The best spots for deep-dish pizza in NYC

What is it? Our favorite deep-dish pie in New York belongs to Ace’s Pizza, a Detroit-style joint located in the heart of Williamsburg. Opened in February 2021, the pizza here can easily turn anyone onto a different style than a classic New York slice. The cheese is a blend of low-moisture mozzarella and brick cheese (think a funky, old German-style cheese, similar to a mix between muenster and mozzarella). The kitchen at Ace’s puts cheese directly on the dough and tops the sauce before the pie is fully cooked, creating a mesh of flavors that basically melts in your mouth. All pies are topped with Pecorino, garlic powder, and oregano. The dough is so spongy it has a bounce, and the heaps of cheese are giving the cheese pull of your dreams.

Why we love it: The pizza is undeniably good, but the vibe inside Ace’s makes us want to stay a while. It’s like being transformed back to the 90s. The space is adorned with Nintendo consoles (I personally sat right next to a screen that had Mario Kart on), and for a real blast from the past, order a Klondike bar for dessert.

Time Out tip: Their off-menu Spicy Boy slice is in the top five pizza slices I’ve ever had, so much so that I made it a point to stop by for a slice on my birthday. Made with Calabrian chili, burrata, pepperoni, and hot honey, the mesh of flavors and textures, from the creamy burrata to the slightly crisped pepperoni (that fill with little pools of spicy pepperoni oil) make this slice just as fun to eat as it is to look at. Also, don’t skip out on their cheesy bread, which is an explosion of butter and cheese with crisped edges.

Address: 637 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Sun–Thu noon–11pm; Fri, Sat noon–midnight 

What is it? Scores of hungry New Yorkers and homesick Chicagoans have been flocking to this neighborhood pizzeria since North Shore native Emmett Burke first opened its doors in 2013, and for good reason: The Chicago-style deep-dish pies are as authentic as they come. Consider the Sausage Classic, which, like all their pies, can be served in a 10-, 12-, or 14-inch round. This pie is a staff favorite, made with crumbled sausage and slivers of onion and green peppers, sitting atop blankets of melty mozzarella. Like a true Chicago pie, the sauce goes on last, and the one at Emmett’s is chunky, sweet, and tangy. To take the Windy City factor to the next level, add a Chicago-style hot dog or Italian beef sandwich.

Why we love it: Emmett’s is far more than a restaurant: it’s a Chicago institution. And while it might be seen as sinister to some to get Chicago-style anything in New York, given the two cities' friendly rivalry, a visit here makes for a fun night out to try something different.

Time Out tip: Since everything is made fresh to order, practice patience, as it takes approximately 30-40 minutes for each deep dish pizza to come out. Take that patience a step further when your bubbling hot pie finally arrives at your table; Emmett’s gives guests an hourglass timer that needs to run its course before the ‘za is temperature-safe.

Address: 50 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

Opening hours: Mon, Tue 5pm–11pm; Wed noon–11am; Thu noon–midnight; Fri, Sat noon–1am; Sun noon–10 pm

This beloved Bensonhurst staple has been dishing out doughy, Sicilian squares since 1939. Locals and day-trippers alike line up for a taste of the famously thick yet airy slices, marked by a crunchy, buttery bottom and pillowy center slathered in sweet red sauce and generous layers of melted mozzarella, finished off with a drizzle of olive oil and hefty sprinkle of parm. Don’t forget to save room for the legendary spumoni: creamy swirls of vanilla, chocolate and pistachio ice cream piled high in a paper Dixie cup.

Why we love it: L&B Spumoni Gardens preserves what much of New York has lost. Even after all of these years, their OG Bensonhurst location has that old-school fast-paced Italian-American charm, with everything from the attitude to the decor.

Time Out tip: If you’re struggling with where to spend your birthday, L&B Spumoni Gardens is a great place to celebrate with friends and family alike. Get their over-the-top spumoni sundae consisting of multiple colorful scoops, cones, whipped cream, cherries, and chocolate sauce.

Address: 2725 86th St, Brooklyn, NY 11223

Opening hours: Daily 11am–11:30pm

What is it? This Detroit-style pizza joint concept was naturally conceptualized over slices of pepperoni and olive pie. The rectangular, pan-baked pizzas are made with signature blue steel pans that give them that signature crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside crust. Though technically a Detroit-style joint, there are nods to New York throughout the menu. The Big Ang pie boasts six slices of buttery, inch-thick, air-pocked dough festooned with sweet vodka sauce, dollops of creamy ricotta, zippy banana peppers and crumbled Italian sausage, all finished with a heavy snowing of pecorino cheese.

