Pizza is more than just a food in NYC, it’s a way of life. There’s no question that NYC has the most epic pizza in the universe (sorry Chicago), but not all slices are created equal. Every place has a special way of making it’s pizza. Some joints, like the famous Grimaldi, are legendary institutions, while others are just entering the NY pizza scene.
Pizza is literally everywhere, and we choose the most epic pizzas so you don’t have to go through the grueling process of choosing. Sure, the pizza snobs have their favorite picks, but these are the pizzas you absolutely wouldn’t want to miss.
Just don’t forget to save us a slice.
1. Prince St. Pizza: Spicy Spring
Photo by @foodbabynyc on Instagram
Thick, doughy squares covered in crispy pepperoni. No other square can compare.
2. Di Fara: The Special Pie
Photo Courtesy of timeout.com
This Brooklyn institution has been dubbed best pizza by Anthony Bourdain and Mayor Bill DeBlasio. Since 1959, DiFaro’s owner, Dom Demarco has made each pie by hand and rarely takes a day off. Major respect to that man.
3. New Park Pizza: Regular Pie
Photo Courtesy of www.memyselfandpie.com
Perfectly located by JFK airport for hangry tourists. The weird thing about this place is that you have to ask for your pizza “well-done,” just like you would a burger. Then you will receive a slice crisped to perfection, but not burnt.
4. L&B Spumoni Gardens: Spumoni Slice
Photo courtesy of @infatuation_nyc on Instagram
These big doughy squares are is served Grandma style, meaning cheese is under the tomato sauce instead of the norm. Make sure to get your slice with a side of the famous Spumoni ice.
5. Emily: The Goods
Photo courtesy of @pizzalovesemily on Instagram
Emily has some of the best pizza and burgers in the city. So if you can’t decide which one to get, just get this epic burger pizza.
6. GG’s: Breakfast Pizza
Photo by @mollytavoletti on Instagram
New Yorkers take their brunch very seriously, and GG’s is on top of its game. The egg on top makes this pizza totally healthy and acceptable to eat for breakfast, right?
7. Florian: Lobster Pizza
Photo by thesatisfeed.com
The best two foods put together. This puts the lobster roll to shame.
8. Lombardi’s: Margherita Pizza
Photo courtesy of @foodbeast on Instagram
Pizza lovers across the nation should know that Lombardi’s was the first pizzeria in the US of A. Their website is even firstpizza.com, so go here the next time you need a taste of the original.
9. Roberta’s: Bee Sting
Photo Courtesy of @angelsfoodshare on Instagram
This pizza has soppressata and honey toppings, a very unlikely but very delicious combo. Roberta’s is clearly “bee”sting in the pizza game.
10. Joe’s Pizza: Pepperoni Pizza
Photo courtesy of @joespizzanyc on Instagram
Joe’s is the definition of a classic New York slice– big, floppy, and foldable with a thin sheen of oil Though it can be a tourist trap, it is hard to find anything to compare.
11. Rubirosa: Tie Dye Pizza
Photo courtesy of @rubirosa_nyc on Instagram
Vodka pizza at Rubirosa is known to be pretty good, but topped with dollops of pesto makes it tie-dye for.
12. Patrizia: Star Pizza
Photo courtesy of @patriziasnyc on Instagram
Something about pizza as a star shape makes it more appetizing.
13. Sullivan St. Bakery: Patate Pizza
Photo Courtesy of sullivanstreetbakery.com
Potato pizza. Carbs on carbs never looked so good.
14. Rizzo’s Fine Pizza: Classic Squares
Photo courtesy of foodmento.com
Served with sauce around the edges and cheese in the middle. This will make you wonder why more pizza places don’t serve it like this.
15. Motorino: Brussels Sprouts & Pancetta
Photo courtesy of @motorinopizza on Instagram
We promise you can’t taste the Brussels sprouts.
