The Prospect Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn has seen many changes over the years, but great food has always remained—including some of the best pizza in the city. From quick places to grab a slice near Barclays Center to family-friendly sit-down restaurants with wood-fired pizza ovens, you’ll find no shortage of delicious pizza pies.
Prospect Heights is bordered by Flatbush Avenue, Atlantic Avenue, Eastern Parkway, and Washington Avenue. While those borders don’t make a circle, they might as well because pizza is at the heart of the entire neighborhood.
Where can you find the best pizza in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn? Here’s my rundown, including artisanal, classic NY style, and more. You’ll find places perfect for families, dates, and even spots that stay open after the bars close.
What type of pizza are you hungry for? Let’s check out the best!
Ogliastro Pizza Bar
784 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Phone: 718-789-3700
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Ogliastro is owned by famous Brooklyn restaurateur Pietro Sclafani and is named after the town in Sicily where he was born. Along with his wife, Kristen, and head chef, Steven Flynn, Sclanfani has created a resto that serves up some of the best pizza in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.
It’s a trendy, but welcoming, neighborhood spot located one block south of the Whitney Museum, on Washington Street between Jane Street and Horatio Street.
They have a huge selection of both Red and White Pizza. My favorite is probably the White Pesto, which has buffalo mozzarella, zucchini, and basil pesto. If you’re in the mood for a more traditional pie, try the Pepperoni Red Pizza with pepperonis, bell peppers, and parmigiano.
Amorina Cucina Rustica
624 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Phone: 718-230-3030
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Stepping into Amorina is like traveling back in time. The look and feel of this quaint neighborhood café were inspired by owner Albano Ballerini’s grandmother and the restaurant she owned in Italy during the 1940s. Amorina is in the heart of Prospect Heights, located just north of Grand Army Plaza and Prospect Park Zoo.
They’re a casual Italian restaurant with a full menu of spaghetti, fettuccine, rigatoni, lasagna, and pizza. Their pizzas are made with fresh mozzarella and stewed tomatoes.
These are some of the freshest-tasting pies you’ll find in Brooklyn! My faves are the Tricolore, with baby arugula and cherry tomatoes, and the Norma, which features eggplant, tomatoes, ricotta salad, and mint.
Antonio’s Pizza
318 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-398-2300
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Antonio’s isn’t fancy, and they probably don’t fit everyone’s definition of cool, but they sure do make some of the best pizza in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. I’ll stop by for a quick slice at lunch or to pick up a pie to take home for dinner. They’re right by the 7th Avenue Station on Flatbush near Carlton Avenue and Park Place.
You can create your own or choose one of their specialties, such as the Lasagna Pizza or Buffalo Chicken Pizza. They have both flat crush and deep dish. My friends and I are big fans of the Vodka Sauce Deep Dish Pizza, especially at the end of a long night out.
Cataldo’s Restaurant & Pizzeria
554 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Phone: 718-857-6700
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Cataldo’s is a fun, family-friendly Italian restaurant with old-school dishes made with fresh ingredients and lots of love. They’re on Vanderbilt Avenue and Dean Street, near many of the best bars in Prospect Heights, such as BierWax, Weather Up, and LaLou.
Their pizza is hand-tossed and fired in a lava-stone oven for a classic, delicious taste with the perfect amount of crispiness. They have simpler classics such as the Margherita with cheese, sauce, and basil, or more complex pies like the Pugliese, with broccoli rabe, garlic, and sausage.
Cataldo’s is an excellent place to celebrate a birthday, graduation, or other special occasions.
Brooklyn’s Homeslice Pizza
567 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Phone: 332-900-5327
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I’m old enough to remember when “homeslice” was a term that referred to your friends, which is appropriate because the staff here treats you like an old pal as soon as you walk in the door. It’s a small pizza shop where you order at the counter. They’re near Bilt Bar and Beer Street South at the intersection of Pacific Street and Vanderbilt Avenue.
You can create your own pizzas or pick one of their options. Brooklyn’s Homeslice is where I go when I’m craving meat. Their Butchers Blend pizza has pepperoni, bacon bits, sausage, and meatballs. I’m a serious meat lover, and even I think this is a bit ridiculous—and ridiculously good!
