Oh. My. God.
Okay, let me just start this by saying: I know pizza. And not just from ordering it at 3am after dancing my heart out at The Tunnel in the '90s (yes, I did that and yes, I wore something sparkly). I mean I know pizza. Why? Because I have dated not one, not two, but THREE—count them—three pizza guys.
I’m talking authentic, hand-tossed, sauce-on-the-apron, "let me show you where I source my mozzarella" pizza guys.
And yes, I’m still friends with two of them.
So when people ask me, “Rachel, where is the best pizza in New York City?” I take a dramatic sip of my oat milk latte, lean in, and say…
"Pull up your bobby socks, this is gonna be a ride."
Let’s get into it.
What I Look For in a Slice (Besides a Guy Who Will Text Back)
To me, the perfect slice is about balance. Like designer handbags, it’s not just the label—it’s the shape, the stitching, the vibe. Pizza has to have:
- A crust that’s crisp but not cracker-y
- Sauce that tastes like someone’s nonna whisper-simmered it for 12 hours
- Cheese that stretches just the right amount without doing that aggressive snap-back thing (you know what I mean)
- And if it's a white pie? It better have personality.
Also, and this is important: no weird meats. I dated a guy from Brooklyn who put brussels sprouts and duck confit on a pizza. He also wore toe shoes. So… correlation doesn’t equal causation, but like, maybe it does.
Now that we’ve set the bar—here’s where the bar exceeds.
1. Joe’s Pizza – Greenwich Village
Ohhh Joe’s. You’ve seen it in movies. Tourists flock to it like pigeons to a hotdog bun, but you know what? It. Is. Worth. It.
Think: crispy, cheesy, floppy in all the right ways. The kind of slice you fold, inhale, and immediately regret not ordering two.
🍕 Go-to order: Classic cheese
👠 Vibe: Grab a slice, strut down Bleecker like Carrie Bradshaw on a pizza cleanse
💋 Pro tip: Eat it right there on the sidewalk while pretending you're in a breakup montage
2. Lucali – Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
Okay, okay, this one’s a scene. You can’t make a reservation. You have to wait. And while you’re waiting, you’ll probably end up bonding with a woman named Coreen about her oat allergy and Mark (yes, MARK from pizza guy #2 fame) might bring you a glass of wine "on the house."
Lucali makes the kind of pizza that makes you question all your life choices. “Have I loved enough? Am I using my 401(k) correctly? Why haven’t I started a gratitude journal?”
Because this crust deserves your gratitude.
🍕 Go-to order: Basil-and-garlic pie with the homemade hot honey
👠 Vibe: Candlelit pizza date where you extremely overshare but it’s romantically charming
💋 Pro tip: Go early. Bring cash. Wear something linen. I don't know why, it just feels right.
3. Prince Street Pizza – Nolita
This is where I go when I’m feeling a little spicy. And by spicy, I mean I just spent $180 on candles and have no regrets. The pepperoni slice here is that girl. The kind with the tiny, cupped pepperonis that curl up and look like they’re trying to fight you.
This slice is thick, punchy, and has an energy of: "Yes, I am sauce-forward, and no, I won't apologize for it."
🍕 Go-to order: Spicy Spring
👠 Vibe: You just left a sample sale and need to celebrate
💋 Pro tip: Be ready to stand in line. Think of it as pizza foreplay.
4. Scarr’s Pizza – Lower East Side
Now listen. Scarr’s is the kind of pizza place that’s full of people who say things like “I collect rare sneakers” and “I DJ weddings ironically.” But the pizza? Absolutely. Slaps.
The dough is made from flour that’s milled in-house. IN-HOUSE. Like, there are actual stones in the basement doing flour things! It’s the rough-luxe vibe of pizza.
🍕 Go-to order: Sicily slice with extra parmesan
👠 Vibe: Underground cool girl who maybe studied anthropology for a semester
💋 Pro tip: Sit at the bar and make small talk. Trust me.
Honorable Mention: John's of Bleecker Street
Because sometimes you just want a booth, a root beer, and a pizza that speaks fluent Italian. John’s is classic, old-school, and doesn't try to dress itself up in arugula or anything.
And it was where pizza guy #1 told me he “wasn’t emotionally available but loved my bangs.” So… mixed memories. Good pie though.
So, Is There a Best Pizza?
Honestly? No. That’s like asking if Gucci or Chanel is better. It depends: Are you going to brunch or breaking up with someone?
What I’ve learned from this city—and from three wildly different pizza-focused relationships—is that pizza isn’t just food here. It’s a backdrop for nights with friends, dramatic phone calls, rushed lunches between job interviews, and romantic strolls when you almost say “I love you” but settle for “want another slice?”
Pizza in New York is a lifestyle. And if you’re living it fully, you’ll find your own favorite slice. Maybe it’s what you comfort-eat after a bad day, or what you share on a park bench in spring, wearing a jacket that was definitely too expensive but absolutely worth it.
And if all else fails?
There’s always Joe’s.
xo,
Rachel
P.S. If you disagree with my list, I totally respect your wrong opinion.
