One of the hardest places to eat in nyc. Got here around 2:45p and waited in line for about 2 hrs to put my name down on the wait list, I highly recommend you come with a small party (this will increase your odds of getting a table). In terms of the food, the pizza is very overhyped (but still try it)… but the calzones are the best I’ve ever had.

I didn’t know cheese pizza could taste this magnificent. Such a great experience. Get there at 3p enjoy the front porch. It’s a beautiful street. There’s a bodega and sushi place on the block if you need a quick hold ya over. I think it’s worth fasting for the pizza myself. This place is special. Eating the food here is special. I’m thankful for this place. Good people making not just good food, but good memories for friends and families to cherish forever.

+1

The best pizza in USA. Enough said! They have seasonal pasta as well OMG the best pasta ever. This is a place worth travelling to - from a different country or state. Worth the two hour wait in line. Memorable! The crust is light, airy and crispy. The sauce was just right to give the tartness and juiciness and flavor. The sauce is made fresh from ingredients grown in their own garden. They actually pour hot sauce on pizza with generous amount of fresh basil. The cheese was perhaps the best part. Three types of cheeses and just the right amount. Cheesy enough and light enough. We felt light after eating an over the top meal. This is what you live for 🙏👍💓👏🏼 Thin crust Calzone with mushroom and pepper sauce - though amazing was still behind pizza and pasta.

Was everything that I had hoped for. Arrived at 2:45 on a Saturday and was able to get a reservation for 5 pm . Restaurant has 6 tables for dates (2 person tables) and four tables for larger parties. We were graced by having the table right in front of the oven and front row to the chefs. We ordered a pepperoni pizza and a large calzone. Both were excellent. Speaking with the others in my party, each seemed to enjoy different aspects of the pizza. Some loved the sauce, others enjoyed the thin, crispy crust. The calzone was made with same ingredients as the pizza with the addition of a soft cheese—looked like ricotta cheese. Regardless, all seemed to agree that Lucali seems to have mastered all aspects of pizza making. Perhaps the best was the fresh ingredients— the fresh basil was the perfect finishing touch. The meal paired well with our own wine-remember, it’s BYOB. Definitely, recommend this experience.

+5

Lucali is a favorite among locals and visitors for its intimate, relaxed vibe. The candlelit setting creates a warm and romantic atmosphere that photographs beautifully, especially in the evening. The minimalist interior lets the food take center stage, making table-top photography simple and elegant. The calm pace encourages guests to slow down and enjoy the moment. This is a great spot for travelers looking for a cozy, neighborhood-style dining experience.

People have told me Lucali was one of the best pizza in the world.They were right Lucali Is one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had. It is definitely worth the wait I have heard that people line up at 1:00 pm we lined up at 3:20 start taking names at 4:00,and we still got a pretty good table at around 5:45.

Lucali in Brooklyn is a true gem, offering some of the best pizza in New York. This cash-only, BYOB spot in Carroll Gardens is famous for its thin-crust, brick-oven pies, handcrafted with fresh ingredients. The tomato sauce is rich and flavorful, the cheese perfectly melted, and the crust has just the right amount of char. Toppings are simple but high-quality—fresh basil, garlic, and pepperoni are favorites. The cozy, candlelit atmosphere adds to the charm. Be prepared for long waits, as they don’t take reservations, but the experience is well worth it. Lucali delivers a near-perfect New York pizza experience. DG

+1

The pizza is extremely good . The wait could be extremely long. They have a decent system going now. The staff works hard and does a great job. Outdoor tables sell out fast . Pizzas orders are non stop . Be prepared to relax while you wait. Byob in effect .I appreciate the quality and effort put into each pie. If your a pizza person put this place on your list of must tries

+5

Lucali’s is truly tier one—not just because of the incredible food, but because of the way the staff makes you feel like family. Every visit, whether on a Wednesday or a Sunday, Mark, the owner, takes the time to shake my hand (and every patron’s) before leaving for the night. That kind of old-school tradition reminds me of my father and is something I’ve only experienced here, which makes it all the more memorable. I usually stop by Granada Wines on Smith Street beforehand to pick up a bottle—they’re also family-run—which adds to the charm of the whole evening. As for the food, I can’t recommend the three-cheese pasta, pepperoni pizza, and a small calzone enough. Every bite is outstanding. Looking forward to coming back as soon as possible!

The atmosphere was fantastic, the music was great, and the pizza and pasta were delicious! We arrived around 3:30 and there was a line to put our name down. By 4 pm, she began taking names and we were able to enjoy our dinner by 5 pm. Just one hour to savor our meal :) Definitely worth the wait!

+2

I get why overall rating would be 4.2 stars. It’s a process to get into this place. But I just look at it as the price of admission to one of NYC’s best pizza places. I got half cheese and half pepperoni. Both were very good. Classic NY style. Thin crispy crust, tangy sauce and cheesy. Garnished with fresh basil. That’s all you need. We also ordered the calzone. Everyone raves about it. A lot of people say it’s better than pizza. So the expectations were very high. With that said, expectations exceeded! I added one ingredient which was garlic. Ricotta cheese really made this incredible. Sauce on the side was perfect for dipping. Definitely plan on going next time but may opt for takeout if it’s faster. Also hoping to meet Mark one day! You know you’re at the right place when you see Mark’s 1975 Caprice 🚙.

I’m too boujee for lines… but Lucali humbled me. I love pizza. Like, LOVE pizza. And for years I refused to go to Lucali because I’m not standing outside in Brooklyn freezing for two hours like I’m auditioning for The Hunger Games: Carb Edition. I even tried walking in around 10pm once because I saw empty tables and thought I could casually take one. The hostess shut that dream down immediately with their insane reservation policy. At one point, out of pure curiosity, I called my Platinum Amex concierge to book me a table. You know… because I like to test the limits of privilege. He tried. He failed. Even AMEX was told: get in line at 2pm and pray at 4pm. So tonight, on a snowy freezing day, I finally did it. I stood on line with my husband, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law like a normal civilian. And there was Chef Mark Iacono at the door, proudly checking the line of frozen pizza pilgrims waiting to be rewarded. We scored a 5pm reservation and got the best table in the house — right next to the oven. And honestly? The place is charming. Old, romantic, dim lighting, 70s music, warm vibes, and you can literally watch them making perfect pies. Now let’s talk food: I was floored. The calzone? INSANE. Paper-thin crust. We did pepperoni + mushroom. The ricotta inside was so good I might think about it in therapy. Not greasy, not salty, just clean and perfect. The pizza was thin but chewy — not crunchy-dry. Not greasy. Not salty. The sauce is divine. Like actual heaven sauce. We got two pies: 🍕 plain with basil 🍕 pepperoni + shallots + hot peppers Both flawless. And then Mark comes out randomly in a tight white shirt and starts making pies. Salt-and-pepper hair, beard… like George Clooney but with dough. Sexy and talented is a dangerous combo. So yes. The line was miserable. The policy is ridiculous. The hostess could still work on her warmth. But I’m sorry — it was all worth it. Best pizza of my life.

