Erin Elizabeth
Carroll Gardens is a traditionally Italian-American Brooklyn neighborhood with deep roots in the old country and unforgettable, authentic food culture. So it should come as no surprise that you can get some of the best Italian food in the city, right in Carroll Gardens.
As with most of the area’s charming, old-school neighborhoods, Carroll Gardens is a mixture of old and new. You’ll find cute shops, restaurants, and neighborhood haunts in Carroll Gardens. Since it doesn’t have substantial nightlife, it’s less rowdy and hectic than neighboring Manhattan or some of the other neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
Carroll Gardens has the right mixture of the urban landscape and leafy, tranquil parks. Carroll Park is one of the best places to enjoy a takeaway coffee and take a mid-afternoon stroll. After a full day of exploring, it’s time to check out the best pizza places in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.
Lucali
575 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: 718-858-4086
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Two blocks down from the Smith Street Maternelle French Preschool, you will find Lucali, one of the best pizzerias in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. Lucali is a trendy pizza place, so you might have to wait a bit if you arrive during their lunch or dinner rush. It’s a good idea to make reservations.
I love Lucali because they consistently serve solidly good food. Even their Pepperoni and Cheese pies are exceptional and come with plenty of fresh basil for a yummy twist. Their calzones are hearty and come with perfectly seasoned sauce as well, and the marinara sauce is homemade, robust, and packed with plenty of fresh flavors.
Sal’s Pizza Store
305 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Sal’s Pizza Store is just about three blocks down from Carroll Park and is an unassuming, friendly local pizza parlor where you can get solidly good, well-prepared food for reasonable prices. One of the best things about Sal’s Pizza Store is how they manage to get their proportions just right. The ratio of bread, sauce, and cheese is perfectly on point.
If you decide to dine in, wash your pizza down with one of their draft beers or signature cocktails. My favorite pie is their Sausage pizza, although their vegetable pizzas are excellent too. I love the combination of roasted red peppers and mushrooms.
Enoteca
347 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: 718-243-1000
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One block away from the Smith/Union Street bus stop, you will find Enoteca. It’s one of Carroll Gardens’ most iconic pizza parlors with innovative offerings, perfectly prepared pizzas, and huge salads. They also have a really nice wine list and friendly servers. Overall, if you visit Enoteca, you’re in for a genuine treat and a great dining experience.
Although you should definitely try the pizzas, one of my favorite menu items has got to be their squash salad. It’s full of roasted squash, goat cheese, and fresh greens. It’s light but robustly flavored and makes an excellent starter to your meal. I also love their Margharita pizza with basil and cheese.
Via Roma Pizza Bar
445 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: 929-337-9714
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Via Roma Pizza Bar is around the corner from the Carroll Street subway station, and it’s a beautiful place to go for a quick lunch or dinner. This pizza joint is famous for its Margherita pizza, a tasty pie topped with tons of fresh basil, cheese, and a sauce that’s tangy and tasty. If you want to get really fancy, you can create your own pizza from a variety of different toppings.
They also sell Sicilian Cheese pizza with a thick crust and plenty of sauce. This pizza is great for parties where you have to feed a lot of people. I’m stuffed after just one or two slices. Their classic pizzas with pepperoni and sausage are good too. You really can’t go wrong with anything on the Via Roma Pizza Bar menu.
Brooklyn Pizza Market
267 A Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: 347-422-0436
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Check out a show at Cobble Hill Cinemas, then head on down to Brooklyn Pizza Market for a tasty slice. This pizzeria has something of a cult following in Carroll Gardens, and there’s an excellent reason why; it’s one of the best in the city. The thing that I love most about Brooklyn Pizza Market is the dough. It’s profoundly flavored and has almost a focaccia taste and feel.
Plus, you’ll get your food rapidly at Brooklyn Pizza Market, and the service is friendly and excellent. Try their Buffalo Chicken pizza for a tangy, spicy rendition full of delicious Buffalo chicken. Some of their pizzas have clever names, too, like Beef Me Up Scotty and The Great White Buffalo. So if you like whimsy and good food, this is your spot.
Panzerotti Bites
235 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: 718-488-9300
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Panzerotti Bites is right around the corner from Success Academy Cobble Hill and is one of the best examples of authentic Italian food in Carroll Gardens. Their fried panzerotti, or Italian-style calzones, are light and flavorful. They pair perfectly with a cup of fresh coffee and have the perfect ratio of bread to filling.
I love their fresh mozzarella cheese. You can definitely taste the difference, especially when you pair it with tomato sauce and basil. Adventurous eaters will love their seafood panzerotti, like octopus and mashed potato or salmon.
Vinny’s of Carroll Gardens
295 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: 718-875-5600
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Hop off at the Smith/Union Street bus stop, and you’ll be right next to Vinny’s of Carroll Gardens. This restaurant is a must-visit next time you’re in this part of Brooklyn. The ambiance and service are both top-notch, and they have a tremendous selection of all kinds of Italian favorites that will make you think that you’ve stepped right off the plane in Naples.
Vinny’s of Carroll Gardens has a phenomenal wine selection, and their friendly waitstaff can help you select the perfect bottle for your meal. Personally, I love their Eggplant Parmesan. It’s got plenty of thickly sliced vegetables, cheese, and a tart and tasty sauce. Their mussels are fantastic too.
The House of Pizza & Calzone
132 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: 718-624-9107
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The House of Pizza & Calzone is just a few blocks away from Mother Cabrini Park and serves some of the best Grandma pizza that you’ll find in the city. With chunks of tomato, plenty of garlic, and a lot of cheese, their Grandma pizza is a comfort-food classic that you’ll love from the first bite.
I also like their Upside Down pizza, where the cheese is on the bottom. It’s a fun twist on your traditional pie, and you can’t just eat one slice. The House of Pizza & Calzone does excellent calzones, too, with meaty fillings and lots of gooey mozzarella cheese. If you have space, try their sugary Zeppoles for dessert.
Sam’s
238 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-596-3458
You’ll find Sam’s just a few blocks away from Boerum Hill School For International Studies. Sam’s is a local favorite that hasn’t quite hit the tourist map yet, and it’s been serving up hot and tasty pies to hungry Brooklynites for years. Although their pizza is fantastic, I prefer their Parmigiana Melanzane and meatballs.
Their Chicken Parmesan is excellent as well, and the portions are large enough to split with a friend or bring the rest home in a doggie bag. If you’re in the mood for pizza, check out Sam’s brick oven pies, stacked high with toppings and served piping hot. Honestly, it doesn’t get better than this.
Frankies 457 Spuntino
457 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: 718-403-0033
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Frankies 457 Spuntino is right around the corner from St. Mary’s Playground and is precisely what you would think of as the quintessential Italian food restaurant. Make the trip to Frankies 457 Spuntino for their meatballs with raisins and pine nuts. The combination might sound a little odd, but trust me, it’s absolutely delicious.
Frankies 457 Spuntino also has a great wine list and classic Italian sandwiches like Roast Beef with red onion and flavorful pepperoncini. There’s also Meatball Parmigiana with crispy bread, tart marinara sauce, and plenty of melted cheese. You will leave satisfied and eager to come back.
Carroll Gardens is one of the best spots in Brooklyn to get some delicious Italian cuisine or a spectacular slice of pizza. So whether you’re in the mood for an old-school Grandma slice, or a more innovative take on your traditional pie, Carroll Gardens has what you are looking for.
Not interested in pizza? You might like some of these places in Carroll Gardens where you can get delicious brunch!
Did we miss your favorite pizza joint? Let us know in the comments below.
