Now that I’ve been living in NYC for a few years, I’ve eaten my way through enough pizza slices to find that the popular tip is true — New York City has the BEST pizza in the United States. Some people say it has to do with the mineral content of the water. Whatever the reason, you have to get a slice or two of pizza here and see for yourself!

Luckily, pizza can indeed be vegan and delicious if you know how to order at a New York City pizzeria, which are located on just about every street. Simply walk and you will find one beckoning you with that quintessentially Italian, garlicky-tomato smell.

Walk in and you will find a counter of pies arranged in a row, cut into slices for individual orders. Unless you’re going into an all-vegan place, you probably won’t find any vegan slices on the counter. However, don’t be shy and order a custom pie. Sure, you have to wait longer than if they were just heating up a slice that’s already made, but the wait is well worth it.

I often mix up what I order but the basic formula is always the same: verify with the staff that the crust is dairy-free and the marinara sauce is free of any cheese, meat or meat stock. Remember that some places may have meat in their sauce, though most places I’ve been to have 100% meat and dairy-free marinara sauce. Still, it’s important to be aware and always ask before ordering. Then, order a cheese-less pizza with your choice of vegetables and/or herbs.

You can order my favorite pizza anywhere; it’s pretty standard — Marinara Pizza with Fresh Basil. If you’ve never tasted fresh basil on a pizza, you are really missing out. I remember eating cheese on pizza when I was a kid, and to me it always seemed too heavy and overtook the taste of fresh veggies or herbs. With a no-cheese, scrumptious marinara pie, the taste of the fresh basil will really shine. Perfecto!

Just remember to ask the staff about the ingredients they use in the dough. I find that most places do not use animal products, but you never know, so just ask to be safe.

What is the best vegan pizza you’ve ever had?

Check out my other posts about vegan food in New York City.

If you enjoyed this blog post, feel free to support the writer with a PayPal donation. I truly appreciate it 😀