New York City is famous for its pizza, but some of the best slices are hiding in plain sight. Beyond the tourist traps and long lines at famous spots, there are pizzerias quietly serving up masterpieces that locals have been guarding like a secret.
Whether you’re a thin-crust loyalist or a deep-dish dreamer, these underrated gems are worth every mile of the drive.
Lucali – Brooklyn, New York
Some restaurants earn their legendary status quietly, and Lucali is exactly that kind of place. Tucked into a Carroll Gardens side street, this Brooklyn gem serves hand-stretched pies topped with the freshest ingredients you can imagine.
Owner Mark Iacono started baking here in 2006, and the passion hasn’t faded one bit.
Cash only, no reservations, and a line that starts forming hours early — all signs you’ve found something truly special.
Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop – Brooklyn, New York
Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop brings a playful energy to Greenpoint that feels like a neighborhood block party every single day. The slices here are oversized, boldly topped, and baked with a confidence that makes every bite feel intentional.
It’s old-school New York slice culture upgraded with creative, modern flavor combinations.
If you’ve never tried a honey-drizzled pizza slice, this is the place to change that forever.
L’industrie Pizzeria – Brooklyn, New York
Walking past L’industrie on a weekday afternoon, you’ll notice a line snaking out the door — and for very good reason. This Williamsburg spot has quietly become one of Brooklyn’s most beloved slice destinations, known for its impossibly thin, crispy crust and fresh burrata topping that practically melts on contact.
Chef Massimo Laveglia brings Italian technique to New York street food, creating something that feels both familiar and completely new at the same time.
Mama’s TOO! Pizzeria – New York, New York
Mama’s TOO! on the Upper West Side doesn’t look like much from the outside, but one bite of their square Sicilian slice will completely recalibrate your pizza standards. The crust achieves a near-impossible balance: crunchy on the bottom, airy and soft on the inside, and loaded with flavor throughout.
Owner Adam Elzer has been perfecting this recipe for years, and the dedication shows in every single square served.
Scarr’s Pizza – New York, New York
Scarr’s Pizza on the Lower East Side looks like it was teleported straight from 1975, and honestly, that’s a huge part of its charm. Beyond the vintage aesthetic, owner Scarr Pimentel mills his own flour in-house — a rare and obsessive commitment to quality that sets every slice apart from the competition.
The sauce is bright and tangy, the cheese is generous, and the crust has a chew that keeps you coming back for just one more slice.
Best Pizza – Brooklyn, New York
With a name that bold, Best Pizza in Williamsburg better deliver — and it absolutely does. Frank Pinello opened this no-frills spot as a love letter to classic New York pizza, and the white slice with fresh herbs has become something of a neighborhood institution.
Everything here is kept simple on purpose. The dough is made fresh daily, the toppings are carefully sourced, and the whole experience feels like pizza the way it was always meant to be.
Ops – Brooklyn, New York
Ops in Bushwick is the kind of place that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about pizza. Using long-fermented, naturally leavened dough and a wood-burning oven, the team here creates pies with a depth of flavor that feels almost impossible for something so simple.
The rotating seasonal menu means every visit offers something new to try. Pair a pie with their natural wine selection, and you’ve got yourself a genuinely memorable evening in Brooklyn.
Roberta’s – Brooklyn, New York
Roberta’s started as a scrappy little Bushwick experiment and somehow became one of the most influential pizzerias in America. The Bee Sting — a spicy honey and soppressata pie — has a devoted following that borders on cult status, and for excellent reason.
Even with its fame, Roberta’s manages to keep its spirit raw and unpretentious. The outdoor patio, the garden herbs used fresh on pies, and the rooftop radio station all add to an experience that goes way beyond just eating pizza.
Speedy Romeo – Brooklyn, New York
Speedy Romeo in Clinton Hill plays by its own rules, and pizza lovers are better off for it. The menu blends classic New York pizza culture with Southern American BBQ flavors in ways that shouldn’t work but absolutely, undeniably do.
Their St. Louie pie — topped with smoked brisket and white sauce — has converted plenty of skeptics into lifelong fans. The cozy, dimly lit dining room makes every meal feel like a special occasion worth planning around.
Denino’s Pizzeria & Tavern – Staten Island, New York
Since 1937, Denino’s has been the heartbeat of Staten Island’s pizza scene, and somehow it still feels like a hidden gem to the rest of New York. The thin, cracker-crisp crust topped with tangy sauce and perfectly browned cheese is the kind of pizza that inspires fierce loyalty across generations of families.
Making the trip out to Staten Island just for Denino’s is not only justified — many regulars would argue it’s practically a civic duty for any serious pizza fan.
Joe & Pat’s Pizzeria – Staten Island, New York
Joe & Pat’s has been a Staten Island staple since 1960, quietly perfecting a style of pizza that sits somewhere beautifully between New York thin-crust and classic Italian. The crust blisters just right, the sauce is sweet and savory in perfect proportion, and the whole pie comes together with an effortless grace.
Family-run for over six decades, every pizza that comes out of this kitchen carries the kind of institutional knowledge that no cooking school can teach.
Emmy Squared Pizza – Brooklyn, New York
Emmy Squared brought Detroit-style pizza to Brooklyn and sparked a full-on square pie obsession across the city. The edges are caramelized and crispy from the cheese pushing against the pan walls, creating a crunchy border that regular pizza just can’t compete with.
The Le Big Matt burger also deserves a mention, but honestly, the pizza is why most people make the trip. Try the Colony — topped with pepperoni cups and honey — for a true Emmy Squared signature experience.
Sottocasa – Brooklyn, New York
Sottocasa takes Neapolitan pizza tradition seriously in a way that immediately earns your respect. The pies here are certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, meaning every detail — from dough hydration to oven temperature — follows strict Neapolitan standards.
That kind of commitment produces results you can taste clearly in every bite.
Located in Boerum Hill, the intimate atmosphere and soft lighting make Sottocasa feel like a genuine Italian trattoria that somehow landed perfectly in Brooklyn.
Norm’s Pizza – Brooklyn, New York
Norm’s Pizza in Flatbush is the kind of neighborhood spot that earns its reputation entirely through word of mouth — no hype campaigns, no celebrity endorsements, just seriously good pizza. The sauce-heavy slices here are bold and unapologetic, loaded with flavor that hits immediately and lingers pleasantly long after the last bite.
It’s refreshingly unpretentious and deeply rooted in the community it serves. Norm’s is proof that the best pizza doesn’t always come with a reservation or a waiting list.