Today you're going to need an empty stomach because our Next Stop is a tour of Williamsburg, Brooklyn's Best Pizza and Pizzerias.
It's gotten quite popular for tourists to take walking food tours around Williamsburg. Hello to the guy who invites his group to sit on my stoop every afternoon - find a new place, k thanks. In my opinion, there is zero reason to pay someone to guide you around. There are tons of resources on the internet, like this one, plus Williamsburg is one of the safest and easiest to walk neighborhoods in the city.
Not visiting but here because you're searching for something to do this weekend? No problem, that's us too. Put down the remote and get out there! Make your way on the L to Bedford for $2.90 and spend the afternoon exploring.
We're sticking with the classics and trying pepperoni slices, making a day out of eating as much as we could stuff in our stomachs and walking around the highlights in Williamsburg to kill time until we were hungry again.
Make your own pizza tour in your hood or follow along as we try the best spots in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. We made our plan for the day by referencing this list on Yelp.
Brooklyn Pizza Tour Stop #1 - Best Pizza. Located at 33 Havemeyer St. You can stalk their eats by checking out their instagram
It's currently #9 on the Yelp list and has a 4.5 rating on Google.
The overall vibe is pretty nice for a slice shop. It's cute, clean and spacious. They also have some tables located out front. Admire the decorated paper plates, drawn by customers around the world while your slice heats up.
Cost: $4.50
The Verdict: 7/10 mmmmm IMO Best Pizza is not the BEST. It's a good slice, classic new york style, paper thin crust that had a wood burned flavor to it. I could have had a few more pepperonis on mine and I prefer the spicier smaller pepperonis personally. Cheese was good, sauce was good - but its not a slice I'm going to be craving. After a day of pizza tour eating, I wouldn't say it was particularly memorable either. On to the next stop!
Next, Brooklyn Pizza Tour Stop #2 - we headed just 2 short blocks away to Rosa's. Located at 374 Metropolitan Ave. See their offering on Instagram
It's currently #11 on the Yelp list and also has a 4.5 rating on Google.
Their interior is also nice, definitely has an old fashioned, classic pizzeria vibe. Its short on seating on the inside but they have built a huge outdoor dining structure.
Cost: $4.25
The Verdict: 9/10 Finally the pepperonis, I've been looking for! This easily took the lead for the day. Its super greasy but I think that comes with a great slice. Crust was crunchy, pepperoni had that spicy kick and overall flavor was on point. This was a new find for me and definitely a stop we'll be visiting again.
PIT STOP: Ready for a food break and in the mood for a relaxing drink? Look no further than Union Pool. Located just a few blocks away at 484 Union Ave, Union Pool is a Williamsburg staple. Check out their chill backyard and have a frozen margarita (or two.)
Ready for more?
Brooklyn Pizza Tour Stop #3 - L'industrie Pizzeria located at 254 S 2nd St Brooklyn @Havemeyer. Stalk them here (ok wow I need those sandwiches, post on THAT to come
It's currently #5 on the Yelp list and has a 4.8 rating on Google (wow thats high!)
This is by far one of the most trendy pizza joints in the city right now. Every single blog will tell you that the best slice can be found here. Prepare to wait in line because the hype is real. The line was to the corner and luckily it only took 10 minutes for us to order.
It looks like a standard slice place, with pretty limited seating inside. They do have a nice outdoor dining set up - at least for the time being. People seemed to eat and move on so you should be able to find a spot if you're lucky.
Pictured above we tried the Fig Jam & Bacon (which is considered by many to be their BEST slice), the Burrata, Hot Honey (my fav) and the standard pepperoni slice which I'll be detailing below.
Cost: $4.50
The Verdict: 8/10 - It was good, don't get me wrong but when places are this hyped up I find that its easy to be disappointed. I liked everything about it but if you want a classic slice, I wouldn't deal with all the fuss of waiting in line. The crust is similar to what you would find in Italy and it does have a more elevated style than other places ie: Vinnie's. I'll definitely be back for the Hot Honey but when in desperate need for a great pepperoni slice, my favorite is still Rosa's!
PIT STOP: Ok it's been a lot of eating so far. Making your way up Bedford Avenue aka the main street in Williamsburg towards McCarren Park. The walk will do you good and along the way you can stop and do some shopping. Look for vintage finds in the shops or on the street, tables covered in hand made jewelry or woven goods or even stop for a pick me up coffee at Qahwah. At McCarren Park, take some time to chill on a bench or blanket. If you want to keep the alcohol flowing, grab a to-go margarita from Turkey's Nest.
Brooklyn Pizza Tour Stop #4 - Our 4th stop for the day (after a few hours lounging in McCarren Park to digest) is Vinnie's Pizzeria aka the Ninja Turtle bench spot located at 148 Bedford @ N9th. Find them on instagram here
It's currently #1 (!!) on the Yelp list and has a 4.5 rating on Google.
The day we visited they were only open for outdoor dining but honestly I think Vinnie's interior has seen better days anyway. This isn't a place for fine dining, its a hot spot at night for the post drinking crowd or quick place to grab a slice.
Cost: $4
The Verdict: 8/10 I don't claim to be a foodie - but I wasn't all that impressed given this place is currently rated NUMBER ONE in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The crust was a little lacking in flavor and while it was served super hot, I found this slice to be extra oily - the kind of oil that ran (and burned) my hands with every bite. The cheese is good, pepperoni is fine but overall mmm I don't know. I'm still giving it an 8 - after all Vinnie's is a classic, located in the main drag of Bedford and I've eaten here a million times and never left disappointed.
We're finishing up our Pizza Tour in Brooklyn and the top 10 list another day (with an empty stomach). Listing some of the other top spots in Williamsburg here you can add to your pizza tour instead!
Joe's Pizza located at 216 Bedford Ave @ N5. Their instagram here
It's currently #2 on the Yelp list and has a 4.5 rating on Google.
Upside Pizza located at 640 Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint. Their instagram here
It's currently #13 on the Yelp list and has a 4.5 rating on Google. If you like a grandma slice this one has a good one!
Fini Pizza located at 305 Bedford Avenue. (This is super close to L'Industrie and an easy next stop if you prefer.) Their instagram here
It's currently #17 the Yelp list and has a 4.3 rating on Google.
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