10 Best Pizzerias near Grand Central Terminal NYC
10 Best Pizzerias near Grand Central Terminal NYC
A guide to the best commuter slices and artisanal pies around Midtown’s historic transit hub.
Grand Central Terminal is not just a major transportation hub; it is a stunning Beaux-Arts masterpiece and a premier shopping and dining destination in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Located exactly 1.2 miles southeast of New York City’s official ground zero at Columbus Circle, it serves hundreds of thousands of commuters, office workers, and global tourists every single day.
When analyzing the specific pizzeria segment in the immediate vicinity of Grand Central, there are an estimated 20 dedicated pizza establishments.
This dense concentration reflects the extreme, high-volume nature of the neighborhood. The local pizza ecosystem is perfectly tailored to serve rushed commuters who need a lightning-fast, foldable slice before catching a Metro-North train, alongside business professionals seeking upscale, sit-down artisanal pies for client lunches along 2nd and 3rd Avenues.
This guide, a special curation by AZ New York, is your essential map to the best pizza in and around this iconic terminal.
You might be interested in Pizzerias in these nearby locations
| Location | Est. # of Pizzerias | Distance (from Grand Central) |
|---|---|---|
| Bryant Park | Quick Slices & Artisanal | ~0.3 miles |
| Midtown East | Corporate & Sit-down | ~0.1 miles |
| Murray Hill | Neighborhood spots | ~0.5 miles |
| Times Square | Icons & Tourist Spots | ~0.6 miles |
| 5th Avenue | Upscale & Fast Casual | ~0.2 miles |
| Tudor City | Hidden Gems | ~0.4 miles |
4 Tips for Eating Pizza near Grand Central
- Dine Inside the Terminal: You do not even have to leave the building to get great pizza. The Lower Level Dining Concourse houses excellent options designed specifically for travelers needing quality food on the go.
- The Urbanspace Advantage: Just one block west of the terminal is Urbanspace Vanderbilt, a premier food hall that hosts an outpost of the world-famous Brooklyn pizzeria, Roberta’s. It is the best wood-fired option in the immediate area.
- Explore the Side Streets: Avoid the generic chain restaurants directly on 42nd Street. Walking just one block north to 43rd or 46th Street reveals much higher-quality, independent slice shops that cater to the local office workers.
- Navigate the Lunch Rush: Between 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM on weekdays, every pizzeria near Grand Central will be packed with thousands of office workers. Go slightly before or after this window for a much faster, more relaxed experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is there good pizza inside Grand Central Terminal?
Yes. Prova Pizzabar, located in the Lower Level Dining Concourse, serves fantastic, authentic Neapolitan-style pizza created by a highly decorated chef, making it a cut above standard transit food.
2. Where is the best place to get a quick slice near the terminal?
Previti Pizza on 41st Street and Uncle Paul’s Pizza on Vanderbilt Avenue are both exceptional choices for a fast, high-quality, authentic New York slice just steps from the station doors.
3. Can I find wood-fired pizza near Grand Central?
Absolutely. Roberta’s has a location inside the Urbanspace Vanderbilt food hall on 45th Street and Vanderbilt Avenue, offering their legendary wood-fired pies.
4. Are there any sit-down, historic pizzerias nearby?
Yes. Patsy’s Pizzeria has a beautiful, classic sit-down location on 2nd Avenue and 43rd Street, serving their iconic ultra-thin, coal-oven style pizza in a comfortable dining room.
5. Do these pizzerias offer vegan options?
Artisanal spots like Roberta’s and Pizza By Certe (slightly north) can easily accommodate vegan diets with cheeseless pies or specialized vegan ingredients, though classic slice shops may be more limited.
6. Is the area safe to explore for dinner after dark?
Midtown East and the area immediately surrounding Grand Central are heavily patrolled, heavily trafficked, and extremely safe for walking and dining in the evening.
7. What is the average cost of a slice near Grand Central?
Because this is a premium business district, the cost of a high-quality slice is slightly higher than deep in the outer boroughs, typically ranging between $4.00 and $5.50 for a plain cheese slice.
8. Can I grab a whole pie to take on the Metro-North train?
Yes, many commuters do exactly this. Places like Previti and Prova are very accustomed to boxing up hot pies quickly for travelers heading back to Westchester or Connecticut.
9. Are there good gluten-free pizza options near the terminal?
Yes. Prova Pizzabar inside the terminal often features excellent gluten-free crust options, ensuring travelers with dietary restrictions can still enjoy a pre-flight or pre-train meal.
10. Do any spots sell thick Sicilian slices?
Previti Pizza is particularly famous for its focaccia-style square slices and thick Sicilian options, which offer a heavier, deeply satisfying alternative to the standard thin crust.
