10 Brooklyn Pizza Spots Locals Prefer Over Manhattan Options

Brooklyn has become a pizza lover’s paradise, with many locals saying the borough’s slices beat anything Manhattan has to offer. From old-school institutions to modern artisanal shops, Brooklyn pizzerias deliver authentic flavors, creative toppings, and the perfect crust in neighborhood settings. These ten spots represent the best of Brooklyn’s pizza scene that even Manhattan residents will cross bridges for.

1. Lucali: Rustic Simplicity at Its Finest

Hidden on a quiet Carroll Gardens street, Lucali has achieved legendary status without flashy signs or advertising. Owner Mark Iacono hand-builds each pie in plain view, stretching dough with an empty wine bottle and baking it in a wood-fired oven. The no-reservations policy means long waits, but regulars insist it’s worth it. Bring your own wine and settle in for pizza perfection – paper-thin crust with charred bubbles, fresh basil, and premium toppings. Fun fact: Jay-Z and Beyoncé have been known to skip fancy Manhattan restaurants to dine here.

2. L&B Spumoni Gardens: Square Slice Heaven

Since 1939, this Gravesend landmark has flipped pizza tradition upside down. Their famous Sicilian squares feature cheese underneath the sauce, creating a unique texture that’s crispy on bottom yet pillowy inside. Generations of Brooklynites have made the pilgrimage for these distinctive squares and the restaurant’s namesake spumoni ice cream. The outdoor seating area transforms into a community gathering space during summer evenings. Pro tip: While the lines can be long, they move quickly. Order extra squares to take home – they reheat beautifully the next day.

3. Di Fara Pizza: A Midwood Masterpiece

Walking into Di Fara feels like stepping back in time. For decades, pizza legend Dom DeMarco crafted each pie himself, meticulously cutting fresh basil over bubbling cheese with scissors. Though Dom passed away in 2022, his family maintains his exacting standards. The wait can stretch to hours during peak times, but pizza pilgrims consider it a necessary ritual. The classic round pie features a perfect balance of tangy sauce, imported Italian cheese, and that signature olive oil drizzle. Watching the pizza-making process here is as much a part of the experience as the eating.

4. Best Pizza: Wood-Fired Williamsburg Wonder

Don’t let the straightforward name fool you – Best Pizza delivers on its bold promise. Housed in a former bakery complete with a century-old wood-burning oven, this Williamsburg joint serves slices that balance artisanal quality with neighborhood slice shop accessibility. Chef Frank Pinello, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, creates pies with perfectly blistered crusts and inventive toppings. The white pie with ricotta, caramelized onions and sesame seeds has developed a cult following. The walls decorated with paper plates featuring customer artwork add to the laid-back, creative Brooklyn vibe.

5. L’Industrie Pizzeria: Williamsburg’s Italian Gem

What began as a tiny storefront has blossomed into a Williamsburg pizza destination. Owner Massimo Laveglia brings authentic Italian techniques to create a distinctly Brooklyn experience. The crust achieves the impossible – simultaneously thin, light, chewy and crisp. Their burrata slice has become Instagram-famous, featuring a creamy ball of cheese placed atop the pizza after baking, then drizzled with olive oil and fresh basil. Despite expansion, L’Industrie maintains quality through obsessive attention to detail, including dough fermented for 48+ hours and carefully sourced ingredients that honor both Italian tradition and Brooklyn innovation.

6. Paulie Gee’s: Creative Pies in Greenpoint

Former IT professional Paulie Giannone pursued his pizza passion later in life, opening this Greenpoint hotspot that perfectly balances tradition with innovation. The cavernous, wood-accented space houses a Naples-imported oven that turns out pizzas in just 90 seconds. Clever names match creative flavor combinations – try the “Hellboy” with spicy honey or the vegan “In Ricotta Da Vegan” that satisfies even dedicated cheese-lovers. The restaurant doesn’t offer takeout from this location, believing pizza should be enjoyed immediately. For grab-and-go needs, visit their slice shop spinoff, Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop, just blocks away.

7. Juliana’s Pizza: Coal-Fired Classic Under the Bridge

The pizza drama under the Brooklyn Bridge adds flavor to every bite at Juliana’s. When pizza legend Patsy Grimaldi sold his eponymous pizzeria, he eventually returned to open Juliana’s right next door to his original location, creating a friendly rivalry that continues today. Many locals whisper that Juliana’s serves the superior pie. The coal-fired oven produces thin crusts with the perfect amount of char, topped with balanced sauce and fresh mozzarella. Located in the picturesque DUMBO neighborhood, Juliana’s offers not just exceptional pizza but also stunning views of Manhattan – a reminder of which borough truly rules New York’s pizza scene.

8. Roberta’s: Bushwick’s Hipster Pizza Paradise

What started in 2008 as a pizza joint in an industrial area has evolved into a Bushwick institution that helped transform the neighborhood. The unassuming cinderblock exterior gives way to a vibrant space with communal tables, thumping music, and that heavenly wood-fired oven scent. The Bee Sting – topped with sopressata, chili, and honey – exemplifies Roberta’s perfect balance of tradition and innovation. Their sourdough crust develops complex flavors during long fermentation. Beyond pizza, Roberta’s boasts a serious culinary program, urban garden, and radio station, making it a cultural hub as much as a restaurant.

9. Little Pizza Parlor: Downtown Brooklyn’s Hidden Gem

Tucked between flashier establishments, this unassuming slice joint proves that sometimes the best pizza hides in plain sight. Downtown Brooklyn workers form lines out the door during lunch rush, drawn by the intoxicating aroma of perfectly crisped pepperoni. The slices emerge from the oven with the ideal New York fold-ability – thin enough to bend without flopping, sturdy enough to support generous toppings. Their sauce strikes that elusive balance between sweet and tangy. Unlike trendier spots, Little Pizza Parlor focuses on consistency rather than reinvention, delivering reliable excellence that has built a fiercely loyal neighborhood following despite minimal social media presence.

10. Luigi’s Pizza: Old-School Bensonhurst Tradition

Since 1973, Luigi’s has been serving no-nonsense slices that remind natives what Brooklyn pizza tasted like before it became trendy. This Bensonhurst institution keeps things refreshingly simple – no reservations, no craft beer list, just outstanding pizza. The thin crust achieves that magical texture: crunchy yet pliable, supporting just the right amounts of tangy sauce and quality cheese. Owner Luigi watches over every pie that comes out of his decades-old oven. Neighborhood old-timers chat in Italian at corner tables while families celebrate special occasions, creating an authentic community atmosphere that’s increasingly rare in gentrified parts of Brooklyn.