Iconic Brooklyn pizzeria w/ legendary thin-crust pies & calzones. BYOB friendly & worth the wait for celeb sightings & amazing food.
A Brooklyn institution, this pizzeria is legendary for its thin-crust pies and calzones, drawing crowds that often stretch down the block. Despite its no-reservations policy and the lengthy wait, the intimate, candle-lit atmosphere and consistently delicious food make it a coveted spot. Celebrities and locals alike flock here for a taste of what's often hailed as some of the best pizza in NYC.
This Italian pizzeria is renowned for its thin-crust pizzas and calzones, featuring high-quality ingredients like fresh basil and creamy burrata. While the pizza consistently receives rave reviews for its balanced flavors and delicious crust, some diners find the calzones to be less consistently impressive, with varied opinions on their fillings and crispness. The fresh basil is a signature touch, though some have noted its presentation can be inconsistent.
"The pizza, particularly with toppings like pepperoni, is frequently highlighted as exceptional. The calzone is also a popular recommendation, with many diners suggesting it might even be the standout dish. Some also rave about the meatballs."
Customers overwhelmingly praise the exceptional quality of the pizza and calzones, often calling them the best they've ever had. However, the notoriously long wait times and occasional service issues are frequently mentioned as drawbacks.
Important Note
The restaurant does not take reservations and operates on a walk-in basis, often resulting in extremely long wait times, especially during peak hours and weekends. Some diners have reported issues with service and a perceived decline in quality or presentation over time. The restaurant is also cash-only.
"Lucali is mentioned as a top spot for Neapolitan style pizza."
Positive"Suggests doing a food crawl around Carroll Gardens, potentially while waiting for a Lucali reservation."
Neutral"While acknowledging that some find Lucali overhyped and the wait annoying, the commenter believes the pizza is absolutely loved and worth the wait."
Positive"Agrees that Lucali is worth the wait, suggesting ordering a half peppers and pep pizza and a garlic calzone. Mentions the wait involves putting your name down earlier in the day."
Positive"Recommends waiting in line for a table at Lucali, stating it is worth the wait."
Positive"This user recommended Lucali as a place with a romantic vibe, similar to Bacaro."
Positive"Lucali in Brooklyn is mentioned as a place to try."
Neutral"Lucali is listed as one of several recommended pizza places."
Positive"The original poster would like to try Lucali's but doubts they will wait an hour for it."
Positive"Lucali is described as unique and possibly the oldest of the 'Modern' style, though it doesn't quite fit with most modern places."
Neutral"The original poster was able to walk into Lucali around Christmas two years ago."
Positive"This place, along with John's of Bleecker, is considered 'old school' if it has a coal oven, is pie-only, and is over 30 years old with a charred crust."
Positive"This is mentioned as a favorite pizza spot, likely fitting into the 'old school' category due to its reputation and style."
Positive"Following a recommendation, the author tried Aromi and enjoyed their special spicy sausage pizza with a crispy yet chewy crust, well-cooked toppings, and a good cheese blend. The orchiette with broccoli rabe and sausage was also very good, but their favorite dish was the radicchio salad."
Positive"The author mentions experiencing a similar situation at Lucali, where it was not an issue, though they had to return later."
Neutral"Lucali is listed as a restaurant suggestion."
Neutral"This is a follow-up comment from the author, thanking the recommender for the suggestion and stating they will try Aromi."
Neutral"This commenter suggests that the appeal of Lucali extends beyond just the pizza, mentioning the 'vibe' as a factor."
Neutral"The commenter praised the meatballs at Lucali as the best thing they've eaten there and described it as an excellent neighborhood joint with a perfect vibe, solid pizza, but disliked the lines."
Positive"This commenter notes that Lucali is not difficult to get into during colder months. They consider the pizza very good, the calzone excellent, and the pasta good, also mentioning it's BYOB and affordable."
Positive
