Brian Nagele
Arguably the most historic neighborhood in Manhattan, Harlem has been a cultural and culinary hub for well over 100 years. Harlem is constantly changing, and it seems like if you blink your eyes, there are a dozen new things for you to explore and enjoy.
One thing that’s always constant in Harlem is the food. Harlem has a burgeoning food scene, and for pizza lovers, there are tons of excellent restaurants to enjoy. So, who has the best pizza in Harlem? We’ve checked out the best of the best and compiled an exhaustive list of places to try.
We recommend grabbing a slice at each spot or ordering pizza takeout and deciding on the best pizza in Harlem for yourself!
Sottocasa
227 Lenox Ave, New York, NY 10027
Phone: (646) 928-4870
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A block west of Marcus Garvey Park on Malcolm X Boulevard, you’ll find Sottocasa’s Harlem outpost. This quaint restaurant is helmed by a husband and wife duo who grew up in Italy and are bringing the flavors of their homeland to Harlem. The straw that stirs the drink here is a 2-ton wood-fired oven that burns at 1000-degrees to produce the perfect pizza.
Sottocasa is best known for its authentic Neapolitan pies, but they offer an expansive menu of inventive pizzas and some small plates so you can whet your appetite while you wait for your pie. Be sure to grab an inventive cocktail or a beer from the rotating list of Italian microbreweries to pair with your pizza.
Bono Trattoria
3658 Broadway, New York, NY 10031
Phone: 646-682-9249
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Here in the busy Hamilton Heights neighborhood of Harlem on the corner of Broadway and 151st, you’ll find one of the finest places to grab a pie or a bowl of pasta in town. The dark, somewhat industrial dining room is understated and lets the food and drink do the talking, instead of a bunch of bold decor flourishes.
Bono Trattoria offers a varied menu that offers a bit of everything, so it’s an ideal spot if you’re in the mood for a bit more than pizza. Beyond their delicious brick oven offerings, you’ll also find a few appetizers and a small selection of pasta and entree courses that somehow manage to steal the show from the delicious pizza. What’s my suggestion? Show up hungry enough to share a pizza, a pasta dish, and one of their signature entrees, like the brick-oven pork chop or whole roasted branzino.
Patsy’s Pizzeria
2287 1st Ave, New York, NY 10035
Phone: (212) 534-9783
Ask any pizza connoisseur in the city to name their top three Manhattan pizzerias, and you’re sure to hear Patsy’s mentioned more often than not. This historic outpost right on 1st Avenue, a few blocks from Thomas Jefferson Park, has been serving up some of New York’s best pizza since the 1930s. While there’s some dispute amongst historians, it’s believed Patsy’s was the first shop to popularize pizza by the slice.
Patsy’s menu is classically Italian, and you’ll find everything from soups and salads to pasta, entrees, small plates, and of course, brick oven pizza. The pizza is the star of the show, so make sure there’s one on your table. Outside of that, you can’t go wrong with any of their delicious meals, especially the steak Pizzaiola.
Fumo Harlem
1600 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10031
Phone: (646) 692-6675
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Across the street from City College at the corner of 139th and Amsterdam lies a bright and airy restaurant that offers classic and modern Italian dishes for lunch, dinner, and brunch on the weekends.
Fumo offers a well-curated menu that features classic starters, a selection of classic and inventive pizzas, a generous selection of pasta, and a few larger plates. There’s also a full bar serving up Italian-inspired cocktails. If you’re up for suggestions, grab a Margherita pie and an order of Rigatoni Norma (and thank me later).
Babbalucci
331 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10027
Phone: 646-918-6572
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Across the street from Sylvia’s on Malcolm X Boulevard, you’ll find Babbalucci. Pop into their warm and inviting dining room, and you’ll instantly feel at home. At Babbalucci, chef/owner Andrew LoPresto presides over a menu that seamlessly blends classic Italian cooking with a modern flair that’s quintessentially Harlem.
Babbalucci offers brick-oven pies, a curated selection of pasta and entrees, and some of the best cocktails Harlem has to offer. Many of the ingredients are locally sourced from Harlem Grown’s rooftop gardens. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but the porchetta is to die for. So, my suggestion is to grab one on your trip here!
Pizza by Lucille’s
26c Macombs Pl, New York, NY 10039
Phone: 646-370-4270
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A few blocks off the Harlem River at the corner of Macombs Place and 150th lies one of Harlem’s most notorious pizza outposts. Stop by for a slice, order a pizza delivery, or grab a frozen pie to enjoy at home on a quiet night.