Why we love it: Emmy Squared highlights an array of unique ingredients, from banana peppers to smoked gouda. 

Time Out tip: Come with friends and a hefty appetite. Outside of pizza, they offer a rotating seasonal menu with summer options, such as a watermelon and feta salad. Their burger is also one of the best in the city, so grab a few friends and split the goods. 

Address: Address: Multiple venues, inc. East Village, Midtown West, Hell's Kitchen, Upper East Side and Park Slope

Opening hours: Various hours

What is it? If you’re as much a fan of deep-dish pizza as you are of Lady Gaga, Joanne Trattori is a must-visit. Run by Joe Germanotta, the pop star’s father, several of the items on the menu nod to the family’s Sicilian roots, and their pizza is no exception. Their large Sicilian “Monster” pizza is ideal for sharing, allowing you and your dining buddies to add various toppings of your choice (pro-tip: opt for the rapini). The dough is delicately light, and they don’t shy away from the cheese. Make sure to check out some of the restaurant’s artwork on the wall, and snap a pic in front of the neon light “Joanne” sign for the ultimate souvenir.

Why we love it: Joanne Trattoria brings us back to the days of supper clubs. The restaurant primarily features local talent with weekly entertainment. Nearly every night, Joanne Trattoria highlights rising performers, like their Wednesday “Drag me to Joanne’s” for dinner paired with a drag show, and Saturday live music out on their patio.

Time Out tip: Joanne’s is an especially ideal dining destination for those taking a break from the sauce, and we don’t mean the pizza kind. They have an entire dedicated “Spiritless” menu, where you can try a Gaga-inspired mocktail. Our favorite is Blade of Grass, made with New London Light Gin, orange and lime juice, and prickly pear syrup.

Address: 70 W 68th St, New York, NY 10023

Opening hours: Mon, Tue 4 pm–10pm; Wed, Thu 11:30am–10pm; Fri, Sat 11:30am–11pm; Sun 11:30am–10 pm

What is it? New kid on the block, Turbo Pizza, just opened on July 10 in Bushwick to serve up Detroit-style slices and pies. Following the likes of Ace’s and Emmy Squared, Turbo Pizza is proof that Detroit pizza is here to stay. The kitchen is led by Chef John True, who spent over 13 years at Roberta’s. The options range from classic choices like vodka and basil to more innovative options, such as taleggio-simmered white onion with chives. They use a high-hydration focaccia-style base, which is double-baked to create a caramelized frico edge, resulting in an ultra-crisp crust.

Why we love it: Bushwick is one of the best party neighborhoods in all five boroughs, and sometimes you just need a late-night place to hang out with good grub. They’re currently open until midnight but rumor has it they will soon be extending their hours until 2am.

Time Out tip: If you’ve come to Turbo Pizza to soak up a long night of bad decisions, you can also keep the party going with some of their incredible cocktails. Our favorites are the Roasted Mint Lemonade, made with Misguided vodka, lemon, mint, and roasted black pepper, and the Pineapple Express, with Cazadores tequila, pineapple, pomegranate, and firewater.

Address: 1540 DeKalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 4pm–midnight 

What is it? One of the most iconic slices in New York hails from Prince Street Pizza, a small shop slinging line-worthy Neapolitan and Sicilian slices of equal quality. Sink your teeth into the hallmark char-and-chew crust of the Sicilian-style Spicy Spring, adorned with a splatter of zesty Fra Diavolo sauce, ribbons of gooey cheese and pockets of spicy, crisp-edged pepperoni. Prince Street Pizza also happens to have one of the best slogans in the New York pizza world: “If you can put it on pasta, you can put it on pizza,” which largely explains their most popular flavors being spicy vodka sauce with prosciutto and cheese.

Why we love it: Some things are popular for a reason. Prince Street Pizza is one of the best and only options for deep-dish pizza south of 14th Street in Manhattan, and though the line often looks intimidating, it moves quickly.

Time Out tip: Prince Street Pizza frequently does specials. Be sure to ask at the counter if they have any limited-edition items, but if it’s your first time there, opt for a classic slice as well.

Address: 27 Prince St, New York, NY 10012

Opening hours: Sun–Tue 10am–3am; Wed 10am–midnight; Thu–Sat 10am–3am