20 best New York pizza spots right now

20 best New York pizza spots right now

New York is a haven for pizza lovers, with a wide range and endless options, from the classic thin crust to unique toppings and creative flavors. There's always something for everyone. Here are the 20 pizza places to check out in New York right now.

Disclaimer: This piece reflects the writer's opinion; the reader's discretion is advised. Do let us know in the comments what you think should have made the cut.

20. Giuseppina's

Giuseppina's, located in Brooklyn, serves authentic Italian brick-oven pizza along with calzones and thin-crust pies with lots of toppings. With plenty of options to choose from, you could go for the classics, which include 'Cheese Pizza' and the 'Margarita Pizza,' or go for the specialty pies, which include 'White Pie,' 'Veggie Pie,' 'Everything Pie,' and 'Giuseppina's Special Pie.' All of them taste great, making Guiseppina's the place to visit.

19. Bleecker Street Pizza

Winner of "The Best Pizza in New York" for 3 years running, Bleecker Street Pizza has long been providing some of the greatest slices in New York. They make delicious pizza with real ingredients, the finest dough, and a flavorful sauce. Established in 2004, in Greenwich Village, the pizzeria serves delightful pizza in a homely, comforting ambience, making it a must-visit place. Their 'Grandma Pizza' and the 'Nonna Maria Pizza' are fan favorites.

18. Denino’s

Located in Staten Island, Denino's has been around since 1937 and serves traditional Italian-American dishes. Referred to as The King Of New York Style Thin Crust, their pizzas are made with fresh ingredients and generous toppings and are cooked in a brick oven to perfection. Other than their pizzas, they are also famous for their salads and platters. Their 'Denino's Margarita Pie' and the 'Special Pie' are a must-try.

17. Upside Pizza

Upside Pizza, which is situated in Midtown Manhattan, is notable for its inventive slices and lively ambience in a setting inspired by the 1990s. Their 'Upside Down Sicilian' and the 'Mushroom, WWLC' are fan favorites; anyone visiting this area must try them out.

16. Rizzo's Fine Pizza

Established in 1959, Rizzo's has been serving the people of Queens for 65 years now. With a huge range of options, from the choice of the crust to the shape of the pizza or the choice of toppings, and with over 20 specialties, you get everything you want here. Starting at just $10, this restaurant deserves a place on your list.

15. Joe & Pat’s Pizzeria

This old-timer has been a Staten Island staple since 1960. Day after day, it hosts hundreds of customers, all of whom flock to the joint to grab a bite of their oh-so-popular thin-crust pizzas, equally thin-crust pies, pastas, and other Italian entrees. You can find the outlet at 1758 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, and can expect to shell out between $10 and $20 per person.

14. Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop

This restaurant does it all: It has outdoor and indoor seating in Brooklyn, caters to vegans, and closes at midnight—though it might be the price tag that most find favorable: between $1 and $10. Located on 110 Franklin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222, it's better to opt for any day other than Fridays and Saturdays, though, as you can expect to see the masses flocking to this joint to revel in its delectable munchies.

13. Ace’s Pizza

This humble restaurant offers one of the most popular deep-dish pizzas, though its thin-crust pizzas and garlic bread are just as popular. Placed at 637 Driggs Ave in Brooklyn, it features outdoor seating, caters to veganism, and is a go-to for all sports fans. And, for those interested, the official website is even offering some merchandise if you wish to brand yourself an Ace's Pizza fan!

12. Mama's Too!

This one is for all the Upper Westsiders: Mama's Too! is most popular for pizza slices featuring gourmet toppings. It's located at 2750 Broadway and costs between $10 and $20 per person. Some of the fan-favorite menu items include soppressata with hot honey, pepperoni pizza, a vodka slice, and the house pie. Or, if you're feeling experimental, they also offer a poached pear pizza.

