Pizza Loves Emily
Pizzeria · Clinton Hill, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Brooklyn Wood-Fired Counter
Chef
Matt Hyland
Dress
Casual
Why go
Ranked #20 on Opinionated About Dining's Cheap Eats in North America for 2025, Pizza Loves Emily at 919 Fulton St in Crown Heights is one of Brooklyn's most credentialed sit-down pizzerias. Booking is easy, the format suits groups and solo diners alike, the OAD trajectory; three consecutive years of recognition, moving upward; makes this a strong choice for a deliberate pizza dinner without a tasting-menu price tag.
About Pizza Loves Emily
Pizza Loves Emily, Brooklyn: The Verdict
Ranked #20 on Opinionated About Dining's Cheap Eats in North America for 2025 (up from #24 in 2024), Pizza Loves Emily at 919 Fulton Street in Crown Heights earns its place on that list. If you want seriously considered pizza in Brooklyn without the price tag of a tasting menu evening, this is a strong answer. Booking is easy, the hours are practical, the OAD ranking gives you a verifiable benchmark that this is not just a neighborhood default.
Chef Matt Hyland's operation has built a consistent track record across three consecutive years of OAD Cheap Eats recognition, moving upward each cycle. That trajectory matters when you're deciding whether to make the trip from Manhattan or plan a return visit from within Brooklyn. This is a place that is getting better, not coasting.
Planning Your Visits: A Multi-Visit Strategy
Pizza Loves Emily rewards returning. If you are visiting Crown Heights for the first time, treat the initial dinner as a benchmark run: go Tuesday through Thursday when the room is less pressured (dinner runs 5–9 pm on those nights), order broadly across the menu, establish your baseline. The goal is to understand what Hyland's kitchen does well before you start making requests.
A second visit should be a weekend lunch. Saturday and Sunday lunch service runs 12–3:30 pm, the pacing is different from dinner. Weekend lunch at a pizzeria of this caliber is often where you get the most attentive table experience, since the evening rush hasn't begun and the kitchen is fresh. It's also, practically, when you can linger without feeling the pressure of a fully booked dinner room behind you.
A third visit, if you're building this into a broader Brooklyn dining rotation, pairs well with the neighborhood. Crown Heights has developed enough around Fulton Street that you can extend the evening. For context on what else the borough offers, see our full New York City restaurants guide.
Is It Worth the Trip?
Against Brooklyn pizza peers, Pizza Loves Emily holds a different position than Leading Pizza (more old-school, Williamsburg-anchored) or Artichoke Basille's (slice-focused, late-night). Hyland's spot is more deliberate, the kind of place where you sit down and commit to a meal rather than grab and go. For a full sit-down pizza dinner in Brooklyn, it competes directly with Angelo's Coal Oven Pizza and Don Antonio, though those skew toward different style profiles. Denino's Pizzeria & Tavern is the better call if you want a tavern atmosphere over a more focused pizzeria setting.
For a special occasion at this price tier, Pizza Loves Emily works better than you might expect. It's not a white-tablecloth environment, but a well-chosen pizza dinner with considered ordering can read as celebratory without the formality or cost of a $300-per-head tasting menu.
Outside New York, if you're benchmarking regional pizza programs, Ken's Artisan Pizza in Portland and 800 Degrees Pizza in Los Angeles occupy similar positions in their respective cities: serious pizza, accessible price points, repeat-visit menus. Pizza Loves Emily is in that tier nationally, which the OAD ranking confirms.
Know Before You Go
- Address: 919 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11238
- Cuisine: Pizzeria; full sit-down service, not a slice shop
- Hours: Mon–Thu 5–9 pm; Fri 5–9:30 pm; Sat 12–3:30 pm & 5–9:30 pm; Sun 12–3:30 pm & 5–9 pm
- Booking difficulty: Easy; no months-out planning required
- Awards: OAD Cheap Eats North America #20 (2025), #24 (2024), Recommended (2023)
- Leading for: Casual special occasions, multi-visit Brooklyn dining, group meals at accessible price points
- Skip if: You want a late-night slice or a formal setting
How It Compares
Pizza Loves Emily and venues like Le Bernardin, Atomix, Per Se, Masa, and Eleven Madison Park are not competing for the same diner on the same night. Those are $$$$ tasting-menu experiences where the evening is the product. Pizza Loves Emily is the answer to a different question: where do you eat well in Brooklyn without the planning overhead or the $300+ per-head commitment?
