New York City’s pizza scene isn’t just famous – it’s historic. For over a century, legendary pizzerias have been serving up slices that define what great pizza should taste like. These original establishments haven’t just survived – they’ve become cultural landmarks where both tourists and locals willingly wait in long lines for a taste of pizza perfection.
1. Totonno’s: The Coney Island Pizza Institution
Handcrafted since 1924, Totonno’s pizzas come with a pedigree few can match. Founded by Antonio “Totonno” Pero after learning his craft at Lombardi’s, this Coney Island landmark survived fires and Hurricane Sandy, yet still draws pizza pilgrims from across the globe.
The menu remains refreshingly simple – whole pies only, no slices. Their coal-fired oven produces a distinctive char on crusts topped with imported Italian tomatoes and house-made mozzarella.
Family-owned for generations, the small dining room feels like stepping back in time, with the same recipes that have satisfied New Yorkers for nearly a century.
2. Lombardi’s: America’s First Licensed Pizzeria
Coal-fired magic happens daily at Lombardi’s, the pizzeria that started it all in 1905. Though relocated just a block from its original Little Italy spot, the historic significance remains baked into every thin-crust pie they serve.
Locals whisper that the secret lies in their simple approach – fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomato sauce, and a perfectly charred crust that cracks just right with each bite. The vintage photographs lining the walls tell stories of pizza history while you wait.
Even after more than a century, the lines outside prove some things truly stand the test of time.
3. John’s of Bleecker Street: Where Graffiti Meets Great Pizza
Step into John’s and you’re immediately transported to 1929. The wooden booths, carved with decades of patron graffiti, tell stories while you wait for your pie. Founded by John Sasso, this Greenwich Village institution maintains a strict “no slices” policy that hasn’t changed in generations.
Their coal-fired brick ovens, among the oldest still operating in the city, produce a distinctive crispy-yet-chewy crust that locals defend passionately. The classic tomato sauce carries just the right balance of sweetness and acidity.
Despite celebrity visits and tourist attention, John’s remains defiantly old-school, cash-only, with no reservations accepted.
4. Patsy’s Pizzeria: The Original Slice Joint
Before the slice became New York’s signature fast food, there was Patsy’s. Opening in 1933 in Italian Harlem, founder Patsy Lancieri revolutionized pizza consumption by being among the first to sell pizza by the slice, making this Italian staple accessible to working-class New Yorkers on the go.
Their thin-crust pies, baked in coal-fired ovens, deliver that quintessential New York experience – a crisp bottom that still allows for the perfect fold. The original location’s worn tile floors and simple decor speak to decades of consistent quality.
Frank Sinatra was a regular, often bringing fellow celebrities to taste what many consider pizza perfection.
5. Di Fara Pizza: Dom DeMarco’s Midwood Masterpiece
The late Dom DeMarco’s hands moved with practiced precision at Di Fara, the Midwood institution he founded in 1965. For decades, he personally made every pizza, creating an almost religious experience for those willing to wait hours for his creations.
The ritual was mesmerizing – imported flour, hand-cut basil snipped with scissors, three different cheeses, and olive oil drizzled from a copper pot. Though newer than some historic pizzerias, Di Fara quickly achieved legendary status through DeMarco’s obsessive attention to detail.
Now run by his children who learned at his side, the cramped corner shop still draws the same devoted crowds seeking pizza transcendence.
6. Grimaldi’s: Under the Brooklyn Bridge
Coal-fired perfection awaits under the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge. Since 1990, Grimaldi’s has occupied a prime spot in DUMBO, becoming an essential stop on any pizza lover’s pilgrimage through New York.
Founded by Patsy Grimaldi (nephew of Patsy Lancieri from Patsy’s Pizzeria), this Brooklyn institution honors old-world tradition with its simple menu and no-slice policy. The signature thin crust emerges perfectly charred from 1,200-degree coal ovens, supporting a balanced layer of fresh mozzarella and vibrant tomato sauce.
Despite ownership changes and a location move, the formula remains unchanged – and so do the lines stretching down Old Fulton Street.
7. Joe’s Pizza: The Greenwich Village Slice Icon
When Pino “Joe” Pozzuoli opened his corner slice shop in 1975, he created what many consider the definitive New York slice. The Naples-born founder established Joe’s as Greenwich Village’s go-to spot for authentic, no-frills pizza perfection.
The formula remains beautifully simple – thin, foldable crust, bright tomato sauce, and the perfect ratio of mozzarella that creates those signature stretchy cheese pulls. Unlike many historic pizzerias, Joe’s embraces the slice model, making it accessible for quick visits.
Celebrity photos line the walls, but everyone receives the same treatment at this democratic institution where quality never wavers, whether at 2 PM or 2 AM.
8. Denino’s: Staten Island’s Pizza Haven
Far from Manhattan’s tourist trails, Denino’s has been Staten Island’s crown jewel since 1951. What began as a tavern under Carlo Denino’s father became a pizza destination when Carlo perfected his thin-crust bar pies – crispy, well-done crusts that support toppings without sogginess.
The M.O.R. (meatball, onion, ricotta) pizza remains their signature creation, a combination that’s converted generations of Staten Islanders into loyal patrons. The restaurant’s wood-paneled walls and neighborhood atmosphere preserve its authentic character.
Despite expansion to other locations, pizza enthusiasts still make the ferry journey to experience the original Port Richmond spot where it all began.
9. Little Italy Pizza: Midtown’s Slice Institution
While younger than its historic counterparts, Little Italy Pizza has earned its place in New York’s pizza pantheon since opening in Midtown. This no-frills slice joint delivers consistent quality that keeps office workers and tourists forming lines that spill onto the sidewalk during lunch rush.
Their oversized New York-style slices feature the perfect balance – thin enough to fold, substantial enough to satisfy, with a sauce that strikes the ideal sweet-tangy note. Unlike some historic spots, Little Italy embraces a wide variety of toppings while maintaining traditional techniques.
Multiple locations now exist, but pizza purists seek out the original for its authentic character and textbook-perfect execution.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