This pizzeria is undoubtedly one of the top spots in the NYC area and has a stellar reputation, often frequented by celebrities. I first heard about it through multiple Netflix culinary shows where it’s been prominently featured. The vibe here is low-key and laid-back, with an open kitchen where you can see the magic happen. The chef himself is a bit of a celebrity! A heads-up: they don’t take reservations, and the menu is limited. Arrive early to get on the waitlist. We decided to try our luck around 9 PM and ended up waiting about 30 minutes before getting an outdoor table. Also, it’s a cash-only spot, but luckily there’s a nearby convenience store with an ATM, which saved us. The service was on the slower side, and most of the crowd looked elegantly dressed, while we were more casual. Since we weren’t very hungry, we skipped appetizers and went straight for one large pepperoni pizza with basil and garlic. The pizza was served with a fork and knife, and it was a masterpiece. The Neapolitan-style crust was perfectly light, with high-quality cheese and pepperoni. The addition of garlic added a bold kick, while the fresh basil brought a touch of brightness. Every bite was heavenly. We couldn’t finish it all, so we asked for a box to take the rest home. One odd moment: when we paid the bill, they didn’t return the cash balance, which caught us off guard. Overall, despite a few quirks, it was a fantastic experience. If you’re in NYC and love pizza, this place is a must-visit. Just be prepared for the wait and bring cash!

Staff was wonderful, especially the door host. I have to say I was surprised the calzone with added garlic ended up being my favorite. We lined up at 4pm on a thursday for 2 people and got a 530pm reservation. You should line up earlier if you have more than 2 people

The pizza at this place was worth the long wait. I had a chance to compare it with another famous pizza place in Brooklyn (Luigi’s). The crust at this place was superior, as it was made from high-quality bread. Although Luigi’s was also very good. My family has a long tradition owning bakeries in West London, so I know good bread when I taste it. The sauce at this place was decent, but the other place had more flavour. The basil leaves were whole, which looked nice, but I would have preferred them chopped and spread on the pizza. Next time, I might try a different topping. One thing that disappointed me was that the owner of this place was not there to greet his customers. The owner of the other place, on the other hand, was very friendly and chatty. He cooked my pizza himself and told me his story. I appreciated his personal touch. This place had a cool BYOB policy, which made the experience more fun. The service was also excellent. Overall, I enjoyed the pizza at this place and I would recommend it.

+1

The pizza was Delicious! My server Barbara cool and attentive. Make sure you come early to make your reservation.

Came on 6/3/23 for my boyfriends birthday dinner and here is the most honest review! We arrived at 2:30 pm stood online u til 4pm to make our reservation. While online we got snacks at the corner store but I would rather bring my own snacks it’s super expensive in there however we got some snacks while on line waiting. If you don’t want to wait online you can pay linebros which is a service that you can pay to wait online for you. At 4PM Barbara the sweetest host then started going down the line taking reservations you give a name and the time you want the reservation we asked for the earliest which is when they open at 5pm. She said to come 5 minutes prior and that it is a CASH ONLY and BYOB (this means you can bring your own alcohol) We left to grab some cash he corner store does have an ATM and only a $2.50 fee which was not bad. My boyfriend grabbed beer and they do also have wine there as well if you need it. It is expensive for beer there. Then we went back at 4:45 pm By 4:50-4:55 Barbara started calling the names off the list who had a 5 pm reservation we were 3rd and were able to choose any table for two along the sides of the restaurant which was great ! We had a great waitress names Erica super sweet friendly and took great care of us! Prices are a bit high but honestly worth it based on the freshness and taste we also didn’t wait much time for our food ! We ordered a pie with half pepperoni and half hot peppers and garlic. (Peppers are super hot) we also ordered a small Calzone with pepperoni oh my god it was amazing . Pizza was perfect calzone was amazing !!!! It also came with sauce to dip so good it was actually just perfect !! See photos ! Also got a ginger-ale for my self and my boyfriend had his beer he brought in . Bill came out to $72 and we had left overs they boxed up for us. We will Be coming back !

+6

Loved the atmosphere! We had pasta, pizza and calzone basically that’s everything on the menu. We loved the pasta!! Wine is BYOB as they only serve beer. Cash only.

Got the famous pizza and it was as good as reported! In case you didn't know, it is cash only and bring your own alcohol. So if you want beer or wine with your dinner, there are a couple of delis around where you can grab some cheap drinks. However, it is not needed and they do have other non-alcoholic beverages available. We came late on a Friday night and only had a 45 minute wait. It was totally worth it! Highly recommend!

I’ve tried to get a table here, half a dozen times and succeeded twice. Both times the pizza was classic. The ingredients are simple but it’s done at such a high-level that it’s hard to complain about anything else. The ambience - even the waiting line to get a table (however annoying) contributes to the exclusivity of the experience. They don’t have ice; they don’t sell alcohol or many drinks to speak of. You can bring your own, but that’s also a bit extra. Of course the pizza is the draw here - and it is stellar. The only weird thing was we got seated about five minutes after our time, but it took them 50 minutes to bring my pizza and they had the nerve to imply that I should hurry and eat it five minutes later, but it was all good. I ignored them and ate my pizza at my leisure. No problem - just fantastic pizza.

+6

Everything about Lucali was great from start to finish. The host, the server, the owner all 10/10. I been trying to come here for a while, but sometimes you need to get earlier in the day to get in line. Waiting a long time for food is a reflection of quality and service. This was my third attempt at arriving early enough for a reservation. I arrived by 2:15 and was 6th in line. My wife and I came here for a date and were able to get in at 5pm. We were actually the first names written down for 5pm. The last time I tried I arrived at 3:45 and we were offered a 9pm table. Again, a reflection of the quality and service. The first time I arrived at 5pm and was offered 7:30. This is a place where waiting in line early in the day is part of the experience. You chat with your group and/or people in front of you. Experience: My wife and I were there at 5, brought in two tall boys for myself and she had wine. We ordered our food and it didn’t take long to arrive. We shared a half pepperoni and half plain, tried the pasta as an app, and shared a calzone. The pasta was amazing. My wife and I go out in Staten Island and usually the sauce isn’t as good as what we make at home. Lucali’s made a better sauce than I make at home. The sauce was a creamy tomato with a hint of red pepper flakes. The noodle was similar if not exactly a Fusilli. I’m assuming it was house made it was that good. The pizza was OUT OF THIS WORLD. It’s so good it might have ruined ordering pizza anywhere else. The dough, muz, and sauce are 1000% home made. The dough was perfectly barely overdone on a small part of the crust. Overall I would give the pizza a 9.8. The dough and crust are so drastically different than anything I’ve ever had and yes I’ve had every big name pizza spot in all 5 boroughs. I grew up in an area in Jersey where going to an Italian restaurant, it was traditional the owner or head chef would come out and ask everyone how everything was going. Mark went out of his way not only to great others, but my wife and I as well. He looked me dead in the eye with a smile and asked how it was. Mark is a class act and Lucali’s is too. The calzone is absolutely next level game changing. Again, everything tasted homemade. Easily the best calzone I have had in my 35 year life. I’m what the internet would call a thiccck boy, and trust me, this calzone was next level. Before coming to Lucali’s I was worried it wouldn’t live up to the hype as a few other NYC pizza places had not lived up to theirs. As someone who is not a New York native, who has 0 bias to any borough, Brooklyn is the best borough, and Lucali’s is the best pizza place I had in the city. It’s worth the wait, worth the price, and I look forward to returning in the future.

Don't let the negative Google reviews about service deter you – my experience at Lucali was exceptional. Yes, there's a unique reservation system: we arrived at 4 PM to secure one of the last available dinner slots at 10 PM (on valentine's day). When we returned for our reservation, we were seated within 15 minutes. The service was fantastic. Our server was incredibly friendly, providing glasses for our BYOB beer and ensuring our water glasses stayed full. The ambiance is absolutely magical – the aroma of coal-fired pizza, flickering candlelight, and perfectly curated music create an unforgettable atmosphere. I ordered the large calzone with their hot pepper sauce. After about a 30-minute wait, what arrived was, without exaggeration, the best calzone I've ever eaten. While it's true that Lucali isn't cheap and requires some planning with the wait times, for a food lover, it's absolutely worth every minute and penny spent. The place definitely lives up to its hype.

