On that cold, winter night when it’s sleeting, icy sludge puddles are on every corner, your umbrella breaks and you can't get an Uber, remember this, and this alone:
It’s all worth it for the pizza.
Yep, NYC has the best pies in the entire universe--but not all slices are created equal. So we’ve narrowed it down to the 30 pizzas in the city you absolutely must try. See you at Paulie Gee’s.
OK, clams on pizza aren’t for everyone, but if you’re going to order it, it has to be at Franny's. End of discussion.
348 Flatbush Ave. (at Sterling Pl.), Brooklyn; 718-230-0221 or frannysbrooklyn.com
Jim Lahey of Sullivan St. Bakery fame has brought new wave pizza to NYC with great success. And you know how we feel about cauliflower.
230 Ninth Ave. (at 24th St.); 212-243-1105 or co-pane.com
This thick and creamy slice is divisive among New Yorkers: Some think the hearty artichoke filling is too rich. Others think it's the best thing that's ever happened to pizza. So you'll have to try it for yourself and find out.
Locations in the East Village, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, Astoria and Park Slope; 212-228-2004 or artichokepizza.com
Walk past the Italian bread and cookies at this mom-and-pop shop and you’ll find a pizza counter hidden in the back. Go for the corner slice.
2240 31st St. (at Ditmars Blvd.), Queens; 718-721-9422
Named after the owner’s grandma, this Tuscan-style pie features a thin crust with fresh mozzarella, homemade marinara sauce, Parmesan and fresh basil. Simple. Crunchy. Delicious.
69 Seventh Ave. S. (at Commerce St.); 212-924-4466 or bleeckerstreetpizza.com
Yes, we will partake of this square pie with basil pesto, ricotta, roasted peppers, black olives, marinated mushrooms and mozzarella, thank you.
Locations on the Lower East Side, Upper West Side and Astoria; 646-454-1262 or rizzosfinepizza.com
Before opening his celebrated shop in Carroll Gardens, owner Mark Iacono didn’t even know how to make an English muffin pizza. Look at him now.
575 Henry St. (at Jackson St.), Brooklyn; 718-858-4086 or lucali.com
An oldie but goodie. Just don’t try to order a slice--it's pies and pies only.
278 Bleecker St. (at Jones St.); 212-243-1680 or johnsbrickovenpizza.com
A crispy square slathered with fra diavolo sauce, grated cheese and pepperoni just curling up ever so slightly in the oven? Sold.
27 Prince St. (at Mott St.); 212-966-4100
If pizzerias were TV shows, Grimaldi’s would definitely be Real Housewives--this legendary haunt has been steeped in drama since it first opened in 1990. It’s a huge tourist draw, so be prepared to wait in line.
Locations in Flatiron and Brooklyn; 646-484-5665 or grimaldis-pizza.com
Yes, we are asking you to trek out to Staten Island for this pizza. Yes, it’s worth it.
1758 Victory Blvd. (at Manor Rd.), Staten Island; 718-981-0887
Get a little fancy at this artisanal brick oven pizzeria with gourmet toppings, like spicy soppressata and Brussels sprouts.
Locations in the East Village and Williamsburg; 212-777-2644 or motorinopizza.com
Here we go again with the drama. Technically, Juliana’s is the real Grimaldi’s. Long story. But it’s a damn good pizza, any way you slice it.
19 Old Fulton St. (at Front St.); 718-596-6700 or julianaspizza.com
Pizza purists, hear us out. The combination of toppings is heavenly (Pawlet, local peach, smoked ham and cured onion), and the pizzaiolaos grind their own flour in the basement. This newbie is definitely a contender.
204 E. 13th St. (at Third Ave.); 212-598-3080 or brunopizzanyc.com
Aww, lovebirds Emily and Matt Hyland have poured their hearts into their Clinton Hill shop, and it shows in this ooey, gooey masterpiece with mozzarella, pepperoni, pickled chili and honey.
919 Fulton St. (at Waverly Ave.); 347-844-9588 or pizzalovesemily.com
Now in its fourth generation, this old-school joint is keeping it simple, and it’s obviously working.
2725 86th St. (at W. Tenth St.); 718-449-1230 or spumonigardens.com
This combo of thin crust, not-too-sweet vodka sauce and disks of fresh mozzarella haunts our dreams.
235 Mulberry St. (at Spring St.); 212-965-0500 or rubirosanyc.com
Originally opened in 1905, the OG is still going strong after a ten-year hiatus and a move down the block in 1994. Just push past the tourists and get in there--you’re a New Yorker, dammit.
32 Spring St. (at Mott St.); 212-941-7994 or firstpizza.com
Sure, Paulie Gee’s has a ton of tasty non-vegan options, but this masterpiece with house-made vegan sausage and cashew ricotta dollops is so tasty, it takes the cake--or should we say pie?
60 Greenpoint Ave. (at West St.), Brooklyn; 347-987-3747 or pauliegee.com
Pizza topped with bacon, egg, cheese and potatoes? We’re just gonna call this breakfast.
29 E. 29th St. (at Madison Ave.); 212-651-3800 or martamanhattan.com
It sounds weird, but trust us--the tangy combo of smoked mozzarella, basil and lemon is what dreams are made of.
271 Bleecker St. (at Jones St.); 212-243-1500 or kestepizzeria.com
Nothing fancy here. It’s just an old-school, no-frills New York slice, and sometimes that’s exactly what we’re craving. (OK, most of the time.)
Locations in the West Village and East Village; 212-366-1182 or joespizzany.com
How do you know a crust is amazing? When they take away the cheese and you don’t even miss it.
309 W. 50th St. (at Ninth Ave.); 646-719-1043 or donantoniopizza.com
This decadent combo of ricotta, provel, pecorino, béchamel and roasted garlic is not for the faint of heart.
376 Classon Ave. (at Greene Ave.); 718-230-0061 or speedyromeo.com
To try a bite, you’ll have to dart through a busy intersection and run under the BQE. They really make you earn it--but talk about sweet rewards.
338 Hamilton Ave. (at Mill St.), Brooklyn; 718-734-6686 or pizzamoto.com
Hey, it’s right there in the name, so it must be true.
33 Havemeyer St. (at N. Seventh St.), Brooklyn; 718-599-2210 or best.piz.za.com
The historic coal-oven pizzeria has opened spin-offs all over the city, and we’re still head-over-heels for its thin, crispy crust.
Locations in Midtown, Greenwich Village, Harlem, Chelsea and Park Slope; 212-247-3491 or thepatsyspizza.com
There’s definitely nothing regular about Domenico DeMarco’s handiwork--the owner has been making each pie to order by himself since 1964.
1424 Ave. J (at 14th St.), Brooklyn; 718-258-1367
Forget the Cyclone--this hearty, crunchy pie is the real reason to trek out to Coney Island.
1524 Neptune Ave. (at W. 16th St.), Brooklyn; 718-372-8606 or totonnosconeyisland.com
This epic pie with tomato, mozzarella, soppressata, chili and honey is salty, sweet and spicy in every bite…and it has officially slayed us. You win, Roberta’s, you win.
261 Moore St. (at Bogart St.), Brooklyn; 718-417-1118 or robertaspizza.com