16. Grimaldi: Pepperoni & Sausage Pizza
Photo courtesy of @grimaldispizzeria on Instagram
You can’t leave NYC without going to the famous Grimaldi’s that probably made the Brooklyn Bridge famous. Grimaldi’s still keeps it old-school with the red and white checkerboard tablecloths.
17. Emmy Squared: The Emmy
Photo Courtesy of grubstreet.com
Sister restaurant of Emily (see #5). This beautiful spread of mozz, onions, and banana peppers takes the cake (or, should I say, pie).
18. Denino’s: The Garbage Pie
Photo courtesy of @martiarcucci on Instagram
It’s named in honor of the Staten Island landfills, but thankfully only topped with sausage, meatballs, pepperoni, mushrooms, and onions.
19. Il Porto: Grandma Pie
Photo courtesy of scottspizzatours.com
A masterpiece of perfect tomato drizzle. Also a great pizza place for Pratt college students.
20. L’Asso: San Daniele
Photo courtesy of Yelp user Ben L.
Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes—round or square. It’s even more beautiful topped with mozzarella, arugula, prosciutto, and parmesan.
21. Paulie Gee’s: Monte Cristo
Photo Courtesy of Adam Kuban via slice.seriouseats.com
Sweet n’ savory, filled with gouda, bacon, and maple syrup. We’ll have this for breakfast every morning.
22. Speedy Romeo: The Paul’s Boutique
Photo courtesy of spoilednyc.com
Everything at Speedy Romeo is absolutely epic, but this pie just blows our mind. It’s topped with mustard-laced bechamel, smoked red sauerkraut, Fontina, Thousand Island dressing, and the famous Katz’s pastrami sandwich pieces. To top this masterpiece off, the crust is sprinkled with everything bagel seasoning.
23. Two Boots: Bayou Beast
Photo courtesy of twoboots.com
This Cajun pizza will feel like Mardi Gras in your mouth. The crust is even made with cornmeal for that real Southern grit.
24. Totonno’s Pizza: 50/50 Pizza
Photo courtesy of @what_did_jp_eat on Instagram
For all you indecisive people who can’t choose between white or regular red.
25. Best Pizza: Calabrian Chili, Anchovy, Pickled Veggie, & Kale
Photo courtesy of best.piz.za.com
This actually lives up to it’s pretentious hipster name (even with the anchovy).
26. Ribalta: Americana Pie
Photo courtesy Ribaltapizzarestaurant.com
What is more American than junk food on junk food?
27. Artichoke Basille: Artichoke Slice
Photo by @luizahorbach on Instagram
Basically spinach and artichoke dip on top of pizza. Some think it’s drunchie heaven, others think it’s as gross as soup on top of pizza. Try it out yourself.
28. Bruno: Country Ham Pizza
Photo Courtesy of Bloomberg.com
This pizza is made from peaches, cured onions, and smoked ham. Super creative and definitely the one you should order.
29. Co.: Popeye Pie
Photo courtesy of @madhungrylsq on Instagram
Underneath that pile of spinach is pecorino, Gruyère and mozzarella cheeses. We can’t think of a better way to consume your greens.
30. Franny’s: Clam Pie
Photo courtesy of tastingtable.com
For when you’re on that see-food diet.
31. Joe and Pat’s Pizzeria: Vodka Pie
Photo courtesy of firstwefeast.com
This pizza is what dreams are made of—a rich vodka sauce with a very thin crust, served piping hot.
32. Uncle Mario’s Brick Oven Pizza: Mac n’ Cheese Pizza
Photo courtesy of @nyc.food on Instagram
Perfect for 2 AM on a Saturday night in the city that never sleeps.
33. Louie and Ernie: Sausage Pie
Photo courtesy of seriouseats.com
This will definitely comfort you on a cold New York night.
34. The Mark: Black Truffle Pizza
Photo courtesy of @themarkrestaurant on Twitter
Cause everyone’s gotta treat themselves to truffle before they die.