As for the food, Lucille’s gets right to the point. There are a few pizzeria classics, like chicken parm and lasagna. Outside of that, the menu is all pizza. Lucille’s makes an excellent pie, but their thin crust Sicilian is the star of the show. Grab a vodka pie or one of their signature broccoli rabe and sausage pies, and you’ll be on your way to pizza heaven.
Harlem Pizza Co
135 W 116th St, New York, NY 10026
Phone: (212) 222-9889
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On 116th in between Malcolm X Boulevard and Adam Clayton Jr. Boulevard, you’ll find Harlem Pizza Co., a neighborhood favorite that serves up classic Italian pies and baked calzones from their cozy location in the heart of South Harlem.
The dining room is small and unpretentious with exposed brick and a mosaic tile brick oven that roars in the background, cooking pizzas and calzones to perfection. Harlem Pizza Co. covers all the classics and puts its spin on some unique creations you won’t find elsewhere. I love getting a Lexington pie for lunch or dinner or stopping in early and grabbing a breakfast panini.
King’s Pizza of Harlem
110 W 145th St, New York, NY 10039
Phone: (212) 283-0182
Across from Treasure Island Storage on 145th, about a half-block from Col. Charles Young playground, you’ll find the most unassuming pizzeria on our list. If you’re not paying attention, you may miss this humble outpost. Trust your intuition and follow the aroma of fresh pizza into this tiny spot, and you’ll be rewarded with some of Harlem’s best pizza.
King’s is a classic neighborhood spot with a healthy dash of Harlem mixed in for good measure. They have some excellent pies, but a few secrets on the menu are a must-try. You need an order of their garlic knots, assuming they didn’t sell out before your arrival. The fried chicken and seafood baskets are also other hidden gems well worth trying.
Victorios Pizza Harlem
348 W 145th St, New York, NY 10039
Phone: 212-283-2100
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On 145th Street in the heart of Harlem, across from the Hillview Medical Center, you’ll find this neighborhood pizza spot. Victorio’s is an unassuming spot and one you might walk right by if you didn’t know better. But, Manhattanites know that this is one of the best spots in upper Manhattan to grab a pie.
The menu features all the classics you’d expect: pizza, pasta, and Italian entrees. But, they also have an excellent selection of Mexican food, burgers, and sandwiches. Whatever you’re in the mood for, you’ll probably find it at Victorio’s. The kitchen puts out excellent food, but I have to say that the pizza is the star of the show. Try the La Mexicana pie if you’re in the mood for something different.
New Millennium
394 W 145th St, New York, NY 10031
Located on the corner of 145th and Saint Nick, New Millennium is a classic New York slice joint perfect for a quick bite. This place isn’t winning any awards for decor or ambiance, but when all you’re after is the perfect New York slice, all that stuff is window dressing, anyway.
New Millennium keeps things simple. Here, you’ll find pies and slices as well as a few Italian staples like baked ziti and lasagna. If you’re uptown and looking for a quick slice, you won’t find many places that do them bigger or better than New Millennium.
Uptown Pizza
272 W 135th St, New York, NY 10030
Phone: (212) 876-2033
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On 135th Street, three blocks south from Strivers’ Row, you’ll find the unassuming Uptown Pizza next to the Abyssinian restaurant. Uptown is another classic slice joint that’s perfect for a quick bite. While the joint won’t be winning any awards for design and decor, they make a great pie.
It’s a classic pizzeria menu, with pizza by the slice or pie, a few Italian classics, and heroes. While Uptown makes a meatball parm hero that’s tough to top, their regular pie is the real winner here. Their pizza features the perfect balance of sauce and cheese with a thin crust, a true New York classic.
Harlem might not be the first spot in Manhattan that comes to mind when it comes to pizza. Yet. With so many excellent shops and more popping up throughout the neighborhood all the time, Harlem has quickly become one of the finest neighborhoods in the city to grab a slice.
Whether you’re looking for a classic Neapolitan, a loaded specialty slice, or anything in between, with this list, you’ll know exactly where to get pizza in Harlem.
Once you’ve eaten your way through the best pizza in Harlem, check out some of the other fantastic spots Harlem has to offer. Whether you’re looking for brunch, dinner, or anything in between, you’ll find it uptown here in Harlem.
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
