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New York’s pizza royalty is heading downtown and bringing nearly a century of coal-fired cred along with it.
Patsy’s Pizzeria, the East Harlem institution considered as one of the original coal-oven pizzerias, has officially opened a new flagship inside Freehand New York in Flatiron. Located at 23 Lexington Avenue, steps from Gramercy Park, the expansion marks a new chapter for a restaurant that’s been slinging pies since 1933.
For the uninitiated, Patsy’s was founded by Pasquale “Patsy” Lancieri and quickly became a cornerstone of New York’s pizza scene, long before slices were on every corner. Over the decades, it’s hosted its fair share of icons, including Frank Sinatra, who famously had pies flown to him, and even played a behind-the-scenes role in The Godfather, where cast and crew reportedly gathered ahead of filming.
This new location leans into the legacy without being stuck in it. The 96-seat space introduces a more expansive “pizzeria con cucina” format, meaning you’ll still find the coal-fired classics, but with a full Italian menu to back them up. There are staples like Margherita, Hot Soppressata and Vodka pies alongside more indulgent options like Spicy ’Nduja and White Truffle.
The kitchen is led by executive chef Pietro Aletto, who’s worked at Feroce and Loreto, as well as with some of New York’s biggest culinary names. His menu stretches beyond pizza into dishes like mozzarella-stuffed supplì, mezzi rigatoni alla cacciatore and whole butterflied branzino. (One standout is a deconstructed tortelloni with ricotta, tomato and ’nduja.) The cocktail program includes a Pepperoni Martini, a clarified Pomodoro Americano and an Amaretto Affogato that’s equal parts gimmicky and intriguing in the best downtown way.
Freehand New York, known for its creative crowd and layered design, has restored architectural details and matched them with a bold interior—think brass accents, marble floors and deep green upholstery—that all nod to Patsy’s original look without feeling like a time capsule.
Patsy’s has also partnered with Promise Hospitality Group, with plans to take this updated format to other cities across the country. For now, though, this is a distinctly New York story: an old-school pizza legend, reinvented just enough to keep things interesting—without messing with what made it iconic in the first place.