Dreamy place with the best pizza in nyc. Expect to wait but well worth it! Try their speciality Magherita with pepperoni and calzone! It’s also byob which is helpful to know prior!

+4

Lucali is a gem in the heart of Brooklyn! The ambiance is cozy and inviting, perfect for a date night or a casual dinner with friends. The pizza here is simply out of this world—thin, crispy crust with fresh, high-quality toppings that make each bite a delight. The classic margherita is a must-try, and the calzone is equally impressive, oozing with cheesy goodness.The staff is friendly and attentive, adding to the overall great experience. The wait might be a bit long, but trust me, it's worth every minute. If you're in New York and love pizza, Lucali should definitely be on your list.

intimate ambiance and delicious experience and worth the wait, liek a crossover between grimaldis and real nyc pizza slices. loved the thin perfect crust and the fresh ingredients on the pie half marg and pepperoni with shallots, and the pasta special vodka and a nice tich bite, and the calzone was a unit - toasty cheesy and hot and delish. ordered with garlic which gives flavor and honestly doesnt need the marinara, also totes diff from the pie. cozy, not rushed, and feels real charming, i would def recommend

+5

have been going here for years now and yes, it’s worth the wait. ingredients are top quality and always fresh. recommend getting in line for your table early and then walking around the neighborhood to build up an appetite - I always aim for an early time and never have an issue. grab your byob at Henry’s Wine & Liquors down the street. oh, and if they have a pasta special - get it. 👌

We took a chance on Lucali in Brooklyn late one evening, hoping to snag a table for our party of four, including teenagers. Knowing their unique reservation system – they don't take phone reservations; you have to physically be on the line when it opens around 4 PM to get your name on the list for their 5 PM seating – we figured showing up around 10 PM was a long shot. To our surprise, the place was still packed! ​Initially, the hostess said they had no space, but as luck would have it, a lovely outdoor table opened up right as she was speaking. Score! It's worth noting that Lucali is cash-only and BYOB. They do offer Peroni if you're looking for an Italian beer, and my husband quickly found an ATM nearby when we realized we needed more cash (good to know there are several banks within walking distance). ​The menu is wonderfully simple: pizza, calzones, and I believe pasta. We opted for a large pie and a calzone. The pizza absolutely lived up to the hype – it was incredibly light, delicious, and the fresh basil added a fantastic burst of flavor. Seriously, worth every bit of praise! The calzone, however, was a miss for me and the teens. While the dough was great, we found it overwhelmingly cheesy. This brings my food rating down to a 4-star instead of a perfect 5. ​The staff was incredibly nice and friendly, and the atmosphere was fantastic. The only minor drawback on a hot summer night was the AC inside the old building; it struggled to keep up with the heat. A suggestion for improvement would be to add a few fans for the outside for those warm summer evenings. ​Overall, it was a truly great experience, especially with the huge bonus of not having to wait in line!

+5

Lucali’s has the most spectacular ambience. No joke. I was thrilled to be there and see and hear and above all taste THE BEST PIZZA I’ve had and I’m a native NYer! The pasta was amazing with a dash of spice and the calzones were to die for filled with the very best cheeses. The owner was kind enough to take a picture with us! For sure a must go restaurant with great great service.

Long line to get the reservation, waitlist opens at 4pm but we got in line around 3pm, and there were already a good number of people infront of us - we waited already around the corner. When we got there for our 6pm reservation about 15min early and were seated within 5min. We knew we had 1hr table time, but it wasnt an issue because the food came VERY fast. We spent almost the full eating. Food was amazing, small menu so we decided to get one of each. I like that they have a small menu so you know they put all the effort into it. Its also BYOB so we got a bottle of wine from a nearby liquor store. Very lovely staff, and food was delicious! I would 100% wait in line and come back.

Getting a Table for one is also great here! Brought 2 tall boys of beer, no problem. Nice!

After trying the Miami spot, stepping into the original Lucali in Brooklyn felt like a whole different experience. The ambiance here is genuine and warm, wrapped up in the story of a self-taught owner who turned a neighborhood joint into a legend. Honestly, I’m now walking away wondering how I’m ever supposed to eat a calzone from anywhere else. The pizza is just as iconic, with that perfect balance of fresh basil and a thin, chewy crust that only a place with real roots can deliver. Lucali isn’t just about the hype—it’s got a real, homegrown soul that you can taste in every bite.

Came in last Thursday and the food was great and our server Alyssa was amazing! Super friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed. She really made our dining experience enjoyable.Will definitely be coming back

Phenomenal, cozy pizza joint that is 5/5 (...as long as you play by "their rules"). Yes, it is kind of a "full afternoon/night" ordeal (at least for the person(s) waiting to secure the reservation), but if you accept that and follow the suggested arriving by 3PM~ (if not earlier) to wait in line, you should have little to no problems and an amazing meal ahead. I've been meaning to try Lucali for the longest time and went to brave the line for reservation one Saturday with no afternoon plans. Wait wasn't the worst for what it was. I got there just before 3PM, the line was out just before the end of the block, and I got to the front/made my reservation just before 4:15PM (with different dining options to choose from). Outside dining had a number of options (5:45PM, 7PM, 8PM, 9PM) but earliest for inside was 10:30PM, so my friends and I went with 7PM for outside. We arrived back just a few minutes after 7PM and heard our table called within 10 minutes~. A server came by promptly with wine glasses/water glasses (definitely recommend taking advantage of their BYOB situation!) and came back a little after to take our order. We ordered a large pizza with onions and mushrooms and a large calzone with garlic (server recommended). Pizza came out in half an hour and the calzone 15 minutes~ after that. Both were great! The pizza crust was light, crispy but still had nice "chew" and the toppings were perfect on top. The calzone was better than I expected and definitely glad to have ordered. Cheesy, garlic-y delight with a nice plate of sauce and cheese. Already looking forward and thinking about the next Saturday or Sunday with no afternoon/night plans for another visit.

I am a pizza maker myself and I tried every well-known pizza restaurant in NYC and this one was the last one because I didn't like the idea of waiting for over an hour but I am very happy that I did. I can say that this is the best NYC style pizza that I've ever had in my life. The dough is light and thin, the sauce is very well balanced (maybe missing a bit of salt). The vibe of the place is very nice and unlike other places and the fact you bring your own drink makes it more fun. I will definitely go there again

Likely the best pizza experience we've ever had. The mood, taste, decor, people, and atmosphere were perfect. The candlelight dinner was so epic we left nearly speechless. Go, get on the waitlist, and make your pizza eating dreams come true.

Matthew Frankowski

Easily one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had but don’t sleep on the calzone! If you have the opportunity to eat here you must try it at least once, it is well worth the reservation process. We had the pasta special, a calzone, and pizza which were all delicious. The vibe is so homey and comfortable it feels like you’re at a family place and the servers reinforce that. My favorite item has to be the calzone because of how light and delicious the cheese is, it always tastes fresh and flavorful with the sauce. The cherry on top is that they are BYOB too! Getting a reservation I recommend coming around 3pm on a weekday and earlier on a Friday or weekend day. The hostess starts taking names at 4pm and tables go fast. There is typically a wait for getting seated too depending on how long people stay but having been multiple times now it’s never been more than 15min. Parking is sparse so make sure to factor that in. They are cash only too so don’t forget! I can’t wait till my next visit. This is one of the best date night, friends, and family spots there is. The ambiance alone is worth the trip but the food is to die for!

