Post Overview: Where to find the best pizza on the Upper East Side
New York City is a global destination for many reasons, but nothing draws in folks more than its goldmine of pizza joints. Of all the Big Apple’s neighborhoods the Upper East Side (UES) is a destination not to be missed thanks to its array of both new and old, classic and trendy pizzerias.
So if you’re looking for the best pizza in the Upper East Side you’ve come to the right place. I’ve spent an irresponsible amount of my paychecks on an unhealthy amount of slices, gaining first-hand experience on what Upper East Side pizza joints are really worth your moolah.
I put that hard-earned knowledge into this article, hoping it’ll help you find your go-to pizzeria in the Upper East Side. From sit-down restaurants ideal for a dinner date to grab & go counters, we’ll cover all of our bases.
But hey enough of the small talk, are you ready to talk about the best pizza the Upper East Side has to offer? Because I’m eager to get right to it!
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 (The best neighborhoods for first timers +2 to avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s our favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Best Pizza Upper East Side
Zazzy’s Pizza
Anyone a fan of rewards points? If so one of the best pizza joints on the Upper East Side is Zazzy’s. Known as “Za Dollars”, by simply signing up for rewards you automatically receive 10 ZA$ which can be applied towards your order.
After that your rewards automatically get added to your account after ever visit. It’s a great system for those looking to save a buck (or those who can’t help themselves when they see a killer deal).
Zazzy’s Pizza is also one of the best pizza spots on the Upper East Side for friends with dietary restrictions. Offering both a regular menu and a plant-based menu, everyone can enjoy a delicious pie without having to hit up two separate shops!
I’m sure once you visit you won’t struggle deciding on a pie, but if you need help I suggest ordering the Vodka Pie or the White Pie. Both are absolutely dreamy and you’ll be back before you know it.
Address: 1477 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10075
Williamsburg Pizza
Don’t let the name throw you off — Williamsburg on the Upper East Side is in fact some of the best pizza in the neighborhood. The friendly and extremely efficient staff do a great job at creating a welcoming environment for folks to enjoy a classic slice of NYC pizza.
Those who are partial to a bit of a crispy, crunchy crust should make a beeline here. With every bite you take the greasy-goodness just melts in your mouth and the crust adds a layer of texture you didn’t know you needed.
Fans of thicker crusts need to try the grandma square-style pizza. I’d even go as far as to say Williamsburg offers the best grandma square pizza on the Upper East Side. Fighting words… trust me I know — but you’ll have a hard time convincing me otherwise. 😉
Another stand out at this UES pizza joint is the garlic knots. Although they look more like a cinnamon bun, the flavor and garlic punch are *chefs kiss* and deserve some love.
Address: 1617 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028
Lunetta Pizza & Restaurant
Lunetta Pizza looks like the type of restaurant you’d see in an old-timey New York movie. The no-frills design gives the Upper East Side pizza joint a timeless vibe.
And luckily they have the food to match. The restaurant makes simple and classic Italian plates that keep locals coming back again and again.
There’s an ordering counter, an oven making some of the best pizza in the Upper East Side and a handful of tables for you to enjoy your meal. Do you really need anything more?
Lunetta’s also makes some of the most reasonably priced pizza in the Upper East Side. A large pie clocks in well under $20 and there’s often a promo running where you can add wings or drinks for only a few more bucks.
Address: 1162 1st Ave. Frnt 1, New York, NY 10065
Mariella Pizza
Simple and unfussy, Mariella Pizza makes some of the best pies you’ll find in the Upper East Side. Their convenient location on 72nd St. makes Mariella’s one of my first choice pizzerias when I’m on the go.
Like most classic Upper East Side pizza joints there’s a variety of pies for you to choose from. I like to mix and match, so I’ll often order a cheese-heavy slice and a fun, out of the ordinary slice to keep things interesting.
If you’d prefer to sit down and enjoy your meal there are a few tables where you can rest your feet. With that said Mariella’s is only three blocks from Central Park, where there are plenty of benches for you to put to good use.
Address: 965 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10021
Emmy Squared Pizza
Emmy Squared looks like a modern, trendy restaurant rather than a hole in the wall Upper East SIde pizza joint. They specialize in Detroit style pizza, which is square and with a thick crust, and extremely satisfying if I do say so myself.
This isn’t the place to come if you’re after a quick slice. Emmy Squared is a sit-down restaurant which in turn makes it one of the best pizza spots in the Upper East Side for a birthday or get-together.
