The Ultimate Guide to New York City Style Pizza: A Slice of the Big Apple

New York City is world-renowned for its pizza, an iconic staple of the city's diverse and vibrant food culture. From street corners to high-end pizzerias, NYC style pizza has become synonymous with the city itself, beloved by both locals and tourists. Characterized by its large, thin, and foldable slices, this pizza style is easy to eat on the go, making it the perfect fuel for busy New Yorkers. Whether you're grabbing a quick slice or enjoying a whole pie, New York City style pizza offers a quintessential taste of the Big Apple.

Iconic NYC Pizza Spots

New York City is home to over 2,000 pizzerias, making it arguably the pizza capital of the world (sorry, Italy!). With so many options, it’s tough to pick the absolute best spot, but here’s my list of the most iconic pizzerias you can’t miss if you're visiting NYC.

1) Joe’s Pizza

Since 1975, Joe’s Pizza has been a go-to spot for a classic slice in NYC. Known for its perfect ratio of sauce to cheese and its crispy, charred crust, Joe’s is a favorite among both locals and tourists. Whether you’re grabbing a slice to go or enjoying it at their iconic Greenwich Village location, Joe’s delivers a quintessential NYC pizza experience.

2) Bleecker Street Pizza

Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, Bleecker Street Pizza is a local favorite known for its thin, crispy crust and classic New York-style slices. A must-try here is the “Nonna Maria” pizza, a perfect blend of mozzarella, homemade marinara sauce, and fresh basil, offering a true taste of traditional Italian flavors with a New York twist.

3) John's of Bleecker Street

A West Village institution since 1929, John's of Bleecker is famed for its coal-fired, brick-oven pizzas. Served as whole pies only (no slices), the pizza has a perfectly charred crust and generous toppings. Go for the classic Margherita pizza, topped with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and basil, for an authentic and delicious experience.

4) Lombardi's

As America’s first pizzeria, Lombardi’s has been serving coal-oven pizzas since 1905 in Little Italy. Its pizzas feature a thin, slightly smoky crust with rich toppings. When visiting, try their original Margherita pizza, a simple yet flavorful combination of fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, and basil, perfect for tasting pizza history.

5) Patsy’s Pizza

Established in 1933, Patsy’s Pizza is a legendary name in the NYC pizza scene. Famous for its coal-fired oven pizzas, Patsy’s offers a slightly charred, crispy crust that’s loaded with flavor. The original location in Harlem is especially noteworthy, having been a favorite of Frank Sinatra and countless other celebrities over the years.

6) Paulie Gee’s

Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop in Greenpoint offers a unique take on traditional NYC pizza with their square pepperoni slices and sesame seed crust. Known for their creative toppings and high-quality ingredients, Paulie Gee’s is a must-visit for anyone looking to explore the more innovative side of New York’s pizza offerings.

7) Di Fara Pizza

Opened in 1965 by Italian immigrant Domenico DeMarco, Di Fara Pizza is often hailed as one of the best pizza places in New York City. Known for its use of fresh basil and high-quality ingredients imported from Italy, each pizza at Di Fara is handcrafted with care, making it a true culinary masterpiece.

What defines a New York City Style Pizza?

One of the most common questions I get on the food tours is What makes it a New York Style Pizza? The answer is there are a couple of key things that makes it a NYC slice:

Thin, Foldable Crust

One of the defining features of NYC style pizza is its thin, yet sturdy, crust. Made using high-gluten bread flour, the dough is carefully prepared to achieve a crust that is crispy on the outside yet soft and foldable enough to hold its shape. This texture allows for easy folding, making it possible to eat a large slice without needing a fork and knife.

Large Slices

New York City style pizzas are typically large, with diameters ranging from 18 to 24 inches. These pizzas are cut into eight wide slices, each big enough to be a meal in itself. The size of the slices, combined with the thin crust, makes NYC pizza a perfect option for a quick and satisfying meal.

