New York City is famous for many things—yellow cabs, the subway, and of course, Times Square. But beyond the iconic sights lies another treasure: some of the best pizza slices in the world. In this tasty adventure, we explore the top twenty highest-rated, most famous, and legendary pizza slices across NYC. From old-school classics to new-school innovations, each slice tells a story of tradition, flavor, and passion for pizza. If you're into cooking, easy recipes, or just love a good slice, this guide will have your taste buds tingling and your pizza cravings soaring.
The Classics That Define New York Pizza
Di Fara's: The Legendary Oily Slice
Di Fara's stands as one of New York's oldest and most renowned pizzerias. With the late owner stretching pizzas for fifty years, it's a true legend. The slice here is super oily—so much so that some might suggest towel it off, but that would be sacrilege. The crust is super thin with just the right amount of char, delivering a slight carbonized flavor. The tomato sauce is bright and fresh, likely uncooked before hitting the pie, which is the preferred way for many connoisseurs.
This slice earns an 8.9 out of 10, not flawless but iconic, embodying the essence of a New York classic.
Luigi's: Classic and Perfect
Luigi's offers a more traditional New York slice, featuring a bright fresh tomato sauce and a light, blistered crust hinting at cold fermentation. It lacks the heavy char but nails the classic profile that pizza lovers adore.
It's a solid 8.5, a perfect representation of what many call "just New York pizza."
F & F: The Oversized Charred Masterpiece
One of the personal favorites in Carroll Gardens, F & F serves a slightly oversized slice that feels extra big and loaded with flavor. The slice boasts a beautiful char and color, with thin, cupped pepperoni that hold sauce and herbs, drizzled with oregano and Parmesan.
This unique approach to pepperoni and sauce creates a subtle complexity that sets this slice apart, earning a near-perfect 9.9 score—one of the best slices in the city.
The Varied Flavors of Brooklyn and Queens
L & B Spumoni: A Disappointing Second Location
Known for its original location, the new Dumbo branch of L & B Spumoni struggles with "second locationitis." The slice is small, floppy, and evokes memories of high school or bowling alley pizza—a nostalgic but underwhelming experience. Rated 6.5, it stands as a reminder that not all spin-offs capture the original magic.
Chrissy's Pizza: Nostalgic and Unique
Located in Greenpoint, Chrissy's offers an undersized slice brushed with oil and dusted with what seems like dried garlic. Heavy on Parmesan and featuring pepperoni reminiscent of Hormel, this slice feels nostalgic rather than artisanal but holds its own with an 8.6 rating.
Paulie Gee's Slice Shop: Old World Charm
Another Greenpoint gem, Paulie Gee's Slice Shop combines a vintage aesthetic with a perfectly charred crust and thin, spicy cupped pepperoni. This competently executed classic slice is a must-try, scoring a strong 9.2.
Fini Pizza: Artisanal Williamsburg Flavor
Fini Pizza in Williamsburg serves a slice that looks almost too perfect—uniform and with huge, halved pepperoni. The crust is tender with a nice crisp and char, embodying the new school artisanal vibe of Williamsburg. Though a bit too delicate for some, it scores an 8.6, with room to impress those who enjoy finesse over chewiness.
Lindustrie: Smoky Pepperoni and Fresh Basil
Also in Williamsburg, Lindustrie offers a slice with a decent char and distinct smoky pepperoni flavor. The crust is thin and crispy but lacks a bit of personality. Still, with fresh basil and a balanced approach, it earns a 9.3, slightly edging out Paulie Gee's.
Iconic Spots and Unique Twists
Joe's and Williamsburg Pizza: The Prototypical Slices
Joe's and Williamsburg Pizza represent the classic New York slice experience. Joe's is the flavor many know by heart: foldable, just greasy enough, with a slightly rubbery cheese texture. It scores an 8.7, a solid base for comparison.
Williamsburg Pizza delivers a similar experience but with more modern touches like oregano on the slice. It matches Joe's at 8.7 but feels a bit fresher.
Scarr's: Milling Their Own Flour
Scarr's stands out by milling their own flour, resulting in a slice with a delightfully chewy crust and thin center. It's an elevated New York slice with a great char and texture, earning a 9.4 for those who appreciate craftsmanship.
