As a NYC local who works in the area, I’m stoked to share where you can get the best pizza in Times Square!
You can’t miss out on a good slice while visiting NYC, home to America’s first pizzeria — Lombardi’s Pizza — which has been operating in Little Italy since 1905.
Whether you’re peckish after strolling down chaotic Times Square, or searching for a slide pre or post-Broadway, these pizza spots hit the spot.
Why should I trust you?
I’ve worked in Times Square for almost 3 years, including my time at The New York Times, the namesake of this neighborhood.
Yep, Times Square is actually named after NYT! The famous New Years’ ball-drop building is the OG headquarters.
My current office is also in this haunted neighborhood (convenient location, scary crowds).
With that, let’s dive into where you can get the best pizza in Times Square!
Best Pizza in Times Square
Best Pizza Restaurants in Times Square
1. See No Evil Pizza: Subterranean Stash That Hits the Spot
I’ve always wondered why New York City doesn’t have the same underground economy that I grew up with in Korea, snacking in hole-in-the-walls and hunting for cheap thrills.
But localization is critical when importing a business idea. And Adrien Gallo’s hit the nail with his NYC rendition of a subway hideout.
The modern New York Italian restaurant See No Evil is one of Adrien’s 3 concepts inside the 50th St subway station. Right next door is the cocktail bar Nothing Really Matters and the cafe Tiny Dancer.
“I specifically design everything, especially down here, nicer than it has to be,” he said, “because you’re already coming through the subway. So I want these places to almost be like an oasis.”
At See No Evil, Adrien and his partner and executive chef Ed Carew offer down-to-earth delights with twists and turns that keep you on your feet.
“We want to do everything to such a standard that is insane,” Adrien said.
But “Times Square is a little bit different than the West village, right?” Adrien said. “You can’t piss off the tourists just because you think you’re like a New York cool restaurant.”
While Adrien and Ed strive to keep the menu tight and straightforward, the attention-to-detail and intention behind each item is apparent.
Try the Hell Pie, loaded with meat and warm with heat ($28). The Funghi, with mushrooms and arugula, is delicious, too ($26).
You can order any of the pizzas gluten-free (Adrien actually has celiac!).
“When people come to New York City, they should be eating at places like this, not at TGI Fridays, or whatever,” Adrien says. “Celebrate local.”
Address: 210 W 50th St Concourse #1, New York, NY 10019
2. Roberta’s: Delectable Cuisine in a Classy Venue
Roberta’s was a pioneer in the Bushwick dining scene when they opened shop in 2008, creating a watering hole for the local creative crowd that was recognizable for anyone but raised the bar with its heightened culinary experience, said co-owner Brandon Hoy.
But given the dive bar like vibes of the OG location, “it would be very off-putting to put what we did inside Bushwick, inside this building … maybe fraudulent and unauthentic, right?” Brandon remarked.
In a nod to that sentiment, Roberta’s at PENN 1 has an exceedingly clean-cut and light-filled space, including a large outdoor terrace overlooking Madison Square Garden – with the same ingenious pizza, fresh pastas and so much more.
But this Roberta’s still beams with fellow co-owner Carlo Mirarchi and Brandon’s DNA.
Take the graffiti-like mural by LAmour Supreme that connects the downstairs takeout venue, R Slice, with the dine-in restaurant. And as was in Bushwick, Brandon is committed to elevating the foodie scene in Midtown (two of their chefs are implants from their tasting-menu restaurant, Foul Witch).
The Bee Sting is a must-try. Sweet and evenly spicy hot honey sloshes around Roberta’s chewy, perfectly salted razor-thin crust.
Rip open the balloon-like puffed pizza dough and dip it in Fire and Ice, the reddish pork sausage spread, n’duja, and the creamy yet light stracciatella.
Brandon’s top picks include the Tuna Carpaccio tuna belly sashimi ($26) and the Autumn Chicories salad that’s graced the menu since opening ($16). Then there’s the snail-shaped Lumache Pomodoro pasta ($26) and the 180-day Dry-Aged Tomahawk Rib Steak ($198).
