Do you like pizza? We love pizza. However, I don’t just want any pizza. I want amazing pizza! I want the best pizza in New York City!
Have you ever walked past a pizza shop that has its pies in the front window? Cooked earlier that day and sitting in the warm or cold window so you can see how great they are? I never think those pizzas will be any good at all. They’ve been sitting out. They just get heated up when you order them.
To me, that’s not enjoying your food. To me, that’s just putting food in your stomach so you aren’t hungry. Those pizza shops have their purpose – to feed the masses but they are not for me and I hope not for you either.
If you have read our blog so far you probably know that our older daughter, Evelyn has celiac disease. We don’t let that stop her or us from exploring the world around us. We just bring snacks and use our ‘Find Me GF‘ app to find restaurants that offer gluten-free options.
Some restaurants, of course, have better options than others. We try to give Evelyn more than just a plain hamburger or salad as an option. We want her to enjoy food as much as we enjoy food. With this in mind, I give you the best pizza in New York City.
Where you ask, do they have the best pizza in New York City?
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Don Antonio’s of course, is the best pizza in New York City.
Don Antonio’s is a small restaurant located at 309 West 50th at 8th Avenue in New York City. The restaurant is long and narrow with one brick wall, and the other is a paneled wall. They have a bar in the front and the kitchen in the back. Think of the smell of brick oven pizza cooking, the customers talking and the wait staff going to and fro. Here is a picture looking toward the front of the restaurant. The only thing missing is the lovely smell of the pizzas cooking.
The owners are from Naples, Italy which is why their pizza is so amazing. Did you know that pizza was first made in Naples? I think making amazing pizza is in every Neapolitano’s blood. Maybe that is why I love pizza so much, my grandparents on my dad’s side were both from Naples.
Don Antonio’s regular pizza is amazing so we had high hopes for their gluten-free pizza. They certainly did not disappoint.
We were amazed by how soft and elastic the crust was. If you don’t know anything about gluten-free doughs, well they tend to be firm. They don’t always have the same soft, marshmallow-like feel that regular bread tends to have.
Well, when I say I tried both and couldn’t tell the difference between the gluten-free crust and the regular. I’m not lying. I was hooked and I wanted to just keep eating.
On the day we went to Don Antonio’s, I skipped lunch because our breakfast was so yummy I overate. I didn’t know it then but later was glad for this since it gave me room for ‘the most amazing pizza in New York City!!”
How they make the most amazing pizza in New York City
We asked our server about the dough, just to know how they make it. She informed us that Don Antonio’s has a separate facility where they make all their dough and cheese!
Yes, I said they make their own CHEESE!!!! None of that pre-processed or already shredded cheese was bought in big batches. No, this is fresh mozzarella cheese made fresh DAILY!!!! I can’t tell you how much of a difference that makes to good pizza. You can actually taste the cheese. You can taste how fresh it is. I am a huge fan of Don Antonio’s, can you tell?
For their gluten-free crust, they use soy flour which is new to me. When I’ve made gluten-free bread, I know to add different flours. An extra amount of flour will add an elasticity quality to the bread. This is why I add potato flour, which they also use but soy flour is new to me. Hence, soy flour is something I plan to look into using the next time I make gluten-free pizza dough.
The Menu
Don Antino’s doesn’t have a list of toppings so you can make your own pizza. Their menu lists all the pizzas they make and there are a lot of them, like 60. They have fried pizza, white pizza, red pizza, special pizza, and fried signature pizza. Their pizzas are really a nod to their Italian roots with toppings such as soppressata, grana, and truffle cream. They also have salads, appetizers, and desserts. See all their offerings on their menu.
Gluten-Free Options
They have salads, appetizers, and pizza. I asked if they prepared the gluten-free pizzas in a separate area. Not only do they prepare the pizza in a separate area but it’s in a separate room. They make the gluten-free dough in a separate room as well. And the gluten-free pizzas are cooked in a separate oven.
This is why Evelyn’s pizza was just served on a regular dish. Elsewhere, she received her pizza in a tin pan which is what the pizza was cooking in. But not at Don Antonio’s, nope. They use a separate oven so no need to put it in a tin pan. This is why her pizza looked the same as the others. It is real pizza!!
One thing to note about their gluten-free options is that they do not have a dedicated fryer. For us, it means Evelyn could not have anything fired. Thankfully this isn’t a deal-breaker for us.
