If you’re looking for Brooklyn’s best pizza and pasta menu, the short answer is this: the borough’s strength isn’t one single restaurant — it’s a mix of old-school coal-oven pizzerias, Sicilian square-slice institutions, and Italian-American pasta rooms that have been feeding families for generations, alongside a newer wave of wood-fired pizza spots and modern trattorias. Places like Lucali, Di Fara, Juliana’s, L&B Spumoni Gardens, Misi, and Frankies 457 Spuntino each do one style of pizza or pasta better than almost anywhere else in New York City.
This guide breaks down what to actually order at each type of spot, what the food looks and tastes like, and who each place is really for — whether you’re craving a thin, blistered Neapolitan pie, a thick Sicilian square, or a plate of hand-rolled pasta with a glass of red wine. It’s written for anyone comparing menus before they head out, whether you live in Brooklyn or you’re visiting for a weekend and only have room in your stomach for one or two stops.
A quick note before we get into it: this is an independent, unofficial guide. ManuPoint.com isn’t affiliated with any of the restaurants listed below. We’re describing menus and dishes based on published menus, in-person visits, and current online listings — not speaking on behalf of the businesses themselves.
How We Verified This Guide
We put this list together by checking each restaurant’s official website or app menu, cross-referencing recent in-person reviews and receipts shared by diners, and confirming neighborhood, hours, and menu style through multiple current sources. Menus, hours, and prices vary by location, franchise, and season — always confirm details at your nearest location or the restaurant’s official website or app before you go, especially for cash-only spots or places with long wait times.
What Makes Brooklyn’s Pizza and Pasta Scene Different
Brooklyn didn’t just inherit New York pizza — it helped invent it. Coal-fired ovens brought over by Italian immigrants in the early 1900s are still running in a handful of Brooklyn pizzerias today, and that heat source is part of why the crust tastes different from a typical slice shop. On the pasta side, the borough’s Italian-American neighborhoods (Carroll Gardens, Bensonhurst, Williamsburg, Bay Ridge) kept red-sauce cooking alive long after it went out of fashion elsewhere, and that same tradition is now getting a fresh spin from younger chefs opening pasta-focused rooms with handmade noodles.
That combination — deep roots plus new energy — is really what separates Brooklyn from a typical city pizza and pasta scene. You can get a 100-year-old recipe and a restaurant that opened last year, sometimes two blocks apart.
Brooklyn’s Classic Coal-Oven and Old-School Pizza Spots
These are the pizzerias people plan entire trips around. Expect thinner crust, a slight char, and simple toppings done well instead of a long list of specialty pies.
Lucali (Carroll Gardens)
Lucali is a cash-only, no-reservations pizzeria known for a thin, wood-fired crust and a short, no-frills menu of pizza and calzones. The dining room is small and candlelit, which makes it feel more like dinner at a friend’s house than a typical pizza joint. The wait can run past an hour on weekends, so most regulars show up right when the doors open or go on a weeknight instead.
What to order: the classic cheese pie with a few simple toppings added, and the calzone if you want something heartier. Skip trying to order a lot of sides — the menu is intentionally short, and that’s part of the appeal.
Di Fara Pizza (Midwood)
Di Fara is one of the oldest and most talked-about pizzerias in Brooklyn, famous for a hand-cut, hand-topped pie made the same way since the 1960s. The crust is thin but sturdy, and the cheese-to-sauce ratio leans generous. It’s not a fast-casual experience — pies are made to order, one at a time, so plan for a wait.
Best for people who want to say they’ve had the pizza that basically started the “Brooklyn pizza pilgrimage” trend. It’s a sit-down-and-wait kind of place, not a grab-and-go stop.
Juliana’s (DUMBO)
Juliana’s serves a coal-oven Margherita and classic red pies in a small, checkered-tablecloth dining room near the Brooklyn Bridge. The crust has that slightly smoky, blistered edge that coal ovens are known for, and portions are sized for sharing between two or three people.
This is a solid pick for a casual date night or a stop after walking the Brooklyn Bridge. The Margherita is the move here — simple toppings let the crust do the talking.
Grimaldi’s (DUMBO)
Grimaldi’s is a longtime coal-oven pizzeria near the Brooklyn Bridge known for a crispy, thin crust and classic toppings like sausage, ricotta, and red peppers. It’s one of the more tourist-friendly stops on this list, with regular hours and a bigger dining room than some of its neighbors, which means shorter waits most of the time.
Good pick if you want a coal-oven pie without committing to a long line, and it pairs well with a walk through DUMBO or Brooklyn Bridge Park afterward.
L&B Spumoni Gardens (Bensonhurst)
L&B Spumoni Gardens is known for thick Sicilian-style square slices with the sauce on top of the cheese instead of underneath. The crust is airy and a little sweet from the sauce, and it’s sold by the square instead of the traditional triangle slice. They’re also known for spumoni, an Italian ice cream, which makes this a solid stop for dessert too.
Order the square slice first before anything else on the menu — it’s the dish this place built its name on. Great for a casual lunch or a family outing since there’s outdoor seating and a walk-up counter.
Modern and Wood-Fired Pizza Worth the Trip
If the classics above are Brooklyn’s pizza history, these spots are where the borough’s pizza scene is headed next — creative toppings, wood-fired ovens, and a younger crowd.
Roberta’s (Bushwick)
Roberta’s is a Bushwick pizzeria known for wood-fired Neapolitan-style pies with a laid-back, garden-patio setting. The crust is chewy with a good char, and the topping combinations lean creative — think seasonal vegetables and unexpected cheese pairings rather than only classic pepperoni and mushroom.
This is the pick for brunch or a relaxed afternoon, especially if outdoor seating matters to you. It draws a younger, more casual crowd than the old-school pizzerias above.
L’industrie Pizzeria (Williamsburg)
L’industrie is a Williamsburg slice shop known for a thin, foldable crust and a burrata slice that’s become one of the most photographed pizza items in the borough. Lines form fast, especially on weekends, but the counter moves quickly since it’s built for grab-and-go slices rather than sit-down dining.
Order the burrata slice if you only get one — it’s the signature item people specifically travel here for.
Speedy Romeo (Bed-Stuy)
Speedy Romeo is a wood-fired pizzeria set inside a converted auto shop, known for thin-crust pies with bold, non-traditional topping combinations. The White Album pie — béchamel, roasted garlic, and a blend of cheeses — is a standout for anyone who wants something richer than a standard cheese slice. The industrial setting gives it a different vibe than the checkered-tablecloth pizzerias on this list.
Good option if you’re pizza’d out on the classics and want to try something with more experimental flavor combinations.
Brooklyn’s Best Pasta Spots
Pasta in Brooklyn ranges from red-sauce Italian-American institutions to newer rooms built entirely around handmade noodles. Here’s where to go depending on what kind of night you’re having.
Misi (Williamsburg)
Misi is a pasta-focused restaurant from a well-known New York chef, built almost entirely around handmade pasta dishes. Noodles are made fresh daily, and the menu changes with the seasons, so expect dishes like filled pastas with unexpected fillings alongside more familiar shapes done with extra care. Portions are pasta-tasting-menu sized rather than heaping plates, so it’s a good idea to order two or three dishes to share across the table.
Best for a special dinner rather than a quick weeknight meal — reservations are recommended and fill up fast.
Lilia (Williamsburg)
Lilia is an Italian restaurant known for handmade pasta and a wood-fired grill, and it’s one of the harder reservations to land in the neighborhood. The pasta dishes lean rustic and comforting rather than fussy, with a focus on quality ingredients over long, complicated menus.
If you can snag a table, come hungry and order at least one pasta dish alongside something off the grill to get the full picture of the menu.
Frankies 457 Spuntino (Carroll Gardens)
Frankies 457 is a longtime Carroll Gardens spot known for simple, well-executed Italian-American dishes, including cavatelli with sausage as one of its signature pastas. The dining room has a cozy, neighborhood feel with a back garden for warmer months. It’s the kind of place locals go on repeat rather than a once-a-year special occasion stop.
Good pick for a relaxed dinner where you want quality pasta without a stiff, formal atmosphere.
Bamonte’s (Williamsburg)
Bamonte’s is an old-school, red-sauce Italian-American restaurant that’s been open in Williamsburg for over a century. Expect classic dishes like baked ziti, chicken parmesan, and heaping plates of spaghetti with meatballs, served in a formal, old-New-York dining room with white tablecloths.
This is the pick for anyone who wants the full nostalgic Italian-American dinner experience, not a modern reinterpretation of it.
Forma Pasta Factory (Greenpoint)
Forma Pasta Factory is a small, order-at-the-counter spot known for fresh, handmade pasta at a lower price point than most sit-down Italian restaurants. Dishes like spicy vodka pasta and mushroom fettuccine come out fast, and the casual setup makes it easy to grab food and eat it in nearby McCarren Park.
Best for a quick, affordable pasta fix without needing a reservation or a long wait.
Piccoli Trattoria (Multiple Brooklyn Locations)
Piccoli Trattoria is a casual Italian spot known for straightforward pasta dishes and ingredients sourced directly from Italy, including imported prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella. The menu keeps things simple, which makes it a dependable choice when you want good pasta without a long wait for a table.