Address: One Penn Plaza, Plaza 33 East, New York, NY 10119
3. Ace’s Pizza: Detroit-Style Pies in a 80s Hideout
Ace’s Pizza is the perfect feel-good hangout in the otherwise sanitized Rockefeller Center. 80s music plays in the background while archaic imagery flashes on the box TVs and the arcade machine.
On the opposite side of this petite but character-filled dining area (with 5 or so tables) is their takeout spot, which opened first.
Ace’s Detroit-style pizza hits the spot. The Supreme was excellent – it crunches loudly upon first bite, but the center is light and pillowy and the cheese baked into the top half exterior of the crust is pleasantly smoky.
Ace’s is a great place for a casual dinner with family or a loved one, after skating at the Rockefeller rink or gazing upon the twinkling Christmas tree.
You can enjoy a draft beer or wine with your pizza, too.
Address: 30 Rockefeller Center, New York, NY 10112
4. John’s Pizzeria of Times Square: Former Church with Stained Glass
There’s nothing quite like devouring thin-crust slices steaming from John’s coal-fired brick ovens and looking up onto the original stained glass cupola from 1888.
That’s the vision that Madeline Castellotti had back in 1995. Despite Times Square being a red-light district, when Madeline entered the abandoned Gospel Tabernable Church and saw the stained glass made of 8 equal parts – just like a pizza – she knew she had to quit her HR job in big law and make the leap.
Two years later, she opened the restaurant.
This otherwise unassuming pizzeria has heartopeningly high ceilings (a rarity in this city!) and old wooden booths underneath huge NYC murals.
Try the Traditional, which John’s tops with fresh mozzarella and basil. The crust is toasty and smoky from the 800-degree open flame burning from anthracite sourced from Pennsylvania.
Why not take the Jonas Brothers’ favorite table on the upper-deck balcony?
Join the likes of Simone Biles and Michelle Obama and grab a New York slice at John’s Pizzeria.
Located right on West 44th Street, John’s is the perfect spot to dine before a Broadway show.
Address: 260 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036
5. Capizzi: Rustic Escape with Wood-Fired Pizza
It’s hard to believe that there’s such a sweet, rustic getaway tucked under the hectic transience of the Port Authority bridges.
Capizzi is inspired by owner Joe Calcagno’s nonna, who taught him the importance of buying the best ingredients from the best shops for that ingredient.
It’s also the name of the city in Sicily where his grandmother is from, a nod to Joe’s Italian heritage. He worked at both his father and his grandfather’s pizza shops.
“We want to make you feel like you’re at his grandma’s house and make it feel like family,” manager Peter Righi said. It’s cozy seeing his grandma’s old TV and fridge at the restaurant.
“Everything is done simply, but with the best ingredients,” Peter said, from San Marzano tomatoes imported from Italy to the fresh buffalo milk mozzarella from Brooklyn.
If you love sinking your teeth deep into plush, thicker and chewy dough, Capizzi is your spot.
The crust is charred from the wood-fired pizza oven that Joe built himself, brick by brick.
Try the Prosciutto & Arugula Pizza, and top it off with the rich Tiramisu.
Address: 547 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10018
6. Don Antonio: Deep-Fried Pizza Finished in Wood-Fired Oven
Indulge in Don Antonio’s decadent and seriously delicious fried pizzas, finished in their wood-burning oven that pervades your olfactories with an unmistakable rustic smokiness.
Did you know that 40-60% of orders placed at Don Antonio’s are gluten-free?
You can order most of the pizzas gluten-free (except the fried pizzas!) and the chefs will prepare them in a separate kitchen.
Trust me, the deep-fried Montanara Classica ($20) won’t disappoint.
The first thing I noticed was the crazy pervasive smokiness from the wood-fired oven.
Then, the cheerful crunch and funnel-cake-like deepness of the perfectly fried dough.
Crowd favorites also include Guy Fieri’s pick, the Pistacchio & Salsiccia pizza with sausage ($26).
Manager Kat Stojkovic’s favorite is the 10 Years Anniversary Pizza with tomato sauce, organic stracciatella from Puglia, basil pesto and pecorino romano ($27).
Address: 309 W 50th St, New York, NY 10019
7. Emmy Squared Pizza: Decadent Detroit-Style Pies
Emmy’s Detroit-style pizza is decadent, thick and incredibly satiating, with a fluffy dough core, and no small amount of delicious cheese, sauce and toppings.
