Extraordinary pizza isn’t that difficult to find in New York City. The availability of a great pizza, in so many neighborhoods and at nearly any hour of the day, is one of this city’s finest attributes. While not every single fluorescent-lit, orange plastic booth-filled, neighborhood operation will impress, there’s a plethora of places for a magnificent slice.
But sometimes, a fancier pizza experience is preferable to a quick, satiating snack, eaten on a paper plate while standing up. A mid-week meal just slightly fancier than sweats with family, friends or a date. Xperiorlist took the streets of NYC to discover these great sit-down pizza places.
Motorino
There’s an UWS outpost of the excellent pizza place that Mathieu Palombino opened up in the East Village in 2016, which serves up the same airy Neapolitan pies in Williamsburg, too; there are also a handful of locations in Asia. The soppresata and brussels sprouts pies are highlights, and aside from pizza, there are apps like meatballs, baked clams, and roasted artichoke on offer.
Brunetti
This West Village joint, opened in 2013, is an offshoot of a Westhampton pizzeria. Head here for wood-fired pies, particularly the clam pie, one of the best versions available in NYC. The margherita and Brussels sprouts pies are strong choices, too, and can be enjoyed in the garden out back.
Joe & Pat’s
The celebrated Staten Island pizza stalwart, open since 1960, has made its extra-crunchy, mozzarella-laden thin-crust pies available in the East Village. Co-owned by Casey Pappalardo, his father, and two uncles, the family-run place opened its first Manhattan location in spiffier digs than the original Joe & Pat’s – here, there are wood tables, a full bar, and real plates instead of paper ones. In addition to pizza, expect well-executed takes on classic dishes like chicken parm and shrimp scampi.
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Mani in Pasta
Chef-owner Giuseppe Manco turns out critically lauded Roman-style pies at this East Village place which debuted at the beginning of 2018. He focuses on Rome’s teglia, a.k.a. pan pizza with an airy crust, made from dough that undergoes a lengthy fermentation period — go for the carbonara version. Pastas and pinsas, or thin flatbreads made from the same dough, are also on offer. The snug, simple space with painted brick walls and exposed bulbs houses a handful of tables; there’s also a Midtown East location with more bare-bones decor, better suited for a takeout slice or two.
John’s of Bleecker St.
This well-worn, wooden booth-lined place is one of the city’s oldest and justifiably famous pizzerias, opened in 1929 by John Sasso, an alum of Lombardi’s (like the founders of Patsy’s and Totonno’s). John’s serves its expertly charred coal-oven variety, which remains a faithful version of classic NY-style pizza, strictly by the pie. Try a plain pie, generously topped with sauce and cheese, or minimally accessorize with one of the traditional toppings available, like mushrooms. Prepare to wait in line.
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