On the MUSEENYC M ListThe M List — one we'd cross the city for, and keep going back to. See the list →

9.8 / 10

Joe's Pizza

The benchmark. If you only eat one New York slice, this is the one every other slice gets measured against.

MUSEENYC

The red neon Joe’s Pizza sign glowing over a crowded counter at night, with people waiting on the sidewalk outside.

Where: 7 Carmine St, Greenwich Village Open in Google Maps ↗
Price: $
Order this: Plain slice · Fresh mozzarella slice
Good with: Solo · Family
Website: www.joespizzanyc.com

Probably the single best benchmark for New York pizza there is. Joe’s has been on Carmine Street since 1975, and it sells the version of a plain slice most people are picturing when they say the words.

What to know

Cash only. It gets crowded inside, but the line moves quickly — don’t let the length put you off. Ask for your slice well done. If there’s nowhere to sit, take it outside and eat it standing up, which is the correct way to eat it anyway.

Going? Tell them MUSEENYC sent you. It's not a discount and there's nothing to redeem — we just want them to know where you heard it.