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John's of Bleecker Street
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
John's of Bleecker Street
8.4
Over a century old, John’s of Bleecker Street serves coal-oven pies in a graffiti-carved dining room that feels unchanged from earlier Village eras. It’s table-service only, with whole pies emerging blistered from an 800°F oven until about 10–11pm, making it a classic pre-late-night sit-down option.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic cheese coal-oven pie, Margherita pie, Boom pie with garlic and ricotta
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 7
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: A historic coal-oven pizzeria where whole pies and carved wooden booths anchor the Bleecker Street pizza strip.
Who should go: Groups or couples wanting a sit-down pie before going out.
When to visit: 6–9pm for manageable waits and fresh pies.
What to order: Classic cheese pie, margherita, Boom pie with garlic and ricotta.
Insider tip: They don’t do slices—plan to share a whole pie and add toppings only on half if your table can’t agree.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Bleecker and surrounding blocks is limited and competitive after 6pm; no valet or dedicated lot. Expect to rely on meters or nearby garages on West 3rd or Leroy Street.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; jeans, sweaters, and comfortable layers fit the classic, no-frills dining room.
Noise level: Moderate–loud during peak hours; conversation is manageable but the room gets lively with groups.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes for most parties between 6–9pm; no reservations accepted.
Weekday lunch: Often no wait or minimal wait before 1pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage—classic cheese, margherita, white pies, and customizable veggie toppings.
Vegan options: Very limited—no vegan cheese; can order a veggie pie without cheese if desired.
Gluten-free options: Not available; they do not offer gluten-free dough or accommodations due to the coal-oven setup.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—its historic booths, warm lighting, and shareable whole pies create an easy, classic New York date setting, though it leans casual rather than fancy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—John’s is walk-in only. Arrive before 7pm on weekends for shorter waits or join the line and expect a steady but reliable turnover.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for families with kids 6 and up; the room can be loud and space tight, but staff are accustomed to families and pies come out quickly.
Best For
Better for: Classic coal-oven whole pies, group-friendly booths, and an old-school Village atmosphere unmatched by quicker slice shops.
Skip if: You want slices, late-night hours past 11pm, vegan options, or gluten-free crust—none are available here.
John's of Bleecker Street
8.6
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Opened in 1929, John’s of Bleecker Street is a coal-fired, whole-pie institution where families squeeze into graffiti-carved booths for classic New York pizza. Long waits and cash-only policies don’t deter multigenerational groups who treat sharing charred, foldable pies as a West Village ritual.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic cheese coal-fired pie, Sausage and pepperoni pie, Half-and-half pie with fresh basil
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Historic coal-oven pies served family-style in a crowded, old-school room.
Who should go: Families willing to share whole pies and a tight booth.
When to visit: Mid-afternoon or early evening to shorten the line.
What to order: Large cheese pie, sausage and pepperoni, extra meatballs.
Insider tip: It’s cash-only and pies only—plan your order before you’re seated.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; metered spots on Bleecker and adjacent blocks are scarce, especially evenings. Use nearby garages on Leroy or Jones if driving.
Dress code: Casual. Jeans, tees, and family-friendly attire are fully appropriate.
Noise level: Loud during peak hours; conversation is possible but expect raised voices in the tight, bustling room.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes depending on group size; the line often stretches outside.
Weekday lunch: Usually 5–15 minutes; sometimes immediate seating for small groups.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—cheese pies and customizable veggie toppings make ordering straightforward.
Vegan options: Limited—no vegan cheese; a cheeseless pie with vegetables is the only option.
Gluten-free options: No—coal-fired ovens are not able to accommodate gluten-free dough.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date enjoys classic, no-frills New York pizza. The space is loud, crowded, and communal—great for casual energy but not ideal for quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—John’s doesn’t take reservations. Arrive early or mid-afternoon to avoid the longest waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—families with kids of all ages visit regularly. Booths are tight, but whole pies and quick pacing work well for children.
Best For
Better for: Classic coal-fired whole pies with nostalgic charm and family-style sharing, outperforming trendier slice shops on tradition and group appeal.
Skip if: You need gluten-free or vegan-friendly pizza, prefer quiet dining rooms, or want to order by the slice.
John's of Bleecker Street
8.5
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Opened in 1929, John’s of Bleecker Street is a coal-fired, whole-pie-only institution where families squeeze into carved wooden booths for blistered New York pies. The menu stays classic—cheese, sausage, and pepperoni—while the nearly century-old oven and steady lines signal a landmark that still delivers. Kids, tourists, and locals all treat it as a sit-down slice of West Village history.
Must-Try Dishes:
Large cheese pie, Half sausage, half pepperoni pie, Margherita pie with fresh mozzarella
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: Coal-fired whole pies in a no-slices Greenwich Village landmark.
Who should go: Families wanting classic New York pies at a true landmark.
When to visit: Weekday early dinners before the line wraps around corners.
What to order: Large cheese pie, half sausage-half pepperoni, Margherita pie.
Insider tip: Plan on whole pies only—no slices—and share family-style.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only—metered and often difficult, especially evenings; nearby paid garages on Leroy St. and W. 3rd St.
Dress code: Casual; jeans, tees, and family-friendly attire are all normal.
Noise level: Loud and lively—expect raised voices during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes depending on weather and tourist traffic.
Weekday lunch: Usually 0–15 minutes; occasional short waits in peak season.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—cheese and Margherita pies are reliable vegetarian options.
Vegan options: Very limited—no vegan cheese; only possible option is a no-cheese vegetable-topped pie if requested.
Gluten-free options: No—coal-fired oven rules out gluten-free crusts and cross-contamination controls.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want a casual, old-school New York experience. The room is cramped and loud, so it’s better for fun, low-pressure dates than intimate conversations.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—John’s does not take reservations. Expect a line, especially evenings; join the queue and turnover tends to be steady.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—children of all ages are common. Booth seating works well for families, but the tight layout and long lines may challenge strollers.
Best For
Better for: Classic coal-oven New York pies served whole, historic ambiance, and a landmark feel that’s hard to replicate.
Skip if: You need gluten-free or vegan options, want slices instead of whole pies, or prefer quieter, more spacious dining.
Hours
Monday11:30am - 10pm
Tuesday11:30am - 10pm
Wednesday11:30am - 10pm
Thursday11:30am - 10pm
Friday11:30am - 11pm
Saturday11:30am - 11pm
Sunday11:30am - 10pm