25 Best Pizzeria Chains in New York City
The 25 Best Pizzeria Chains in New York City
A guide to the city’s most iconic and beloved pizza institutions, from legendary slice shops to historic coal-oven pizzerias.
In New York City, pizza isn’t just food; it’s a cultural institution and a way of life. The city is a mosaic of pizzerias, each with its own history, style, and fiercely loyal following. A “pizzeria chain” in NYC doesn’t just mean a fast-food franchise; it refers to the legendary slice shops that have expanded from their original location, the historic pizzerias that have become household names, and the new-school spots that have quickly grown into local empires. The vibe is a delicious mix of reverence for tradition and a constant drive for innovation.
From the classic, foldable New York slice designed for eating on the go to the charred, coal-fired pies meant to be shared at a table, the city’s pizza chains tell the story of its neighborhoods and its people. It’s a world of century-old rivalries, secret recipes, and the never-ending debate over the city’s single best slice. To eat at these pizzerias is to take a bite out of New York history itself.
This guide, a special curation by AZ New York, is your essential map to navigating the most famous and delicious pizzeria chains across the five boroughs.
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4 Tips for Conquering NYC’s Pizzeria Scene
- Cash is King: Many of the most historic, old-school pizzerias are cash-only. Always have some cash on hand to avoid disappointment.
- Know Your Slice Etiquette: The proper way to eat a classic New York slice is to fold it in half lengthwise. This “fold-hold” makes the large, thin slice manageable and prevents the toppings from sliding off.
- Don’t Be Afraid of the Line: A long line is almost always a good sign. Don’t be deterred; the line usually moves quickly, especially at slice shops, and the reward is a fresh, hot slice.
- Try Different Styles: New York isn’t just one type of pizza. Make sure to try a classic slice, a coal-oven pie (no slices, whole pies only), a square Sicilian slice, and a modern artisanal pie to get the full experience.
Keep an Eye On: The Coal-Fired Ovens.
Some of New York’s oldest and most revered pizzerias—like Lombardi’s, Grimaldi’s, and Patsy’s—use coal-fired brick ovens. These ovens, grandfathered in before modern regulations, burn at incredibly high temperatures, creating a uniquely crisp, slightly charred crust that can’t be replicated. Because they are no longer permitted to be built, these pizzerias are living history, preserving a taste of the city’s culinary past.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a “New York slice”?
A classic New York slice is large and wide with a thin crust that is crisp on the bottom yet pliable enough to be folded. It’s typically topped with a light layer of tomato sauce and low-moisture mozzarella cheese and is often sold by the slice at neighborhood pizzerias.
What is the difference between a New York slice and a Sicilian slice?
A Sicilian slice is thick, rectangular (or “square”), and has a spongy, focaccia-like crust. It’s typically cooked in a pan with more olive oil, resulting in a crispier bottom. A New York slice is a triangular piece from a round, thin-crust pizza.
Where was the first pizzeria in America?
The first pizzeria in the United States was Lombardi’s, which opened in Manhattan’s Nolita neighborhood in 1905. It is still in operation today (though not in its original location) and is considered the birthplace of New York-style pizza.
Ranking: The 25 Best Pizzeria Chains in New York City
Below, check out the ranking of the city’s most iconic pizza institutions, in a special curation by AZ New York.
1. Joe’s Pizza
The quintessential New York slice. Founded in 1975, Joe’s is a Greenwich Village institution that has expanded across the city. It’s the go-to for a no-frills, perfectly executed, foldable slice with a crisp crust, tangy sauce, and high-quality cheese.
Key Location: 7 Carmine St, New York, NY 10014
Phone: (212) 366-1182
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: joespizzanyc.com
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village (and others)
Highlight: The gold standard for a classic, by-the-slice New York pizza experience.
2. Lombardi’s Pizza
America’s first pizzeria. Established in 1905, Lombardi’s is a historic landmark. Their classic Margherita, cooked in a coal-fired oven, is a taste of history, with a smoky, crisp crust and fresh, simple toppings. They only serve whole pies, no slices.
Address: 32 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 941-7994
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: firstpizza.com
Neighborhood: Nolita
Highlight: The historic, coal-oven birthplace of American pizza.
3. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
Located under the Brooklyn Bridge, Grimaldi’s is famous for its classic coal-fired brick oven pies and its legendary rivalry with Juliana’s next door. With its checkered tablecloths and stunning views, it’s an iconic destination for a perfectly charred, thin-crust pizza.
Address: 1 Front St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (718) 858-4300
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: grimaldispizzeria.com
Neighborhood: DUMBO
Highlight: World-famous coal-oven pizza with iconic Brooklyn Bridge views.
4. Patsy’s Pizzeria
An East Harlem legend since 1933, Patsy’s is one of the city’s original coal-oven pizzerias. It’s known for having one of the most delicate, thin-crust pizzas in the city, with a perfect sauce-to-cheese ratio. A true old-school experience.
