Top 5 Pizzerias in NYC
Ask ten New Yorkers where to get the best pizza NYC has to offer and you’ll start ten arguments. Everyone has a favorite slice shop, a corner place they grew up with, or a coal-oven spot they swear by. Pizza isn’t just food in New York. It’s identity.
That makes picking the top 5 pizzerias in NYC a bold move. But some names come up again and again, on critics’ lists, global rankings, and in long lines down the block. This guide narrows the field to five standouts, explains what makes each one special, and adds a handful of honorable mentions so you can plan your own pizza crawl.
What Makes New York Pizza Special?
Every one of the top 5 pizzerias in NYC builds on a long tradition. New York-style pizza traces back to Italian immigrants in the early 1900s. Lombardi’s, which opened in 1905, is often called the first licensed pizzeria in the US. Since then, the city has built its own pizza culture:
- The New York slice: Big, thin, foldable, and sold by the slice.
- Coal-oven pies: Crisp, charred crusts from old-school ovens.
- Neapolitan pizza: Soft, puffy crusts cooked fast in wood-fired ovens.
- Square slices: Thick Sicilian and grandma-style pies with crispy edges.
Many people say New York’s tap water helps make its dough unique. Whether that’s true or not, the city’s pizza scene is one of the best in the world.
Top 5 Pizzerias in NYC
Building a list of the top 5 pizzerias in NYC means making hard choices. These five picks balance global rankings, critics’ praise, history, and the kind of slice that makes you want to come back the next day.
1. Una Pizza Napoletana (Lower East Side)
Anthony Mangieri’s Una Pizza Napoletana has held the top spot on the 50 Top Pizza USA list every year since that ranking began in 2022, including in 2026. On the 2026 world ranking, it placed second. Mangieri still makes the dough and shapes every pie himself.
The menu is short: a handful of Neapolitan pizzas with a soft, blistered crust and simple toppings. It’s the place to go if you want to taste pizza made with almost obsessive care. Expect a wait and check the hours before you go, since it isn’t open every day.
What to order: The Margherita or the Filetti with cherry tomatoes.
2. Joe’s Pizza (Greenwich Village)
If you want the classic New York slice, Joe’s is the answer. Opened in 1975 by Joe Pozzuoli, the Carmine Street shop has served everyone from locals to celebrities. The slice is thin, crisp, and perfectly balanced, with just enough sauce and cheese.
Joe’s has since opened more locations around the city, but the original still has the most charm. Grab a slice, fold it, and eat it standing up.
What to order: A plain cheese slice.
3. L’Industrie Pizzeria (West Village and Williamsburg)
L’Industrie started in Williamsburg and opened a second shop in the West Village. It became famous for its burrata slice, topped with a soft mound of burrata and fresh basil. The dough is light and crisp, and toppings are high quality. It also appeared on the 2026 world 50 Top Pizza list.
Lines can be long, especially on weekends, but they move fast.
What to order: The burrata slice or the fig jam and ricotta slice.
4. Lucali (Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn)
Lucali feels like a dinner party in a candlelit Brooklyn storefront. Mark Iacono opened it in 2006, and it’s been packed ever since. The menu is simple: pizza and calzones, with a few toppings. The thin crust gets a sprinkle of fresh basil and a shower of hard cheese.
Waits can stretch for hours. Put your name down early, then grab a drink nearby. It’s BYOB, so bring a bottle of wine.
What to order: A plain pie with pepperoni and a calzone.
5. Di Fara Pizza (Midwood, Brooklyn)
For decades, Dom DeMarco made every pie at Di Fara by hand, finishing each one with fresh basil snipped with scissors and a pour of olive oil. He opened the shop in 1965 and became a pizza legend before he passed away in 2022. His family keeps the tradition going today.
The pies are rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying. It’s a pilgrimage spot for pizza lovers from around the world.
What to order: A regular slice and a square slice.
Quick Comparison Table
| Pizzeria | Neighborhood | Style | Signature Order | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Una Pizza Napoletana | Lower East Side | Neapolitan | Margherita | $$$ |
| Joe’s Pizza | Greenwich Village | Classic NY slice | Cheese slice | $ |
| L’Industrie | West Village, Williamsburg | Modern slice | Burrata slice | $ |
| Lucali | Carroll Gardens | Thin-crust pies | Plain pie, calzone | $$ |
| Di Fara | Midwood | Old-school NY | Regular and square slice | $$ |
Honorable Mentions
Narrowing it to the top 5 pizzerias in NYC means leaving out some legends. If you have time, add these to your list:
- John’s of Bleecker Street (Greenwich Village): A coal-oven pizzeria open since 1929. Whole pies only, no slices.