If you are choosing between a special-occasion dinner at Per Se or Eleven Madison Park and a pizza dinner in Crown Heights, that is not a real comparison, the formats are entirely different. But if your question is where to spend $50–$80 on a genuinely considered meal in New York, Pizza Loves Emily competes well. Its OAD ranking places it in the top tier of accessible dining in North America, not just New York. For groups who want something celebratory but not ceremonial, this is the more honest value than a mid-tier Italian restaurant in Midtown at comparable per-head spend.
For dining beyond Brooklyn, our New York City hotels guide, bars guide, and experiences guide help you build the full trip. If you are extending a food-focused itinerary nationally, Lazy Bear in San Francisco, Smyth in Chicago, and Providence in Los Angeles represent the tasting-menu tier in their cities, while Emeril's in New Orleans, The French Laundry in Napa, and Single Thread Farm in Healdsburg anchor the destination-dining category on the West Coast.
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: 5–9 pm · Tuesday: 5–9 pm
- Location
- 919 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11238
- Website
- pizzalovesemily.com/location/brooklyn
- Phone
- (347) 844-9588
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Pizza Loves Emily reads like a Brooklyn pizzeria tuned for diners who care about technique as much as tone. The room pairs wood and ceramic surfaces with the intermittent smell of a hot oven; those materials absorb sound without deadening it, creating an environment that is energetic without tipping into chaos. A kitchen works in partial view, and the place sits firmly in the neo‑Neapolitan conversation—focused sourcing and careful execution rather than theatrical frills. The overall feel is modern and approachable: a neighborhood pizza place that signals craft while keeping the evening easy and unpretentious.
Best For
This is a strong dinner destination for locals and visitors who want elevated pizza in an unshowy setting. It fits date nights and casual hangouts as easily as family meals: the room moves at a pace that allows conversation, wine, and a clear view of the oven at work. Critics and repeat diners have taken notice, placing the restaurant on analytical 'cheap eats' lists that highlight its quality without pushing it into tasting‑menu territory. In short, it’s for diners seeking well‑made pies in a convivial, slightly elevated neighborhood setting.
Ordering Tips
Service here asks you to settle in: you order, wait with a drink, and watch the room fall into its evening rhythm. Expect a tempo that is quicker than fine dining but more deliberate than fast slice counters. Lean into the signatures named by the venue—Emily Pizza, Grammy Pizza and the Emmy Burger—when you want a clear sense of what the kitchen does well. Because the operation emphasizes technique and sourcing, give the cooking the few extra minutes it needs rather than treating it like grab‑and‑go pizza.
Venue details
Ambiance
Cozy and welcoming with a casual, millennial-friendly vibe and cheerful young staff.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Intimate
Signature Dishes
- Emmy Burger
- Grammy Pizza
- Emily Pizza
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- 5–9 pm
- Tuesday
- 5–9 pm
- Wednesday
- 5–9 pm
- Thursday
- 5–9 pm
- Friday
- 5–9:30 pm
- Saturday
- 12–3:30 pm, 5–9:30 pm
- Sunday
- 12–3:30 pm, 5–9 pm
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Le Bernardin; French, Seafood, $$$$
- Atomix; Modern Korean, Korean, $$$$
- Per Se; French, Contemporary, $$$$
- Masa; Sushi, Japanese, $$$$
- Eleven Madison Park; French, Vegan, $$$$
Restaurant context
Pizza Loves Emily and the $$$$ tasting-menu tier; Le Bernardin, Atomix, Per Se, Masa, Eleven Madison Park; are not competing for the same diner on the same night. Those venues are destination experiences where the format, the service, the room are part of the spend. Pizza Loves Emily answers a different question: where do you eat a genuinely considered meal in Brooklyn at an accessible price point, with an award credential that removes the guesswork?
If you are deciding between a special-occasion dinner at Per Se or Eleven Madison Park and a Crown Heights pizza dinner, the honest answer is that they are not substitutes; one is a $300+ per-head event, the other is a deliberate sit-down meal that happens to be ranked in the top 25 for affordable dining in North America. The comparison that matters is within the accessible tier: Pizza Loves Emily versus a mid-range Italian in Midtown or a neighborhood bistro at similar per-head spend. On that comparison, the OAD ranking gives Pizza Loves Emily a verifiable edge.
For diners who want to build a broader New York City itinerary around food, the $$$$ venues above represent the ceiling of the city's dining scene and require advance planning and significant per-head commitment. Pizza Loves Emily sits at the opposite end of that planning curve; easy to book, easy to afford, credentialed enough to carry a celebratory dinner without ceremony. Use the New York City wineries guide and bars guide to build around it if you want a full evening in the neighborhood.