+1

We planned our entire day around this place, so to say we were excited was an understatement! We got there an hour before opening but that wasn’t enough, we were able to get food to go only two hours later. We thought it was good, but definitely wasn’t in our top 5 meals of our trip so don’t be like us planning our day around it. lol. I wouldn’t go again to be honest, but it was good! Not $40 good, but like $30 good lol

Incredible pizza and truly irreplicable old Italian spot vibes. Ask for the spicy sauce with the calzone, add garlic and shallots to the pepperoni pizza, and you’ll have a super super memorable meal.

+1

Best pizza I’ve ever had! Love the concept and the atmosphere. BYOB they did have Peroni for sale. Cash only and they had a pasta dish that was another hit.

Jashan Singh Gill

Tried the half cheese and half pepperoni pizza. The pizza was thin and just the right amount of crunchiness. Unfortunately I had to get it for take out and eat it later without reheating it so it wasn’t as good but I could tell that if it was eaten fresh or at least reheated it would’ve been amazing! Must try in Brooklyn.

+1

H.T.

This place is every bit worth it. Absolutely loved the atmosphere of this place, it felt like we were inside a painting. The pizza was great as well. We went there on the day after Thanksgiving and the line to get reservations was not long and we were able to get a table booking in just 25-30 mins.

Wish it was easier for me to get here because the food was spectacular. Thought it lived up to the hype. Don’t know how often I will make it here, especially in the winter, but it’s definitely worth a trip at least once. pasta, meatballs, pizza, and calzone all delicious.

+1

Lucali in Brooklyn has that perfect mix of calm and buzz. The room is dimly lit, warm, and smells like dough and basil. Service is attentive without hovering, plates arrive when they should, and you’re never rushed. The pizza is exceptional: thin crust, crisp edges, and ingredients that actually taste fresh. Mark, the owner, was personable and welcoming. It’s simple food done perfectly, and that’s the whole point.

T S

What's there to say about Lucali that hasn't been said? It was a pizza pinnacle that I've been dying to try for many, many years. I finally had the time to stand in line on a weekday and it was completely manageable. I got there about 2:15 and was close to the front. When they started taking reservations at 3:50, II got the 5:00 time I wanted. The time in line went fast. Because I was engrossed in conversation with the line sitters (Task Rabbits) ahead of me. The pizza, calzone, and pasta special were all incredible. The reservation taker and the service team were all very friendly and attentive. The lore of Lucali was completely and positively fulfilled in my storybook. Thank you.

+1

Sapphira Bella

Cash only, walk in only, highly rated local pizza joint in a residential area in Brooklyn. Be prepared to wait an hour, we got there on a Wednesday evening around 8:30 pm, there was already an hour wait. Their menu is simple- pizza, pasta or calzone, simple is better. Veggies are $3 in toppings and pepperoni is $5, artichoke is $8. You can watch them making pizza right in the back of the restaurant. It is a small restaurant with one room and all the tables are tightly fit together. It is also BYOB, so come with your favorite drinks. The pizza is GIGANTIC, and for two people it was more than enough. We got half pepperoni, half artichoke.

Stephen Racano

Finally was able to try Lucali thanks to Dorsia members night. Loved the cozy environment and the staff was so friendly, really good local neighborhood vibes. The special for members night included pasta which was spectacular, a salad, a meatball (also incredible) and then still followed by a full pizza, calzone and rainbow cookies. Plenty of food for 2 full meals for the days after. The pizza is a thin crust style that you don’t find in too many places. The sauce and ingredients all delicious. Enjoyed everything about my experience.

Tamás Köhler

We got there around 3 pm and they started taking reservations around 4pm. The earliest time available was 6pm. We got seated at 6pm. We got the cheese pie which was very thin and airy. I did not have high expectations based on some comments but I was surprised. It was vey good and worth the wait. The wood fire oven always produces the best pizzas.

+2

Every bit worth the wait! The pasta and pizza are both incredibly delicious. Some of the best I’ve ever had. The food comes out so quickly, it will catch you off guard. The service was so friendly and accommodating. BYOB, so bring your own drinks, no charge. People usually start getting in line a couple hours before they open.

Christopher Blair

Cool place with excellent pizza, calzone, and an off menu pasta dish. All very good - recommend keeping it relatively simple with the toppings. A bit hard to get a table here, you need to wait in line to get put on the list later in the day, so it’s a commitment. BYOB and cash only. Worth visiting if you have time in Carroll Gardens!

+4

Wendy Zhou

Came at 3:30pm and put our name down at 4pm for a 6:15pm seating - relatively smooth but probably attributed to the cold weather. Either way it worked out for us and the food was amazing! We got one large pizza (you can do half & half for toppings which was great) and one small calzone, and it was more than enough for two. The 1 hour time limit was a bit restrictive and it is a bit small inside which would be my only two complaints, but the food itself was delicious and it was a very cozy homey vibe. BYOB is an added bonus.

Louis Magniccari

I did take out. Got online at 345pm, got my pie at 520pm. The person I dealt with was kind and on point. Pizza was awesome, I did half pepperoni half margarita. Not sure what other reviewers are talking about. I travel around NY as often as possible trying different pizza and this is right up there with the best IMHO (New Park and Difarro's being my favorites). Definitely worth the wait!!!

梁棟

We waited until after 9:30pm because we didn't make an appointment, but our service attitude was great. The two of us ordered a pizza, which was very delicious. As the food was made on the spot, the serving would be slow.

Notarnicola Industries

I want to start this review by saying I never write reviews. My two friends are here visiting from California and I took them to my favorite pizza spots. We started the weekend with John's of bleecker Street. I have to say the pies here along with a side of sauce are the best I've had in new York. Couldn't recommend this spot enough.

Thomas Tran

Incredible food. Incredible people. Incredible vibes. Like many I was skeptical of how good pizza could be. However, after a stringy pull of cheese and a crisp bite I found out how wrong I could be. Lucali’s has mastered the art of enough. Nothing was overpowering and all flavors and senses were unified in perfect harmony. Will be back.

Keith Strachan

The pizza promise land lived up to the hype! We went on a Thursday in April 2025, arrived about 3:30pm and there were about 25 folks standing in line. At 4pm they started giving out reservations. We were hoping for early and lucked out with a table for two when they first opened for service at 5pm. The service was awesome, all the staff were super friendly and very attentive. The pizza oven and kitchen is all open and you can tell by watching them that they are all pros. We ordered a pizza and calzone. Both were amazing with the slight edge going to the pizza. The star of this pizza is the sauce. You can taste the freshness of the sauce, and paired with the basil it makes for the perfect pie. It was so good we ate more than we thought we could, but still ended up taking some to-go. Still tasted great later. Can’t wait to go back!

i've been here and the pizza was really good ,speacially the plain pie with fresh tomato, mozzarella, and basil. It was perfect , I highly recommended

i've been here and the pizza was really good ,speacially the plain pie with fresh tomato, mozzarella, and basil. It was perfect , I highly recommended

i've been here and the pizza was really good ,speacially the plain pie with fresh tomato, mozzarella, and basil. It was perfect , I highly recommended

i've been here and the pizza was really good ,speacially the plain pie with fresh tomato, mozzarella, and basil. It was perfect , I highly recommended

Come\nSee these guys bommmmmmmmmmmmmmmb! Kind! The music the vibe and the staff all to die for while in NEW YORK!

Come\nSee these guys bommmmmmmmmmmmmmmb! Kind! The music the vibe and the staff all to die for while in NEW YORK!

Come\nSee these guys bommmmmmmmmmmmmmmb! Kind! The music the vibe and the staff all to die for while in NEW YORK!

pizza was delicious--super thin crust that's basically like a cracker, super crispy and charred in the best way. We got the mushroom and pepperoni (large pie, I think), and it hit all the right not…

Pizza was delicious--super thin crust that's basically like a cracker, super crispy and charred in the best way. We got the mushroom and pepperoni (large pie, I think), and it hit all the right not…

Cash only, walk in only, highly rated local pizza joint in a residential area in Brooklyn. Be prepared to wait an hour, we got there on a Wednesday evening around 8:30 pm, there was already an hour…

Cash only, walk in only, highly rated local pizza joint in a residential area in Brooklyn. Be prepared to wait an hour, we got there on a Wednesday evening around 8:30 pm, there was already an hour…

5/5 stars every time. There's something about this pizza that makes it so good and i don't know what it is. The cheese is spectacular for some reason and the sauce is definitely better than most ot…

We were able to get a table, but had to wait outside for maybe an hour before it was ready. But man, was it worth the wait! We got the pizza, the calzone, and a pasta, and all of them were among th…

We were able to get a table, but had to wait outside for maybe an hour before it was ready. But man, was it worth the wait! We got the pizza, the calzone, and a pasta, and all of them were among th…

We were able to get a table, but had to wait outside for maybe an hour before it was ready. But man, was it worth the wait! We got the pizza, the calzone, and a pasta, and all of them were among …

Pizza is very good. Brilliant flavour in particular. Big too (definitely to share). Minor criticism is crist could be better and its not as good as L'industrie. Probably the second best I've had in N…

pizza is very good. Brilliant flavour in particular. Big too (definitely to share). Minor criticism is crist could be better and its not as good as L'industrie. Probably the second best I've had in…

If you know about this place and understand what you are getting into, then you will not be disappointed. If you’re not a foodie and think that it’s ridiculous to queue for a reservation, then go a…

I was dwelling in Brooklyn and needed some pizza at 6:16 Shoutout Lucali's Only other place with good food is Toronto's New Ho King, fried rice and blammy Euphoric meal

I was dwelling in Brooklyn and needed some pizza at 6:16 Shoutout Lucali's Only other place with good food is Toronto's New Ho King, fried rice and blammy Euphoric meal

First time here and finally got a table! Our family of 9 had an early dinner here and ordered a few pies. All brought in timely manner, tasted great and the service was good too! We ate outdoors be…

You must be ready to get in line to wait for a table. The restaurant is very very small but staff will get you in as long as you have the patience to wait. The pizza is phenomenal.

You must be ready to get in line to wait for a table. The restaurant is very very small but staff will get you in as long as you have the patience to wait. The pizza is phenomenal.

You can see why this is rated as one of the best pizzas in NYC. The staff are great, the owner is super nice, the place has a great vibe and the pizza is amazing. Yes you have to queue, we got…

We arrived at 4:15 pm and the line was already about 30 deep. Once the waiting list started we got a 6 pm time. The hostess was very clear to arrive 5 minutes before our time and that we would ha…

Perfect spot for your date night in the heart of Brooklyn. BYOB adds to the unique vibe of the place. On the positive side the pizza is delicious. Nothing to argue against. One of the best I’ve had in the US. What made me shy away from 5-stars overall is the undoubtedly hefty price tag. A 3-topping pizza for $60 after all is done is certainly a bit over the top even for NYC. Regardless I will go again despite the price tag.

Waiting in line for a table time can be a real drag, and then you get what they give you. Could end up planning your entire afternoon and evening over a pizza. If the weather’s bad you stand outside or find another place to bide your time. Pizza was good; nice thin crust and fresh ingredients but the pasta special was the real highlight. Place was jammed and table too small. Service very friendly and helpful.

Went here on Thursday 11/16. Was first in line at 2pm. They didn’t start taking reservations until 4:20pm. Pros : It’s BYOB. Pizza was a classic NY style and it was delicious. Their ingredients are fresh and you can taste the quality. Saying that , I don’t think it is worth traveling to or waiting in line for. Con : It’s cash only. Not worth waiting in line for. Please note they take reservations by the hour and you have only an hour to eat your dinner. So if you have a 6pm reservation, you have to leave by 7pm! We hated that!!! I waited in line for 2.5 hours and I had to get pushed out of the restaurant by 7pm. It was my birthday and I just felt robbed and rushed through the whole experience. At least give us 1.5 hours to eat?!? It just felt like they had no respect for the customers. Therefore , we won’t be coming back nor would we recommend it. My favorite pizza spot if I had to choose one in the NY metro area would be Brooklyn Pizza in Hackensack, NJ. Hands down. The folks there just know how to make unbelievable pizza.

+1

This spot definitely has above average pies, and the calzone is definitely memorable. My favorite pizza was with the pepperoni and garlic toppings — it was excellent. That said, I do want to give folks a heads up that you will need a generous amount of patience to secure a spot, especially if attempting to come during a weekend. We got in line around 2:45PM on a Saturday, and there was already a queue all the way to the corner of the street. Once the line started moving around 4PM, we reached the staff who takes reservations for the day around 4:25PM. At this point, the earliest slot was 11PM, which we took. Later, when we arrived for our reservation, we waited about 20 minutes for the earlier seating to finish so we could be seated. Overall, I enjoyed the food, and if you get the chance I still do think you should try this place, but be aware that it requires a time commitment to do so.

service is fast, we were out in a half hour. rustic, no frills atmosphere but it’s cozy inside which is nice. the pizza is really good but not my favorite in new york. the sauce and cheese are great, but the pizza is too floppy. the crust is too thin for the sauce and cheese so it ends up being really messy. the crust also cracks a lot which makes it difficult to eat. flavors are still good but i don’t think it’s worth a 2 1/2 wait. i got there at 1:30 on a sunday and was second in line

Waited a few weeks so the NYC aura can wear off. Good: Restaurant is really nice. Great neighborhood vibe. Good atmosphere. Sauce is fresh and bright, cheese is nice. Calzone was good, definitely leaning in to the Italian-american style. Not so good: the crust reminded me of a puffed up pita. Not much chew or anything going on really. Not sure you want that in a pizza. Way too much basil. Still a fun night out in brooklyn if you dont mind exploring the neighborhood for 3 hours as you wait for a table.