The Margherita Pizza delivers with fresh burrata and flavorful arugula. The Big Hawaiian (don’t hate me!) is undeniably incredible.
You can also upgrade to vegan cheese or gluten-free crust for their regular pizzas ($23).
Hitting Times Square on a Monday? Don’t miss Emmy Squared’s $5 margaritas.
Don’t sleep on Le Big Matt, their double-stack burger that’s been recognized as some of the best by Gothamist, The Tennessean and Nashville Lifestyles.
Emily and Matthew Hyland opened their original location in Williamsburg in 2016. Today, they operate 7 locations in NYC and many throughout the US.
Address: 311 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036
Best Takeout Pizza in Times Square
8. NY Pizza Suprema: Ultimate Plain Cheese Slice
Joe Riggio’s father founded NY Pizza Suprema in 1964 and staunchly “believed that if you wanted to be successful,” then you had to “do one thing and do it better than anyone else.”
That one thing was the plain cheese slice for Salvatore Riggio, Joe’s favorite slice to this day.
“My dad used to say, ‘Don’t disguise it. If pizza is good, it’ll stand on its own,’” Joe said.
Despite the fact that it’s expensive, “we always add a very, very generous portion of … a sharp Pecorino Romano from Italy,” and “don’t overwhelm [the pizza] with mozzarella. We use grande whole milk only,” said Joe.
Situated right across from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station, this quintessential New York pizzeria is the perfect place to grab a hefty, crispy and satisfying slice on-the-go.
“If a customer comes in and calls me Joey, then that excites me, because they remember me since I’m a boy,” Joe said, “because my father would say, ‘Joey, turn the pie in the oven.’” Joe’s worked at this pizzeria since he was 10 years old.
In addition to the plain cheese slice (NY Round Cheese Pizza, $4.50), Joe recommends the Upside Down ($6), and for folks that don’t like tomato sauce, the White Pizza with Garlic ($5.50).
Address: 413 8th Ave, New York, NY 10001
9. Joe’s Pizza: Quintessential New York Slice from Greenwich Village
I’ve had one too many 10:30pm slices from Joe’s.
Their classic New York slice is just that good!
Since opening the first location in Greenwich Village in 1975, owner Joe Pozzuoli has expanded to 5 more locations in NYC (and 3 more in Boston, Miami and Ann Arbor!).
Every location I’ve been to has delivered deeply satisfying slices of pizza that’ve comforted my soul when I needed it most.
Pro Tip: Expect long lines (that go… decently fast, if you have the time). But the Broadway store manager tells me that 2-3pm (after lunch time) is the best time to go.
Address: 1435 Broadway, New York, NY 10018
Best Pizza in Times Square (Conclusion)
In this guide, we went over where to find the best pizza in Times Square.
As a New Yorker who’s worked in Times Square for almost 3 years, I can attest that these are some of the best pizza places you’ll find in the Big Apple.
There’s the quintessential plain slice at NY Pizza Suprema – a family-owned pizzeria that’s been operated by the Riggios for 45 years. Then there’s Joe’s, which exemplifies New York-style pizza to the core.
And of course, we can’t miss the incredible Neapolitan pizza from the wood-fired oven at Don Antonio.
These are my favorite places for the perfect pizza in New York City.
Best Pizza Restaurants in Times Square
- See No Evil Pizza: Subterranean Stash That Hits the Spot
- Roberta’s: Delectable Cuisine in a Classy Venue
- Ace’s Pizza: Detroit-Style Pies in a 80s Hideout
- John’s Pizzeria of Times Square: Former Church with Stained Glass
- Capizzi: Rustic Escape with Wood-Fired Pizza
- Don Antonio: Deep-Fried Pizza Finished in Wood-Fired Oven
- Emmy Squared Pizza: Decadent Detroit-Style Pies
Best Takeout Pizza in Times Square
- NY Pizza Suprema: Ultimate Plain Cheese Slice
- Joe’s Pizza: Quintessential New York Slice from Greenwich Village
In this list of the best pizza, we went over my favorite New York style pizza joints.
Thanks for checking out my article about the best pizza in Times Square!
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