Lombardi’s Pizza: Experience America's First Pizzeria in NYC

Had Lombardi's suggested to me, as a place worth visiting while in the Big Apple. So we headed over there for a bite to eat, stepped in and it was like stepping back in time! The interior decor and vibe of the whole place, was brilliant and gave off such an oldy-worldy feel. As it states, it's been going since 1905 and was America's first pizzeria. With visiting during the week, and earlier on during the day, there were plenty of seats available. We were served by a very pleasant gentleman, ordered a root beer that tasted super and we decided on the 'Meatball, Ricotta, Garlic' pizza. When it arrived, it had a lovely crunchy crust all the way around, with plenty of ricotta and meatballs on top. Super hot and super tasty, a pizza that was delicious from the first bite, right down to the very last. If I remember right, it came to a little over $30 - maybe a bit more, including the tip - but was more than worth it without a doubt!

Lombardi’s Pizza absolutely lives up to its legendary reputation. From the moment you walk in, you feel the history—this place is pure New York. The coal-fired brick oven gives the pizza that perfect balance of a crisp, slightly charred crust with a soft, chewy center that’s hard to beat. The margherita pizza is outstanding: fresh mozzarella, bright tomato sauce, fragrant basil, and just the right amount of olive oil. Every bite tastes simple, intentional, and perfectly executed. The clam pie is also a must-try—savory, garlicky, and loaded with flavor without being heavy. The pizza are a bit small, but great to eat. The only small complaint was we did not finish our pizzas and had to ask 4 times to get them to-go. Service is friendly and efficient, even when it’s busy, and the atmosphere feels authentic and unpretentious—exactly what you want from an iconic NYC pizzeria. This isn’t trendy pizza; it’s timeless pizza. If you want to experience real New York pizza history done right, Lombardi’s is a must-visit. I’d come back again and again.

Apparently this is the first pizza place in America, so we had to try the dish they’re famous for. We ordered half of their signature pizza and half of a different one so we could sample both. I personally wasn’t a big fan of the signature pizza as the flavor was a bit too sour for my taste but the “regular” cheese and pepperoni was really good. I also loved how crunchy the crust was. Overall, a cool spot to try for the history and the variety.

Have lived in NYC for over 20 years and have never tried Lombardi's. We wanted something new pizza wise so today was the day to finally experience Lombardi's. The pizza was very good, definitely within the top 5 or 6 NYC spots we've tried over the years and our dog even loved the crust! We did order takeout which took two plus hours to arrive. Next time we would dine here in person instead of waiting so long for delivery and in fairness, we live on the UWS so it is a long trip for delivery. All in all the pizza was certainly enjoyable.

Lombardi’s Pizza in Nolita delivers that classic New York slice experience with a cozy, old-school charm. The coal-fired crust has a perfect char, the sauce is tangy and balanced, and the mozzarella ties everything together beautifully. Fun fact: Lombardi’s is widely recognized as America’s first licensed pizzeria, opening its doors in 1905.

Lombardi’s is a classic New York City spot that’s definitely worth the visit. The pizza has a great old-school feel with a solid crust, rich sauce, and quality cheese. You can really taste the history and tradition in every slice. The atmosphere is lively and authentic, making it a great place to sit down and enjoy a real NYC pizza experience. I’d absolutely come back again.

Very nice Italian restaurant, friendly staff and good service. The peperoni pizza was great, the aperol spritz not quite but the overall experience has been good. Totally recommend it.

To be able to visit the America's first pizzeria was experience my fiance and I would never forget. We were seated right away and the service was quick. The meatballs and pizza was fantastic! I wish we had Lombardi's in Georgia!