Few foods are more closely tied to New York City than pizza, but “iconic NYC pizza” does not mean just one thing. Some famous places are classic slice counters where you eat standing up. Others are coal-fired dining rooms where you order a whole pie and wait for a table. Some are worth a detour because of history; others because they capture a very specific New York pizza experience visitors picture before they arrive.
For first-time visitors, the trick is not chasing a single “best” shop. It is knowing what kind of pizza experience you want: a fast Manhattan slice between sights, a destination pie in Brooklyn, a historic stop in Little Italy, or a famous square slice in SoHo/NoLita.
Also, practical note: hours, prices, payment policies, and even locations can change. Verify directly with each shop before you go.
A quick NYC pizza vocabulary guide
Before the shop-by-shop list, a few terms help a lot.
- Slice: one triangular portion from a large round pie, usually reheated in the oven before serving. This is the classic fast NYC lunch or snack.
- Plain slice or regular slice: the standard slice with tomato sauce and mozzarella. In many places, this is what visitors elsewhere might call a “cheese slice.”
- Cheese slice: people do say this, especially visitors, and staff will understand. But in New York, “plain” or just “slice” often sounds more local.
- Pie: a whole pizza.
- Toppings: common choices include pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, peppers, olives, and extra cheese. Some famous shops are known for specific combinations.
- Square slice: rectangular or square-cut pizza, often thicker than a standard round slice.
A good first-time rule: if you are trying a famous place for the first time, start with its most basic signature style before adding lots of toppings.
Joe’s Pizza: the classic New York slice experience
Why it is iconic: Joe’s is one of the city’s clearest examples of the classic New York street slice. The original Greenwich Village shop dates to 1975, and the company still describes it as a Greenwich Village institution focused on the classic New York slice. (joespizzanyc.com)
Where to go: The original location is at 7 Carmine Street in Greenwich Village, and Joe’s also lists outposts in Times Square, Union Square, Fulton Street, and Williamsburg. (joespizzanyc.com)
What to order first:
- One plain slice first.
- If you want a second, try pepperoni.
Why this order? Joe’s is the kind of place where the plain slice tells you the whole story: thin crust, foldable structure, balanced sauce and cheese, and an easy grab-and-go feel. It is the pizza equivalent of seeing the skyline from street level rather than from an observation deck.
What to know before you go:
- Expect a quick-service slice counter, not a long sit-down meal.
- Seating may be limited, especially at busy Manhattan locations.
- This is ideal if you want pizza while sightseeing in Greenwich Village, near Washington Square Park, or in Times Square between theater and Midtown stops. (joespizzanyc.com)
Best for: Visitors who want the most recognizable, no-fuss New York slice experience.
Lombardi’s: the history stop in Little Italy
Why it is iconic: Lombardi’s presents itself as America’s First Pizzeria, established in 1905, and says it is credited with developing New York-style pizza. It is still located in the Little Italy section of Manhattan and is known for a coal oven-baked pie with a smoky crust. (firstpizza.com)
Where to go: 32 Spring Street, Manhattan, on the edge of Little Italy/Nolita. (firstpizza.com)
What to order first:
- A whole classic pie rather than overcomplicating the order.
- If you are sharing, keep at least one pie simple so you can taste the coal-fired crust and tomato-forward style.
Lombardi’s is not the same experience as a corner slice shop. It is more about pizza history, a sit-down meal, and coal-fired character.
What to know before you go:
- Lombardi’s busiest times are Friday and Saturday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., and the restaurant itself suggests coming earlier for shorter waits. (firstpizza.com)
- It is a natural meal stop if you are already exploring SoHo, Nolita, or Little Italy.
- Check current payment and menu details before visiting; older menu PDFs online may not reflect current policy. The contact page is the safer source for planning. (firstpizza.com)
Best for: Travelers who want a pizza stop with a strong sense of New York food history.
Juliana’s: the Brooklyn Bridge destination pie
Why it is iconic: Juliana’s is one of the best-known destination pie restaurants in Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO, near the Brooklyn Bridge waterfront. Its FAQ says the signature pie is the Classic Margherita with DOP San Marzano tomatoes, fresh locally made mozzarella, and basil, and it bakes in a coal-fired oven. (julianaspizza.com)
Where to go: 19 Old Fulton Street, Brooklyn. (julianaspizza.com)
What to order first:
- Classic Margherita.
- If your group wants variety, add one second pie with sausage or another topping, but keep one Margherita on the table.
What to know before you go:
- No reservations or group bookings. (julianaspizza.com)
- They may have a line at peak times, and they seat complete parties only upon arrival. (julianaspizza.com)
- They are open daily, but they close from 3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to “stoke” the coal oven. (julianaspizza.com)
- They accept cash and major cards. (julianaspizza.com)
- They do not sell slices; pizzas are whole pies only. (julianaspizza.com)
- Takeout can involve a long wait when the oven is at capacity. (julianaspizza.com)
This is an easy add-on to a day at Brooklyn Bridge Park, DUMBO, or a Brooklyn Bridge walk.
Best for: Visitors who want a scenic Brooklyn outing built around a whole pie rather than a grab-and-go slice.
Di Fara: the pilgrimage slice in Midwood
Why it is iconic: Di Fara says its first pizza was baked in Midwood, Brooklyn, in 1965, and its story centers on founder Dom DeMarco, whose ingredient-focused, hand-finished approach made the shop a legend. The company highlights details such as double zero flour, bufala mozzarella and Parmesan, Sunday sauce, hand-cut pepperoni, clipped basil, and extra virgin olive oil. (difarapizzany.com)
Where to go: The restaurant page lists the Brooklyn corner location at 15th Avenue and Avenue J in Midwood. (difarapizzany.com)
What to order first:
- A plain slice or plain pie first.
- If available and appealing, a pepperoni option is also a good second order because the shop specifically highlights its hand-cut pepperoni. (difarapizzany.com)
What to know before you go:
- Di Fara has long been associated with the idea that the pizza is worth traveling for; it is not the most convenient stop for many tourists, which is part of its identity.
- The brand itself notes that people started lining up and “the lines never stopped,” which reflects the shop’s longstanding destination status. (difarapizzany.com)
- This is best treated as a dedicated food excursion, not an incidental stop between Midtown attractions.
Best for: Visitors who care about pizza lore and are willing to leave the usual tourist core for a classic Brooklyn name.
Prince Street Pizza: the famous square slice stop in Nolita
Why it is iconic: Prince Street Pizza’s original New York location at 27 Prince Street has become one of the city’s most recognizable tourist pizza stops, especially for visitors seeking a thick, square, topping-heavy slice rather than a classic plain wedge. The official location page identifies it as the original location and a slice shop. (locations.princestreetpizza.com)
Where to go: 27 Prince Street, Manhattan, between Mott and Elizabeth in Nolita/SoHo. (locations.princestreetpizza.com)
What to order first:
- The shop is especially known for its square slices, so this is the place to skip the “I should probably get a plain slice first” rule and lean into the signature style.
- If you want the social-media-famous experience, order a square pepperoni-style slice if it is on offer.
What to know before you go:
- This is a slice shop, so it works well as a quick stop while exploring SoHo, Nolita, or Lower Manhattan shopping. (locations.princestreetpizza.com)
- The official page lists cash, major cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and contactless payment among accepted methods. (locations.princestreetpizza.com)
- Because it is heavily visited, expect possible lines and a more fast-moving, less leisurely experience than a sit-down pie restaurant.
Best for: Visitors who want a famous, filling, photogenic square slice in a central downtown neighborhood.
Lucali: the special-occasion Brooklyn pie
Why it is iconic: Lucali is one of Brooklyn’s most famous whole-pie destinations. The official Brooklyn page lists a deliberately simple menu built around a large pie with basil, calzones, and add-on toppings. (lucali.com)
Where to go: 575 Henry Street, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. (lucali.com)
What to order first:
- Large pie with basil.
- Add one or two toppings if you want, but do not overload it on a first visit.
What to know before you go:
- No reservations. (lucali.com)
- First come, first served, with the waitlist starting at 4 p.m. and service beginning at 5 p.m. (lucali.com)
- Cash only. (lucali.com)
- BYOB. (lucali.com)
- Takeout orders may be placed by phone or in person as early as 4 p.m. day-of. (lucali.com)
This is the sort of place where planning matters. If you show up casually at prime dinner time, you may wait a while.