Cuts & Slices: Experimental but Sweet
This spot is known for wild pizzas like oxtail stew and black truffle Alfredo. The pepperoni slice is toasted thoroughly and tender but leans too sweet with a cooked sauce that doesn't excite. It rates a 7.5 but shows promise in its specialty pies.
Cello's: Salt and Pepperoni Galore
On Saint Mark's, Cello's serves a big slice with a fruity raw sauce and an abundance of pepperoni, making it one of the saltiest and most pepperoni-loaded slices tried. It scores a 9.3, a fantastic option for pepperoni lovers.
Mama's Too!: Vodka Sauce Experiment
Mama's Too! offers a unique pepperoni slice with vodka sauce and a Sicilian square style. Though delicious, the busy flavors drown each other out, and the cheese is more texture than flavor, leading to an 8.0 score.
Hits and Misses on the Pizza Trail
Bleecker Street Pizza: Too Thick and Bready
Despite being an old-school favorite, Bleecker Street Pizza serves a slice that's thicker than expected, with a coarse grain crust and neutral pepperoni. It falls short with a 5.0, feeling more like bread than pizza.
New York Pizza Suprema: Sweet Sauce Letdown
Located near Penn Station, this spot smells of sweet, jarred sauce, which unfortunately reflects in the taste. Though the cheese and pepperoni are decent, the overly sweet sauce earns it an 8.2.
Roberta's Slice Shop: Pepperoni Grease Overload
Roberta's, known for its Neapolitan pies, tries slices with fresh mozzarella chunks but ends up with a slice heavy on pepperoni grease and lacking dough character. Still, basil adds a point to its score of 8.8.
Louie & Ernie's: Greasy but Flavorful
This Bronx favorite delivers a greasy slice with cooked sauce and loaded pepperoni. The crust is basic, but the slice is solid food-wise, earning a 7.9.
Amore Pizza: Political Vibes and Post-Production Pepperoni
In North Queens, Amore Pizza adds pepperoni after baking the cheese slice, a technique that feels less authentic. The crust is light and airy with superb bubble structure, but the overall slice is a solid 8.0 New York classic.
Rosario's: Greasy with Fresh Mozzarella Challenges
Astoria's Rosario's combines fresh mozzarella and thick-cut pepperoni on a cold-fermented crust. The cheese solidifies quickly, making bites tough, and the pepperoni flavor dominates with grease, leading to a 7.9 rating.
Filomena's: Charred, Balanced, and Exemplary
In Sunnyside, Filomena's slice features thick, cupped pepperoni, raw tomato sauce, and high-quality low-moisture mozzarella. Garlic adds a wonderful depth, and the slice is balanced and salty with an outrageous char. It's pizza-licious and scores a 9.7, rivaling the best.
Queens and Brooklyn Gems with Bold Flavors
Manos: Five-Day Fermented Dough
Manos in Ridgewood surprises with a crust fermented for five days, offering the most flavorful crust of the journey. The pepperoni is thin and cupped, though its flavor is less favored. The cooked tomato sauce adds sweetness, balancing the slice to an 8.6 score.
La Flor: Pizza with Attitude
This newer spot in Crown Heights brings attitude with charred, spicy pepperoni and a raw, salty sauce. The mozzarella tastes like heavy cream, and the crust offers a crackery yet strong flavor. It's the most aggressively flavorful slice on the list, scoring a 9.4 for those seeking a bold pizza punch.
From oily legends to bold new-school creations, New York City's pizza scene offers something for every palate. Whether you're a fan of classic thin crust or artisanal toppings, this journey through 20 iconic slices reveals the subtleties and passion behind the city's culinary pride. For those who love cooking, easy recipes, or simply devouring the perfect slice, New York pizza remains a timeless delight worth exploring slice by slice.
This article was created from the video Ranking The BEST Pizza in New York with the help of AI.
Ranking the Best Pizza in New York: A Mouthwatering Journey Through the City's Top Slices. There are any Ranking the Best Pizza in New York: A Mouthwatering Journey Through the City's Top Slices in here.