11. Totonno’s

Another one of Brooklyn's favorites, this old-school joint is famous for serving their piping hot, thin-crust, coal-oven pizza since they began operations over a century ago in 1924. Head on over to 524 Neptune Ave, where you will be given a seat on the spot. As for the price per person, it ranges from $20 to $30 on average. Menu highlights include the pepperoni and sausage pizza, sausage and mushrooms pizza, and more, all of which pair best with wine, beer, or a good old can of Coke.

10. Cuts & Slices

As the official website states, Cuts & Slices is "about bringing people together over great pizza." The joint is most known for pushing boundaries with its pizza toppings, such as oxtail, chicken-and-waffle, and Shrimp-and-Lobster Black truffle Alfredo. Find yourself at 93 Howard Ave? Head on over to the joint to find a table, where you can expect to be surprised at some of the menu offerings.

9. Roberta’s

Established in 2008, Roberta's has become the go-to place for classic New York-style pizza. Starting at just $16, the pizzas here are cooked in a wooden oven with a crunchy crust. They use a tangy sauce, a mixture of mozzarella and cheddar, and a generous load of toppings. Offering a very different vibe, it's a place to visit when you're in Queens.

8. Trattoria Zero Otto Nove

This traditional Italian food and drink joint is best enjoyed on a date night out., given its old-world vibes. It sits on 15 W 21st St in New York and also caters to vegetarians. Compared to the others on this list, at Trattoria Zero Otto Nove, you should expect to spend anywhere between $20 and $50 on average per person, and it is advisable to call and reserve a table in advance.

7. L'Industrie Pizza

If you're ever around 254 S 2nd Street in Brooklyn, you must check this place out. This pizzeria in Williamsburg is well-known for combining classic and creative toppings. They use crusts and fresh ingredients to serve one of the best pizzas. On average, you may end up spending around $35-40 on your pizzas. Their 'Parma Pie' and the classic 'New Yorker Pie' are a must-try.

6. Scarr’s Pizza

Scarr's Pizza has been around for almost 10 years, located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The place serves pizzas with premium ingredients in a retro pizza ambience. Being the only place that mills its own flour in the city. From tons of options to pick from, you can opt for a pie or a go-to pie starting at $3 and $26, respectively. You must try this place out when you're around the area.

5. Ops

Established in 2016, the place has been serving Neapolitan-style pizza for almost a decade now. It offers a range of delicious pizzas to pick from, starting at just $16. The place is a must-try with its comfortable ambience and outdoor dining, making it an ideal place for a romantic dinner or to hang out with your friends.

4. Joe’s Pizza

Who doesn't know about Joe's Pizza? Want an authentic New York pizza? This is the place to go to. For almost 50 years now, the place has been serving one of the best pizzas in all of NYC. With tons of options to pick from, you can never go wrong. Additionally, Joe's has a number of sites across the United States. Since its appearance in a few movies and TV shows, the pizzeria has become quite popular.

3. L&B Spumoni Gardens

This place has been there for more than 80 years, serving the people of New York. It has become a legend over the years. The place serves Italian-American dishes. Their square-shaped pizzas and the classic Italian sweets are fan favorites. The pizzas are baked in a brick oven that gives a thick and crunchy crust, filled with melting cheese with tangy sauce and a whole lot of toppings.

2. Lucali

Located at 575 Henry St in Brooklyn, this Mark Iacono-founded pizzeria has been serving some of the most popular pizzas and calzones since it opened its doors in 2006. As for what makes it ultra-popular, this pizza joint is undoubtedly better known for that one time Jay-Z and Beyonce chose to have dinner at Lucali instead of attending the 54th Grammy Awards.

1. Di Fara Pizza

Established in 1965, the place has been serving square-shaped pizzas and the classic New York-style pizza to the people of Brooklyn. By serving amazing pizzas for almost 60 years, the restaurant has established itself as one of the best pizzerias in New York. With original recipes and premium ingredients, this is the place to visit when you want the best pizza in the city.