Legendary Brooklyn pizzeria known for its thin-crust pizza & calzones. Expect long waits & a BYOB policy; many say it's worth it [1, 2].
Lucali, a famed Brooklyn pizzeria, is renowned for its exceptional thin-crust pizzas and calzones, drawing crowds despite its simple menu and no-reservation policy [1]. Securing a table involves arriving hours before opening and enduring a significant wait, with some considering the pizza worth the arduous process [2]. The restaurant's interior offers a charming, old-school ambiance with dim lighting and candles, complementing the BYOB policy [1]. While the pizza, especially with added pepperoni, is a highlight with its perfect crust and balanced toppings, the calzone may be less consistent [1].
Lucali is celebrated for its thin-crust, brick-oven pizzas and calzones, with many hailing the pizza as among the best in NYC [1]. The pizza, particularly with added pepperoni, is often described as a standout, featuring a delicious crust and balanced toppings [2]. While some find the calzone to be excellent with a great crust-to-filling ratio, others found it underwhelming [3]. There's also discussion about whether the pizza truly fits the Neapolitan style, with some categorizing it closer to Romana Tonda [4].
"The calzone at Lucali is frequently highlighted as an exceptional dish, with some even preferring it over the pizza. The garlic calzone is particularly recommended, especially for takeout."
Customer sentiment is largely positive, with many praising the pizza as exceptional and worth the wait, even calling it the "best ever" [1]. However, significant drawbacks include extremely long wait times and concerns about the interior being uncomfortably hot due to a lack of adequate air conditioning [2].
Important Note
The restaurant operates strictly on a walk-in basis and does not accept reservations, leading to potentially very long wait times, especially during peak hours or good weather. Some users have reported issues with rude staff and found the overall experience, particularly the wait, to be not worth it [1, 2]. Additionally, there are mixed reports regarding the interior's air conditioning, with some finding it uncomfortably hot.
"Lucali is a pizza place worth the wait, though it's a significant trek from Times Square and reservations may not be possible."
Positive"The user is asking for tips on weekday waits for places like Lucali, considering they will be visiting with children."
Neutral"This commenter questions the practicality of a tourist with children traveling to Carroll Gardens to wait for Lucali, suggesting it may not be an efficient choice given the logistical challenges."
Negative"Lucali for pizza is considered worth it by this commenter."
Positive"This commenter strongly disagreed with the positive reception of Lucali, stating they do not like its dough, finding it bland."
Negative"This commenter refuses to go to Lucali, viewing it as a place for Brooklyn transplants to 'be seen' rather than for its pizza quality."
Negative"This user stated that Lucali is not worth the time, considering its value among the worst in the city due to its line system."
Negative"This user found Lucali to be good but not as great as the hype suggested, and not worth the effort of their in-person line system."
Negative"This user is curious about what drinks are paired with calzones and later requests photos of stemware at Lucali."
Neutral"Responding to a comment about pairing wine with calzones, this user notes that bringing your own glass is not out of place at Lucali."
Positive"The commenter was unaware that Lucali permits patrons to bring their own glassware."
Positive"The user specified that phone orders are only for takeout and generally not during the restaurant's busiest periods."
Neutral"The user advises that for takeout, arriving around 4 PM when orders are taken should secure a reasonable time slot. Pickup involves paying in cash and collecting the order at the designated time. They also noted that phone orders were possible during COVID but are now difficult."
Neutral"The user commented that waiting in line for takeout is inconvenient."
Negative"The user found the process of waiting in line for takeout to be excessive."
Negative"The user noted that ordering takeout by phone can be difficult, sometimes requiring multiple calls."
Negative"The user expressed that Lucali is overrated for takeout."
Negative"The user typically calls in their takeout order right before opening and schedules a pickup for around 6:30 PM."
Neutral"The user recommended takeout as the easiest way to enjoy Lucali's pizza and suggested eating it in nearby Carroll Park."
Positive"The user stated that while Lucali's pizza is very good, the required wait and process for non-VIP customers is not worth it. They suggested F&F as an alternative with outstanding pizza and no inconvenient waiting ritual."
Negative
