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Garlic New York Pizza Bar
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Garlic New York Pizza Bar
8.4
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Late Night Legends
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
Garlic New York Pizza Bar is a high-volume slice shop and bar hybrid in Murray Hill known for oversized squares and late-night hours. Regulars come for loaded grandma-style pies, garlic-heavy recipes, and a menu that runs from classic cheese to truffle and eggplant-topped slices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Upside Down Grandma square with mozzarella under sauce, Truffle grandma slice, Eggplant-topped Sicilian slice
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Busy slice counter and bar turning out hefty grandma pies deep into the night.
Who should go: Night owls and locals wanting big, flavorful slices on a budget.
When to visit: Late nights after the nearby bar scene or casual weeknights.
What to order: Upside Down Grandma, truffle grandma slice, vodka square.
Insider tip: Ask which grandma pies just came out of the oven; turnover is constant at peak hours.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited, especially after 6pm; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Ultra casual — sneakers, hoodies, and post-bar outfits are all normal.
Noise level: Loud — music, crowd noise, and constant traffic make quiet conversation difficult.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes late at night, faster if grabbing slices to go
Weekday lunch: No wait to 5 minutes typically
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple cheese, margherita-style, and veggie-topped grandma slices available daily.
Vegan options: Limited — occasionally available with marinara and vegetable toppings, but not guaranteed.
Gluten-free options: No — no dedicated gluten-free crust or prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for ultra-casual, low-pressure first dates — great if you both like pizza and late-night energy, less ideal for intimate conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it's counter-service with limited bar seating, and tables turn quickly as people eat fast.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier in the day, yes — kids love the oversized slices, but late nights skew heavily toward adults and bar crowds.
Best For
Better for: Late-night pizza runs, big shareable squares, and budget-friendly slices with bold flavors.
Skip if: Go elsewhere if you want quiet dining, a sit-down pizzeria experience, or lighter Neapolitan-style pies.
Garlic New York Pizza Bar
8.1
Garlic New York Pizza Bar is a late-night slice shop in Kips Bay where crispy fries share space with grandma pies, wings, and garlic knots. The fry baskets are straightforward but well-executed, giving you a salty, hot side that works with everything from pizza slices to chicken plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
French Fries, Garlic Knots with Marinara, Upside Down Grandma Pizza with Fries on the Side
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Pizza bar where crisp fries, slices, and wings fuel late-night crowds.
Who should go: Night owls wanting fries with slices, wings, or heroes.
When to visit: Late evenings on weekends when the shop runs at full tilt.
What to order: French fries, garlic knots, upside-down grandma pizza.
Insider tip: Pair fries with a grandma slice and eat at the counter to keep everything piping hot.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; metered and very tight after 7pm. Ride-share is the easiest option late night.
Dress code: Ultra casual — hoodies, jeans, late-night gear all welcome.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak late-night hours; quieter earlier in the evening.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes late night after 10pm; faster turnover earlier.
Weekday lunch: No wait typically.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — fries, cheese slices, garlic knots, and some veggie toppings.
Vegan options: Limited — plain fries and certain marinara-based items if ordered without cheese.
Gluten-free options: Very limited — most items are wheat-based; cross-contamination likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for ultra-casual, late-night energy. This is more post-bar hang than romantic setup.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — counter service with quick turnover. Seating is first come, first served and mostly counter-style.
Is it kid-friendly? Early evenings are fine for kids, especially for pizza and fries. Late nights skew adult and bar-adjacent.
Best For
Better for: Late-night fries with real neighborhood slice-shop energy and fast counter service.
Skip if: You want a sit-down restaurant, quiet atmosphere, or gluten-free-friendly kitchen.
Garlic New York Pizza Bar
8.8
Garlic New York Pizza Bar is a high-volume neighborhood institution where square pies, garlic-forward slices, and cocktails fuel late nights on 2nd Avenue. With thousands of online ratings and weekend hours that push past midnight, it functions as both a slice shop and a casual bar for groups refueling after drinks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Garlic's Grandma Pizza, Buffalo Chicken slice, Pasta alla Vodka
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: High-volume pizza bar marrying grandma-style pies with full drinks service late.
Who should go: Groups wanting slices plus cocktails after midnight
When to visit: Friday and Saturday late night after the bars empty
What to order: Garlic’s Grandma slice, Buffalo Chicken slice, pasta alla vodka
Insider tip: Use the bar area for faster slices and a better shot at seats during peak hours.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited on 2nd Avenue, especially after 7pm; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option late at night.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual—jeans, sneakers, and going-out outfits all fit right in.
Noise level: Loud and lively—expect energetic bar chatter and music, not ideal for quiet conversations.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during peak late-night hours after 10pm, faster for bar seating
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait, usually order-at-the-counter speed
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple cheese, veggie, and specialty meatless slices and pastas
Vegan options: Limited—can modify some veggie slices by removing cheese, but no dedicated vegan menu
Gluten-free options: Limited—gluten-free crust availability varies and is not always guaranteed late night
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, no-pressure first date than a romantic one—great food and energy, but loud and fast-paced.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but late-night weekends fill quickly—bar seating and standing tables turn over fastest if you arrive after 10pm.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier in the evening, yes—families and teens are common before 8pm; late-night shifts skew strictly adult.
Best For
Better for: Late-night pizza with cocktails and group energy—beats traditional slice shops for atmosphere and drinks.
Skip if: You want quiet dining, artisanal Neapolitan-style pies, or a laid-back date-night vibe.