Ben's Pizzeria – Italian
Stepping into Ben's Pizzeria feels like a warm embrace, where the rhythmic toss of dough and the intoxicating aroma of garlic and melting cheese create an atmosphere of timeless neighborhood charm. Golden, thin-crust pizzas emerge from the intense heat with a satisfying crunch, topped with vibrant sauces and artisanal ingredients that celebrate the bold, rustic flavors of Italy. It is a place where the clink of glasses and the hum of happy conversation turn a simple meal into a soulful celebration of community and craft.
123 MacDougal Street, New York, NY 10012 +1-212-677-0976 http://www.benspizzerianewyork.com/?utm_source=gbpRating: 3.9/5 (673 reviews)
Cuisine: Italian
Price range: $
Dietary options: high-protein, nut-free, vegetarian, dairy-free, pescatarian, sugar-free, high-fiber
What diners are saying
Ben’s Pizzeria is celebrated by many as a true New York institution, offering a lively, authentic atmosphere right next to Washington Square Park. While opinions on the pizza vary—ranging from "best decision" raves to critiques of flavorless crust—fans consistently praise it as a perfect spot for a quick, classic slice. Beyond the pizza, reviewers highlight the nostalgic, "dingy" pizza shop vibe and unexpectedly excellent fountain sodas as standout features. Though some find the slices merely decent, the convenient location and courteous service keep this spot a local staple.
Menu
- Regular Cheese Pizza - $22: Classic cheese or create your own pizza. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free
- Artichoke Pizza - $30 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free
- Sicilian Pizza - $25 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free
- Ben's Regular Special Pizza - $30 Dietary tags: Nut-Free
- Regular Pizza - $22: Mozzarella, parmesan cheese & tomato sauce. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free
- Grandma Style Sicilian Pizza - $30: Thin crust with fresh basil, a touch of spicy sauce parmesan. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free
- White Pizza - $25: Ricotta, mozzarella & parmesan cheese.
- Margarita Pizza - $30: Fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce & basil.
- Primavera Pizza - $30: Mushroom, onion, green pepper, broccoli & spinach.
- Deluxe Pizza - $30: Ham, pepperoni, sausage, mushroom, onions, green peppers, broccoli & spinach. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Chicken Fajita Pizza - $30: Red roasted peppers, onion, tomato, cooked with tobacco sauce. Topped with mozzarella & american cheese. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Buffalo Chicken Pizza - $30: Spicy. Breaded chicken, green peppers, tobacco sauce mixed with mozzarella cheese & spicy sauce. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Chicken Ranch Pizza - $30: Spicy, no sauce. Chicken, ham, bacon, mozzarella & ranch dressing. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Chicken BBQ Pizza - $30: No sauce. Bbq chicken marinated in bbq sauce & mozzarella. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Chicken Tomato Pizza - $30: Mozzarella, ricotta & parmesan cheese. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Chicken Broccoli Pizza - $30: Mozzarella, ricotta & parmesan cheese. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Little Italy Pizza - $30: Italian sausage, peppers & onions. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Hawaiian Pizza - $30: No sauce. Ham, pineapple, ricotta & mozzarella. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Regular Pizza Slice - $3 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free
- Sicilian Pizza Slice - $3 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free
- Artichoke Pizza Slice - $5 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Garlic Knots - $0.5: A classic snack, our garlic knots are strips of pizza dough tied in a knot, baked, and then topped with melted butter, garlic, and parsley. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Beef Patty - $4 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Beef Patty with Cheese - $5 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Cheese Calzone - $9: Ricotta & mozzarella. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Black Olive & Mushroom Parmigiana Calzone - $9 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Vegetarian Delight Calzone - $9: Broccoli, spinach, mushroom, peppers, onions & olives. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free, High-Fiber
- Ben's Atomic Calzone - $9: Sausage, pepperoni, meatball, mushroom & olives. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Chicken Rollie's - $9 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Sausage Rollie's - $9 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Chicken Cutlet Parmigiana Hero - $9 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Meatball Parmigiana Hero - $9 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Eggplant Parmigiana Hero - $9 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free
- Mixed Vegetable Delight Parmigiana Hero - $9 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, High-Fiber
- Sausage & Peppers Parmigiana Hero - $9 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Soda - $2
- Fountain Soda - $1.5
- Snapple Ice Tea - $3
- Spring Water - $2
Frequently Asked Questions about Ben's Pizzeria
- How does this restaurant compare to others in the same cuisine type?
- Rated 3.9/5, this budget-friendly ($) institution offers an authentic atmosphere and quick slices, though some find the crust flavorless.
- What are this restaurant's hours of operation?
- The provided restaurant data for Ben's Pizzeria does not include information regarding the establishment's specific hours of operation.
- What type of diner would most enjoy this restaurant?
- Diners seeking a quick, classic New York slice in a nostalgic, budget-friendly, and lively atmosphere near Washington Square Park would enjoy this restaurant.
- Is this restaurant suitable for families?
- This budget-friendly ($) pizzeria offers a lively, neighborhood atmosphere and quick slices, making it a suitable choice for families.
- Is this restaurant currently open and operational?
- Ben's Pizzeria is an operational institution with an active website, although specific daily operating hours are not provided in the data.
- What are the standout dishes based on the menu?
- Standout dishes include Artichoke Pizza, Sicilian Pizza, Regular Cheese Pizza, Grandma Style Sicilian Pizza, and unexpectedly excellent fountain sodas.
- What type of cuisine does this restaurant specialize in?
- Ben's Pizzeria specializes in Italian cuisine, featuring a variety of pizzas like Sicilian, Grandma style, and classic thin-crust slices.
- How many reviews does this restaurant have?
- The provided restaurant data does not specify the exact number of reviews for Ben's Pizzeria.
- Which dishes work for multiple diets at once (e.g., keto + gluten-free)?
- The Black Olive & Mushroom Parmigiana Calzone and Garlic Knots both accommodate vegetarian, nut-free, pescatarian, and sugar-free diets.
- What are the main concerns mentioned in customer reviews?
- Main concerns mentioned in reviews include flavorless crust and inconsistent pizza quality, with some customers finding the slices merely decent.