New York Pizza Slices Worth Traveling Across The World To Eat

New York pizza is a cultural icon that transcends mere food status, drawing visitors from every corner of the globe. The city’s signature slices: thin, foldable, and bursting with flavor, represent a culinary tradition dating back to the early 1900s when Italian immigrants brought their recipes to America’s bustling metropolis.

Whether you’re wandering through Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens, these legendary pizza joints offer an authentic taste of the Big Apple that no traveler should miss.

1. Joe’s Pizza On Carmine Street

Joe’s Pizza has been a Greenwich Village staple since 1975. Founded by Italian immigrant Joe Pozzuoli, it is known for its classic New York slice. The crust achieves the balance of thinness and sturdiness, supporting cheese and sauce without sagging.

Lines often include both locals and visiting celebrities. The tomato sauce is mildly sweet and tangy, while the mozzarella delivers the stretch New Yorkers expect. Joe’s remains one of the most reliable examples of the authentic slice.

2. Di Fara Pizza’s Legendary Squares

Di Fara Pizza in Midwood, Brooklyn, is one of the city’s most storied pizzerias. Founded in 1965 by Dom DeMarco, it became famous for his practice of making each pie by hand. He topped them with imported cheeses, fresh basil cut with scissors, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Dom DeMarco passed away in 2022, but his family continues the tradition. The Sicilian square slices, rich in flavor and texture, remain a pilgrimage for pizza enthusiasts. Long waits are common, reflecting its reputation for quality.

3. L&B Spumoni Gardens’ Sicilian Masterpiece

Since 1939, L&B Spumoni Gardens in Bensonhurst has defined Sicilian-style pizza in New York. Their signature method layers cheese under tomato sauce, creating a distinct texture and taste. The dough is thick, airy, and crisp at the edges, while the sauce offers tangy contrast. Generations of families have kept this institution alive.

Visitors also enjoy the namesake spumoni, an Italian ice cream that complements the savory slices. Together, the pizza and dessert cement L&B’s place in New York food history.

4. Scarr’s Pizza’s Organic Revolution

Scarr’s Pizza, located on Orchard Street in the Lower East Side, reflects the new wave of artisanal New York slice shops. Owner Scarr Pimentel mills flour in-house, creating dough with a distinct flavor profile. The shop emphasizes high-quality, organic ingredients while maintaining the accessibility of the classic slice.

Its retro 1970s interior adds to the nostalgic feel. Despite its modern approach, Scarr’s keeps the essence of New York–style pizza intact. It is a key stop for travelers seeking tradition with innovation.

5. Lucali’s Candlelit Pizza Experience

Lucali in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, opened in 2006 and quickly became a cult favorite. Owner Mark Iacono crafts thin-crust pies with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and basil. The restaurant is cash-only, BYOB, and does not accept reservations, often leading to long waits.

The atmosphere is intimate, with candles creating a rustic charm. Many consider it one of the most romantic ways to enjoy pizza. Lucali has earned its place among New York’s iconic pizzerias.

6. Prince Street Pizza’s Spicy Spring

The “Spicy Spring” square at this SoHo landmark features crispy-edged pepperoni cups that curl upward, creating tiny pools of savory oil. Each bite delivers a perfect harmony of spicy sauce, crispy-yet-chewy dough, and those signature pepperoni discs.

Lines regularly stretch down the block at this standing-room-only joint. The recipe remains unchanged since its introduction, proving that pizza perfection needs no improvement.

7. Patsy’s Pizzeria’s Coal-Fired Heritage

Patsy’s Pizzeria opened in East Harlem in 1933 and is among New York’s oldest surviving pizzerias. It still uses coal-fired ovens, which produce thin crusts with smoky char. The method creates pies that are crisp yet pliable, a hallmark of the style.

Patsy’s has been linked to celebrity fans like Frank Sinatra, furthering its legend. Its pies demonstrate consistency across nearly a century of operation. Many modern pizzerias still look to Patsy’s as a model of technique.

8. John’s Of Bleecker Street’s Whole Pie Tradition

John’s of Bleecker Street has operated in Greenwich Village since the 1930s, after relocating from Sullivan Street where it began in 1915. It stands out because it serves whole pies only, not slices. The coal-fired ovens give each pizza a perfect balance of chew and char.

The interior is covered in decades of carvings from customers. Eating here feels like participating in living pizza history. John’s remains a vital stop for those tracing the city’s pizza lineage.

9. Best Pizza’s Wood-Fired Creativity

Best Pizza, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, occupies a former bakery with a century-old wood-burning oven. Owner Frank Pinello, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, emphasizes traditional techniques with creative twists. The white slice, topped with ricotta, caramelized onions, and sesame seed crust, showcases his approach.

Customers also value the community atmosphere, with hand-decorated paper plates lining the walls. The mix of innovation and tradition makes Best Pizza stand out. It represents Brooklyn’s evolving pizza culture.

10. Juliana’s Pizza’s Homecoming Story

Juliana’s Pizza in DUMBO opened in 2012 when Patsy Grimaldi came out of retirement. Grimaldi had earlier sold his original Grimaldi’s brand but wanted to return to pizza-making. Juliana’s uses coal-fired ovens to produce thin, crisp pies with leopard-spotted crusts. The margherita pie, made with San Marzano tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, is the highlight.

Located near the Brooklyn Bridge, it offers a blend of tradition and scenery. Juliana’s quickly became one of the city’s most celebrated new classics.