Most visitors assume the best pizza in New York is a matter of taste, but locals know the real contenders are few and fiercely defended. While no official ranking exists, five names appear again and again on critics’ lists: Joe’s Pizza, Lucali, Di Fara, Prince Street Pizza, and Rubirosa. Each has a distinct style, a loyal following, and a story that explains its reputation. If you want to go deeper, Is Bicarbonate of Soda the Same as Baking Soda? The Simple Answer covers an adjacent angle worth reading
How These Five Pizzerias Earn Their Spots
The path to a top-five list starts with the dough. None of these kitchens use frozen dough, according to published interviews with the owners. Instead, they rely on high-heat ovens and fresh mozzarella, but the similarities end there.
Joe’s Pizza, founded in 1975 in Greenwich Village, serves only plain, pepperoni, and margherita slices. It remains cash-only, a detail that surprises first-timers. The crust is thin, the sauce is bright, and the cheese stretches just enough. Its fame got a boost from cameos in the “Spider-Man” films, but the recipe hasn’t changed in decades.
Lucali, which opened in 2006 in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, takes a different approach. Mark Iacono, a former lawyer, runs a limited menu of brick-oven pies with a handful of toppings. The wait can stretch for hours, and the dining room holds only about 40 seats. Time Out named it the best pizza in NYC in 2017, and Thrillist repeated that honor in 2019.
Di Fara Pizza has been in Midwood, Brooklyn, since 1965. Domenico DeMarco made every pie himself until his health declined, and his sons now operate the shop. He was known for hand-cut basil and imported ingredients, which earned the spot a reputation as a pizza pilgrimage. The crust is chewy, the toppings are generous, and the legacy is intact.
Prince Street Pizza, opened in 2012 in SoHo, built its name on the spicy pepperoni square, a Sicilian-style slice from a 1980s family recipe. The lines often extend down the block, and Eater and The Infatuation regularly rank it among the best slices in the city. Rubirosa, which opened in 2010 in Nolita, offers thin-crust “tie-dye” pizzas, including a vodka sauce pie that has become a modern favorite.
What New Yorkers and Visitors Think of These Spots
New Yorkers argue about pizza the way other cities argue about sports teams. The five pizzerias here each have a neighborhood base that swears by them, and tourists often discover them through guidebooks or social media. The reception is not uniform, though. Some locals dismiss Di Fara as overpriced, while others call it essential.
Regional differences matter. In Manhattan, Joe’s and Prince Street cater to a fast-moving crowd that wants a slice on the go. In Brooklyn, Lucali and Di Fara draw diners who treat pizza as a sit-down event. Rubirosa, in Nolita, sits somewhere between, offering a casual vibe with a more refined pie.
Recent years have brought challenges. In 2023 and 2024, Lucali and Rubirosa faced rising ingredient costs but kept their pies under $30. Di Fara’s sons now run multiple locations, which has sparked debate about whether the quality holds. Despite these shifts, the five remain the most cited names in the city’s pizza conversation.
Pizza Terminology That Confuses First-Timers
Ordering at these pizzerias can trip up newcomers. The word “slice” usually means a single wedge of a round pie, but at Prince Street, the specialty is a “square,” which is a rectangular cut from a Sicilian pan pizza. The crust is thicker and the cheese is often applied to the edge, creating a crispy rim.
Another term is “grandma pie,” which appears on some menus. It’s a thin, rectangular pizza with sauce on top of the cheese, a style that originated in Long Island. Rubirosa’s tie-dye pie, by contrast, is a round, thin-crust pizza with dollops of sauce and cheese that create a marbled look. tycoonstory.com/top-5-pizzerias-in-nyc/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”>Top 5 Pizzerias in NYC: Best Pizza Spots to Try in 2026
“Well-done” is a common request at Joe’s and Di Fara. It means the pizza stays in the oven longer, producing a darker, crispier crust. Some locals insist this is the only way to order, while others prefer the standard bake. Knowing these terms can make the difference between a good first visit and a great one.
What the Experts Say About Ordering and Timing
Pizza makers and critics agree on a few insider tips. Go early, especially on weekends, to avoid the worst of the lines. At Lucali, that means arriving before the doors open, because the wait can exceed two hours. At Prince Street, the line moves fast, but the pepperoni squares sell out by late afternoon.
Cash is still king at Joe’s, so bring bills. Di Fara now accepts cards, but the sons have kept the original counter service. Rubirosa takes reservations for dinner, which is rare among the five, and the vodka pie is the one to order on a first visit.
The more useful approach is to treat these pizzerias as distinct experiences, not competitors. A slice at Joe’s is a quick, classic bite. A pie at Lucali is a slow, deliberate meal. Di Fara rewards patience with a complex, almost rustic flavor. Prince Street delivers a spicy, indulgent square. Rubirosa offers a modern twist on tradition. Each fills a different craving, and that’s why they all make the list.
| Pizzeria | Opened | Signature Style |
|---|---|---|
| Joe’s Pizza | 1975 | Classic NY slice |
| Lucali | 2006 | Brick-oven, limited menu |
| Di Fara | 1965 | Hand-cut basil, imported ingredients |
| Prince Street | 2012 | Spicy pepperoni square |
| Rubirosa | 2010 | Thin-crust tie-dye, vodka sauce |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Joe’s Pizza best known for?
Joe’s Pizza is best known for its classic New York slice, which has remained unchanged since 1975. The shop gained extra fame from appearances in the “Spider-Man” films, but locals value it for the simple, consistent quality of its plain, pepperoni, and margherita slices.
Where is Di Fara Pizza now?
Di Fara Pizza’s original location is still in Midwood, Brooklyn, at 1424 Avenue J. After Domenico DeMarco’s death in 2022, his sons have operated the shop and also opened additional locations, though the original remains the most visited.
How does Lucali differ from Prince Street Pizza?
Lucali offers a sit-down, brick-oven experience with a limited menu and long waits, while Prince Street Pizza is a fast-casual slice shop known for its spicy pepperoni square. Lucali’s pies are round and thin-crust, whereas Prince Street’s signature is a thick, rectangular Sicilian slice.
How can I avoid the longest lines at these pizzerias?
To avoid the longest lines, visit on weekday afternoons, ideally between 2 and 4 p.m. For Lucali, arrive before opening time, as the wait can exceed two hours. At Prince Street, go early in the day because the pepperoni squares often sell out by late afternoon.
How much does a slice cost at these top pizzerias?
Prices vary, but a single slice at Joe’s or Prince Street typically costs between $3 and $5. At Lucali and Di Fara, where you order whole pies, prices range from $20 to $30, depending on toppings. Rubirosa’s pies are similarly priced, with most under $30.