- Don Antonio (Midtown): Ranked sixth on the 2026 50 Top Pizza USA list. Try the pizza fritta, a lightly fried pie.
- Lombardi’s (Little Italy): The 1905 pioneer, known for its coal-fired pies.
- Prince Street Pizza (Nolita): Famous for its square pepperoni slice with crispy, curled cups of pepperoni.
- Ribalta (Greenwich Village): A Neapolitan spot that tied for eighth on the 2026 50 Top Pizza USA list.
- Best Pizza (Williamsburg): A beloved neighborhood slice shop with a white pie fans love.
- Rosa’s Pizza (Ridgewood, Queens): A classic local favorite for reliable slices.
Best Pizza in Manhattan vs. Brooklyn
New Yorkers love to argue about which borough has the best pizza in NYC. Here’s a quick look:
- Best pizza in Manhattan: Una Pizza Napoletana, Joe’s, L’Industrie West Village, John’s of Bleecker, and Prince Street Pizza.
- Best pizza in Brooklyn: Lucali, Di Fara, L’Industrie Williamsburg, and Best Pizza.
If you only have one day, Manhattan is easier to cover on foot. If you have more time, Brooklyn’s legends are worth the subway ride.
Tips for a NYC Pizza Crawl
Want to try the top 5 pizzerias in NYC in one day? It’s possible if you start early and share. Here’s how to plan it:
- Share slices. Split each slice with friends so you have room for more stops.
- Go early. Lines grow after noon and at dinnertime.
- Check hours. Some pizzerias close certain days or sell out early.
- Bring cash. Most places take cards now, but cash can speed things up.
- Group by neighborhood. Joe’s, John’s of Bleecker, and L’Industrie West Village are close together. So are Prince Street and Lombardi’s.
- Stay hydrated. A pizza crawl is more marathon than sprint.
How to Eat a New York Slice
Once you reach one of the top 5 pizzerias in NYC, eat like a local. There’s a right way, according to New Yorkers:
- Let it cool for a moment. Hot cheese can burn.
- Fold it lengthwise. This keeps the tip from flopping and the toppings in place.
- Eat it standing up. At least once, for the full experience.
- Skip the fork. Unless you’re at a sit-down Neapolitan spot, use your hands.
Pizza Beyond New York
New York pizza is iconic, but other cities have their own legendary styles. Chicago’s deep dish is thick, cheesy, and baked in a tall pan. Find a great one with our guide to Deep Dish Pizza Near Me.
Argentina also has a deep pizza tradition, shaped by Italian immigrants in Buenos Aires. Try the spicy sausage version in our guide to the Best Pizza Calabresa Argentina Near Me, or go classic with a thick, cheesy pie from our guide to the Best Pizza Muzzarella Argentina Near Me.
Final Thoughts
Picking the top 5 pizzerias in NYC will always spark debate, and that’s part of the fun. Una Pizza Napoletana brings world-class Neapolitan pies, Joe’s serves the classic slice, L’Industrie adds modern flair, Lucali delivers a candlelit Brooklyn experience, and Di Fara carries a legendary legacy. Add a few honorable mentions, plan your route, and go taste the best pizza in New York for yourself. Then start your own argument about which one wins.
Key Takeaways
- New York pizza ranges from foldable slices to coal-oven pies, Neapolitan pizzas, and square slices. Lombardi’s opened in 1905 and is often called the first licensed US pizzeria.
- Una Pizza Napoletana on the Lower East Side has ranked No. 1 on the 50 Top Pizza USA list every year since 2022 and placed second in the world in 2026.
- Joe’s Pizza in Greenwich Village, open since 1975, is the go-to for a classic New York cheese slice.
- L’Industrie in the West Village and Williamsburg is known for its burrata slice and made the 2026 world 50 Top Pizza list.
- Lucali in Carroll Gardens offers thin-crust pies and calzones in a candlelit BYOB setting, while Di Fara in Midwood carries on Dom DeMarco’s legacy.
- Honorable mentions include John’s of Bleecker Street, Don Antonio, Lombardi’s, Prince Street Pizza, Ribalta, Best Pizza, and Rosa’s Pizza.
- Plan a pizza crawl by neighborhood, go early, share slices, and check hours before you go.
