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Best Comfort Food Classics Pizza Restaurants in Upper West Side (Central)

10 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: February 2026

Our Top Pick
Celeste
Broad Italian‑and‑pizza menu with standout pies.

Notable Picks

8.7
$$ Upper West Side (Central) Pizza
Celeste’s classic New York–style pies are complemented by a broad Italian menu, drawing neighborhood crowds for both pizza and pasta. With over 3,000 reviews and a consistently high rating, it’s a reliable choice for a casual dinner on the Upper West Side.
Must-Try Dishes: Margherita Pizza, White Truffle Mushroom Pizza, Sicilian Square Slice
What makes it special: Broad Italian‑and‑pizza menu with standout pies.
$ Upper West Side (Central) Pizza
Made In New York Pizza on Amsterdam specializes in ultra-crisp square slices with cupping pepperoni and a balanced, slightly sweet sauce, plus classic round pies. Locals treat it as a modern UWS slice benchmark, especially for quick dinners and late-night cravings.
Must-Try Dishes: Spicy pepperoni square slice, Classic cheese slice, White square slice
What makes it special: Crisp-edged square slices with cupping pepperoni and balanced sauce.
$$ Upper West Side (Central) Pizza
Mimi's Pizza on Broadway runs a deep menu of round, Sicilian, and grandma pies with toppings that range from Denso-style cup-and-char pepperoni to spinach-artichoke and truffle mushroom. It feels like a true neighborhood shop where regulars mix classic slices with more chef-y combinations.
Must-Try Dishes: Denso Style Pepperoni Pizza, Spinach Artichoke Grandma Pizza, Grandma Traditional square
What makes it special: Creative specialty and grandma pies on a true neighborhood corner.
$ Upper West Side (Central) Italian, Pizza
Bella Luna has anchored Columbus Avenue since 1988 with Northern Italian classics, brick-oven pizzas, and a warm, neighborhood feel that explicitly welcomes families. It functions as a go-to Upper West Side spot for big bowls of pasta, pizza, and a comfortable dining room where kids and adults can linger together.
Must-Try Dishes: Eggplant Parmigiana, Brick-oven Margherita pizza, Linguini Bella Luna
What makes it special: Long-running neighborhood Italian with brick-oven pizzas and welcoming family energy.
$$ Upper West Side (Central) Pizza
Long‑standing Upper West Side pizzeria serving classic New York pies with a thin crust and balanced sauce, ideal for traditional pizza lovers even if not open ultra‑late.
Must-Try Dishes: Plain Cheese Pie, Sausage Pizza, Sicilian Square
What makes it special: Traditional NY thin‑crust pizza heritage
$$$$ Upper West Side (Central) Mediterranean, Pizza
Turkish-leaning Mediterranean restaurant known for brick-oven flatbreads, kebabs, and stews in a casual, closely packed dining room. Neighborhood regulars use it for relaxed dinners where a mix of meze and hearty mains works across different appetites.
Must-Try Dishes: Lamb Shank, Manti Dumplings, Mixed Meze Platter
What makes it special: Turkish-inspired neighborhood staple with brick-oven pizzas, kebabs, and meze.
$ Upper West Side (Central) Pizza
The Upper West Side outpost of Famous Original Ray's is a big, old-school counter with 1980s-era decor, a long line of pies, and late-night hours. It’s a dependable stop for oversized New York slices, garlic knots, and whole pies when you want classic flavors and lots of seating.
Must-Try Dishes: Regular cheese slice, MVP specialty pizza, Sicilian square slice
What makes it special: Long-running, late-night slice institution with classic NYC counter energy.
$$ Upper West Side (Central) Pizza
Marinara Pizza leans into both round and square pies, with a long list that runs from vodka and Margherita to stuffed Sicilian and cauliflower crust options. The shop balances indulgent, cheese-heavy slices with lighter salads, making it a flexible choice for quick dinners and takeout.
Must-Try Dishes: Vodka Pie, Margherita Pie, Stuffed Crust Sicilian Pepperoni Pie
What makes it special: Huge pie lineup including vodka, cauliflower, and stuffed Sicilians.
8
$$ Upper West Side (Central) Pizza
A snug pizza and pasta spot with creative twists on classic Italian dishes; its approachable yet inspired menu has earned a loyal local following.
Must-Try Dishes: Truffle pizza, Cacio e pepe, Burrata salad
What makes it special: Inventive yet comforting Italian pizzas and pastas.

Worthy Picks

7.9
$$$ Upper West Side (Central) Pizza, Italian
Celeste is a tightly packed Italian trattoria where blistered, thin-crust pizzas share table space with pastas, antipasti, and daily specials. Crowded rooms and brisk service are part of the experience, and many locals treat it as a casual date-night option when they want wine and a proper sit-down pie.
Must-Try Dishes: Margherita pizza, Prosciutto and arugula pizza, Four-cheese pizza
What makes it special: Crowded neighborhood trattoria pairing serious pies with broader Italian plates.