Geoffrey from New York
Luigi's Pizza, Calzones New York
Classic Italian Takeout
Brooklyn—by itself—is around the fourth largest city in the USA, too large to explore as a tourist. But, because it contains what appears to be an endless number of pizza joints, it is tempting.
Among them is Di Fara—most famous, not cheap and always a long line.
Far away in Park Slope is Luigi’s. I went there. I will go back.
That neighborhood is innocuous from a tourist’s point of view, but it is what I think of as 'essential' Brooklyn. Many of those old 1960s rock and roll pioneers like Carole King, Neil Diamond, and their successors like The Notorious B.I.G. grew up in Brooklyn neighborhoods like this one.
If you believe 'you are what you eat’, and feel certain that in their youth those cultural pioneers ate pizza too, you can follow in their footsteps.
Luigi’s has everything going for it: 'rustic' architecture in 'rural' Brooklyn, not great subway access but easy CitiBike access and traditional pricing.
It is every thing one could want.
A regular slice is crisp, topped with tomato sauce that is both tangy AND sweet, swamped with real cheese whose long, melted strings remain attached to the slice after taking a bite.
60 year old Luigi mans the shop and willingly engages in conversation about his neighborhood and the shop founded by his father. I watched the guys behind the counter making calzones ($4.75) and without even having tried them will go back for two.
Our New York City Guide
Find your way with 308 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Join as a Spotter?
Loved this Spot? And love your city? Join your local team. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in New York
Elevated Acre
Quiet, hidden elevated park in FiDi
"The Elevated Acre" is in the middle of the Financial District in NYC, but you would never see it when passing by - this park is hidden above street level!
by
Christian
Neely
John's Pizza / Times Square
Pizza Tabernacle
John's Pizza is situated inside a former tabernacle with a domed stain glass ceiling about 50 feet above, and ‘sliced’ into 8 sections, just like a pizza.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
'Fearless Girl'
Wall Street History
On Broad Street stands a bronze sculpture named Fearless Girl which exudes bravery, pride and strength but not, according to the artist, 'defiance'...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Manhattan Community Boathouse
Free kayaking
It’s all free, on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll get a life jacket, a paddle, a 'kayak', and a locker, for a session of approximately 20 minutes.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
The Hungry and Healthy Marketplace
Comedy / Deli
The space functions day to day as a bright and modern-looking upscale deli and on certain evenings, it doubles as a performance space for stand-up comics.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
The Cage in West Village
Hoops & handball
The Cage in West Village is a chain link fenced, bagel-sized basketball court in New York. Here you can also find handball, a citywide spectacle...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
TAP - NYC
Brazilian tapioca's 'home base'
"TAP - NYC" makes Brazilian tapioca from yuca! I really love their Pão de Queijo, tangerine-sized, feather-weight bread-puffs with molten cheese...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Bethesda Terrace
Central Park
"Bethesda Terrace" in New York's Central Park is home to Bethesda Fountains, sculptural balustrades and breathtaking magical depictions of wild animals...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Bodegas
NYC convenience stores
"Bodegas" are NYC convenience stores that are as much an essential part of urban culture as are chippies in Whitley Bay or curry shops in London, England...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Johannes Vermeer
At the Met & Frick
You can see eight of the thirty-six paintings by "Johannes Vermeer" in New York City. There's a ninth one, but it's behind closed doors...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
35 Times, Toby Buonagurio
Subway art 10
"35 Times - Toby Buonagurio" in New York are small artworks in the Times Square subway station, maybe even 16 inches square, lit on the inside. Jazzy!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Heading to New York?
308 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to New York?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 308 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite New York
Our team loves New York
Get to know our other Spotters from New York
As featured on:
