The New Pizza Pantheon

by Josh Ozersky - Citysearch Editor - 170 Reviews - 49 Lists

Updated: October 15, 2008

Forget John's, Patsy's and Grimaldi's: There's a new short list of great New York City pies that includes both legends and upstarts. And they're not resting on their laurels.

The New Elite

  1. 1 4 Star Rating: Recommended Fornino
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    187 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (map)

    Another committed pizza project, this one the special province of Williamsburgers. Owner Michael Ayoub is so into making perfect pizzas that he grows his own herbs and vegetables for the pies.

  2. 2 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Di Fara Pizzeria
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    1424 Avenue J, Brooklyn, NY 11230 (map)

    They come from all over to watch The Master perform his glacially paced ritual in this ancient and untidy Pizza shrine. And he delivers, again and again, the greatest pizza known to man.

  3. 3 4 Star Rating: Recommended Vinny Vincenz Square Pizza
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    231 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003 (map)

    No pizza pantheon could be complete without a traditional New York slice joint, and Vinny Vincenz, though unassuming, is the best the city has produced in recent years. Aggressive seasoning, good olive oil, and first-class toppings translate to a slice so good you can eat it cold.

  4. 4 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Lucali
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    575 Henry Street, New York, NY 11231 (map)

    This Carroll Gardens upstart was conceived in tribute to Di Fara and shares the master's mix of fresh and low-moisture mozzarella, finished with unmelted grana padano, creating a crisp yet lush pizza that has won Brooklyn over.

  5. 5 4 Star Rating: Recommended Luzzo's Restaurant
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    211 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003 (map)

    A masterful, very Italian pie, Luzzo's is a rare hybrid of New York (thanks to its coal oven) and Italy (wood piled atop the coal, in the Napoletana style).

  6. 6 2.5 Star Rating: Below Average Una Pizza Napoletana--CLOSED
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    349 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003 (map)

    Pizza fanatic Anthony Mangieri is as devoted in his way to the art of pizza as Di Fara's Dom De Marco; but this austere, ultra-authentic ode to "true" Naples pizza is a very different type of pie.