THIS LIST IS RANKED.
" THE SLICE LINE "
Okay, okay, okay. There’s no reason to call the Mob just yet.
Is our list provocative? Yes.
Is this pizza below also some of the best you’ll ever have? Also yes.
Updated regularly.
Lucali
575 Henry Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Mark Iacono has truly earned his place amongst the pizza greats. It’s been a minute since I’ve had a Lucali pie, but if memory serves me well — they’re classic and crafted with a love and attention-to-detail that carries right through to the taste. The quality and ingredients are superb and the experience is so personal it feels like family dinner. So bring a bottle of wine, your loved ones, and gather around: this is an experience you’re going to remember for a long, long time.
Di Fara Pizza
1424 Avenue J, Brooklyn, NY 11230
Domenico “Dom” De Marco opened Di Fara Pizza in 1964 after emigrating to Brooklyn from Italy and he’s been serving up some of the best pies outside of Italy since then. Let’s be clear, don’t expect Dom’s pizza’s to have any fancy toppings — no truffles, special honey drizzle, fifty-cheese blend here, bud. But that’s okay; sometimes, the simplest things are the most elegant.
Joe’s Pizza
7 Carmine Street, New York, NY 10014
I was first introduced to Joe’s Pizza by way of Peter Parker in the 2004 blockbuster film Spider-Man 2. When I moved to New York for college, one of my first pit stops was 7 Carmine Street — and the teenage Burgerist was not disappointed. Joe’s, simply put, is a New York icon. Consistently delivering quality pies and slices from multiple locations, Joe’s is a go-to for students, artists, celebrities, and Pizza aficionados alike. And the best part? They deliver: Spidey-style.
Scarr’s Pizza
22 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
If you’re looking for an iconic New York slice, Scarr’s has got you covered. Some of the best crust this side of the Atlantic, the sauce is sweet + tangy + edgy, and the pepperoni are some of the best in the business. Scarr’s is particularly great after a night out on the town.
Best Pizza
33 Havemeyer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Frank Pinello knows a thing or two about pizza, so when the Roberta’s alum opened up his own spot in Williamsburg, you know it was going to do well. Serving up ridiculously good thin-crust pizza topped with quality ingredients from the likes of Pat LaFrieda, Pinello + team are living up to their cheeky name and then some.
Roberta’s
261 Moore St, Brooklyn, NY 11206
People have mixed feelings about Roberta’s — and I get it: the “legendary” pizza spot defined a lot of the burgeoning food scene in Bushwick, but it’s appeal was largely based on pandering to trends and building a scene that set it apart from the rest of the surrounding neighborhood. That said: Roberta’s pizza is solid, and it’s turned out some incredible talent (see: Best Pizza). Love it or hate it, Instagram it or don’t, Roberta’s is now a part of the New York pizza lexicon — and we’ll definitely be back for more.
Juliana’s
19 Old Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Be. Prepared. To. Wait. In. Line. For a while. But once you’re in — expect some Grimaldi greatness that hasn’t been commoditized and put in every mall from South Orange to Pacific Palisades.
L&B SPUMONI GARDENS
2725 86th St, Brooklyn, NY 11223
When L&B Spumoni Gardens opened up shop in 1939, it was conceived as a pre-World War II ice cream and gelato stand. During the 50’s, the Gardens grew into the full scale pizzeria they are today and are now world famous for their Sicilian pies and ices. The square Sicilian pie the Barbati family’s been serving up for three generations here is a great blend of quality, craftsmanship, and nostalgia — so if you’re in the neighborhood, try a slice (or two).
JOE & PAT'S
1758 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314
Yes, there’s a Joe & Pat’s in the East Village and yes, it’s pretty solid. But if you’re looking for a true OG — get on the Staten Island ferry and head out to the original outpost. The thin crust, homemade sauces, and just-right pepperoni make this a slice worth the trek.
GIUSEPPINA’S
691 6th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Fortunately or unfortunately, Giuseppina’s is going to live in Lucali’s shadow unless something pretty major changes. The pizza, the food, the service, the ambiance — while very good — is not as good. But even that’s tricky. Comparisons to Lucali are difficult: would Joe’s be nearly as high on this list if we held them to the same standards? But when the restaurant is run by an Iacono, the comparisons seem natural. The skinny: Giuseppina’s serves great pizza, but don’t expect Lucali 2.0.
TOTONNO'S
1524 Neptune Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Straight up: we tried to go to Totonno’s and we didn’t get to try the pizza. We tried so hard for y’all. We stood in line. We ordered off of the godforsaken Slice app and Uber Eats. That’s right. UBER EATS. Nothing worked. The wait staff was rude. The lines were slow. But. Totonno’s is the stuff of legend and every pizza critic ever raves about the coal-oven, thin crust pizza Totonno’s has been serving up since 1924. So we’ll be back soon, cash in hand, to give Totonno’s the true Burgerist test.
PRINCE STREET PIZZA
27 Prince St A, New York, NY 10012
I go back and forth on Prince Street Pizza. Sometimes it’s too doughy for me. Sometimes it’s too oily. Other times, it’s perfect. It’s not that Prince Street Pizza isn’t consistent: if anything, their square slices with small pepperoni slices are always served up Instagram-friendly, with quality ingredients, and piping hot. It’s more so the polarizing taste. Bring on the hate!
PATSY'S PIZZERIA
450 Dean St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Quality food, affordable prices, and expert craftsmanship since 1933. What’s not to love? Don’t sleep on Patsy’s.