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La Vera Pizzeria & Restaurant
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
La Vera Pizzeria & Restaurant
8.3
La Vera Pizzeria & Restaurant is a late-night workhorse on 2nd Avenue with a big by-the-slice counter, full pies, and a full menu of red-sauce Italian standards. Thousands of delivery and takeout reviews highlight its reliability for quick dinners, office orders, and post-bar slices. It’s more about generous portions and speed than polished ambiance.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic New York cheese slice, Grandma or Sicilian pizza, Chicken parm hero or pasta
Scores:
Value: 8.9
Service: 7.3
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: High-volume neighborhood pizzeria balancing big portions, long hours, and dependable delivery.
Who should go: Late-night eaters and groups needing hearty, fast pizza.
When to visit: Late evenings or after bars when ovens stay busy.
What to order: Cheese or Sicilian slice, grandma pie, chicken parm.
Insider tip: Order grandma or Sicilian pies for delivery—the thicker crust travels better than classic slices.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking on 2nd Avenue and nearby side streets; metered spots open up late at night but can be tight during dinner hours.
Dress code: Come-as-you-are casual — anything from bar attire to sweats is normal.
Noise level: Moderate to loud, especially late at night when slice traffic and delivery operations peak.
Weekend wait: Minimal wait for slices; 10–20 minutes for full pies during peak delivery surges.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait for counter service; delivery may run slightly longer during office lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — cheese slices, Sicilian, grandma pies, and several pasta and salad options.
Vegan options: Limited — basic cheeseless pies or salads, but no specialty vegan cheese.
Gluten-free options: Not consistently available — no verified gluten-free dough and shared prep surfaces.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal unless your date prefers casual, grab-a-slice energy. It’s more functional than atmospheric, better suited for low-pressure or late-night meetups.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes. It’s walk-in only, and tables generally turn quickly. Expect more competition for seating late at night when bar crowds arrive.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for casual family meals — quick service, familiar dishes, and generous portions. Best for ages 5+ due to tight seating and late-night crowds.
Best For
Better for: Late-night reliability, fast slices, and hearty delivery orders that arrive consistent even during busy hours.
Skip if: You want polished ambiance, artisanal toppings, or specialty dietary accommodations like gluten-free or vegan cheese.
La Vera Pizzeria & Restaurant
8.4
A classic Midtown East pizzeria where New York slices share the menu with red-sauce pastas, heroes, and kid-friendly comfort dishes. Families use it as a casual sit-down option near 2nd Avenue, especially when they want a full meal instead of just a quick slice.
Must-Try Dishes:
Regular Cheese Pizza Slice, Grandma Sicilian Pie, Chicken Parm Hero
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: A late-night 2nd Avenue pizzeria where families can get both slices and full Italian dinners under one roof.
Who should go: Families wanting sit-down pies and pasta near Midtown hotels.
When to visit: Early evenings before the late-night slice rush starts.
What to order: Regular cheese slice, grandma Sicilian pie, chicken Parm hero.
Insider tip: Ask for a fresh pie slice during busy hours for hotter, crisper results.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on 2nd Avenue is limited, especially after 5pm; nearby garages along E 50th–52nd Streets are the most reliable paid options.
Dress code: Casual—jeans, sneakers, and kid-friendly attire are all perfectly appropriate.
Noise level: Moderate to lively during peak hours; conversation is doable at tables but slice-counter traffic adds background noise.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes for a table; slice counter is typically immediate.
Weekday lunch: Rarely a wait except for brief rushes from nearby offices.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage—cheese pizzas, vegetable pies, pastas with marinara or vodka sauce, and salads.
Vegan options: Limited—plain pizza without cheese or simple pasta with marinara are the main options.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free pizza dough; simple entrées or salads may work but cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal unless you want a casual, no-frills setting. It’s more about comfort food than ambiance or privacy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's walk-in friendly. Even during busy dinner hours, waits are short and tables turn quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Very—easy menu for picky eaters, quick service, and plenty of seating suited for families with younger children.
Best For
Better for: Large families wanting both slices and full red-sauce entrées without spending more at trendier Midtown Italian spots.
Skip if: You want artisanal or destination-level pizza, gluten-free dough, or a quieter, more polished dining room.