Whether you’re looking for a quick slice or planning a picnic in Central Park, it’s good to know about the best pizza on the Upper West Side. As a longtime local of the neighborhood, I’ve tried most of the joints in the area, here’s a roundup of my favorites.
Quick Summary. Looking for upper west side pizza joints in Upper West Side? Here are my top picks. Pizza Collective , Sal and Carmine Pizza, Patsy’s Pizzeria, and more.
Best Pizza on the Upper West Side
Table of Contents. Best Upper West Side Pizza
Table of Contents. Best UWS Pizza
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (10 Best Neighborhoods +3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Pizza Collective
Website.Pizza Collective
Address. 2060 Broadway, New York, NY
Using a long fermentation sourdough base and imported Italian flours, this Upper West Side pizza joint specializes in Roman-style square slices. The variety spans the gamut!
From tried-and-true staples like pepperoni to the signature cacio e pepe slice, the hardest thing about visiting is narrowing down the options. There’s also an enticing pizza sandwich on the menu I’ve been meaning to try, it looks delicious but I’m always too tempted by the slices to commit.
Sal and Carmine Pizza
Website.Sal and Carmine Pizza
Address. 2671 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
Serving New Yorkers for more than 65 years, Sal and Carmine Pizza is a neighborhood institution. The passion-project of two brothers, Sal and Carmine Malanga, this no-frills establishment takes pizza seriously, making constant appearances on numerous “best NYC slices” lists.
It’s not hard to see why, the recipe has been perfected over six decades. When Sal passed away in 2015 his grandson, Luciano Gaudiosi, took over the business. Thankfully, Gaudiosi inherited his grandfather’s tenacity and steadfast commitment to making the best pizza slices on the Upper West Side.
As to be expected, everything is made in house daily. The plain slice is my favorite because the dough, cheese and sauce ratio is perfectly balanced. It’s hard to think of a better slice in the neighborhood, which is why Sal and Carmine’s is my first stop with out-of-town visitors.
Patsy’s Pizzeria
Website.Patsy’s
Address. 61 W 74th St, New York, NY 10023
Initially opened in 1933 in Harlem, Patsy’s dishes out some of the best pizza on the Upper West Side. Part-pizzeria, part-Italian restaurant, make no mistake. pizza is the thing to get here. This my go-to spot for. We opt for a plain pie (just cheese) and Italian sausage. In my opinion, the sauce-to-topping ratio is executed perfectly, this pie is an easy crowd-pleaser.
New York City has more pizza joints than some states have people. but only a handful are worth the trip.
Motorino
Website.Motorino
Address. 510 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024
Motorino’s serves the best Neapolitan-style pizza on the Upper West Side pizza. My husband I are big fans of their “order two pizzas for delivery/takeout by phone & get a third pizza free” special, especially when hosting friends.
This relaxed sit-down restaurant has a more polished vibe than most of the places mentioned on this list, making it perfect for impromptu date nights in the neighborhood. With a baby on the way, we plan to swing by more often.
I’m a sucker for the Soppressata Piccante (tomato sauce, fior di latte mozzarella, soppressata, chili flakes, oregano). But my husband swears by the stracciatella white pie (stracciatella, cherry tomatoes, basil, olive oil). Word to the wise. skip the clam pie.
Mama’s Too
Website.Mama’s Too
Address. 2750 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
With wait times exceeding an hour during weekends, Mama’s Too is one of the most popular pizza spots on the Upper West Side. An extension of Mama’s Pizzeria, Mama’s Too is tasked with bringing a family-run pizza joint into the next generation.
Established in 2017 by Frank Tuttolomondo (whose grandmother owned Mama’s Pizzeria), the family’s unquestionable pizza-making knowledge goes back decades. Not to be outdone, Tuttolomondo set out to perfect the family recipe with his new outpost, to much fanfare from locals.
The Sicilian-style square slices steal the show. What stands out is the Angry Nona is my favorite, the combo of hot salami with Calabrian chili oil & hot honey hits the spot every time. The only drawback is the lack of seating, plan to eat your slice on the go, the inevitably long lines are worthwhile.
Unpopular opinion. I’ll die on this hill. coal-fired > wood-fired > gas oven, and I don’t care who disagrees.