Gino’s Cucina Brick Oven Pizza
723 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Phone: 718-857-7100
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I love brick oven pizza, and Gino’s serves some of the best. It’s a casual spot—slices are served on paper plates—but what they lack in fanciness, they more than make up for with incredible taste. They serve generous portions with big flavors at affordable prices. They’re right in the heart of Prospect Heights, just two blocks north of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
They have pizza, including both make-your-own and about a dozen specialty pies, plus Sicilian pies and some Italian dishes like spaghetti, lasagna, and baked ziti. Of course, the pizza is the star of the show here, available by the slice or whole pies. They also have a mini-pie for $7 if you’re looking for a quick bite.
Artichoke Basille’s Pizza
59 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: 347-763-1975
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Artichoke Basille’s Pizza is a true hometown success story. Owners and cousins, Francis Garcia and Sal Basille, grew up in Brooklyn, opening their first restaurant in 2008 in the East Village.
Today, they have 12 locations across the country, although the New York spots will always remain the originals. The Prospect Heights location is on 5th Avenue just a few blocks south of the Barclays Center.
Artichoke Basille’s isn’t one of those “make your pizza however you want kind of places”—and I’m okay with that! They have eight specialty pizzas, such as the Staten Island, with meatballs, red onions, and ricotta cheese. I choose this place when I’m dining with true pizza aficionados because Artichoke offers so many tantalizing tastes to try.
Brooklyn Pizza Crew
758 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11216
Phone: 718-363-1122
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You can’t miss the red-and-white awning of the Brooklyn Pizza Crew, found on Nostrand Avenue near Brower Park. The Brooklyn Pizza Crew is part of Williamsburg Pizza, a popular pizza company with five locations around the Big Apple. (They achieved some local fame after delivering a pizza via drone.)
Fresh ingredients are what they’re all about, and you can taste the difference. You can make your own pizza or try one of their originals. Many of their specialty pies feature tons of fresh veggies, making this restaurant a good choice for vegetarians.
Crown Heights Pizza
563 Lincoln Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Phone: 718-676-4477
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Crown Heights Pizza is an unpretentious, family-friendly pizza place. I recommend it for medium or large groups because, even though the restaurant isn’t particularly big, they have a long table with chairs and a booth that allows everyone to sit together.
They’re between Prospect Heights and Crown Heights on Lincoln Place, just one block northeast from the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.
Crown Heights Pizza is home to authentic Brooklyn-style pizza, with large slices and a thin crust made from natural sourdough.
You can make your own pie, choosing from over ten toppings. Note that they don’t sell individual slices, just whole pizzas. But I’ve never found that to be a problem because the pizzas are so good you’re sure to want more than one slice!
L’Arte Della Pizza Brooklyn
172 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: 718-622-7200
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L’Arte Della Pizza boasts an impressive pedigree. Chef Riccardo Villani is an Italian native who trained under two World Pizza Champions and Master Instructors.
Along with his wife and brother, Villani immigrated to America and opened his restaurant. Stop by 5th Avenue between Lincoln Place and Berkeley Place to grab a quick slice to-go or sit down to enjoy a full meal.
They have two styles of pizza—round and square. While the round is a fantastic traditional pizza, I prefer the square style with its crispy crust and air pockets. Another option is their La Pizza alla Pala, a style that has just about the crispiest and crunchiest crust I’ve ever had in a pizza. No matter which one you pick, you’re sure to leave happy (and full).
Barboncino Pizza
781 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Phone: 718-483-8834
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Owner and chef Ron Brown apprenticed in Italy to learn how to make traditional Neapolitan-style pizza. Today, folks throughout Prospect Heights are delighted by these delicious and authentic flavors.
The restaurant is casual and welcoming with brick walls, wooden tables, and friendly staff. Barboncino is two blocks north of Franklin Av-Medgar Evers College at Franklin Avenue and St. Johns Place.
If you’ve never had Neapolitan pizza, you’re in for a treat because this is some of the best around. It has a flaky, slightly burned crust with loads of veggies and extra virgin olive oil. They have both Red and White pizzas cooked in their authentic wood-burning oven imported from Italy.
Is it even possible to have too much pizza? I could grab at least a slice every day. In Prospect Heights, you can find so many different pizza options—you’ll never grow tired of it.
As you’ve likely noticed, Brooklyn takes pizza pretty darn seriously, but the brunch restaurants around the area are just as incredible, if that’s more your thing.
Did I leave one of your favorite Prospect Heights pizza places off the list? I’m always willing to learn more, especially if eating pizza is involved.
Leave a comment below telling me about your top pick for pizza, and I’ll check the place out and report back!