Solid pick for a weeknight dinner or a casual date that doesn’t require advance planning.
Quick Comparison: Where to Go Based on What You Want
| Craving | Best Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Classic coal-oven pizza | Juliana’s or Grimaldi’s | Thin, smoky crust near the Brooklyn Bridge |
| Cult-favorite thin-crust pizza | Lucali or Di Fara | Legendary status, longer wait times |
| Sicilian square slice | L&B Spumoni Gardens | Thick, airy crust with sauce on top |
| Creative wood-fired pizza | Roberta’s or Speedy Romeo | Bold, non-traditional toppings |
| Grab-and-go slice | L’industrie Pizzeria | Fast counter service, famous burrata slice |
| Special-occasion pasta | Misi or Lilia | Chef-driven, seasonal handmade pasta |
| Old-school red-sauce pasta | Bamonte’s | Century-old Italian-American classics |
| Casual neighborhood pasta | Frankies 457 or Piccoli Trattoria | Comfortable, no-fuss dining |
| Budget-friendly fresh pasta | Forma Pasta Factory | Counter-service pricing, handmade noodles |
Menu items and availability change over time. This table is meant as a quick starting point, not a full price list — check each restaurant’s site or app for current offerings.
What’s Most Popular Right Now
Right now, two trends stand out across Brooklyn’s pizza and pasta scene. First, single-topping “signature slices” — like L’industrie’s burrata slice — are drawing lines on their own, separate from the rest of the menu. Second, pasta-forward restaurants like Misi and Lilia are pulling in reservations well ahead of walk-in crowds, which is a shift from a decade ago when pizza got most of the attention in Brooklyn’s Italian food scene.
Is There a Healthier or Vegetarian Option?
Yes. Most Brooklyn pizzerias offer a Margherita or plain cheese pie, which is naturally vegetarian, and several — including Roberta’s and Speedy Romeo — rotate seasonal vegetable toppings that work well without meat. On the pasta side, dishes built around mushroom, vegetable, or simple olive oil and garlic sauces (common at spots like Forma Pasta Factory) tend to be lighter than cream- or meat-based options. If you’re watching calories or need allergen information, ask your server directly or check the restaurant’s app — ingredient lists can change by location and season.
Tips Before You Go
- Call ahead or check the app for reservations. Spots like Lucali, Misi, and Lilia fill up fast, especially on weekends.
- Bring cash where needed. Some old-school spots, including Lucali, are cash-only.
- Go early for slice shops. L’industrie and similar counter-service spots move fast, but lines build quickly around lunch and dinner rush.
- Ask about combo options. Many casual spots offer a slice-and-salad or pizza-and-side combo that’s a better value than ordering separately.
- Check for a secret or off-menu item. Some Brooklyn pizzerias will do off-menu topping combinations if you ask — it’s worth asking your server what’s not listed.
Brooklyn’s Best Pizza & Pasta Menu and Prices
The menu follows the classic New York pizzeria model. You get pizza by the slice, whole pies, pasta, heroes, and desserts. In addition, the kitchen makes most items in-house, including the garlic knots and zeppole.
Here is a quick overview of the main categories:
- Specialty pizzas: BBQ Chicken, Supreme, Buffalo Chicken, Meat Lover’s, Margherita, Hawaiian, Veggie, White, and Eggplant Delight.
- Square pies: Sicilian Pie and Grandma’s Pie.
- Appetizers: garlic bread, mozzarella sticks, calamari, wings, and onion rings.
- Pasta and entrees: spaghetti, baked penne, lasagna, chicken parmesan, and shrimp scampi.
- Desserts: New York cheesecake, tiramisu, cannoli, and zeppole.
Prices vary by location and ordering platform. For example, the Charleston Boulevard menu lists a cheese slice at about $3.95 and a pepperoni slice at $4.50. Meanwhile, delivery apps often show higher prices than the in-store menu. Therefore, always check the restaurant’s own ordering page for the most accurate number.
Pizza Prices
Whole specialty pies on delivery menus land around $21 to $23 for most flavors. A cauliflower crust pizza costs slightly less, at roughly $20. Square Sicilian and Grandma’s pies cost more, at around $32 to $35, because they are thicker and larger.
The 16-inch pepperoni pizza at the Charleston counter is listed near $27.75. Likewise, a 10-inch Margherita is around $17.95. These figures are a useful guide, but they can change at any time.
Pasta and Entree Prices
Basic pasta dishes with tomato, butter, or garlic and olive oil sauce start at roughly $18. Adding meatballs, sausage, or meat sauce brings the price near $21. Oven-baked dishes such as lasagna and cannelloni cost about $22. Premium entrees such as chicken parmesan, shrimp scampi, and the Tour of Brooklyn sit between $26 and $33.