The vodka sauce pizza is downright delicious (and will put your napkin to good-use) but no matter which pie you choose you’ll be in good hands.
And I know this article is about the best pizza the Upper East Side has to offer, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the burger. Emmy’s Le Big Matt Burger has been recognized by more than one publication as one of the best in NYC.
Getting a table at Emmy usually isn’t an impossible task, but if you’re planning to visit on the weekend I’d still encourage reservations. The last thing you want is to miss out on some of the best pizza in the Upper East Side and have to settle.
Address: 1426 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10028, United States
Don Filippo
A quintessential New York pizzeria, Don Filippo has been an Upper East Side favorite for more than four decades. Inside you’ll find an assortment of slices and combos that help make it an easy grab & go lunch.
If you’re a sucker for soft-dough, this is some of the best pizza in the Upper East Side. The shop is generous with their cheese too, and the inner-kid in me loves that.
Like most Upper East Side pizza joints you’ll have your choice from an assortment of slices in a case. The selection is mostly made up of classic pies like margherita, pepperoni and meat lovers.
Besides the pizza Don Filippo also makes paninis. The chicken-parm option is worth the trek alone! But no matter what you do, order some garlic knots for the road, you won’t regret it.
Address: 1133 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10075
Marinara Pizza
Marinara Pizza looks like your typical Upper East Side pizza joint, and in most ways it is. A small and simple room with two person tables set up and an ordering counter with the different pizzas on display like jewelry.
Unlike a lot of Upper East Side pizza spots there doesn’t seem to be any rush at Marinara. It’s just an easy, no frills slice shop.
But there is one thing that Marinara is known for, and that’s their cauliflower pizza. That’s right, this UES pizza joint has hopped on the social media train folks, and it makes perfect sense.
Cauliflower pizza was all the rage on Instagram and TikTok, but in our consumerist society a lot of folks didn’t want to make it themselves. Marinara filled that void by selling their own cauliflower pizza in the Upper East Side, so folks can swing by easily after work and enjoy.
Address: 1376 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10128
Nick’s Pizza
If you’re searching for one of the best pizza spots in the Upper East Side for a date night you should consider Nick’s Pizza. The service is friendly and the food is satisfying, what more can you ask for?
It’s far from a Michelin Star restaurant but when it comes to an impromptu dinner date you won’t find much better. The brick walls and wood tones give the restaurant a homey vibe and the food is reasonably priced compared to other Upper East Side pizza joints.
Not to mention Nick’s Pizza has the added benefit of a wood-fired oven. Electric and gas ovens can try their best but the char from a wood fired oven on a thin crust pie will always be elite in my book.
Address: 1814 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10128
Oath Pizza
Quite possibly the king of thin crust, Oath Pizza churns out some of the best pizza on the Upper East Side.
Now I fully understand thin crust isn’t for everyone and Oath Pizza does offer a thick crust; however, for those who enjoy a crunchy crust…run!
This UES pizza joint uses sustainably sourced ingredients and is influenced by the seasons. Offering a handful of personalized thin crust pizzas, Oath hand-stretches and grills the dough in avocado oil.
The options feel endless at this Upper East Side pizzeria, in fact they even offer a dessert pizza! Oath Pizza also happens to be one of the best pizza spots on the Upper East Side for any gluten-free folks.
Pro Tip: This UES pizza joint also offers a rewards program. Sign up here before visiting!
Address: 1142 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10065
Delizia 92
A local favorite for more than 30 years, Delizia 92 is what I think of when someone says comfort food. It’s not just the warm, carb-heavy plates but the warm service and brick-lined walls that make it feel so homey.
You can either order at the counter or get a table in their dining room but rest assured you’re getting some of the best pizza in the Upper East Side. I find myself daydreaming of the margherita pie like I’m having an affair with it and one slice is never enough.
Deliza 92 also makes a delicious grandma slice and it’s always a tempting option. The crust is the perfect blend of thin and fluffy and the cheese is melted to perfection.
And let’s not forget Delizia 92 is more than just an UES pizza joint. They make a wide variety of Italian plates, including a chicken parm that’s nearly as good as the pizza.
Address: 1762 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10128
Saba’s
The ratio of cheese to sauce isn’t always executed perfectly, so when you hear a place like Saba’s has nailed it, you swing by (more times than you’d like to admit). Serving some of the best pizza on the Upper East Side, Saba’s has created a loyal fan out of me and half the neighborhood apparently.
The simple flavor that comes from the tomato sauce alone is enough to bring me back. It is both sweet and savory and pairs heavenly with the cheese. The classic margarita slice can turn even the most cynical critic into a fan.
