Opened by Joe Pozzuoli in Greenwich Village in 1975, Joe's Pizza is the gold standard of New York slice culture — thin, foldable, with perfectly charred crust and just the right ratio of tomato and mozzarella. Barack Obama and countless celebrities have made the pilgrimage.
Joe's Pizza, founded by Joe Pozzuoli at 7 Carmine Street in Greenwich Village in 1975, is the gold standard of New York pizza-by-the-slice culture and one of the city's most enduring culinary institutions. The slice that emerges from the oven here represents the Platonic ideal of the New York form: a thin, pliable crust with a char on the underside and a slight chew in the middle; a layer of tomato sauce that leans toward savory rather than sweet; a blanket of whole-milk mozzarella that pulls but does not overflow; and a crust edge (the cornicione) that is both structural and worth eating. The pizza is cooked at high heat in gas deck ovens and served fresh, in constant rotation — the slice is always hot and always the correct temperature, never languishing under a heat lamp. The menu is intentionally minimal: plain, pepperoni, and a small selection of rotating specials. No delivery, no elaborate toppings, no pretension. The Carmine Street location is open until 4am and has served everyone from the neighborhood regulars to Barack Obama, who stopped in during his 2012 campaign. Additional locations have expanded across Manhattan and Brooklyn, but the original Carmine Street spot remains the definitive address. Joe's is the pizza that New Yorkers take out-of-town visitors to when they need to explain what New York pizza actually means.
Signature dishes
- Plain Slice — $3.50
- Pepperoni Slice — $4
Good to know
- Known for
- Classic New York-style pizza slices
- Hours
- 10AM–4AM daily
Location
7 Carmine St, New York, NY 10014
40.7302, -74.0016 View on map
Highlights
- The Platonic ideal of the New York pizza slice — thin, charred, properly sauced, and always fresh
- Greenwich Village institution since 1975, open until 4am for late-night slices
- Minimal menu — plain and pepperoni slices executed with absolute consistency
- Presidents, celebrities, and neighborhood regulars all eat the same slice at the same counter
- Multiple Manhattan and Brooklyn locations, with the Carmine Street original as the definitive address
Tips for visiting
- Order a plain slice — the cheese and tomato ratio and crust are the point; toppings are secondary here
- Eat the slice immediately after receiving it; Joe's pizza is at its best in the first two minutes out of the oven
- Fold the slice lengthwise before eating — this is the correct New York technique and prevents the tip from drooping
- Visit between 2am and 4am for the quintessential late-night New York experience; the quality does not drop
- The line moves fast even when it looks long — Joe's is optimized for rapid counter service
Accessibility
The Carmine Street location is a small, narrow storefront with a step at the entrance and limited interior space. Counter access for wheelchair users may be challenging; the pizza can be ordered to go without navigating inside.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a slice cost at Joe's Pizza?
A plain cheese slice costs approximately $3.50 and a pepperoni slice around $4. It is one of the best food values in New York City.
Does Joe's Pizza take reservations or offer table service?
No. Joe's is a counter-service, stand-and-eat or take-away establishment. There are a few stools and a small counter; no table service is offered.
Is there a Joe's Pizza in Manhattan other than the Carmine Street original?
Yes. Additional locations operate in Midtown, the Upper West Side, the East Village, and other Manhattan neighborhoods, as well as in Brooklyn. The Carmine Street original is considered the flagship.
How late is Joe's Pizza open?
The Carmine Street location is open until 4am daily, making it one of the best late-night food options in the Village.
Is Joe's Pizza different from other New York pizzerias?
Joe's is consistently cited as the benchmark of the New York slice style — the correct balance of sauce, cheese, and crust that makes New York pizza distinct from other regional American pizza traditions.