Brooklyn’s Best Pizza & Pasta Menu Near Me
Searching for “Brooklyn’s Best Pizza & Pasta menu near me” will mostly return the Las Vegas shops. The brand operates in the Las Vegas Valley, so travelers and locals will find it easiest to reach there. However, a few other restaurants share similar names in other states. Consequently, confirm the address before you drive.
Here are the two Las Vegas addresses:
| Location | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Apache | 5270 S Fort Apache Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89148 | (702) 786-0103 |
| Charleston Boulevard | 241 W Charleston Blvd #101, Las Vegas, NV 89102 | (702) 786-0103 |
The Charleston Boulevard shop lists these hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Thursday to Saturday: 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Hours can change on holidays. As a result, a quick phone call is the safest way to confirm opening times. You can also order for pickup or delivery through the restaurant’s online page and popular delivery apps.
Brooklyn’s Best Menu
If you are new to the restaurant, the full menu can feel long. Fortunately, it breaks down into easy sections. Below is a closer look at each one.
Appetizers and Salads
Start with garlic bread, with or without cheese. Homemade garlic knots are another crowd favorite. Fried mozzarella sticks, onion rings, and fried calamari round out the starters. Wings come in baskets or larger orders.
For something lighter, try the Antipasto, Caesar, Greek, or Apple Walnut salad. Delivery menus price salads at roughly $15 to $20.
Strombolis, Calzones and Heroes
The strombolis and calzones are a good choice if you want a handheld meal. The pepperoni roll and chicken roll are popular too. Meanwhile, the heroes include chicken parmigiana, Italian, eggplant parmigiana, meatball parmigiana, sausage with peppers and onions, and a Philly cheesesteak.
Desserts
Save room for dessert. The New York cheesecake, tiramisu, and homemade zeppole each cost about $9 on delivery menus. A classic cannoli is a smaller treat at around $6 to $7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Brooklyn’s Best Pizza?
Brooklyn’s Best Pizza may refer to different pizzerias, so the owner depends on the specific location. To identify the correct owner, check the restaurant’s official website or business listing for verified ownership details. If you share the city or address, you can narrow down the exact restaurant.
What are the key differences between Brooklyn-style pizza and a standard New York-style pizza?
Brooklyn-style pizza is usually known for its thin, crispy crust and lightly charred edges. Standard New York-style pizza also has a thin crust but is often softer and more flexible, making it easy to fold. Both styles feature a wide slice, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese, although recipes and textures vary by pizzeria.
What’s the most popular pizza ordered?
Pepperoni pizza is widely considered one of the most popular pizza choices in the United States. Its combination of melted mozzarella, tangy tomato sauce, and savory pepperoni appeals to many pizza lovers. Cheese pizza, supreme pizza, and margherita pizza are also popular options at many pizzerias.
What is special about Brooklyn pizza?
Brooklyn pizza is famous for its thin crust, rich tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and slightly crispy texture. Many pizzerias bake their pizzas at high temperatures to create flavorful edges and a well-cooked base. Its generous slices, traditional recipes, and neighborhood pizza culture make it a favorite among locals and visitors.
What is Barack Obama’s favorite pizza?
Barack Obama has publicly enjoyed pizza, but a single, definitively established favorite pizza topping or style is not widely confirmed. During his presidency, he was photographed eating pizza on several occasions, including during campaign stops and public visits. For an accurate answer, distinguish between documented pizza outings and a formally stated personal favorite.
What is the most famous pizza in Brooklyn?
Di Fara Pizza in Brooklyn is one of the borough’s most famous pizzerias, known for its traditional preparation and quality ingredients. Other well-known spots include L&B Spumoni Gardens, famous for its Sicilian-style square slices, and Grimaldi’s Pizzeria. The most famous choice depends on personal taste, but these restaurants are iconic destinations for Brooklyn pizza lovers.
Final Thoughts
Brooklyn’s best pizza and pasta menu isn’t really one menu at all — it’s a handful of neighborhood spots, each doing their own style better than most places attempt to. If you only have time for one stop, start with a classic coal-oven slice at Juliana’s or Grimaldi’s, then work your way toward a pasta-focused dinner at Misi or Frankies 457 on a return trip. Either way, you’re not going to walk away disappointed — that’s the whole reason people keep coming back to this borough for pizza and pasta in the first place.
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Irfan Khan is an experienced writer and researcher with over 6 years of expertise in Manu-related topics. Through ManuLibrary, he shares reliable information, insightful updates, and valuable knowledge to help readers explore, understand, and discover everything about Manu.