Made in New York Pizza
Website.Made in New York Pizza
Address. 271 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY
Made in New York Pizza has two pizzerias on the Upper West Side. It wasn’t until the second location opened two blocks from my apartment that I popped in for a visit. Offering slices and squares, I’ve tried a few creative toppings over the past year, but always return to the spicy pepperoni square slice and traditional margherita.
The feel here is warm and unpretentious. the kind of place where you can settle in and lose track of time. If it’s your first time, I’d recommend starting with their house special. it’s what they’re known for and it won’t disappoint.
Freddie & Pepper’s
Website.Freddie & Pepper’s
Address. 303 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10023
Consistently serving hot pies to locals, Freddie & Pepper’s has been around since 1978, but it got a bit of a boost five years ago when Dave from One Bite Pizza Reviews added them to his exclusive 8 club (pizza joints that score above 8/10).
In addition to classic choices like pepperoni and cheese, you’ll be privy to unique combinations like chicken tex-mex (bacon, salsa, jalapeño, cheddar) or nacho (salsa, meat, jalapeño). Better still, Freddie & Pepper’s offers gluten-free, dairy-free, and whole wheat options as well.
Best Pizza Upper West Side (Post Summary)
- Patsy’s
- Mama’s Too!
- Sal and Carmine Pizza
- Motorino
- Pizza Collective
- Freddie & Peppers
- Made in New York Pizza
Further Reading for the Upper West Side
Things to Do. 20 Fun Things to Do in the Upper West Side (Local’s Guide)
Best Brunch. 10+ Toothsome Upper West Side Brunch Spots (Worth the Wait)
Best Restaurants. 12 Tasty Restaurants on the Upper West Side (Worth the Trek)
Where to Get Coffee. 10 Charming Upper West Side Cafes (Local’s Guide)
I love the energy in here, especially on weekday mornings when it’s mostly locals grabbing their usual orders. Pro tip. ask about their daily specials.
More Great NYC Restaurants
Restaurants in Greenwich Village. 12 Charming Restaurants in Greenwich Village
Affordable Michelin-Starred Restaurants. 10 Amazingly (Affordable) Michelin Star Restaurants in NYC (Worth The Price!)
Iconic Restaurants in NYC. 10 Iconic New York City Restaurants Every Local Needs to Try
Restaurants Near Central Park. The 20 Best Restaurants Near Central Park
Best Weather Appropriate Restaurants. 15 Cozy Restaurants with Heated
I love the energy in here, especially on weekday mornings when it’s mostly locals grabbing their usual orders. Pro tip. ask about their daily specials. They rotate frequently and are usually some of the best things on the menu.
What to Know Before You Go
Trust me when I say. don’t skip the appetizers. Some of the best bites in the city come from the starters menu, and sharing a few is the best way to experience a restaurant.
Parking in most of these neighborhoods is a nightmare. Take the subway or grab a Citi Bike. you’ll thank me later.
One thing I love about NYC dining. most places are BYOB-friendly or have reasonably priced wine lists. Don’t be afraid to ask about corkage fees.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
I’ve learned over the years that the best dining experiences come down to timing and attitude. Go in curious, not with a rigid plan. If something on the specials board catches your eye, order it. specials exist because the chef is excited about those ingredients right now. And if you’re celebrating something, mention it when you make your reservation. NYC restaurants love going the extra mile for a birthday or anniversary, and you might end up with a little something extra on the house.
Upper West Side Pizza Map
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“},{“id”:”9c94ea69-0187-444a-b07e-256656d6a7c5″,”jsonQuestion”:”How were these spots chosen?”,”question”:”How were these spots chosen?”,”jsonAnswer”:”Every spot on this list was personally visited and reviewed by our team of NYC locals. “,”answer”:””}]} –>Based on our experience as NYC locals, Table of Contents. Best UWS Pizza tops our list. See our full ranked list above for all 7 recommendations.
Every spot on this list was personally visited and reviewed by our team of NYC locals. We evaluate based on quality, atmosphere, and value.
And there you have it, the best pizza in the Upper West Side according to yours truly.
While you’re here, you might enjoy my Here’s the Best Coffee on the Upper West Side. one of my personal favorites to write.
I want to hear from you. Team coal-fired or team wood-fired? Let me know below.
Final Thoughts
After all the time I’ve spent exploring Upper West Side, Pizza Collective and Sal and Carmine Pizza remain at the top of my list.
Exploring the neighborhood? Check out our guide to things to do in Upper West Side for more local recommendations.
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