With limited seating inside I recommend ordering your pizza to-go. Saba’s also makes some of the most creative pizza on the Upper East Side.
A flavor I have yet to try anywhere else is the falafel slice. Made with with cucumbers, red onion, tomatoes and falafel… don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. As odd as it may sound it’s surprisingly delicious and one go my go-to’s!
Address: 1217 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10028
Famous Famiglia
Sometimes all you need for a feast is a greasy slice of cheese pizza along with a soda. If you can relate to this, may I suggest Famous Famiglia Pizzeria?
I’ll be honest, there isn’t any one thing that makes this one of the best pizza spots in the Upper East Side. It’s a combination of the family-business vibe, the convenient location with a great, neighborhood feel and the simple yet flavor-filled pies that makes the joint memorable.
Not to mention you’ll be hard pressed to find better value pizza in the Upper East Side. And no, I don’t mean dollar pizza, but I’m not mad paying $3 for a cheese slice when it tastes like this!
When I’m in the neighborhood at a friend’s place or a bar it’s easy to stumble in for one of the best pizza slices in the Upper East Side.
Address: 1248 Lexington Ave #2012, New York, NY 10028
Salvo’s Pizzabar
Salvo’s Pizzabar has been around since 2012 and has provided the neighborhood with some of the best pizza in the Upper East Side for a while. The staff here are some of the friendliest folks in the business.
The place is exactly what it sounds like, a laid-back pizza parlor on the UES offering beers that pair with Italian dishes, burgers and pizza. Think of if a sports bar and a pizzeria had a baby.
At this UES Pizza joint, you can order by the slice or a full pie. I have yet to try the pasta dishes but the pies are some of the best pizza on the Upper East Side when I’m in a pinch.
One of the best things to do on a summer day is grabbing a couple slices from here and parking yourself in front of the East River. The views along with the tasty pizza make for a memorable New York City moment!
Address: 1477 York Ave, New York, NY 10075
Patsy’s Pizzeria
Originally opened in 1933, Patsy’s is a grandfathered coal-oven pizzeria living up to the responsibility of churning out exceptional pies. Unlike most of the other places mentioned on this list of pizza joints on the Upper East Side, Patsy’s is actually an Italian restaurant that just so happens to serve pizza.
Considering this, it’s impressive that their pizzas can steal the show in a city peppered with restaurants specializing in pizza alone. We ordered the original pie and were taken aback by the rich complexity of of three simple flavors (dough, sauce and cheese).
The crust was thin, as to be expected with a coal-fired oven, and the sauce to cheese ratio was executed perfectly. My favorite part was the flavor of the sauce, it’s so memorable.
We weren’t surprised to learn that Frank Sinatra considered this one of his favorite pizzas in New York City, it’s delicious!
Address: 1279 1st Ave., New York, NY 10065
San Matteo Pizzeria e Cucina
A small unassuming corner restaurant is responsible for the best pizza in the Upper East Side. That restaurant is San Matteo (on 81st Street) and you need to drop what you’re doing and make a reservation.
Opened in 2010 it didn’t take long for locals to start singing the praises of the wood-fired pizzas and house made pastas. The care and dedication translates with every bite and even though you’re stuffed it’s hard to put the slice down.
The neapolitan pies are masterfully created to be thin, flavor loaded and with the perfect audible crisp. The buffalo mozzarella and prosciutto pie is an absolute joy to indulge in and one of my personal favorite pies in all of New York City.
And for those of us who like to enjoy our dinner with wine, San Matteo has more than a few bottles to choose from. The robust selection of quality wines cements San Matteo as the premier Upper East Side pizza joints for a date-night.
You can place an order online but the best experience is when you visit the charming little restaurant with a friend, clinking glasses and sharing pies.
Address: 1559 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028 | Make reservations here.
Best Pizza UES (Post Summary)
- San Matteo Pizzeria e Cucina
- Patsy’s Pizzeria
- Salvo’s Pizzabar
- Famous Famiglia
- Saba’s
- Delizia 92
- Oath Pizza
- Nick’s Pizza
- Marinara Pizza
- Don Filippo
- Emmy Squared Pizza
- Mariella Pizza
- Lunetta Pizza & Restaurant
- Williamsburg Pizza
- Zazzy’s Pizza
UES Pizza Spots (Map)
And there you have it friends, the best pizza in the Upper East Side according to yours truly. Let me know if you think I missed a spot.
Cheers!
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