Even a plain slice of pizza is culinary art on Long Island. Venture off these shores and the cheese just isn’t as gooey, the crust not as flavorful and something is just off about the sauce. But certain Long Island pizza joints are delivering some extra special slices. From a newcomer in Patchogue serving up a meaty slice to a mashed potato pie in Greenport, these five specialty pizzas are for those with pie-in-the-sky dining aspirations.
Related Content: Top Long Island Italian Restaurants
Locale Gastro Bar & Pizzette, Patchogue
The ambiance at this Main Street Italian restaurant, which opened in March, is part pub and part upscale casual. The front of house has a large bar and ample seating for happy hours or those looking for a quick bite. Head to the back and there’s a fireplace and white tablecloth-clad tables with candles. As for the pizza, it’s completely delicious. Locale specializes in personal pies called pizzettes and carnivores can’t get enough of the pazzia di carne. Topped with sweet Italian sausage, meatball and pepperoni, it takes the tough “which meat topping should I go with?” discussion off the table. Phone: 631-714-5220 | Address: 15 West Main St. Click to eat
Vito’s Ristorante & Pizzeria, Glen Cove
There are taco and chicken quesadilla pizzas on the menu at this raved-about Long Island pizza haven. Your tastebuds won’t know whether they’re in Mexico or Italy, but I’m willing to bet they won’t care. Phone: 516-759-1366 | Address: 91 Forest Ave. Click to eat
1943 Pizza Bar, Greenport
This small Long Island pizza joint has developed a large following for its brick-oven pizzas that taste almost as good as leftovers as they did straight out of the oven. But diners don’t typically have any of the New Haven pizza left over. It’s topped with the creamiest of buttery mashed potatoes, bacon and garlic for a meal that might as well be renamed “heaven on crust.” Phone: 631-477-6984 | Address: 308 Main St. Click to eat
Red Tomato, East Norwich
A pair of favorite comfort foods—mac ’n cheese and pizza—pair perfectly together inside this Long Island pizza joint. One of the most popular items on the menu, the macaroni ’n cheese pizza, can cure hanger pains and work-related headaches. It’s all served up in an industrial-chic space with exposed piping and metal chairs for a look that brings Brooklyn cool to Nassau. Phone: 516-802-2840 | Address: 6235 Northern Blvd. Click to eat
Gino’s of Tuscany, Massapequa Park
This humble space uses wooden accents and exposed wine racks to exude a quiet Tuscan charm. As for the pizza, it’s pretty bold. There are also locations in Bethpage, Islip and North Bellmore. The legendary grandma pizza is made with a slow-cooked red sauce that is everything one would expect from a Long Island pizza spot and then some. Click for locations and to eat