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La Pizza Italia

959 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10022
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Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)

La Pizza Italia 7.6
Midtown East
La Pizza Italia is a newer, compact counter spot that leans on late-night hours, value deals, and customizable slices. It’s more of a practical neighborhood workhorse than a destination, but the burrata-topped slices and pasta promos make it a useful option in the area.
Must-Try Dishes: Burrata basil slice, Vodka pasta BOGO special, Pepperoni slice
Scores:
Value: 8.4 Service: 7.8 Consistency: 7.6 Food Quality: 7.9 Atmosphere: 6.3 Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Late hours and frequent deals on slices and pasta near 2nd Avenue.
Who should go: Night owls and nearby residents wanting inexpensive slices.
When to visit: Late evenings when other nearby spots are closing.
What to order: Burrata basil slice, vodka pasta deal, classic pepperoni slice.
Insider tip: Ask about current pasta or slice specials before ordering at the counter.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Typical Midtown East challenges — mostly metered street parking; expect difficulty during peak hours. Garages along 2nd Ave are available but pricey ($20–$30+).
Dress code: Completely casual. Streetwear, office attire, or gym clothes all fit in.
Noise level: Moderate. Counter-service bustle and late-night foot traffic mean it’s not quiet, but you can still hold quick conversations.
Weekend wait: Usually no formal wait; brief lines of 5–10 minutes during late-night rush.
Weekday lunch: Minimal to no wait; fast turnover due to grab-and-go flow.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid selection — cheese, burrata basil, and customizable veggie toppings are readily available.
Vegan options: Limited — standard slices aren’t dairy-free, but you can request a cheeseless custom slice if they’re running whole-pie orders.
Gluten-free options: Not reliably available; no dedicated gluten-free dough or cross-contact precautions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a traditional sit-down date. It’s counter-service, tight on seating, and geared toward quick, inexpensive bites — better suited for a casual meetup or post-drinks snack.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations. Seating is limited, though, so expect to stand or take items to-go during peak late-night hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for quick, inexpensive meals. Best for older kids who can manage counter-service setups; no high chairs or kid-specific amenities.
Best For
Better for: Fast, cheap, customizable slices and late-night reliability in an area where many kitchens close early.
Skip if: You want artisanal pies, sit-down comfort, or a quieter meal — nearby full-service pizzerias or Italian spots will better fit that need.
La Pizza Italia 7.9
Midtown East
La Pizza Italia turns out crisp Roman-style squares and creative slices—like hot honey vodka and burrata-topped pies—until 4am most nights. It’s a compact Midtown East counter spot where late-night crowds grab high-quality slices, pastas, and salads without the tourist markup.
Must-Try Dishes: Square Honey Vodka Pizza Slice, Burrata Basil Slice, Grandma Peppina Square Pizza
Scores:
Value: 8.6 Service: 8 Consistency: 8 Food Quality: 8.2 Atmosphere: 6.5 Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Modern Roman-style square slices with hot honey vodka and burrata served deep into the night.
Who should go: Slice obsessives who want inventive toppings after midnight.
When to visit: After 11pm when the bar crowd needs serious pizza.
What to order: Square Honey Vodka Pizza Slice, Burrata Basil Slice, Grandma Peppina Square Pizza.
Insider tip: Ask which square pies are just out of the oven—those slices have the best texture and char.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Midtown East, especially late. Expect metered spots to be scarce; garages on 2nd & 3rd Ave typically run $20–$30 for short stays.
Dress code: Completely casual—come as you are. Late-night crowds show up in everything from office wear to hoodies.
Noise level: Moderate-loud during late hours due to foot traffic and quick-turnover counter service. Still fine for short conversations.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes, mostly a quick-moving line for slices.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, even during the rush—counter service is efficient.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong selection—multiple veggie slices, pastas, and salads.
Vegan options: Limited—usually one cheeseless slice or customizable options depending on the day.
Gluten-free options: Partial—no gluten-free slices, but some salads work for GF diners. Confirm prep details due to cross-contamination risk.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want something casual and fast. The tight space and counter-style setup make it better for a fun, low-stakes hang than a formal date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. Seating is minimal, so expect to stand or grab-and-go during peak late-night hours.
Is it kid-friendly? For quick daytime meals, yes—kids who like pizza will be fine. Late night (after ~10pm) skews more bar-crowd and less ideal for families.
Best For
Better for: Late-night Roman-style slices with creative toppings at fair prices; more consistent and higher quality than typical 3am slice joints.
Skip if: You want a sit-down dinner, ample seating, or gluten-free pizza—other pizzerias with full dining rooms will suit those needs better.