Address: 2287 1st Ave, New York, NY 10035
Phone: (212) 534-9783
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: thepatsyspizza.com
Neighborhood: East Harlem (and others)
Highlight: A historic coal-oven pioneer with a famously delicate thin crust.
5. Roberta’s
The pizzeria that put Bushwick on the global food map. Roberta’s wood-fired, Neapolitan-inspired pizzas are famously inventive and delicious, served in a uniquely hip, industrial-chic setting. The Bee Sting pizza, with soppressata and honey, is a modern classic.
Address: 261 Moore St, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Phone: (718) 417-1118
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: robertaspizza.com
Neighborhood: Bushwick (and others)
Highlight: Trendsetting, wood-fired pizzas in a famously hip setting.
6. Prince Street Pizza
Home of the iconic “SoHo Square.” Prince Street is famous for its Spicy Spring slice, a thick, crispy Sicilian square topped with fra diavolo sauce, fresh mozzarella, and cup-and-char pepperoni that curl into greasy, delicious cups.
Address: 27 Prince St, New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 966-4100
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: princestreetpizza.com
Neighborhood: Nolita (and others)
Highlight: The world-famous “Spicy Spring” pepperoni square slice.
7. L&B Spumoni Gardens
A Bensonhurst, Brooklyn landmark since 1939. L&B is legendary for its unique Sicilian slice, where the order is inverted: a layer of cheese goes directly on the dough, followed by a generous layer of tangy tomato sauce on top. It’s a must-try NYC pizza experience.
Address: 2725 86th St, Brooklyn, NY 11223
Phone: (718) 449-1230
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: spumonigardens.com
Neighborhood: Bensonhurst
Highlight: The legendary “upside-down” Sicilian square slice.
8. Di Fara Pizza
For decades, Di Fara in Midwood, Brooklyn, was a pilgrimage site where legendary pizzaiolo Dom DeMarco personally crafted every pie. Known for its use of high-quality imported ingredients and fresh basil snipped over each pizza, it’s considered by many to be the best pizza in New York.
Address: 1424 Avenue J, Brooklyn, NY 11230
Phone: (718) 258-1367
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: difarapizzany.com
Neighborhood: Midwood
Highlight: Legendary, handcrafted pizza from one of the city’s most revered pizzaiolos.
9. John’s of Bleecker Street
Another of the city’s original coal-oven pizzerias, serving “No Slices” since 1929. John’s is famous for its wonderfully blistered, crispy crust and its old-school, graffiti-carved wooden booth atmosphere. A true Greenwich Village institution.
Address: 278 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
Phone: (212) 243-1680
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: johnsofbleecker.com
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village
Highlight: Historic, no-slices coal-oven pizza in a classic Village setting.
10. Artichoke Basille’s Pizza
Famous for its incredibly rich and decadent Artichoke Slice. This creamy, cheesy, artichoke-and-spinach-dip-on-a-crust is a beloved late-night indulgence. Their massive, thick-crust slices have made them a popular chain across the city.
Address: 321 E 14th St, New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 228-2004
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: artichokepizza.com
Neighborhood: East Village (and others)
Highlight: The famously decadent and creamy Artichoke Slice.
11. Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop
A modern tribute to the classic 1970s slice shops of Brooklyn. Paulie Gee’s offers a fantastic variety of both classic and inventive slices, including the “Hellboy” with its spicy honey drizzle. The retro vibe and high-quality ingredients make it a Greenpoint favorite.
Address: 110 Franklin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Phone: (718) 389-7437
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: pauliegee.com
Neighborhood: Greenpoint (and others)
Highlight: A perfect retro slice shop with creative toppings like spicy honey.
12. Rubirosa
A family-run Nolita hotspot famous for its incredibly thin and crispy, vodka-sauced “Tie-Dye” pizza. The recipe comes from the owner’s family, who founded the legendary Joe & Pat’s on Staten Island. It’s a full-service restaurant, but the pizza is the star.
Address: 235 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 965-0500
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: rubirosanyc.com
Neighborhood: Nolita
Highlight: The famously thin-crust Tie-Dye pizza with vodka sauce.
13. Emmy Squared
The pizzeria that brought Detroit-style pizza to the forefront in NYC. Emmy Squared is known for its square pies with a crispy, cheesy “frico” crust, fluffy dough, and inventive toppings. The Colony pizza, with pepperoni, jalapeños, and honey, is a fan favorite.
Address: 364 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: (718) 360-4535
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: emmysquaredpizza.com
Neighborhood: Williamsburg (and others)
Highlight: The definitive spot for crispy, cheesy Detroit-style pizza in NYC.
14. Lucali
A tiny, cash-only, BYOB pizzeria in Carroll Gardens that is one of the toughest reservations in the city. Owner Mark Iacono makes every famously thin and perfect pizza by hand. It’s a simple menu of just pies and calzones, and it’s considered by many to be pizza perfection.
Address: 575 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: (718) 858-4086
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: Not available.
Neighborhood: Carroll Gardens
Highlight: A famously exclusive spot for what some call the best pizza in the world.
