Every city in the United States has its own claim to fame and one thing New York City is known for is its pizza. Anywhere you go in the United States, pizzerias claim they serve "authentic New York pizza". Other cities like Chicago brag about their pizza and swear it is better than New York's. I must admit, Chicago deep dish pizza is excellent, having tried it myself. However, any native New Yorker knows the pizza in New York City is the closest you can get to the pizza served in Italy. Traditional Italian pizza is what many call Margherita Pizza. Margherita Pizza is traditionally thin crusted, consists of tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and is topped with basil. So if you live in New York, are visiting, or just want to look at and read about delicious pizza, here are my top 10 favorite pizzerias (in no particular order).
1. Patsy's Pizzeria East Harlem, NY
A small pizzeria that opened in 1933, Patsy's serves traditional, thin crust pizza made in their brick oven. The slices are thin and crispy, so expect to eat more than one slice!
2. Lombardi's Pizzeria Little Italy, NY
Located in the heart of Little Italy, Lombardi's Pizzeria claims to be the first pizzeria in America. It opened in 1905 and over 100 years later still serves up some of the best pizza in the city.
3. Grimaldi's Pizzeria Brooklyn, NY
Nestled underneath the Brooklyn Bridge, this small, "hole in the wall" pizzeria serves up traditional Italian pizza and claims to be what made the Brooklyn Bride famous. During the summer, the line is literally out the door and down the block, so be prepared to wait! Once you get inside, you won't regret one minute of waiting in line!
4. Best Pizza Brooklyn, NY
A relatively new and not widely known pizzeria, Best Pizza is a hidden Brooklyn gem that is certainly a spot you do not want to miss. Before going to the famous Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast down the block, I stumbled upon this place and have made regular visits since! If you are ever in the area around mid-July, stop in here grab a slice and continue your way down to the OLMC feast for some more Italian food!
5. Totonno's Pizzeria Napolitana Coney Island, NY
If you ever find yourself on the Coney Island Board Walk or riding the Cyclone at Luna Park, be sure to check out Totonno's Pizzeria Napolitana for some coal oven pizza!
6. Nick's Pizza Forest Hills, NY
A popular pizzeria with the locals, Nick's Pizza in Forest Hills is hidden down a quiet side street. Besides its pizza, Nick's is also a family-style restaurant. So if you are looking for a casual, sit down dinner topped off by great pizza, this is the place to go!
7. New Park Pizza Howard Beach, NY
Located in Queens, New Park Pizza has been a staple on Cross Bay Boulevard for over half a century. Thin crusted and made in an authentic brick oven, this pizza is definitely worth the drive!
8. Il Pomodoro Pizzeria Staten Island, NY
If you are ever in Staten Island, be sure to check this place out! Named after the Italian word for tomato, Il Pomodoro Pizzeria serves some pretty good pizza.
9. Full Moon Pizza Bronx, NY
Full Moon Pizza is located on Arthur Avenue in the Belmont section of the Bronx, where many argue the real Little Italy is located. The pizza served in Full Moon is more of an Italian-American pizza. It has a thicker crust and is made in a regular gas oven as opposed to a brick, wood, or coal oven. Different? Yes. Good? Absolutely!
10. Umberto's Pizzeria and Restaurant New Hyde Park, NY
Buon Appetito!
