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Nolita Pizza
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Nolita Pizza
7.9
Co-founded by a Bleecker Street Pizza veteran, this counter-service spot elevates the neighborhood slice with imported ingredients, house marinara, and properly aged mozzarella. The gluten-free options are legitimately good, and the late-night hours make it a go-to for after-hours pizza cravings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vodka Pie, Gluten-Free Margherita, Pepperoni Slice
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Quality slice shop with imported Italian ingredients and strong gluten-free game
Who should go: Late-night revelers and gluten-free pizza seekers
When to visit: Late night for fresh slices with no wait
What to order: Vodka slice, pepperoni, gluten-free Margherita
Insider tip: Local NYPD and FDNY are regulars—follow their lead
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Kenmare near Little Italy - meters and tight spots, garage on Elizabeth St nearby if needed
Dress code: Whatever you're wearing - this is grab-and-fold slice shop territory
Noise level: Quick-service buzz - order at counter, eat fast, nobody's lingering for conversation
Weekend wait: 5-10 min max, slices ready on display
Weekday lunch: No wait - grab a slice and go
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - cheese, Margherita, white pie, veggie options plus salads
Vegan options: Limited - can request cheese-less options, salads available without cheese
Gluten-free options: Yes - dedicated GF Margherita ($19) and Regina Napoletano ($20) pizzas, not just slices
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not unless your date loves no-frills slice shops. It's counter service with minimal seating - perfect for a post-bar bite or casual hangout, but save the romance for somewhere with tablecloths.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations needed - it's counter service. They now have indoor seating and a bathroom, but most people grab slices and go. Walk in anytime, open until 5am on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for a quick slice - kids love pizza and there's no fussy atmosphere to worry about. Just be ready for standing-room energy during busy times. Great for refueling between NoLita shopping.
Best For
Better for: Late-night quality slices when everything else closes - open until 5am Fri-Sat with properly sourced ingredients that rival sit-down spots, plus some of the best gluten-free pizza in the neighborhood
Skip if: You want the scene and the line - Prince Street Pizza has the Instagram-famous pepperoni squares and celebrity buzz if that's your thing
Nolita Pizza
8.4
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Late Night Legends
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Nolita Pizza is a high-output Kenmare Street slice shop known for its crisp, well-charred New York slices and late-night hours. Fans call out the burrata-topped slices, spicy pepperoni pies, and reliable cheese slice as standouts in a crowded downtown field.
Must-Try Dishes:
Burrata Slice, Spicy Pepperoni Pie, Classic Margherita Slice
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Busy Nolita slice shop praised for crisp New York slices and burrata-topped specialties late into the night.
Who should go: Hungry night owls wanting better-than-average classic slices.
When to visit: Late night after bars or mid-afternoon for shorter lines.
What to order: Burrata slice, spicy pepperoni pie, classic cheese slice.
Insider tip: Grab your slice and walk a few blocks to a nearby park or stoop—seating inside is limited and turnover is fast.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; typically scarce on Kenmare Street, especially after 6pm. Paid garages available within a 3–5 minute walk.
Dress code: No dress code — come casual; this is a grab-and-go slice shop.
Noise level: Loud during peak hours with constant foot traffic; conversation is limited inside due to the tight space.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes depending on bar traffic; lines move quickly.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, aside from a brief ordering line.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — cheese, margherita, burrata, and a few rotating veggie-topped slices.
Vegan options: Limited — may have a cheeseless slice, but offerings vary; not a dedicated vegan shop.
Gluten-free options: No gluten-free slices; kitchen is not set up for GF dough or cross-contamination controls.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, no-frills meetup than a formal date — it's standing-room-focused, quick, and hectic, so not ideal if you want extended conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no tables and no reservations. Expect to stand or take your slice to a nearby park or stoop.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick grab-and-go; slices are approachable and service is fast. Not ideal for strollers or long sit-down meals due to tight space.
Best For
Better for: Faster service and crisp, classic New York slices at a lower price point than many downtown competitors; excellent for late-night reliability.
Skip if: You want seating, gluten-free options, or a more leisurely dining experience — consider a full-service pizzeria instead.
Nolita Pizza
8.3
Run by Albanian-born pizzaiolo Tony Salihaj, Nolita Pizza turns out classic New York slices and upside-down Sicilians until 2 a.m. most nights. It’s a narrow, no-frills counter spot where late-shift workers and bar crowds cycle through for reliably crisp slices and quick service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Upside-down Sicilian slice, Classic cheese slice, Pepperoni slice
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Owner-operated neighborhood slice shop known for crisp, foldable pies deep into the night.
Who should go: Night owls needing classic slices near Soho clubs.
When to visit: After 10 p.m. for true late-night energy but shorter lines.
What to order: Upside-down Sicilian, regular cheese, pepperoni slice.
Insider tip: Ask which pies just came out of the oven and order from that tray for best texture.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; scarce after 7 p.m. and during weekend bar traffic. Best chances on Lafayette or Elizabeth before 9 p.m.
Dress code: No dress code — entirely casual and come-as-you-are, from bar crowds to late-shift workers.
Noise level: Moderate to loud, especially after 10 p.m.; standing-room format means conversations are brief but doable.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes depending on bar let-out waves; lines move quickly due to slice service.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait aside from a short counter queue.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — cheese slices, upside-down Sicilian, and occasional veggie pies.
Vegan options: Limited — no dedicated vegan cheese; tomato-based slices can work for strict vegans.
Gluten-free options: No gluten-free dough; those sensitive should skip.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for a casual, quick, no-frills stop; it’s a standing counter slice shop with steady late-night noise, not a sit-down date environment.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no tables and no reservations. It’s grab-and-go or stand-and-eat at the counter.
Is it kid-friendly? Fine for older kids during daytime; less suitable at night due to tight space, bar-crowd foot traffic, and limited seating.
Best For
Better for: Fast, classic New York slices at low prices with late-night reliability and crisp execution.
Skip if: You want seating, specialty toppings, gluten-free options, or a quieter environment — competitors with dine-in setups will suit better.