The pizza
The pizzas are all 11″ which is actually a great size for an adult. Knowing the girls couldn’t finish a whole pizza by themselves, and not wanting leftovers, we only ordered 3 pizzas. However, in the future, I would love to have some in our hotel fridge for a quiet bite the next morning.
Pineapple is the girl’s favorite pizza topping. Cheese is the next favorite so we ordered a regular Margherita and a gluten-free Margherita, Clint ordered the artichoke pizza. All of them were amazing.
Also, explore these 10+ Awesome Kid Activities in Mid-Town Manhattan!
Putting the pizza together
Watching the masters make each pizza was a fun treat for all of us. We were lucky enough to sit right in front of the kitchen. The best seat in the house, by the way, and watch all the action. You know these guys have mastered their technique. You can taste it. That is what makes their pizza so special.
How we really feel
We loved Don Antonio’s pizza and will go back every time we visit New York City. The atmosphere is inviting, the waitstaff is knowledgeable about gluten-free and their practices. The food is amazing and the location is convenient. There isn’t a reason not to go back.
Other locations of the best pizza in New York City
Don Antonio’s is a collaboration of two master pizza chefs. One chef also owns Keske, another pizza restaurant, which has two locations downtown. I think between the 3 restaurants they have the city well covered for pizza. We will certainly try Keske when we are in lower Manhattan the next time. Their locations aren’t too far from many activities I’ve written about in my post on kid activities in Lower Manhattan.
The only question left is, when are you going to New York City and trying Don Antonio’s pizza for yourself?
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Do you have a favorite restaurant you’ve found while traveling? Have you gone back just to eat there? If so drop me a line and tell me all about it. We love to try new restaurants while we are traveling.
I used to live in New York, but I don’t think I’ve ever had Don Antonio’s! I will have to make sure I stop in next time I visit the Big Apple.
I am sure you will not be disappointed.
I am planning my first ever trip to NYC for December, so this post is perfect timing! pizza is definitely on the list and my sister is gluten-free, so we will be going here for sure. Thank you!
That’s awesome. I hope you have a great time. I’ve written a few posts on NYC so be sure to check them out. I also plan to add more gluten-free restaurants to check out. So check back before your visit.
Being born and raised in NYC, I’ll have to try Don Antonio’s based on the high accolades you have given them. The pizza looks absolutely delicious.
It is delicious. We were certainly thrilled.
This pizza looks yummy! I’ve had pizza several times in New York, but never at Don Antonio’s. I need to visit there next time I am in New York!
You will love it, Lori.
This is going to be on my list of places to go to on my next visit to NYC. Looks amazing!
You’ll love it, Jennifer.
the eternal questions….which came first the chick or the egg and where is the best pizza in NYC LOL
I found it.
I will put it on my list when I go next time!
I’ve been here twice and it’s my favorite pizza place of anywhere in the world!
I’m glad you agree with us!
We love good pizza, and this looks a lot like the pizza we get at Epcot!! The brick oven is so good!
brick oven pizzas are the best and then when you have all the fresh ingredients and the masters making the pizzas you end up with the best.
I want some! We love real Italian pizza ever since we had it in Italy. We’ll have to make a stop next time in NYC. I’m curious about the gluten free
Honestly, if they didn’t bring it out separately and say it was the gluten-free pizza we wouldn’t have known. It tasted the same. They really have a great recipe for their dough.
Don Antonio’s pizza looks delicious and having gluten-free options are always high on our list of my hubby
Yes, the gluten-free options we need.
If it wasn’t across the country I would go right now. Yum. I am craving a really great pizza right now. 🙂
Me too. Every time I think of pizza I want to go to NYC just so I can have their pizza again.
NYC definitely has the best pizza…and this one looks fabulous! Will have to try on our next visit.
Looks delicious! And, I do love pizza!
This looks yummy and FUN! If I ever find myself in NYC, I’m going to visit Don Antonios.
Thanks for sharing where to find the best pizza in New York City! When we go to NYC, we will be sure to stop in. My girls love pizza.
Pizza is my favorite food and NYC is one of my favorite places! What more could I ask for? Headed back in a couple of weeks. Maybe we will have time to check out some of this recommendation!
I’m sure you will love it.
Next time I’m there I’m going to have this post queued up! Love pizza and this just made me so damn hungry!
I here you. I could go for a slice right now.
When we lived in NY, we tried MANY pizza spots and they were ALL delicious! However, I haven’t tried this one and it looks pretty amazing – I will be checking it out next time we visit.
You won’t be disappointed, Pam. It is so yummy.