Simple but Flavorful Toppings

The beauty of New York City style pizza lies in its simplicity. The classic topping combination includes a seasoned tomato sauce and shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese, creating a balanced and flavorful base. Additional toppings like pepperoni, sausage, or fresh vegetables can be added, but the focus remains on quality over quantity.

Special Sauce

The sauce used on NYC style pizza is another key element that sets it apart. This sauce is typically a cooked, seasoned tomato sauce that is thicker and sweeter than traditional Italian pizza sauces. The right balance of sweetness and acidity complements the rich cheese and crispy crust, creating a harmonious flavor profile.

Unique Baking Methods

Traditionally, New York City pizzas were baked in coal-fired ovens, which provided a distinct, slightly charred flavor and a perfectly crisp crust. While many modern pizzerias use gas ovens, the goal remains the same: to achieve a crust that is both crispy and chewy, with a hint of smoky flavor.

Beyond the Basics – Exploring Unique Variations

If you are looking to try something a little bit different, you're in luck because New York City’s pizza scene is rich with variety, offering something for every palate:

White Pizza

For a twist on the traditional, try a white pizza. This variation skips the tomato sauce, instead topping the pizza with a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. The result is a rich, creamy pie that’s packed with flavor.

Sicilian Pizza

Sicilian pizza features a thick, rectangular crust with a crunchy base. It’s topped with a generous layer of tomato sauce and cheese, offering a heartier option that’s perfect for those who love a thicker slice.

Grandma Pizza

A newer addition to the NYC pizza repertoire, Grandma pizza is a thin, square pie with a crispy crust. It’s typically topped with a simple tomato sauce, mozzarella, and fresh basil, offering a rustic, homestyle taste.

Artichoke Pizza

Artichoke Basille’s Pizza is known for its rich, creamy, and indulgent slices, especially the signature Artichoke Pizza, topped with artichoke hearts, spinach, cream sauce, mozzarella, and Pecorino Romano. While some people rave about its unique, heavy flavor profile, others find it a bit too rich or unconventional for traditional pizza tastes, making it a bit polarizing among New Yorkers and visitors alike. Whether you love it or not, it’s definitely a pizza experience worth trying!

How to Make New York Style Pizza at Home

Craving that authentic NYC pizza but can't make it to the city? You can recreate it at home with a few key tips and techniques.

Dough Preparation

Start by making your dough with high-gluten flour, which gives the crust its signature chewiness. Combine the flour with sugar, olive oil, yeast, and water, and let the dough rise properly to achieve the right texture.

Sauce and Toppings

Prepare a seasoned tomato sauce with garlic, basil, and oregano for that authentic NYC flavor. Use low-moisture mozzarella cheese to get that perfect stretch and melt. Feel free to add your favorite toppings, but remember, simplicity is key.

Baking

To replicate the traditional NYC pizzeria experience, bake your pizza in a very hot oven—preferably with a pizza stone to mimic the conditions of a coal-fired oven. The high heat ensures a crispy crust with a soft, chewy interior.

Where to Find the Best Pizza in NYC

If you’re planning a short visit to New York City, make sure to check out these four places to find some of New York City's best pizza:

1. Joe’s Pizza: A must-visit for a classic slice, known for its balance of sauce, cheese, and crispy crust.
   
2. John's of Bleecker Street: Famous for its coal-fired oven pizzas and rich history, John's of Bleecker Street offers a slice of NYC’s culinary heritage.
   
3. Paulie Gee’s: For something different, try their square pepperoni slices with a sesame seed crust at Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop.
   
4. Di Fara Pizza: Experience one of NYC’s most celebrated pizzas, made with the freshest ingredients imported from Italy.
   

Conclusion: Best New York City Style Pizza

Ready to explore New York City’s pizza scene? Book a tour with us to discover the best pizza spots in the city firsthand. Whether you’re a die-hard pizza lover or just looking to taste the city’s most iconic slices, this tour offers an insider’s view of NYC’s pizza culture.