Kyle Green
Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood has one of the most humble yet richest histories in New York. What began as small farmland owned by a few families became a popular destination for Polish immigrants and is now home to some of Brooklyn’s younger population.
Today, it’s a cross between the working class and the creative new age, so expect to see 19th century-styled townhomes and vintage shops alongside spirited restaurants and night scenes.
Regardless of your preference, there’s something to participate in! Most visitors enjoy the neighborhood because it sits alongside the East River waterfront and is a semi-remote getaway from the larger city. Greenpoint’s versatility also makes for some of the best cuisines in Brooklyn, including notorious New York pizza!
Whether you’re in the mood for a laid-back evening or in search of an energized pizzeria, Greenpoint’s got it. Throughout my visits, I’ve compiled a list of the tastiest spots in the neighborhood. Check out my list of the best pizza in Greenpoint Brooklyn below!
Screamer’s Pizzeria
620 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Phone: 347-844-9412
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Screamer’s pizzeria is off Manhattan Avenue and Nassau Avenue, just northeast of McCarren Park. The shop is small and easy to miss but not something you want to! Because it’s tucked away on busy Manhattan Avenue, it’s not the best place to dine in, but perfect for takeout.
Most visitors are surprised to know the pizzeria is vegan. They offer pies and calzones crafted with ingredients like almond ricotta and numu mozzarella prepared to perfection. Although seemingly simple, their classic pepperoni is a fan favorite. Every time I stop by, I order a large pizza with half pepperoni and half buffalo.
Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop
110 Franklin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Phone: 123-456-7890
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This busy shop is on the southeast corner of Franklin Street and Noble Street and a secondary location to the original Paulie Gee’s. From the outside, it looks like just another diner feeding hungry tourists. However, a dine-in experience showcases the creative shop’s retro 70s-like ambiance.
Because Paulie’s is so popular, getting in can be difficult. Luckily, this location also offers delivery and takeout. Regardless of how you get one of their pies, you won’t be disappointed! The restaurant handmakes Sicilian and classic New York pizzas and even offers vegan options. The Hellboy Pie is my personal favorite and highly recommended by locals!
Fornino
849 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Phone: 718-389-5300
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Situated between Milton and Noble Street, off Manhattan Avenue, Fornino’s is one of the best places for dining in Brooklyn. Chef Michael Ayoub leads the mellow feeling pizzeria. Ayoub has over 45 years of culinary experience. Before founding Fornino, Chef Ayoub was the mastermind behind acclaimed restaurants like Skaffles and Cucina. His wisdom in the kitchen is apparent in each dish.
Ayoub draws inspiration from where pizza originated–Naples, Italy by preparing each pie in a wood-fired brick oven for an authentic Italian taste. My personal favorite is the Tartuffo E Speck–a truffle cream pizza. However, many regulars recommend the Margherita Classica pizza. Regardless of what you choose, Ayoub’s fresh take on traditional Italian cuisine will leave you recommending the restaurant to everyone you encounter!
Russ Pizza
745 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Phone: 718-383-9463
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Russ Pizza sits along Manhattan Avenue north of the substation on Norman Avenue. The modest pizzeria is known for its classic New York feel. Although just a counter-order restaurant, Russ Pizza’s regulars have remained faithful since childhood.
The Greenpoint gem crafts traditional New York pizzas perfect for a planned or spontaneous visit! Fresh ingredients fill each dish, no matter how simple. My elementary order of cheese pizza and the raved about garlic knots is always so fulfilling. However, the busy diner has an abundance of flavorful entrees to choose from, such as Baked Ziti Pie and deep dish Sicilian pizzas!
Franklin Pizza
109 Franklin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Phone: 718-349-2472
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Franklin Pizza is on the southwest corner of Greenpoint Avenue and Franklin Street. Many locals will tell you Franklin’s quick and energized service makes it one of the best places to grab a slice. The pizzeria’s vast menu and casual environment turn first-time visitors into regulars.