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Unlock the full Pizza Loves Emily guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Pizza Loves Emily
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pizza Loves Emily | New York City | Pizzeria | 2026 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #532025 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #202024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #242023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Recommended | ; |
| Le Bernardin | New York City | French, Seafood | 2026 Eater NY 38 Best Restaurants in New York City · #82026 North America's 50 Best Restaurants · #132026 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City · #212026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #342026 Forbes 5-Star2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2026 Wine Spectator Grand Award2026 Les Grandes Tables du Monde Members2025 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City · #3 | $$$$ |
| Atomix | New York City | Modern Korean, Korean | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #62026 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City · #72026 North America's 50 Best Restaurants · #7Star Wine Lists 20262026 Les Grandes Tables du Monde Members2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 World's 50 North America's Best Restaurants · #12025 James Beard Awards · #12025 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City · #2 | $$$$ |
| Per Se | New York City | French, Contemporary | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #292026 Forbes 5-Star2026 Relais Chateaux Restaurants2026 Wine Spectator Grand Award2026 Les Grandes Tables du Monde Members2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Robb Report 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century · #102025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #922025 Relais Chateaux Award | $$$$ |
| Masa | New York City | Sushi, Japanese | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #922026 Forbes 5-Star2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #672025 Michelin 2 Stars2025 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Forbes 5-Star2025 Michelin 3 Stars | $$$$ |
| Eleven Madison Park | New York City | French, Vegan | Star Wine Lists 2026 · #12026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #472026 Forbes 5-Star2026 Relais Chateaux Restaurants2026 Wine Spectator Grand Award2026 Les Grandes Tables du Monde Members2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Robb Report 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century · #32025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #218 | $$$$ |
How Pizza Loves Emily Brooklyn compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lunch or dinner better at Pizza Loves Emily?
Lunch is only available Saturday and Sunday (noon to 3:30 pm), making it the lower-pressure option if you want to avoid weekday evening crowds. Weeknight dinners run 5–9 pm and are your only option Monday through Thursday. For a first visit, a Saturday lunch slot is the easiest entry point; shorter waits and the same menu.
Can Pizza Loves Emily accommodate groups?
Pizza Loves Emily is a casual Brooklyn pizzeria, not a large-format group dining venue, so parties of 5 or more may find seating tight, especially on weekend evenings. Smaller groups of 2–4 are the practical sweet spot. If your group is large, split into two tables or aim for an early weeknight dinner rather than a Friday or Saturday peak window.
Is Pizza Loves Emily good for solo dining?
Yes; a casual counter or bar seat at a neighborhood pizzeria is one of the more comfortable solo formats, Pizza Loves Emily's relaxed Crown Heights setting suits a lone diner well. Its OAD Cheap Eats ranking means the price point is low enough that a solo meal doesn't require a commitment. Go on a weeknight between 5 and 6 pm for the easiest experience.
What are alternatives to Pizza Loves Emily in New York City?
Best Pizza in Williamsburg is the closest peer: also Brooklyn-rooted, more old-school in style, similarly priced. Artichoke Basille's Pizza runs a different format; heavier, thicker slices, multiple Manhattan locations. If you want a more refined sit-down pizza experience, Emily (the Manhattan original by the same chef, Matt Hyland) is the natural next step up. Pizza Loves Emily is the right pick if you're already in Crown Heights or want the OAD-credentialed version of the concept.
What should I order at Pizza Loves Emily?
The venue database does not include a current menu, so specific dish calls can't be made here. What the OAD Cheap Eats #20 ranking (2025) confirms is that the pizza itself is the draw; this is not a spot where sides or desserts are the reason to visit. Check their current menu directly before going, as offerings at smaller Brooklyn pizzerias rotate.
Is Pizza Loves Emily good for a special occasion?
It depends on what you mean by special. If the occasion is a casual celebration where great pizza and a low-key Brooklyn neighborhood vibe fit, yes. If you need a private room, tableside service, or a wine list, this is not the format; look elsewhere. Pizza Loves Emily's OAD recognition makes it a credible choice for a 'best pizza in the city' dinner, which is its own kind of occasion.
Can I eat at the bar at Pizza Loves Emily?
Bar seating availability isn't confirmed in the venue data, so this can't be guaranteed. At most Crown Heights pizzerias of this scale, counter or bar-adjacent seating exists and is typically first-come, first-served. Arriving close to opening (5 pm on weeknights) is the most reliable way to secure any seat without a wait.