Best for: Visitors building an evening around pizza, especially in Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill/Red Hook–adjacent Brooklyn.
Patsy’s Pizzeria: old-school coal-oven Manhattan
Why it belongs on this list: Patsy’s is one of the classic old-school names associated with coal-oven pizza in New York. While many tourists focus on newer viral spots, Patsy’s gives you a more traditional sit-down Manhattan pizza experience with deep local roots.
What to order first:
- Start with a simple pie before branching out.
- If you are comparing coal-oven styles, this is a useful contrast with Lombardi’s or Juliana’s.
What to know before you go:
- Verify the exact location and current operating details before visiting, because long-established New York restaurant brands can have multiple locations or changing policies.
Best for: Visitors who want a classic coal-oven name without turning the meal into a social-media scavenger hunt.
What makes these places different
For tourists, the easiest way to choose is by experience type:
- Want the classic foldable Manhattan slice? Go to Joe’s. (joespizzanyc.com)
- Want pizza history in Manhattan? Go to Lombardi’s. (firstpizza.com)
- Want a scenic Brooklyn whole-pie meal near major sights? Go to Juliana’s. (julianaspizza.com)
- Want a destination pilgrimage with deep pizza lore? Go to Di Fara. (difarapizzany.com)
- Want a famous square slice downtown? Go to Prince Street Pizza. (locations.princestreetpizza.com)
- Want a planned, special-occasion Brooklyn pie night? Go to Lucali. (lucali.com)
If you only have time for one
There is no objective “best,” but there are smart choices for different trips.
If you want the most classic first NYC pizza memory
Choose Joe’s Pizza in Greenwich Village. It is straightforward, famous, and easy to combine with a Manhattan walking day. (joespizzanyc.com)
If you want one pizza stop tied to major sightseeing
Choose Juliana’s if you are already doing DUMBO, Brooklyn Bridge Park, or the Brooklyn Bridge. The pizza is destination-worthy, and the neighborhood is scenic. (julianaspizza.com)
If you want the history angle
Choose Lombardi’s for the “first pizzeria” story and a Little Italy/Nolita setting. (firstpizza.com)
If you want a famous square slice, fast
Choose Prince Street Pizza. (locations.princestreetpizza.com)
If you are a serious pizza traveler
Choose Di Fara or Lucali, depending on whether you want a legendary slice pilgrimage or a whole-pie evening built around planning. (difarapizzany.com)
Practical NYC pizza etiquette for visitors
A little etiquette makes the experience smoother.
At a slice shop
- Know your order before you reach the counter.
- Keep it simple: “One plain slice, please,” or “One pepperoni slice.”
- Pay, step aside, and add napkins, grated cheese, chili flakes, or drinks without blocking the line.
- If there is little seating, many people eat standing up or take the slice outside.
At a whole-pie restaurant
- Expect to wait if the place is famous and does not take reservations.
- Do not assume every iconic pizza shop sells slices; Juliana’s only sells whole pies. (julianaspizza.com)
- If a place is cash only, like Lucali, do not count on cards working. (lucali.com)
- If a shop says they seat complete parties only, make sure everyone has arrived before checking in. Juliana’s specifically notes this. (julianaspizza.com)
About folding
Folding a New York slice down the middle is normal. It is not mandatory, but nobody will think twice if you do it.
Mini NYC pizza-ordering guide for tourists
Use these lines and you will be fine almost anywhere:
- “One plain slice, please.”
- “Two plain slices and a soda.”
- “Can I get a whole pie?”
- “What’s your signature slice?”
- “Do you sell slices, or whole pies only?”
- “Cash or card?”
If you are unsure what to order at a famous place, the safest move is:
- Get the signature style.
- Keep the first order simple.
- Add toppings on a second order if you still want more.
Bottom line
For most visitors, New York’s iconic pizza scene is less about finding one universally superior shop and more about choosing the right kind of stop for your day. Joe’s is the classic slice. Lombardi’s is the history play. Juliana’s is the scenic Brooklyn pie. Prince Street is the famous square slice. Di Fara and Lucali are destination picks for travelers willing to plan around the meal. (joespizzanyc.com)
Before you go, always verify current hours, prices, payment rules, and location details directly with the restaurant.