I think the 4.2/4.3 star rating is fair for this pizza. I would probably give it 4.4, if I could. We managed to walk right in and get seated without a reservation and no wait around 7:45pm on random (cold) Monday night. We got a plain pie and a calzone with pepperoni and mushrooms. Both were solidly very good. The ingredients are obviously top notch - fresh, carefully selected, etc. which makes for good tasting food. Dough is good but perhaps simultaneously too crispy (edges/top) and not crispy enough (center/bottom) for my taste. The slices are floppy and the crust is crisp/a bit dry without quite enough chew. Our calzone came out a bit burnt on the top and flaking. I saw other calzones come out that looked much better, so probably just bad luck on that one. Regardless, it was still very tasty. Sauce is good - not trying to do too much and not overly sweet (a pet peeve of mine!). Again, overall, very good but not life-changing or mind-blowing food. I'm glad we did not wait on line for hours (or at all) to eat here. I definitely would have been disappointed. The fact that they are BYO is really nice. I hate spending 2x as much just to drink wine with dinner. I appreciate the BYO and the no corkage fee. That being said, the food is expensive, so I think they are offsetting the lost revenue from the booze with higher food prices. We got the 1 pizza and 1 small calzone with 2 toppings (no drinks) and the bill was $75 with tip. We took home 4 slices which made for a decent lunch the next day along with a tossed salad. The pizza is thin and toppings are light, so 2 hungry people can easily eat a full pizza (8 slices) alone and not be that full. I liked the old school/small vibes. The music was a bit too loud for my middle-aged ears. I felt like I had to yell the whole time for my partner to hear me. But still, I dug the vibes. Cozy, warm, homey. Service was good. I can see why/how this became really popular as a neighborhood pizza joint. If I lived in the area, I would definitely go regularly when I was craving this style of pizza (whole, wood-fired pies in the Italian style vs. the more typical NYC slice shop style pizza), assuming it was not an hours-long wait! That being said, I don't think the pizza is the best in NYC or that it is even much better than similar style pizza I've had in other locations (including outside of NYC). Most days and most times, I would prefer the classic NYC slice shop style pizza over this style - and when in NYC, it feels like that's what I should be eating! TLDR: It was very good/solid pizza that was well-made in a cute/cozy ambience with BYO and no corkage fee. I would eat it again if I lived close by and the reservation system/wait was reasonable (it's not). However, I would definitely not wait on a long line for it - and certainly not for several hours. It just isn't that much better than the many, many other amazing pizza spots in NYC. Did not change my life, nor did it seem all that unique. Still, very good.

Good pizza , not soo good canzone. Pizza was worth the 1 hour wait.

Being a fat kid (makes me visually officially qualified to be an expert on food that is), I have finally ran into an Intresting dilemma. While I have eaten in probably most of NYC's most notorious/usual pizzerias way more than once or twice, I was almost Always been able to either eat 1/2 a large pie if not 6/8th of it. So I was very surprised when I was Completely Full after only eating 2 slices at this place. And I was very hungry before I started eating. In my opinion the quality of ingredients is way beyond a AAA rating. The service was overall on point excellent and didn't have a single issue. So the "pallet" dilemma I experienced was: Is this better than Lombardi's or Totonno's or DI Fara's or L&B or Delmar's? And the answer is that it's in the same master class of them, this place is worth the time of the wait and money. This is definitely a place I'd want to visit again.

Nice cozy little pizza spot. Arrived around 2pm and were 5th in line. They took reservation request at 4pm (so needed to wait 2 hours). Please be aware that if you're from Europe, this pizza isn't that special. Not saying it's bad, it just isn't special enough to wait 2+ hours for a reservation to eat inside.

I want to hate Lucali — truly — because their reservation process is so strict and their food menu is so specific: It’s BYOB, cash only, open only a few days a week, and offers just a handful of items. However I just can't: the pizza is AMAZING. All the ingredients are homemade and fresh! And that’s exactly why it's worth all the effort to go and dine there. There’s always a line outside, and even if you manage to get a reservation, you still end up waiting outdoors before you’re allowed in to eat. :) Still, I have to applaud them. The hype is absolutely real — and well deserved.

solid pizza delicious pasta. the wait was very long i went there at 4pm to write my name down and my reservation is at 7pm. the pizza is very fresh and the pasta is a must. I would recommend if you have time and the host was kind. I had outside seating. One time to try is okay.

Lucali’s is definitely worth a visit! We went on a weekday at 3:30 PM, put our name down around 4, and were seated by 5—surprisingly easy for such a popular spot. The ambience inside was cozy and warm, and once we sat down, the smell of fresh mozzarella and basil filled the air—it was so inviting. The pizza itself was generously sized, perfect for sharing among three people, and clearly made with high-quality ingredients. It’s less like traditional New York-style pizza and more reminiscent of what you’d find in Naples, Italy. While it might not be the best pizza I’ve ever had, it’s easily in my top 5. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the overall experience was enjoyable. Highly recommend for any true pizza lover!

When I first came here about a decade ago, I thought this was the best pizza I've ever had. It's still in the pantheon of pizza spots, however the loss of the dessert pizza, the wait times, and the overall increase in amazing pizza spots in NYC has me lowering this to a 4/5. Come on a beautiful summer or fall day where you can put your name down and enjoy the next 3 hours while you wait to be sat somewhere else before returning to an amazing pie.

How could it be bad when the pizza is good hot out of the oven? Extra delicious and comforting, especially in cooler weather.

K RamanT

It is a must experience and well thought in terms of the menu, reservations, duration (within an hour to finish your dinner)… good quality ingredients. Calzone the best ever had. Regular pizza is so good, but with the topping it was a bit soggy. Wish they had some salad. Pasta was good but a bit salty for me. Wish they had some olive oil or bread along with it to balance it out.

Lucali is absolutely charming, cute, and intimate, the kind of place that feels special the moment you walk in. The menu is refreshingly simple, just pizza, one pasta dish, and a calzone, which adds to the whole experience. The staff was truly wonderful, welcoming, friendly, and made us feel right at home. The atmosphere is a big win. Watching the dough being prepared and ingredients prepped in the open kitchen adds to the magic and makes the experience feel personal and intentional. The crust was crispy and well cooked, and the wood-fired setup is beautiful. That said, the pizza itself was… fine. Solid, but average. It didn’t quite have that standout flavor or signature taste that sets it apart from other good wood-oven pizza spots. Nothing wrong with it, just nothing that made me say, “I need this again immediately.” Overall, Lucali shines for its vibe, warmth, and experience more than for the pizza itself. Worth visiting for the atmosphere and hospitality, just go in knowing the star of the show is the setting, not a life-changing slice.

Kevin To

This is my second time here and I made the mistake of adding artichokes to the pie instead of sticking with lighter toppings. The artichokes made the pie not as crispy. It would’ve been better to cut the chokes into smaller pieces, instead of a big chunk per slice. The crust was a bit too thick. That aside, the pizza was great, fresh ingredients, light sauce and cheese, not greasy, and thin. I’d recommend you try a small calzone. The crust was thin and crispy. The cheese seemed like it was a mix of ricotta and mozzarella. It was nice eating it with the marinara sauce. This place needs to turn their lighting up. It was too dim

Great ambiance (love the open kitchen!), friendly staff, and yummy pizza, but honestly not worth the fuss and hassle of their waitlist system/refusal to take reservations. Arrived at 3:20PM, got ou…

Great ambiance (love the open kitchen!), friendly staff, and yummy pizza, but honestly not worth the fuss and hassle of their waitlist system/refusal to take reservations. Arrived at 3:20PM, got ou…

Trying to get a reservation here was near impossible unless you came early to get a time slot so we ended up calling to get a pie for pick up. Beware the wait time for pick up can also be long so j…

I will agree with most, the quality of the pizza here is high - it's got all the things you look for, the cheese, the dough (soft but with a crispy bottom layer, the sauce is even one of my\nFavori…

2025 update: I've returned twice (3 visits total) for friends who wanted to try it. Still amazing pizza. Calzone not as amazing as I remembered it; I yearn for the first time I had it. Still an infurtiating experience. Arguably the experience is worse now that they say they don't allow task rabbits to wait in line for you, though I'm unclear how that's enforced. __ 5 stars for food, 1 star for what was, without embellishing, my most miserable experience of the 400 places I've reviewed on Google maps. Leaving 3 stars as the average. FOOD Pizza: super thin crust, very good, with a crust flavor that pleasantly reminded me of matzah. Small calzone: Amazing, that 5-cheese filling is soft like burrata, rich but not overpowering. Good sauce. Also it's a lot of food for a "small"?! Cash-only. EXPERIENCE Arrived 4:00pm to get on the reservation list. There was already a line that stretched to the end of the block and halfway down the next block. They started actually taking down names around 4:10pm (though the website says 5pm). Told our reservation would be sometime 8:30-9pm, but when we got back by 8:30pm, we waited in the cold and were not seated until 9:30pm. We watched as empty tables would take 10+ minutes to get filled. This system is objectively bad in many ways. Why is the only way to eat there to show up in person and then wait for hours for a same-day reservation? Why are they so inaccurate at estimating when you can actually eat? Why did they routinely let tables sit empty for 10+ minutes when there's a backlog of customers who have already been waiting for hours to eat at a time that has already long-passed? Tip: We asked, and confirmed you can arrive and then make a take-out order.

