Is This New York City’s Best Pizza?

If you want a slice of what New York’s own mayor calls the city’s best pizza, you’ll have to stand in line — but Di Fara Pizza in Brooklyn is definitely worth the wait. 

Lining up for Di Fara. (Photo: Melanie Dunea)

Di Fara Pizza, located in the Midwood section of Brooklyn, might just be the New York City’s best pizza. It’s been praised by Anthony Bourdain and named the best pizza in New York by Zagat, the Village Voice, and even New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio.

With all that praise, it shouldn’t surprise you that if you want a slice, you’ll have to wait. People can line up for as long as four hours during the holiday season, with an average wait of around two hours on weekends.

The secret to the best pizza around? Fresh, quality ingredients. Di Fara’s owner, 77-year old Domenico DeMarco, opened the shop nearly 50 years ago in 1965, and he’s been experimenting with his formula ever since. Today, five of his seven grown children help him run the family business.

Di Fara’s owner, 77-year old Domenico DeMarco. (Photo: Melanie Dunea)

The shop uses simple — but expensive — ingredients: Italian flour, San Marzano tomatoes, Israeli basil, and two types of mozzarella. The pizza might be pricey at five dollars a slice, but to Di Fara fans, it’s SO worth it.

A Di Fara pie. (Photo: Melanie Dunea)

What: Di Fara Pizza

Why Go: To taste what may be the best pizza in New York … or anywhere!

When To Go: A couple of hours before you want to eat. The pizzeria is open Wed-Sunday from noon until 4:30 p.m. for lunch, and from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for dinner. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Where: Di Fara is located in Brooklyn’s Midwood neighborhood at 1424 Avenue J

Fun Fact: Di Fara offers both a square and a round pie. The round pie is hand-tossed and lighter, while the square pie has a thicker crust, and gets baked twice in a pan with some extra cheese.

If you’re headed to Brooklyn to go to Di Fara, make sure you stop by the Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain while you’re at it. Check out my recent visit and be sure you try an egg cream. Can’t make it to Brooklyn? Try your hand at homemade pizza instead. 

“Photo Tripping” is a video series from Yahoo Travel, hosted by renowned celebrity photographer Melanie Dunea (author of My Last Supper. Melanie will take us on a photographic journey with her as she visits America’s top cities, exploring off-the-beaten path spots to experience the best tastes, sounds, and sights the city has to offer.  Going on recommendations of her friends — chefs, celebrities and tastemakers, a couple of whom even come along for the ride — we uncover some truly special places, seen through the lens of a photographer.

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