Lucali

Owned by pizza guru Mark Iacono, beloved by American royalty Beyoncé and her husband, and popularized by seemingly every pizza lover in the tri-state area, Lucali is a bucket-list pizzeria for many. There are three rules for a perfect visit to Lucali: Get in line at 4 pm to add your name to the waitlist, don’t forget to bring cash and your own booze, and ask for garlic atop your Large Pie with Basil, plus a side of sauce for dipping. If you’re looking for something more on the go, swing by their nearby slice shop Baby Luc’s, which is the first expansion venture for the brand in its over 15-year history.

One of NYC’s most sought-after reservations, unless you know owner Mark Iacono personally, get ready to add your name to a wait list that can last two hours. For the past fifteen years, the self-described “accidental pizzaiolo” has been firing simply adorned, crisp, whole pizza pies via a wood-fueled hearth in a cozy, rustic space. And Lucali’s charming aesthetic is a big part of its allure, as is the difficulty to get in. Sign up for a Large Pie with Basil or calzone. Toppings are up to the diner and usually include pepperoni, shallot, onion, hot peppers, sweet peppers and mushrooms. Take note, this spot is BYOB and cash only.

One of NYC’s most sought-after reservations, unless you know owner Mark Iacono personally, get ready to add your name to a wait list that can last two hours. For more than fifteen years, the self-described “accidental pizzaiolo” has been firing simply adorned, crisp, whole pizza pies via a wood-fueled hearth in a cozy, rustic space. And Lucali’s charming aesthetic is a big part of its allure, as is the difficulty to get in. Sign up for a classic margherita, or calzone, and know that everything is BYOB and cash only. Toppings are up to the diner and usually include pepperoni, shallot, onion, hot peppers, sweet peppers and mushrooms. And if waiting around for a table isn’t in your schedule, drop by Baby Luc’s, a nearby sister-joint offering pizza by the slice.