+4

I had been looking forward to this for years. This review is for takeout during COVID. We called around 4pm on Sunday to pick up, they said our order would be ready in about an hour. Two pies, and a calzone - the pies were ok, definitely knife and fork pizza made with good ingredients but not amazing. The toppings slid off the pizza and the dough was a little wet. The calzone was incredible - just with hot peppers as recommended by the host on the phone. Would love to dine in person there at some point and re-review. Counter to other reviews, the person on the phone was very helpful and actually suggested our order for us.

+5

Extremely overhyped. Pizza was not bad but nothing was special, the dough had an ok texture and chew. The problem is the toppings aren’t that flavorful. Vibes are very nice, but service was rude because they’ve been trying to kick us out for a while, and we’re not allowed to bring any birthday cakes which is such a bummer. Definitely not worth the wait

Really solid pizza but not mind blowing to me. I enjoyed the calzone more than the pizza due to sauce provided. The pizza has a very light tomato sauce that was not flavorful to me. Would have been better to use that calzone sauce on the pizza. Toppings were good. I don’t like that it’s cash only but we’re being charged tax…if you’re avoiding card fees please make it cheaper for the consumer. Also our total came out to 72.95 I believe with the tax and we got no nickel with our change. They have no ice at this establishment and are byob. I am not really sure why they don’t just do takeout only. It’s not a huge menu so it would be easier to just do takeout and get rid of this lineup mess. They clearly don’t have the facilities to function like a full restaurant. And yea…I have to knock a star if you’re cash only

I went all the time when they first opened and i lived nearby but haven't been back in 7 or so years and was looking forward to seeing if was as good as i remembered or if my tastes had matured. The atmosphere, service, toppings, cheeses, and sauces are all fantastic. The dough is rolled out so it's crunchy but not crispy as it would be if it were tossed or hand stretched. Enjoyable but not as enjoyable as a lot of other options that wont require you to go out of your way hours before to get your day of reservation. Not a bad option if it is your neighborhood joint on a tuesday when there isn't a wait.

We visited from Los Angeles on July 14th to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Of all the restaurants we could’ve chosen, we picked Lucali based on glowing reviews from Google, ChatGPT, and social media calling it the "best pizza in New York." We were thrilled for the experience. Our Uber dropped us off at 3:20 PM to get in line for the 4:00 PM waitlist. The line was already wrapped down to 1st Pl. We quickly realized we were late if we wanted a reasonable seating time. But we thought: "This place must be amazing if it draws a crowd like this!" Rain was coming, so when it was finally our turn, we requested indoor seating. That pushed our slot to 8:15 PM. No problem, we figured we’d find something to do and come back. We grabbed a late lunch at Bar Bruno nearby. Cozy vibe, great service, and that birria pizza with burnt cheese? Incredible. It actually became the culinary highlight of our day. As the rain hit, I ordered a hoodie and umbrella from Target via Uber Eats while we enjoyed our drinks and prepped for a very wet but enjoyable walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. At 7:50 PM, umbrella in hand, we checked in at Lucali. The rain was pouring by now (you may have seen the subway flooding that night on the news). The woman who had added us to the list was checking people in, thick New York accent, no-nonsense attitude. We stood tucked under a tiny overhang near a corner store to stay dry until we were asked to relocate by the store manager. At 8:20, I asked about seating. She said we were one of four "2s" left to seat and that it’d be a few more minutes. By 9:00, we were still standing in the rain, soaked and miserable, with only three other groups. That’s when it got frustrating. A guy parked at a fire hydrant was bothering others, he was seated quickly, likely just to have him stop bothering other guests. Meanwhile, we watched at least three social media influencer groups walk in and get seated immediately. Not just before us, but before everyone. It was clear who was getting priority. By 9:40 PM, it had been over six hours since we arrived. One other couple, who apparently just showed up at 7:00 PM (without getting on the list), had also stuck it out. Somehow they were on the list anyway. The host occasionally emerged to escort more influencers past us, glancing at us with what felt like annoyance, like she couldn’t believe we were still there. Maybe I should have mentioned that it was our anniversary? We were miserable, drenched, and ignored. At nearly 10:00 PM, we were finally seated (next to the bathroom door). Our server was lovely and kind, wished us a happy anniversary, and explained the simple menu: pizza, calzone, and a pasta special. We ordered the pizza (adding pepperoni) and the pasta. The food? Genuinely good. The crust was excellent, the flavors solid. But after such a long, unpleasant experience, we couldn’t fully enjoy it. The pasta portion was tiny but delicious. Thankfully, they served beer, I had a Peroni, which helped. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this place wasn’t meant for people like us, just regular folks excited to celebrate something special. There was no gesture for our anniversary. No candle, no kind word from the manager, no apology for the hours we spent in the storm. Nothing. Lucali might be unforgettable for some, but for us, it was memorable for the wrong reasons. Unless you’re a person of influence, I’d suggest skipping the line and ordering online, or, better yet, finding a spot that values all its guests equally.

+4

Not sure what the hype is about, but it's a good pizza. Nothing more, nothing less. The atmosphere it great and the staff are really nice. I was lucky to catch my takeout order within 15 minutes (I ate it on the spot). 3.5 stars - I had to give it a 3 beause it's closer to a 3 than a 4. I was told people wait hours for this. If I did this, I wouldn't admit it to my closest friend out of embarrassment.

A solid 3-star experience. The pizza was good—I’ve had better in NYC—but the real highlight was the Calzone with garlic and hot pepper sauce, which was fantastic. The service, however, could use some improvement. We were lucky not to wait in line since we sent a TaskRabbit ahead and were seated right away at 5 PM. The hostess was warm and welcoming, but our server wasn’t particularly helpful. When she asked if it was our first time, we said no, yet she didn’t offer much guidance on the menu. For instance, we only knew about the hot pepper sauce for the calzone because we had seen it online—it would’ve been great for her to share recommendations like that. Additionally, she kept asking if we wanted to box up our food while we were still eating, which felt a bit rushed. I completely understand the need for table turnover, but there’s a balance to be struck. Now, onto the food: the tomato sauce was outstanding, and I’d highly recommend adding toppings rather than going plain. Our mushroom, shallot, and hot pepper combo was a favorite. But the real must-try? The calzone with hot pepper sauce and garlic inside—do not skip this! That’s what I’d come back for. Everything else was good, but not a must-have for me.

