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Olio GCM Wood Fired Pizzeria
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Olio GCM Wood Fired Pizzeria
8.0
Inside Grand Central Market, Olio turns out wood-fired, personal-size pizzas with leopard-spotted crusts to eat at the counter or carry through the hall. It’s a reliable choice when you want a proper Neapolitan-leaning pie in the middle of downtown’s busiest food hub.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita pizza, Wild mushroom and truffle pizza, Margherita Plus with burrata
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Long-running wood-fired stall bringing serious pizza craft to Grand Central Market.
Who should go: Market grazers wanting a full personal pizza not just a slice.
When to visit: Late morning or early afternoon before peak lunch rush hits.
What to order: Classic Margherita, a mushroom-forward pie, burrata-topped special.
Insider tip: Grab a seat at the counter for the best view of the oven and faster handoff.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Use the Grand Central Market parking structure on Broadway (paid, typically $4–$8 depending on duration). Street parking is limited and competitive, especially during lunch hours.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; this is a food hall setting where anything from jeans to office wear fits in.
Noise level: Moderate to loud depending on time of day; the food hall buzz means conversations are possible but not intimate.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes for food during peak rush; counter seats may be scarce.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes to order and 10–15 minutes for pies to fire.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several pizzas and salads are naturally vegetarian, including Margherita and mushroom-forward options.
Vegan options: Limited — pizzas are cheese-focused; you may request modifications but options are minimal.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free dough and cross-contact is unavoidable in a compact wood-fired stall.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? It works for a casual, low-pressure first date if you’re wandering Grand Central Market, but it’s not ideal for lingering or quieter conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come within the food hall. Expect to hover for a counter spot or share communal tables during busy periods.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — personal-size pizzas and a casual setting work well for families, though strollers can be difficult to maneuver during peak crowds.
Best For
Better for: Fast, wood-fired personal pizzas with quality dough in the heart of Grand Central Market — ideal for solo diners, quick meals, and inexpensive downtown pizza.
Skip if: You want a quieter sit-down pizzeria, specialty toppings, or gluten-free options; consider nearby full-service spots instead.
Olio GCM Wood Fired Pizzeria
7.7
Olio GCM Wood Fired Pizzeria operates inside Grand Central Market, turning out blistered, personal-size pies from a compact oven with counter and nearby communal seating. It’s one of downtown’s most reliable casual outdoor-ish options, where guests grab a pie and eat at open-air market tables that feel as much like a public plaza as a food court.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita pizza, Pepperoni pizza, Truffle or mushroom specialty pie
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: Wood-fired pizzas served from a stall into Grand Central Market’s open seating.
Who should go: Downtown visitors wanting fast, flavorful pizza between errands.
When to visit: Lunch or early dinner before the market gets packed.
What to order: Margherita or pepperoni pie, plus a seasonal special.
Insider tip: Grab a table near the Broadway side for more open-air feel.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Grand Central Market offers a paid garage on Hill Street; nearby metered street parking is limited and competitive during peak hours.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; typical food-hall attire is totally appropriate.
Noise level: Lively; conversations are possible but expect steady market noise and foot traffic.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on foot traffic; your wait is mostly for cooking rather than seating.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait beyond the standard 8–12 minute cook time.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — Margherita and several customizable vegetarian-friendly pies are available.
Vegan options: Limited — you can order a cheeseless vegetable pie, but no dedicated vegan cheese.
Gluten-free options: Not available — crust options are traditional only.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual meetup than a formal date; the market environment is fun and energetic but not intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — all seating is first-come market seating; tables open frequently but can be competitive during peak hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — families are common in the market, and kids tend to enjoy the individual-sized pizzas and open seating.
Best For
Better for: Quick, affordable wood-fired pies in a lively outdoor-ish food hall setting where you can eat immediately and keep exploring.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, table service, specialty doughs like gluten-free, or a more destination-style pizza experience.
Olio GCM Wood Fired Pizzeria
8.2
Olio GCM Wood Fired Pizzeria turns a compact Grand Central Market stall into a serious Neapolitan-style operation, stretching and baking 10-inch pies to order in a blazing wood oven. It’s the move downtown when you want a fast, personal pizza that still feels handcrafted and bright with good olive oil and char.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita Pizza, Spicy Sausage & Peppers Pizza, Three Cheese Pizza
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Wood-fired personal pies made to order inside Grand Central Market.
Who should go: Downtown workers and market wanderers craving real pizza
When to visit: Weekdays for lunch or early dinner before peak crowds
What to order: Margherita, Spicy Sausage & Peppers, Three Cheese
Insider tip: Order, then grab a nearby communal table facing the market aisles for prime people-watching.
Olio GCM Wood Fired Pizzeria
7.9
Olio’s Grand Central Market stall turns out 10-inch wood-fired pizzas from a Stefano Ferrara oven, with counter seats and nearby communal tables that work well for families grazing the market. Chef Brad Kent’s menu keeps things flexible, from simple Margherita pies for kids to more composed pizzas and fire-roasted vegetables for parents.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita Plus Burrata, Wild Mushrooms & Crispy Prosciutto pizza, Brussels Sprouts
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: A wood-fired pizza counter in Grand Central Market where quick service and customizable pies keep families moving between vendors.
Who should go: Families wanting fast pizza in the middle of Grand Central Market.
When to visit: Aim for late morning or midafternoon between market rushes.
What to order: Margherita Plus Burrata, Wild Mushrooms & Crispy Prosciutto, Brussels Sprouts.
Insider tip: Split pizzas and sides across stalls so kids can grab noodles or ice cream nearby while adults anchor the group at Olio’s counter.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Use the Grand Central Market structure on Hill Street or nearby paid garages; limited metered street parking fills quickly, especially on weekends.
Dress code: Casual—market attire is totally fine, from jeans and tees to relaxed weekend wear.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak market hours; quieter midmorning and midafternoon.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on stall traffic; seating is first-come among communal tables.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait, though the counter can get briefly backed up around 12–1pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several options including Margherita-style pizzas and fire-roasted vegetables.
Vegan options: Limited—some vegetable sides work, but pizzas require modifications; verify cheese-free requests.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free dough; cross-contact is unavoidable due to the wood-fired oven.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for a super casual, walk-around-the-market type date. The environment is energetic and busy, not ideal for long conversations.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. Grab counter seats or open communal tables nearby; turnover is relatively fast.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes. Great for kids who like simple pizzas and the freedom of a food hall. Best for ages 5+ who can manage the lively, sometimes crowded market setting.
Best For
Better for: Quick, wood-fired pizzas in a high-energy setting where families can mix vendors and keep meals flexible.
Skip if: You want a quieter sit-down Italian meal, gluten-free pizza options, or a setting suited for longer conversations.