15. NY Pizza Suprema
Located right by Penn Station since 1964, this family-run spot is a beacon of quality in a tourist-heavy area. It’s renowned for its classic, old-school slice, with a crisp crust and high-quality cheese, and is considered one of the best slice shops in Manhattan.
Address: 413 8th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 594-8939
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: nypizzasuprema.com
Neighborhood: Midtown West
Highlight: An iconic, top-tier slice shop conveniently located near Penn Station.
16. Scarr’s Pizza
A trendy Lower East Side spot with a retro vibe that takes its ingredients seriously. Scarr’s stands out for milling its own flour in-house, resulting in a uniquely flavorful and wholesome crust. It’s a perfect blend of old-school slice shop cool and new-school culinary dedication.
Address: 22 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
Phone: (212) 334-3481
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: scarrspizza.com
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Highlight: Delicious slices made with freshly-milled, high-quality flour.
17. L’Industrie Pizzeria
This Williamsburg slice shop has quickly become one of the most acclaimed pizzerias in the city. They serve large, thin slices with a perfectly crispy crust and high-quality toppings, including a famously delicious burrata slice. The line is always long, and always worth it.
Address: 254 S 2nd St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: (718) 599-0002
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: lindustriebk.com
Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Highlight: A new-school legend known for its crispy crust and fresh burrata.
18. Juliana’s Pizza
Opened by Patsy Grimaldi himself after he sold his original pizzeria, Juliana’s continues the tradition of classic coal-oven pizza in DUMBO. It’s a direct rival to Grimaldi’s next door, serving spectacularly thin and crisp pies that many consider to be the superior of the two.
Address: 19 Old Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (718) 596-6700
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: julianaspizza.com
Neighborhood: DUMBO
Highlight: The return of a pizza legend, serving masterful coal-oven pies.
19. Mama’s TOO!
An Upper West Side sensation known for its incredible square slices. The dough is light and airy, the bottom is shatteringly crisp, and the toppings are top-notch. Their pepperoni squares, piled high with curled-up cups, are a must-try.
Address: 2750 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
Phone: (212) 510-7256
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: mamastoo.com
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Highlight: Outrageously crispy and airy square slices with premium toppings.
20. Joe & Pat’s
A Staten Island icon since 1960, now with a location in the East Village. They are famous for their unique, cracker-thin crust pizza that is incredibly crispy. The vodka pie and the Tri-Pie (vodka, pesto, and marinara) are legendary.
Address: 168 1st Ave, New York, NY 10009
Phone: (646) 850-8999
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: joeandpats.com
Neighborhood: East Village (and Staten Island)
Highlight: Legendary Staten Island pizza with an unbelievably crispy, cracker-thin crust.
21. Bleecker Street Pizza
A Greenwich Village staple that consistently wins “best pizza” awards. It’s a small, no-frills shop known for its “Nonna Maria” slice, a thin, crisp pie with fresh mozzarella, marinara sauce made from a family recipe, and fresh basil.
Address: 69 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014
Phone: (212) 924-4466
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: bleeckerstreetpizza.com
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village
Highlight: The award-winning “Nonna Maria” slice with a family-recipe sauce.
22. Williamsburg Pizza
Starting in Williamsburg and expanding to Manhattan, this spot is known for its high-quality ingredients and well-balanced pies. They offer both classic round pies and crispy grandma-style squares, with the garlicky Grandma slice being a particular standout.
Address: 265 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: (718) 855-8729
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: williamsburgpizza.com
Neighborhood: Williamsburg (and others)
Highlight: High-quality slices, with a particularly excellent Grandma-style pie.
23. Motorino
One of the city’s most beloved Neapolitan-style pizzerias. Motorino’s wood-fired pies have a perfectly chewy, blistered crust and feature high-quality toppings. The brussels sprout and pancetta pizza is an iconic, must-try dish.
Address: 349 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 777-2644
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: motorinopizza.com
Neighborhood: East Village (and others)
Highlight: Top-tier Neapolitan pizza, famous for its brussels sprout pie.
24. Sbarro
While now a global mall food court staple, Sbarro was founded in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, in 1956. Its flagship location near Times Square serves the classic, familiar New York-style slice that has introduced this style of pizza to the world. It’s a piece of NYC history that went global.
Address: 1606 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 767-9410
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: sbarro.com
Neighborhood: Times Square (and others)
Highlight: The Brooklyn original that brought the New York slice to the world.
25. 2 Bros. Pizza
The undisputed king of the dollar slice. With numerous locations across the city, 2 Bros. is a New York institution for a super cheap, no-frills, and surprisingly satisfying slice. It’s a lifesaver for students, late-night revelers, and anyone on a tight budget.
Address: 32 St. Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 777-0600
WhatsApp: Not available.
Site: 2brospizza.com
Neighborhood: East Village (and others)
Highlight: The most famous and reliable spot for a classic NYC dollar slice.
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
Pizzeria Guides
- Chinatown
- East Village
- Financial District
- Greenwich Village
- Lower East Side
- NoLita
- SoHo
- TriBeCa
- West Village
- Williamsburg
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