+3

Pamela Strug

Lucali feels like a postcard from old-school Italian Brooklyn. Candlelit, no frills, quietly confident. On our third attempt over the course of the year, we finally got in, which already tells you something about the place. This is not dinner. It is a mission. On weekends, the process is well known but worth repeating. Show up by 2:00 or 2:30 to get in line. The reservation point person steps out around 4:00 pm, you pick a time slot, and then you build your afternoon around it. We did exactly that, took a detour to the Dyker Heights Christmas lights, came back about 20 minutes before our reservation, and they took us without hesitation. Once seated, the clock starts. You have 60 minutes to eat, which is fine given the very limited menu. Fewer choices, higher expectations. Also, important operational notes. Bring cash. It is BYOB. Plan accordingly. Now the food and the setup. The calzone is the clear winner. Truly excellent, rich, thin crust, well-balanced. The sauce is tasty and well-seasoned, but nothing extraordinary. The pizza, specifically the margherita, is good but not flawless. The basil leaves were piled on top and not baked in, which made the slices awkward to eat and threw off the balance. Baking the basil into the pie would go a long way here. Small change, big impact. And add pepperoni to everything. It adds an overall spark. One practical challenge is the table size. The restaurant holds 30 people max. The tables are very small, and the trays used for the pizzas and calzones are enormous. The combination makes it genuinely difficult to eat comfortably, turning the meal into a bit of a balancing act. Eating great food should not feel like a test of coordination. The waitstaff were friendly and attentive, and the open pizza kitchen added extra coziness to the space. This brings us to the bigger question. There is a lot of hype for this hole-in-the-wall pizza shop, and we are still trying to fully understand why. The food is solid, but the experience has become more about the mission to get a table than the meal itself. When the logistics overshadow the plate, expectations naturally climb into dangerous territory. Lucali is charming, nostalgic, and clearly doing many things right. With a few tweaks, the food could speak louder than the wait. Still glad we went. Just not convinced the quest should be the main course.

Ammaar Vayani

I loved the interior, the guys making the pizza are really nice and let me take some videos. Service: fine, nothing noteworthy, but I ordered half Marg half topped with onions and mushrooms. What I got was full onions and mushrooms. Food: I guess I didn't get to try the plain pie, but what I did try was full of onion and garlic flavour. Crust is airy, light and crispy as advertised. Maybe opt for a plain pie to taste the freshness of the ingredients. Is it worth the wait? Probably not to eat in, but I would takeaway!

You’d think after queuing for over an hour to secure our allotted time slot, we’d get the eat at our allotted time slot… you’d be wrong. We had to wait 1h15 after the allotted slot to be seated, with not an ounce of remorse from the host. I’ve been dying to try the infamous pizza for a no of years, and if the pizza was the best I’d ever had I would’ve disregarded the above but I think it’s mostly just hype. Although the dough was crispy, it’s soupy in the middle and sauce and mozz both are pretty bland (we had a pepperoni pie for reference). Also ordered the small calzone which had an incredibly strong cheese which overtook all flavours - the marinara sauce to dip was exceptional however. If I were you I’d skip the hype and head to Ceres or Luigi’s or John’s of Bleecker. Extremely extremely disappointing!

Don’t waste your time. We were very excited to eat here and came from Seattle. Our reservation was at 8, they sat us at 9 served the pizza at 9:45 and told us that we only had the table until 10. They started picking up our food and plates so we just paid the bill and left. The pepperoni pizza is okay but there are 100 places in New York that are way better.

Monkeyboi Reviews

Totally NOT worth the hype. Have to go early and make a reservation for 4-5 hrs later. They still make you wait for an hour. Service is terrible. Food is ok. We even got the wrong order. Calzone is one of the worst I have ever eaten- dry and heavy! Pizza and pasta are okay but can find so many better options with none of the fuss. Also, they are cash only.

+6

Not worth it. Food is just meh, mediocre. Very tasteless food and sauce. We were told to come to the restaurant at a specific time for our spot on the waitlist and still had to wait over an hour ou…

Not worth it. food is just meh, mediocre. Very tasteless food and sauce. We were told to come to the restaurant at a specific time for our spot on the waitlist and still had to wait over an hou…

Not worth it. Food is just meh, mediocre. Very tasteless food and sauce. We were told to come to the restaurant at a specific time for our spot on the waitlist and still had to wait over an hour ou…

Highly frustrating experience. There is zero signage indicating a waitlist policy, yet we were told they were 'sold out' by 5:00 PM opening--despite having been waiting out front since 4:00 PM ( si…

Horrible taste - somehow both soggy and burnt. Service was non existent and ambiance maga core bad

Horrible taste - somehow both soggy and burnt. service was non existent and ambiance maga core bad

If you are interested in experiencing the worst of NY then I invite you to this sham of a restaurant. My son went to their location before 4pm to stand on line in the sun to make a reservation for 4…

Delicious calzone, horrible service from the host. Doesn’t take reservations, only cash as form of payment and limited menu.

Great pizza, horrible service. NEVER AGAIN. I have rarely seen a more disrespectful reservation system, one that is so offensive towards the customers. First there is NO reservation system at all…

I used to come here a lot when I lived in New York. Now I live in California and I wanted to bring my wife here because I always told her how good the pizza is. The pizza is great. That part hasn’t changed. But the lady at the door is incredibly rude. Treats you like you’re beneath her until you get in. We got there at 5:30. She first said 8:30. I said no problem, I knew there’d be a wait. Then she said actually 7:15. I said perfect. We went to a bar nearby and came back at 7. She took at least 6 groups before us. Three of them were parties of two just like us. We didn’t get seated until 8:15. Again, I don’t mind waiting. I knew we’d be waiting. But don’t mess with people’s time. And when someone tries to ask a question or just understand what’s going on, don’t give this condescending attitude. Halfway through, I remembered she did the exact same thing the last time I came here. Same energy. Same attitude. Interesting she’s still employed here. Must be family or something because anyone else would have been fired a long time ago. I hate this place as much as I like the pizza. Needless to say, never coming back.

I've been coming here for many years, and each time I try to bring friends for the "Lucali experience," but this was really my last time. I remember when it used to be rated at least 4.5, and it has drifted down to 4.2 for good reason: The lady at the door, as others have mentioned, is extremely rude and condescending, and just power trips all day. I was fortunate enough this time that someone else was taking down names, but unfortunate that she seated us when we entered. We were a group of 5, and first in line. Upon entering, she placed us at a table meant for 4 even though the larger table was available. When asked, she pulled a chair from another table. For the next hour or so the 5 of us were just cramped around on the little table. Another group of 5 that was in the line after us was placed at the larger table. The food itself has also changed. Quality has gone down. One of the reasons my wife and I kept coming back was because of the tomato sauce they used on their pizza. This time the pizza not only had way less tomato sauce, but it also tasted different. I suspect there is cost-cutting happening, which is unfortunate for the price you pay and the time you stand in line. If you want good pizza in line, go elsewhere. There's plenty of great options.

Service was great. The pizza was good but NOT worth the wait! Please don’t bother to order the calzone with what tasted like JAR sauce on the side . Both regular and spicy sauce was inedible. Seriously disappointed. Was looking forward to enjoying good quality food. Serious let down . DOES NOT MAtCH THE HYPE

C B

Completely ruined. You wait an hour online at 3pm until 4pm and then the time they give you for a reservation doesn’t matter. They give you a time and you report and then your table isn’t ready and you wait hours or more. They could just open an online reservation system instead of a wasting people’s time but he’s more excited with the hype than actually serving customers. If you want to be treated by dirt you should definitely go here. A classic example of netflix ruining what could have been something great. Just stop stringing people along when they won’t even have a chance to eat here even if they wait online. It’s Pizza not fine dining get over it. It’d sad to see how waiting for 3 hours leaves you empty handed. go to any other pizza place in NY. They have sold their souls. Houstess doesn’t care at all you are less than dirt to her.