cracker-like texture and a deeply caramelized edge, giving the crust a slightly caramelized finish and satisfying texture. You can stick with the classic slices, such as Margherita, but the signature slice with Burrata is hard to ignore. A cool dollop of burrata, fresh basil leaf, and extra basil make it an easy favorite slice for anyone who likes simple ingredients done well.

The menu also gets more playful with unique flavors and creative offerings. You may find Fig Jam, fig jam and bacon, Bacon, ricotta, mushroom, truffle oil, and olive oil used in combinations that make every order feel a little different. From experience, it is worth saving some room after the slices because the Italian treats in the pastry case are just as tempting. The maritozzo comes as soft cream-filled buns, while bombolone brings the appeal of Italian doughnuts when you want something sweet. Another popular choice is homemade pistachio soft serve gelato, where smooth gelato and pistachio are finished with sea salt for a simple sweet-and-savory ending. Even after years of attention since 2017, the mix of classic technique and creative toppings is what keeps this place interesting.

L’Industrie Pizzeria burrata pizza slice with tomato sauce, fresh basil, olive oil, and crispy charred crust.

L'INDUSTRIE PIZZERIA

Address & Contact Information
254 S 2nd St, Brooklyn, New York
Website

Roberta’s

Few places capture the creative side of New York pizza culture quite like Roberta’s. This iconic pizzeria started as a Bushwick pizzeria, and its original Bushwick location still feels very different from a polished restaurant. From the outside, the entrance is wallpapered with stickers, with layers of stickers and graffiti giving the building the look of an abandoned warehouse. The warehouse feel continues with shipping containers, old containers, makeshift walls, and rough walls around the space. It may resemble a grungy dive bar, but that rough style gives the place real charm and a playful rock-and-roll personality. Even with its no-frills venue and simple venue, the Bushwick location can attract a long line of people waiting for pizza. Once you find a seat, my pick is to order the signature Bee Sting pizza, also known simply as the Bee Sting. This signature pizza combines melted mozzarella, large slices of soppressata, plenty of soppressata, and a drizzle of hot honey. That sweet and spicy hot honey is what makes the slice especially memorable.

During summer, the experience gets even better because the big backyard gives diners more room to relax. The backyard has communal tables, casual communal seating, and a bar, making it a great place to hang outside with a glass of natural wine. The slightly funky natural wine fits the relaxed setting well, especially when shared with fresh pizza. Today, Roberta’s has grown into an international chain with several locations, including worldwide locations all over the world. Still, for anyone interested in pizza history, the Bushwick original matters most. It remains an important part of New York pizza history, and its mix of unusual surroundings, creative food, and casual energy explains why people continue to seek it out.

Roberta’s Bee Sting pizza topped with mozzarella, soppressata, and hot honey on a charred, crispy crust.

Roberta’s

Address & Contact Information
261 Moore Street, Bushwick, Brooklyn
Website

Prince Street Pizza

In Soho, it is hard to miss Prince Street Pizza, often called Prince St., especially when there is a line down the street outside the pizza shop. The original Soho shop sits right on Prince Street, and from my experience, the wait makes sense once you see what people are ordering. This shop is known for one of the most famous pepperoni slice choices in the world. Inside, the walls are covered with pictures of celebrities, showing that even celebrities and the rich and famous come here for a slice of pie. Although the menu includes different pizzas, most people arrive for the signature Sicilian-style slice. This Sicilian-style slice is a signature slice built as a thick square, a slightly chewy square, and a satisfying square slice that feels very different from a typical thin New York slice.

The pizza is baked in an oiled pan, and that oiled pan helps create an airy crust with a firm crust, noticeable signature crispiness, and plenty of crispiness around the crispy edge. That crunchy edge is one of the best parts of this thick pizza and gives it a pleasant chewy crust underneath. The cheese is placed directly over the dough, creating rich melted cheese, while the sauce is added differently, with the sauce poured on top to prevent soggy dough and keep the base from becoming soggy. Then come the famous roni cups, or pepperoni cups, which curl as they bake and become delicious little grease traps. These tiny grease traps hold flavorful olive oil from the pepperoni, making this famous pizza especially rich. Today, Prince Street has grown into a national chain with locations in nearly every major city across the U.S., but the original store still feels like the place where the pizza party started. This is where the pizza party began, and its mix of pan-baked pizza and classic Sicilian pizza keeps the original location worth visiting.