35. 00+ Co.: Tomato. Faro-Fennel Sausage. Cashew Mozzarella.
Photo courtesy of @letsnomnomblog on Instagram
Vegan pizza might sound like an oxymoron, but you’ve gotta try one of these beautiful slices. The cashew cheese is awesome. 00 + Co. also likes to top their pies with flowers. Wanna make vegan pizza at home? Try this.
36. Marta: Funghi Pizza
Photo courtesy of timeout.com
The creator of Shake Shack, Danny Meyer, is the owner of Marta. He’s also beastly at making pizzas as awesome as his burgers.
37. Koronet Pizza: Any Jumbo Slice
Photo courtesy of @luciebfink on Instagram
A Columbia student’s favorite because it’s open late, the slices are cheap, and they’re larger than your head. Check out more late night college eats here.
38. Houdini Kitchen Lab: Habanero Pizza
Photo Courtesy of eathoudinikitchenlaboratoryridgewood.com
The flavor balance between Habanero peppers and cured pork loin make this pie unforgettable.
39. Margot’s Pizza: Bar Pizza
Photo courtesy of @margotspizza on Instagram
If you haven’t read Slice by pizza-obsessed editor Adam Kuban, it’s a must. He is currently operating Margot as a pop-up that will soon open into a full pizza restaurant soon. We’re not exactly sure what bar pizza is, but we’re sure its epic.
40. Lucali: Basil Pie
Photo courtesy of Flickr/Slice
Beyonce & Jay Z once skipped the Grammys to eat here, so that tells you something.
41. Zero Otto Nove: La Cirilo
Photo courtesy of Yelp user gunks n.
This place will make you feel like you’re in Italy, in an airy space with tall ceilings. But you’re really in the Bronx chowing down on this fancy butternut squash pizza with truffle cream, mushrooms & fresh mozzarella.
42. Kesté: Lemon, Smoked Mozzerella, and Basil Pie
Photo courtesy of wsj.com
A pie without sauce is just a test to see how great the crust is. Kesté is known for their skill in creating crusts with the perfect texture.
43. Mira Sushi & Izakaya: Sushi Pizza
Photo courtesy of @mirasushinyc on Instagram
If there’s anything better than sushi or pizza, it’s the two combined.
44. Forcella: Montanara
Photo courtesy of Julie R. Thomson/The Huffington Post
If you’ve ever dreamed of having fried pizza dough, now is your chance. Some say this pie has a light and airy texture that is similar to funnel cake.
45. The Atlantic ChipShop: Deep Fried Pizza
Photo courtesy of seriouseats.com
Is pizza really best deep-fried? That’s for us to know and you to find out.
46. Rocky’s II: Baked Ziti Pizza with Vodka Sauce
Photo courtesy of @thesweetlifeoflina
We wouldn’t have the patience to take a picture before devouring it. Ray’s Original Pizza is rumored to have been the inventor of this wonderful carb creation.
47. Pizza Suprema: Upside Down Pie
Photo courtesy of @scottspizzatours on Instagram
Hidden among the crappy pizza places near Penn Station, Pizza Suprema is a gem in plain sight. They consistently serve awesome slices to busy New Yorkers on the go.
48. Stella 34: Cavolfiori Pizza
Photo by Stella 34 Trattoria via nrn.com
Lactose intolerant people, rejoice! This pizza features a creamy cauliflower puree that tastes just like cheese. Even if you can eat dairy, you should still eat this.
49. Milkflower: Wu-Tang Clam
Photo courtesy of @milkflowernyc on Instagram
With a clever name like that, who could resist? Other clever names on the menu include the Abe Froman and Charlie Sheen pies.
50. Vinnie’s Pizzeria: Pizza Inception
Photo courtesy of @vinniesbrooklyn on Instagram
Vinnie’s broke the internet when the pizza box was created. Order a pizza in a box made from pizza with mini pizzas on top, then say that five times fast.