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Best Pizza Near Times Square: Where to Grab a Slice

Times Square is packed with tourist traps. Pizza does not have to be one of them. Here is where to find the best pizza near Times Square, from a quick slice to a sit-down pie.

By Matthew S Crawford Β· Published October 12, 2026

Quick answer

For the best pizza near Times Square, skip the giant signs. For a fast slice, try Joe’s Pizza on Broadway. For a sit-down pie, try John’s of Times Square on West 44th Street. Check hours before you go.

A quick slice: Joe’s Pizza

Joe’s Pizza has a Times Square spot on Broadway near 40th Street. It is a classic New York slice, folded and eaten standing up.

Lines move fast. Go before the theater crowd.

Coal-fired New York pizza pie fresh from the brick oven
Photo: NYCHotelss Editorial Archive

A sit-down pie: John’s of Times Square

John’s of Times Square is on West 44th Street. It sits inside an old church building. They bake whole pies, so plan on sharing.

It is a handy stop before a show. Reservations are mostly for larger groups, so expect a wait at busy times. Confirm hours.

How to find the best pizza near Times Square

Fold the slice. Ask for it hot. Skip the places with huge menus and big photos outside.

Eating before a Broadway show? Pick a spot a few blocks away and go early. Prices and hours change, so look before you walk over.

Where to stay nearby

Staying close means you can eat and walk back. See hotels near Times Square and our best pizza in NYC guide.

Classic New York slice pizza counter in Greenwich Village
Photo: NYCHotelss Editorial Archive

Ready to book? Check prices on the hotel search page, build your days with the trip planner and find a table on the food map.

How to Plan Best Pizza Near Times Square: Rates, Subway Access, and Seasonal Timing

When researching best pizza near times square and planning around Best Pizza Near Times Square, comparing block-by-block walkability, express subway connections, and seasonal rate shifts helps you get the most out of every day in New York City. Across Midtown & Fifth Avenue and neighboring Manhattan and Brooklyn corridors, nightly hotel prices and ticket demand fluctuate with Broadway schedules, midweek corporate conventions at the Javits Center, and holiday travel peaks. Reviewing our NYC hotel prices by month guide alongside our where to stay in NYC neighborhood breakdown makes it easy to spot high-value travel weeks before you lock in your itinerary.

Comparing Neighborhood Walkability and Express Transit Around Best Pizza Near Times Square

Transit proximity matters just as much as the nightly room rate when moving between Midtown landmarks, museum mornings near Central Park, and evening dinner reservations in Downtown Manhattan. Choosing a hotel within a five-to-eight-minute walk of an express subway stationβ€”such as the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, C, E, B, D, F, M, or N, Q, R, W linesβ€”saves both commute time and taxi fares. Travelers arriving via JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, or Newark Liberty International Airport should also check how directly their route connects to New York Penn Station, Moynihan Train Hall, or Grand Central Terminal when carrying luggage.

Booking Windows, Refundable Room Rates, and Total Stay Value in New York City

Before finalizing any reservation in New York, always inspect the all-in nightly price including New York City hotel occupancy taxes and any mandatory property or destination fees. Booking a flexible, refundable rate 30 to 45 days ahead lets you secure a proven room in a prime location and re-check live inventory two weeks before check-in if unsold Manhattan rooms drop in price. Pairing smart neighborhood selection with early morning arrival times ensures a smooth, stress-free New York City experience in every season.

Travelers who compare weekday corporate rates against weekend leisure pricing across Midtown Manhattan, Chelsea, SoHo, and the Upper West Side routinely save fifteen to twenty-five percent on comparable four-star rooms.

If your flight or train arrives hours before standard three o-clock check-in, nearly every full-service New York hotel bell desk will store your bags free of charge so you can start exploring Central Park, Fifth Avenue, or the High Line right away.

For families and small groups sharing a room, requesting a higher floor away from street-facing elevators and confirming whether two queen beds or a sofa sleeper are guaranteed in writing prevents surprises at the front desk.

Using contactless OMNY tap-to-pay at subway turnstiles and crosstown buses also caps your weekly transit spend automatically, making it simple to ride between Uptown museums, Broadway theaters, and Brooklyn waterfront parks without buying paper farecards.

Whether you are visiting New York City for a quick forty-eight-hour weekend getaway or a full week of sightseeing, balancing iconic observation decks and Broadway shows with unhurried neighborhood walks through Greenwich Village, the West Village, and DUMBO creates a memorable trip.

During peak autumn foliage weeks in October and the December holiday season around Rockefeller Center, reserving timed-entry observation deck tickets and pre-theater dinner tables ten to fourteen days in advance saves hours of waiting in line.

Visitors staying in Midtown East, Murray Hill, or near Grand Central Terminal also enjoy fast crosstown bus connections and direct access to the East River Ferry landings at East 34th Street and Wall Street Pier 11.

When packing for a multi-day stay in Manhattan, bringing a portable phone battery, a compact umbrella, and broken-in walking sneakers ensures you stay comfortable from morning museum hours at the Met through late-night jazz sets in the Village.

Practical Tips for First-Time and Returning New York Visitors

Common questions

Where is the best pizza near Times Square?

Joe’s Pizza for a slice and John’s of Times Square for a pie.

Is Times Square pizza any good?

Some is. Look for the places locals mention, not the ones with giant signs.

Can I eat before a Broadway show?

Yes. Pick a spot a few blocks away and go early.

How much is a slice?

It varies. Check the menu.

Do I need a reservation?

For a slice, no. For a sit-down place, John’s takes reservations for larger groups, so expect a wait.

Keep reading

Best pizza in NYC Β· Hotels near Times Square Β· Food map Β· Trip planner Β· NYC hotels map

About the author. Matthew S Crawford grew up on Long Island, in Massapequa and then Deer Park. He runs NYCHotelss, an independent NYC hotel guide. Details change. Check rates, hours and policies before you book.