Along with hot dogs, bagels, and humungous deli sandwiches, pizza slices are iconic enough to symbolize New York City around the world. None of the five boroughs lack excellent pizza shops serving perfect cheese slices, crispy and easily foldable, along with other styles like deep-dish, airy Detroit style, and Neopolitan.
There are never-ending debates on where to find the best classic New York slice, so we’ve rounded up 10 excellent contenders where the focus is on the iconic slice, not ambiance or innovation necessarily. Just remember, avoid sounding like a tourist and order a “regular” or “plain” slice when you want a simple cheese.
Joe’s Pizza
For over 50 years, locals, regulars, and celebs can be found at Joe’s pizza counter, hungry for a regular slice or maybe pepperoni. The question is, how many, because one is never enough. Once just a lone shop in the Village, Joe’s legions of devotees have thankfully led to expansion around the city, into Brooklyn, and even out of state. Multiple locations, joespizzanyc.com
Scarr’s Pizza
Tucked on a busy block on the Lower East Side, and just a decade old, Scarr’s has so much more to offer than just a slice, but it’s a good reason to go there, if not the best. Owner Scarr Pimentel (a student of Lombardi’s pizza) uses freshly milled organic grains for the flour, so the pizza crust is light and crispy. Plus the adjacent bar serves cocktails, beer, wine, and other drinks, making the overall vibe cool, homey, and inviting. 35 Orchard St., Lower East Side, scarrspizza.com
Prince Street Pizza
Since opening in 2012, SoHo’s Prince Street Pizza has become the perfect place for old and new school pizza devotees, and the long lines prove it. But justifiably so: You can find a regular slice, and above average one at that, but there are other square-shaped Sicilian-style pies called Soho Squares and grandma-style pies as well that have made this shop a neighborhood favorite. 27 Prince St., SoHo, princestreetpizza.com
John’s of Bleecker Street
Accept the lines, or try your luck at off hours, because John’s pies (no slices here) are the best in the city and with a no-reservations policy, it’s absolutely worth the wait for lunch or dinner. Thanks to their magnificent coal oven, pies come out quickly and crispy and are the standout here, though there’s a long menu of other items like salads, calzones, and a yummy stuffed shells pasta dish. 278 Bleecker St., West Village, johnsofbleecker.com
L’industrie Pizzeria
After opening in 2017 and making a big mark in Brooklyn, L’industrie expanded to Manhattan, opening in the West Village. While the neighborhood came peppered with top-notch slice shops (like John’s and Joe’s above), the lines for L’industrie’s excellent slices were instantly long.
From an elevated take on a regular slice, the Margarita, to a fig jam and bacon slice, it’s clear they’re using high-quality ingredients. Come for the slice, but stay for Italian desserts and the sandwiches, which come on bread and rolls baked in house. 104 Christopher St., West Village; 254 S. 2nd St., Williamsburg, lindustriebk.com
Mama’s TOO
A stone’s throw from L’industrie and mere blocks from John’s of Bleecker and Joe’s Pizza, the new-ish location of Mama’s Too proves there’s room for all kinds of New York-style pizza in the West Village. The first shop opened nearly a decade ago on the Upper West Side, and over the years Mama’s gained popularity with super-inventive flavor combinations such as pear and gorgonzola, cacio e pepe, and an unmissable pie topped with vodka sauce and whipped ricotta. Still, the housemade pie, with aged mozzarella and fresh tangy tomato sauce is a must-order. 2750 Broadway, Upper West Side; and 325 Bleecker St., West Village, mamastoo.com
Lou & Ernie’s Pizza
For nearly 80 years, a pair of brothers have run esteemed local pizzeria Lou and Ernie’s. It was named for the original brothers who first served pizza to New Yorkers in Harlem, before moving up to the Pelham Bay section of The Bronx. Yes, there are calzones on the menu but you’re here for a slice, maybe a pie, but definitely the pizza. 1300 Crosby Ave., Bronx, louieanderniespizza.com
Fini Pizza
Not even five years old, Fini Pizza, the brainchild of Lilia’s co-owner Sean Feeney, has already become a certifiable hit, even with Best Pizza and L’industrie nearby. By taking New York-style pizza and giving it an elevated twist, using fresh ingredients and more modern ovens, Fini has carved out a new lane. The regular slice is a must-order, as is the tomato slice, and pepperoni Sicilian. Multiple locations, finipizza.com
Best Pizza
To call yourself the best from day one is bold, but Best Pizza has held the title of being indeed the best neighborhood slice shop for over 15 years now. After first opening on Havemeyer Street in Williamsburg, owner Frank Pinello (who trained at some of the best pizza places), expanded in the always-buzzing neighborhood, serving the same New York style regular slices, along with chicken parm sandwiches, Italian subs, salads, and meatball sides. 33 Havemeyer St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; and 800 Grand St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn, bestpizzawilliamsburg.com
New Park Pizza
Proof that A+ pizza can be found almost anywhere in New York City, New Park Pizza in the not-so-bustling Howard Beach is out of the way, though on the way to or from JFK airport. For seven decades, this homey, retro pizzeria, with slices, calzones, soda, and bench seating, has been delighting New Yorkers with their consistently crispy, salty brick-oven pizza pies. 156-71 Cross Bay Blvd., Howard Beach, Queens, newparkpizza.com