Most Franklin employees boast about their cheese pizza, and they’re justified in doing so! Warm, perfectly baked cheese sits atop flavorful tomato sauce and a large, soft crust. What’s even better is their free delivery! If you’re not up for venturing into the city, order online, and your pie will arrive at your doorstep free of cost.
Italy Pizza
800 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Phone: 718-383-9079
Located on the southeast block of Manhattan Avenue and Calyer Street, Italy Pizza serves traditional and specialty pizzas. The shop is small with limited seating but has a friendly, laid-back atmosphere. The pies are delicious, and the staff goes above and beyond to make you feel at home. So, what should you order?
Anything with ricotta! The parlor’s fresh ricotta makes for some of the best pizza in Greenpoint Brooklyn. The white pizza is my go-to. Notably fresh mozzarella and ricotta sit on top of a warm crust. Like most of the parlor’s entrees, the slice is full of flavor without being overbearing.
Paulie Gee’s
60 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Phone: 347-987-3747
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Paulie Gee’s is a wood-fired pizzeria that solely offers dine-in services so their guests can enjoy their pies fresh. Ask any native for the best pizza in Greenpoint Brooklyn and they’ll point you toward Greenpoint Avenue and Franklin Street. Beware–Paulie Gee’s is near and dear to Brooklyn locals’ hearts and therefore always busy. However, the environment is casual, and the unique menu items are worth enduring the crowd!
Owner Paul Giannone began by crafting Neapolitan pies, or pizzas inspired by Naples cuisine. Therefore, you’ll find additional menu items at this location. Don’t let your abundance of options overwhelm you. Everything I’ve tried is impressively delicious! However, my all-time favorite is the King Harry Classic. Fresh mozzarella and prosciutto di Parma create a traditional flavor difficult to find elsewhere.
Mario’s Pizza
940 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Phone: 718-349-2700
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Situated on the southeast corner of Manhattan Avenue and Java Street, the Greenpoint neighborhood highly favors Mario’s Pizza. For a small shop with limited seating, the pizzeria has impressive reviews—check for yourself! Warm customer service and top-notch pizza crusts are what keep people coming back.
Most regulars describe the crust to be soft with just the right amount of crunch, and it is! Each time I visit Mario’s, I order a Grandma’s Pie for my main course and Nutella Pizza for dessert. Neither has disappointed me thus far. Plus, you get five percent off all online orders. It makes their already great prices even better!
Tony’s Pizzeria
175 Nassau Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Phone: 718-349-3330
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Tony’s Pizzeria is on Nassau Avenue and Diamond Street. The small shop operates by counter-order, but you would swear you were at a traditional Italian diner. The menu has flavor-filled options fit to meet the desires of even the pickiest eaters. You can try any of Tony’s creations by dine-in or takeout.
From classic pizzas to keto-friendly and gluten-free, they’ve got it all! The cheese ravioli pizza is my favorite and an item I will never stop recommending. However, I also enjoy experimenting with their creative crusts! To my surprise, the cauliflower crust is to die for and pairs well with most pies. For what seems like an endless option of pizza combinations, visit Tony’s Pizzeria!
Casanova
338 McGuinness Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Phone: 718-389-0990
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This traditional feeling pizzeria sits along North McGuinness Boulevard at Green Street. Casanova features old-time decor in a homey feeling dining room. Despite the romantic vibe, the restaurant is laid-back and casual. You can order pizza slices from the counter or receive full service. Regardless, you’ll likely experience some of the best customer service Brooklyn has to offer.
I appreciate Casanova’s old-time ambiance. Therefore, I always enjoy garlic knots, a pie, and tiramisu at a table. Typically I build my Sicilian pizza, but I’ve also ordered the Casanova Special Pizza multiple times and have not been disappointed. Don’t worry–if you’re not in the mood for socializing, place an order online, and you’ll receive five percent off the total price!
Brooklyn is one of the best places to sample Italian cuisine. The city offers traditional and fresh takes that are fit to meet the needs of varying visitors.
While in Brooklyn, pay a visit to the historic Greenpoint neighborhood, as it contains some of the best pies you’ll ever try, but the bottomless brunch scene is even better.
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
