This post is all about the best pizza slice in NYC.
New York City and pizza go hand in hand. It didn’t take me long after moving here to notice that there’s a pizza shop seemingly on every block. You’ll often see someone hurriedly walking down the street eating a slice of pizza. Or pigeons nibbling at a leftover crust. It’s in the New York DNA!
Choosing a favorite slice is highly subjective and something New Yorkers will debate until the end of time. But that won’t stop me from sharing my favorites!
Having lived here for several years and trying countless slices, I’m excited to share the best pizza slice in NYC with recommendations for Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Manhattan
Scarr’s Pizza
You might pass by this vintage-vibe pizza joint on the Lower East Side and not think much of it, but the team at Scarr’s Pizza has their craft down to a science. They mill their own flour before making their dough, there’s no cutting corners here!
They’re famous for their cheese slice, which is perfectly thin, chewy, and melty. They’re playing it cool, but Scarr’s Pizza is considered by many to be the best pizza slice in NYC.
Lucia
For so long, I struggled to find a good slice in SoHo, but that changed when Lucia opened on Canal Street. Their original location is in Brooklyn, which is worth the trip for the full menu but keep the Manhattan location in your pocket for when you need a break on a SoHo shopping day.
On the menu, you’ll find all the staples – cheese, Margherita, pepperoni, vodka, white – and some tasty combinations like Italian sausage and ricotta or fire-roasted poblano sauce topped with mushrooms.
Joe’s Pizza
Joe’s Pizza is a NYC classic.
It was opened in 1975 by Joe Pozzuoli from Naples, Italy, who opened his first shop in Greenwich Village. Now, there are locations across the city, but Joe still runs the business.
I love this for the New York experience with everyone shoulder to shoulder in the small shop enjoying a hot slice. Classic cheese is the way to go here, although there are lots of options if you’re in the mood for something different.
Mama’s Too
If you’re looking for a Grandma or Sicilian slice in Manhattan, head to Mama’s Too on the Upper West Side. Although Prince Street Pizza in SoHo is the frequently recommended spot, I prefer the pizza at Mama’s Too. The dough is light, the sauce is flavorful, and they have lots of great topping options besides the classic pepperoni square.
I give Mama’s Too bonus points for being within walking distance from Central Park. This is great for a park picnic.
Brooklyn
L’Industrie
L’Industrie was opened in Williamsburg in 2017 by a Florence native and has captured the hearts of New Yorkers since day one. It’s recently expanded to a West Village location as well.
The crust on the pizza is impossibly thin, and the toppings are fresh and flavorful, as many of the ingredients are imported from Italy! The burrata slice is a fan favorite, but you can’t go wrong with the fig jam & bacon slice, truffle slice, or New Yorker slice (mozzarella, ricotta, pepperoni, and sausage).
And for dessert, enjoy a cup of their soft-serve gelato made in-house with rotating seasonal flavors.
Pauli Gee’s
Don’t be fooled by the flimsy paper plates. Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop is arguably the best slice in Greenpoint.
You’ll find traditional New York-style pizza in classic options like cheese, pepperoni, and sausage. For some extra spice, try the fan-favorite Hellboy, which is pepperoni pizza with the addition of Mike’s hot honey.
I love that they have Vegan options as well for both squares and slices.
Ace’s Pizza
Ace’s Pizza in Williamsburg is the best Detroit-style slice in the city. If you visit the Williamsburg location, you can enjoy your pizza in the 1980s-style restaurant. Or, if you’re in Midtown, head to the tiny shop in Rockefeller Center. Either way, this pizza is one you shouldn’t miss.
Fini
Fini in Williamsburg was opened by members of the team behind the famous Italian spots Lilia and Misi and the pizza is just as good as you would expect!
The menu is simple, with a handful of options for NY slices and Sicilian slices. I love the white pizza that comes with a lemon wedge and is delightfully creamy and zingy. To finish off, I always get a cup of their house-made gelato.
Leo
I couldn’t make this list without including Leo in Williamsburg. Although they don’t serve pizza by the slice, you can grab a pizza to go or easily get a table inside.
Their pizza stands out because of the sourdough crust, which is paper thin but also airy at the same time. They get the classic Margherita spot on, but the San Giuseppe with tomatoes, sausage, onions, and olives or the Provolone Clam with clams, cream, garlic, and chili are out of this world.
That concludes this guide on where to find the best pizza slice in NYC.
I’m off to get a slice!