Ranking: 10 Best Pizzerias near Grand Central Terminal
Below, check out the ranking of the 10 best pizzerias near Grand Central, in a special curation by AZ New York.
1. Roberta’s (Urbanspace Vanderbilt)
An outpost of the legendary Brooklyn powerhouse, located just outside Grand Central. They serve immaculate, individual-sized wood-fired Neapolitan pies with beautifully blistered crusts and premium toppings.
Address: 230 Park Ave (Inside Urbanspace), New York, NY 10169
Phone: (646) 747-0820
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: robertaspizza.com
Must-Try Pies: The Bee Sting, Famous Original.
2. Prova Pizzabar
Conveniently located inside the Lower Level Dining Concourse of Grand Central. Created by chef Donatella Arpaia, it offers remarkably authentic, high-quality Neapolitan pizza for commuters on the go.
Address: 89 E 42nd St (Lower Level), New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 972-0385
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: provapizzabar.com
Must-Try Pies: Margherita, Salsiccia.
3. Previti Pizza
Situated just a block south of the terminal, this is a major favorite among local office workers. They are renowned for their incredible focaccia-style square slices and deeply flavorful crusts.
Address: 123 E 41st St, New York, NY 10168
Phone: (212) 557-4992
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: previtipizza.com
Must-Try Slices: Artichoke Focaccia Slice, Classic Pepperoni.
4. Uncle Paul’s Pizza
A quintessential, high-energy New York slice shop located on Vanderbilt Avenue. It is clean, incredibly fast, and serves a textbook NY slice with excellent structural integrity and great sauce.
Address: 70 Vanderbilt Ave, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 922-1200
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: unclepaulsnyc.com
Must-Try Slices: Regular Cheese Slice, Grandma Slice.
5. Patsy’s Pizzeria (Midtown East)
Located a couple of avenues east, this branch of the historic East Harlem coal-oven legend provides a wonderful sit-down experience. The crust is paper-thin, smoky, and absolutely delicious.
Address: 801 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 689-1300
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: patsyspizzeria.com
Must-Try Pies: Classic Cheese Pie, White Pie.
6. Little Italy Pizza (43rd St)
A staple mini-chain in Midtown, this specific location near 5th Avenue serves massive, classic New York slices. It is a perfect, reliable stop for tourists walking between Grand Central and Bryant Park.
Address: 11 E 43rd St, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 687-3660
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: Not available.
Must-Try Slices: Mushroom Slice, Plain Cheese.
7. Joe’s Pizza (Broadway)
While technically closer to Times Square, it is easily within walking distance for an office worker near Grand Central. It remains the gold standard for the fast, flawless, classic NYC street slice.
Address: 1435 Broadway, New York, NY 10018
Phone: (646) 559-4878
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: joespizzanyc.com
Must-Try Slices: The Classic Cheese Slice.
8. Vezzo Thin Crust Pizza
Located a short walk south in Murray Hill. Vezzo is beloved by locals for its ultra-thin, cracker-like crust and incredibly fresh, generous toppings served in a vibrant dining environment.
Address: 178 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 839-8300
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: vezzothincrust.com
Must-Try Pies: The Vezzo Pie, Shroom Town.
9. Pizza By Certe
Situated slightly north in Midtown East, this environmentally conscious, green-certified pizzeria offers highly artisanal, unique slices using locally sourced and organic ingredients.
Address: 132 E 56th St, New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 813-2020
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: certenyc.com
Must-Try Slices: Truffle Mushroom, Vegan Options.
10. Champion Pizza (Lexington Ave)
A solid, modern slice shop located near the 51st Street subway station. They are known for providing large, satisfying classic slices and creative square options for the bustling midtown crowd.
Address: 581 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 755-3333
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: championpizzanyc.com
Must-Try Slices: Margherita Square, Buffalo Chicken.
All research and the final selection of the pizzerias in this guide were carried out by the team at AZ New York.
Explore Our Guides to New York City
Special Location Guides
- Central Park
- NYC Airports (JFK, LGA, EWR)
- Times Square
- Grand Central Terminal
- Penn Station & MSG
- World Trade Center
- Rockefeller Center
- Hudson Yards
- Washington Square Park
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- The High Line
- Wall Street
- 5th Avenue
- Broadway
- Bleecker Street
- MacDougal Street
- St. Marks Place
- The Bowery
- Canal Street
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Legal Notice: The information presented in this guide is based on research conducted in February 2026 and may be subject to changes in hours, prices, and availability. AZ New York has no direct commercial relationship with the establishments mentioned, acting solely as an informative guide.
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