Best Group Dining Pizza Restaurants in Upper West Side (Central)
7 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
#1
Celeste
8.7
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.
8.7
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Motorino’s Upper West Side outpost serves Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pies near the Museum of Natural History, making it an easy sit-down choice for families who care about crust. The compact room runs busy but stays relaxed enough for kids, with friendly service and a menu of familiar toppings alongside their famous Brussels sprouts pizza.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita pizza, Brussels sprouts and pancetta pizza, Soppressata piccante pizza
What Makes it Special: Serious Neapolitan pizza in a kid-welcoming, museum-adjacent setting.
8.4
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.
8.3
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
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.
8.3
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.
Worthy Picks
7.7
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Dreamers Pizza II is a classic Broadway pizzeria built around large pies, basic pastas, and a long menu tailored to delivery and takeout. Inside, the casual setup works for low-key family meals where everyone can share a couple of pies and a tray of wings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheese pizza pie, Pepperoni pizza pie, Primavera veggie pizza
What Makes it Special: Old-school Broadway pizza shop geared toward big pies and delivery.