Just as I did with our Chicago article, I must begin this article with a disclaimer — I’m not a Brooklyn local; hell, I’ve never lived anywhere in New York. While I did learn everything I know from a Brooklyn native, that means just about nothing when talking about a city whose pizza culture is so innately wrapped up in its identity. So, while I will be highlighting some excellent places with the best pizza in Brooklyn, know that I’m going off my own experiences; locals may have different views, and I want to highlight those spots, too!
So, Brooklyn natives, do me a favor — comment below and tell me how I did. If we get enough response, I’ll happily write up a “locals recommend” article to do your city’s pies justice.
The Best Pizza in Brooklyn: Top 3
Luigi’s
Luigi’s is the quintessential Brooklyn pizza joint. Opened in 1973 by Italian immigrant Luigi, they’ve kept the dream of simple, delicious pizza alive for decades. Their pies are easy on the eyes and, put frankly, incredibly simple — but that’s part of the charm. They use incredibly high-end (often imported) products, ranging from the best olive oil money can buy to specially selected, hand-picked tomatoes.
While I won’t say that Luigi’s has led to any sort of innovation in the scene, pizza isn’t always about glamorous, trendy new additions; sometimes you just need a damn good pie without the pretense of gourmet art. It’s easy to eat, delicious, and perfectly greasy and, ultimately, that’s all I want from a slice most days.
It’s worth noting that their pies are also shockingly affordable, often ranging well below $20, and New York-style isn’t their only game. Grab a Grandma pie for a Sicilian-esque crunch or a deep-fried calzone — I won’t tell if you don’t.
Lucali
Lucali is a spot that’s been highlighted time and again by joints like The New York Times and Eater. While accolades aren’t the end-all-be-all of a quality pizza joint, they do go a long way to prove a point. In this case, they prove that Lucali’s menu — while extremely limited — is genuinely fantastic.
They focus on minimal ingredients in a charmingly simple joint, resulting in pies that are often perfect. I’ve found that joints whose menus are short and to-the-point tend to be my type of spot; by focusing on doing a few things well, often, everything is done to the best of the chefs’ abilities.
As if the fact that their name is nearly synonymous with classic Brooklyn pizza weren’t enough, they’ve moved to open a second joint in Miami. That’s not to say that they’ve left their New York roots behind, because they haven’t, but it does mean that they’re confident enough in their offering to open in another of America’s largest cities. Put simply, I cannot recommend Lucali enough — their pies live in my memory and likely will until the day that I die.
L’Industrie
L’Industrie is one of the more well-known names to pop up in the Brooklyn pizza scene as of late. It’s worth noting that this simple fact does mean that you’ll be in for a wait — but it’s entirely worth it. They focus on closing the gap between true Italian pizza and a classic Brooklyn-style pie, creating something that’s genuinely beautiful in the process.
While their pies are a true work of art, with a price to accommodate such fine art, the true highlight of L’Industrie is their slice window. Visitors can try out any of their incredibly creative pies for a surprisingly reasonable price, cutting down on the investment of a full sit-down meal. With that said, a full pie at L’Industrie is something of an experience (my personal favorite when in town was the L’Industrie; just prosciutto and burrata).
In short, L’Industrie is a spot whose dedication to crafting top-tier pizza is evident in all that they do. The menu isn’t cluttered with dozens of options, instead opting to limit guests to a fine-tuned selection of eleven pies that have been carefully workshopped and tested time and again — and the investment of time is apparent in every bite.
Top 2 Honorable Mentions: The Best Pizza in Brooklyn, NY
Clik here to view.
As always, I try to highlight a couple of spots that are “hidden gems.” While Brooklyn isn’t exactly hurting for fantastic pizza joints, the truth is that the spots below are genuinely excellent, if a bit different from the norm. So, check them out, and tell me your thoughts in the comments below.
Emily
Emily is a small shop with a relatively minor footprint, but good god is their food full of love. It’s apparent in their story of a husband and wife who bonded over pizza, and it’s made abundantly clear with every bite. If you’ve been reading my work for any amount of time, you know I’m a fan of simplicity and pared-down menus — a practice that Emily knows all too well. Whether you stop by for a burger, a slice, or a quick drink, you’ll be happy.
Giuseppina’s
Giuseppina’s comes from the same mind as Lucali. While that alone will likely sell many, the simple truth is that their food is absolutely killer. Keeping on the theme of fine-tuned, minimalist menus, they keep their offerings simple. Every bite is bursting with flavor, both from their incredibly fresh ingredients and their fantastic brick oven, lending a charred character unlike many in town. In short, try Giuseppina’s; they know what they’re doing.