Finding the best pizza in Brooklyn actually means crossing into Manhattan’s Nolita neighborhood, where Prince Street Pizza has been serving legendary Sicilian squares since 2012.
This small joint at 27 Prince Street earned a 4.3-star rating on Yelp with over 5,700 reviews, with lines stretching around the block at all hours.
The Morano family brought generations-old recipes based on a simple philosophy: “if you can put it on pasta, you can put it on pizza.”
That innovative approach created the iconic Spicy Spring square that made Prince Street Pizza famous nationwide.
What Makes Prince Street the Best Pizza in Brooklyn
The secret to earning the title of best pizza in Brooklyn lies in the thick Sicilian-style squares that defy traditional New York pizza expectations.
The “SoHo Square” features a thick, airy crust that’s crispy on the bottom and soft inside, topped with handcrafted sauces made daily from scratch.
The signature Spicy Spring delivers seasoned spicy marinara sauce on thick crust, topped with thick-cut pepperoni that cups and crisps perfectly.
At around $5-7 per square slice, the price reflects premium quality ingredients and expert execution.
The Prince Street Pizza location operates from a tiny storefront with minimal seating, just a small bench inside and two standing tables outside.
Despite the limited space, the operation runs with impressive efficiency, moving long lines quickly even during peak hours.
The walls display photos of famous visitors who’ve made pilgrimages for these legendary squares, from celebrities to everyday pizza lovers.
Menu Stars That Define Excellence
The Naughty Pie represents Prince Street’s creative peak: spicy vodka sauce, pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, whipped ricotta, and Zab’s hot honey.
Reviewers consistently call this their favorite, describing it as “still thinking about it good” with a perfect balance of savory, saucy, spicy, and sweet.
The thick bread serves as the ideal vessel for generous toppings without becoming soggy or overwhelming.
The Spicy Vodka slice combines creamy vodka sauce with heat, while the crispy pepperoni delivers an audible crunch that customers rave about.
The Greene Machine brings pesto innovation to Sicilian squares, earning praise as a personal favorite from multiple reviewers.
Traditional options like Margherita and four-cheese round out the menu for those seeking classic flavors with Prince Street’s elevated execution.
The Best Pizza in Brooklyn Origin Story
The Morano family opened Prince Street Pizza in 2012, bringing recipes passed down through generations.
Their philosophy challenged conventional pizza wisdom by treating the pie like pasta, experimenting with sauce and topping combinations typically reserved for Italian noodle dishes.
This creative approach, combined with technical expertise in Sicilian-style baking, created something entirely new in New York’s crowded pizza landscape.
From Nolita to National Recognition
What started as a single small storefront in Nolita grew into a premium pizzeria with locations across New York, Miami, and California.
The original 27 Prince Street location remains the heart of the operation, where lines form regardless of time or weather.
Reviewers mention waiting in a 28-degree cold because the pizza justifies the discomfort.
The expansion included opening a location next door specifically for whole pies, allowing the original space to focus on slice service.
This smart growth strategy maintained quality while meeting overwhelming demand from locals and tourists alike.
Elite Yelp reviewers from across the country list Prince Street Pizza as a bucket list destination when visiting New York.
Why Lines Form Daily
Prince Street Pizza earned its reputation through consistent execution that never disappoints.
Customers who’ve been coming for years still describe the pepperoni slices as “just the best” and “so addicting.”
The pizza comes out piping hot and fresh, often requiring a cooling period to avoid burning the roof of your mouth.
Service moves quickly despite crowds, with staff efficiently taking orders and getting slices heated within five minutes.
Cash payments receive a small discount, encouraging quick transactions that keep lines moving.
The grab-and-go setup works perfectly for the location, with most customers either eating outside or taking pizza to enjoy elsewhere.
Brooklyn’s Favorite Best Pizza in Brooklyn Menu Items
Food Highlights
- Spicy Spring: This signature square features seasoned spicy marinara sauce on thick, airy crust topped with thick-cut pepperoni. The pepperoni cups and crisps perfectly, creating pockets of spicy oil that soak into the bread below. Multiple reviewers call this “damn good” with perfect saltiness from mozzarella and pecorino cheese. The crispy buttery crust provides ideal texture contrast. One California visitor noted the pepperoni had a nice kick that balanced everything out. The execution elevates a classic combination into something extraordinary. 🌶️
- Naughty Pie: Spicy vodka sauce, pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, whipped ricotta, and Zab’s hot honey combine for Prince Street’s most praised creation. Reviewers describe this as “soooo good like I’m still thinking about it good” with perfect pairing of ingredients. The sweetness from hot honey balances the savory and spicy elements without becoming cloying. The whipped ricotta adds creamy richness while fresh mozzarella provides proper cheese pull. Despite being loaded with toppings, it avoids becoming overly greasy. 🍯
- Spicy Vodka Slice: Creamy vodka sauce gets kicked up with heat on this crowd favorite. The sauce provides proper coverage on the thick crust base, though some reviewers note wishing for slightly more to balance the bread ratio. The spicy element adds dimension without overwhelming. Customers often add extra hot honey to customize heat levels. The vodka sauce’s richness complements the airy Sicilian crust texture perfectly. 🔥
- Crispy Pepperoni: The crunch on this slice is so pronounced that other customers can hear it from across the restaurant. The pepperoni gets cooked until edges curl and crisp, creating textural perfection. The standard pepperoni square executed at the highest level, proving simple combinations shine with proper technique. Long-time customers list this as their consistent order year after year. 🥓
- Greene Machine: Pesto-based pizza that earned praise as a personal favorite from multiple reviewers. The herbaceous pesto provides refreshing contrast to the heavier red sauce options. Fresh basil flavor comes through clearly without being overpowering. This option proves Prince Street’s versatility beyond their famous spicy squares. 🌿
- Vodka Slice: The non-spicy version of their vodka square made after customer requests. Creamy vodka sauce without heat appeals to those wanting richness without spice. One reviewer expressed happiness that Prince Street created this variation. The vodka sauce’s tomato-cream blend showcases why this has become a modern pizza classic. 🍅
Atmosphere
The restaurant occupies a tiny storefront in Nolita between Mott Street and Elizabeth Street, near Café Habana, Café Gitane, and Diptique.
Inside, limited space includes just a small bench and a wall counter for standing while eating.
Two standing tables outside provide additional spots, though most customers grab slices to go.
The walls showcase photos of celebrities and famous visitors who’ve stopped by over the years.
Moderate noise levels and casual vibes create a classic New York slice shop experience.
The small footprint means lines form outside, but the atmosphere inside stays energized and efficient.
Late-night hours extending to 3 AM on weekdays and 5 AM on weekends make Prince Street Pizza a go-to after bars close.
Many reviewers specifically mention this as the best pizza after a night out.
The location’s proximity to nightlife areas in SoHo and surrounding neighborhoods keeps traffic steady at all hours.
Bottom Line
Visit Prince Street Pizza for the best pizza in Brooklyn (technically Nolita) featuring thick Sicilian-style squares with creative topping combinations, crispy crusts that deliver perfect texture, handcrafted sauces made daily from scratch, and legendary slices worth waiting in line for.
The Morano family’s generations-old recipes and innovative approach created iconic squares that draw crowds from around the world. 🌟
Address: Prince Street Pizza
27 Prince St, New York, NY 10012
📞 (212) 966-4100
🕔 Mon-Tue: 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM | Wed: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM | Thu-Sat: 10:00 AM – 5:00 AM | Sun: 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM