Ask anyone from Staten Island where to get the best slice in New York City, and they probably won’t point you toward Manhattan. The island has quietly built some of the most loyal pizza crowds in the five boroughs, with thin crusts, Sicilian squares, and clam pies that keep families coming back for decades.
Some of these spots are old-school taverns, while others sit steps from the ferry. Here are six pizzerias that give the borough serious bragging rights.
1. Joe & Pat’s Pizzeria & Restaurant, Staten Island, NY
Thin crust is the whole personality at this Victory Boulevard landmark. The house-specialty pies come out crisp and light, with a bright sauce and a generous hand on toppings.
Joe & Pat’s has been around long enough to earn the word longtime, and the menu goes well past pizza. Classic pasta dishes and Italian entrees fill out the board, and a grandma pie gives square fans something to grab too.
Families will find high chairs and a kids’ menu, and the dough-tossing tends to keep younger diners entertained. There is also a full vegetarian menu and a private dining room for bigger gatherings.
Service moves quickly, which helps on busy Thursday, Friday, and Sunday evenings. Hours run 11 AM to 10 PM most days and until 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Reservations are accepted, and street parking can take a little patience, so plan an extra loop around the block.
2. Denino’s Pizzeria & Tavern, Staten Island, NY
If one pie has turned into a Staten Island calling card, it might be the vodka pie at Denino’s. The creamy, pink-sauced pizza sits on a crunchy thin crust that regulars defend with real passion.
Family-owned and proudly no-frills, this Port Richmond Avenue mainstay feels like a neighborhood tavern first. The fresh mozzarella pie is another favorite, and the menu also covers fried calamari, baked clams, buffalo wings, and subs.
I would save this one for a group night. The place is open 11 AM to 11 PM every day, has a bar onsite, and works well for watching a game.
Families are welcome, with high chairs, a kids’ menu, and space for birthday outings. A gluten-free pizza is offered, and outdoor seating allows dogs.
Reservations are not accepted, so Friday and Saturday evenings can mean a short wait, but a parking lot makes arriving easier.
3. Lee’s Tavern, Staten Island, NY
Photos cover the walls at Lee’s Tavern, and that tells you plenty about this family-run pub on Hancock Street. It is a neighborhood hangout that happens to serve some very serious pizza.
The White Clam Pie is the order that turns heads. The Tavern Pepperoni Pizza and a classic margarita pie are close behind, and Buffalo Calamari adds a spicy twist to a familiar starter.
Prices land around $10 to $20 per person, which makes it an easy weeknight pick. Parking is usually plentiful, with a lot on site.
Plan on dining in or taking out, since delivery isn’t offered. Reservations aren’t taken either.
Hours stretch to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and those evenings tend to be the busiest.
4. Pier 76, Staten Island, NY
Stepping off the Staten Island Ferry hungry? Pier 76 sits on Bay Street, close enough to make it an easy first stop for anyone crossing the harbor.
Thin-crust pies lead the menu, and a large cheese pizza lunch special has been offered for $10, though deals may vary. Wings, sandwiches, a cheese calzone, and a popular avocado salad round things out.
Gluten-free diners get a full menu here, which is not always easy to find at a classic pizza spot. A patio adds outdoor seating when the weather cooperates.
The room is small but lively, with a bar and brunch on the schedule. Midweek afternoons and weekend evenings fill up, and reservations are accepted.
Sunday hours end earlier, at 9 PM.
5. Goodfella’s, Staten Island, NY
Clam Pie Oreganata is not a phrase you see on many pizza menus, and that is one reason Goodfella’s stands apart. The brick-oven spot on Hylan Boulevard has long been a Staten Island staple.
Beyond the specialty pies, the kitchen turns out Italian American dishes and solid classic pizzas with a crisp crust. Full vegan and vegetarian menus mean mixed groups can all order comfortably.
The location feels polished and roomy, with a bar, outdoor seating, and a private dining room. Prices run a bit higher here, roughly $20 to $60 per person.
Parking is usually easy thanks to a lot. Reservations are accepted, which helps on Friday evenings when the place gets busiest.
Doors open at 11:30 AM daily.
6. Brother’s Pizzeria, Staten Island, NY
Sicilian squares are the main event just up Port Richmond Avenue from Denino’s. Brother’s Pizzeria has built its reputation on thick, satisfying slices made with a family recipe blend of sauce and cheese.
Thin-crust fans are covered too. The regular slices hit that classic New York balance of crisp crust, steady sauce, and just enough cheese.
Grandma’s Pizza, The Works Calzone, and a grilled chicken house salad show up on the menu, along with gluten-free options. Prices stay friendly at about $10 to $20 per person.
This is more of a counter-service slice shop than a sit-down night out. Curbside pickup and delivery are available, and Sunday hours begin at noon.
A parking lot helps, though spaces can fill quickly at dinnertime.
Six spots, six different takes on the slice. Whether you want a vodka pie, a clam pie, or a simple square, Staten Island makes a strong case for skipping the Manhattan lines.
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