Roberta's

Smack dab in the middle of the plaza above Penn Station, Roberta’s first Manhattan outpost on 33rd Street is surrounded by towering Gap ads and Madison Square Garden, illuminating it like a hovering UFO. The third-story restaurant and rooftop is a far cry from the pizza institution’s original location, which occupies a sprawling Bushwick warehouse. But the Neapolitan pies are exactly the same, and their bubbly, blistered crusts are Roberta’s greatest asset. Given that this place has plenty of practice replicating their food—at their restaurants around the country, and in the frozen pizza aisle—we’re not surprised.

Aside from the pizza, there’s a full menu of antipasti, salads, pasta, and entrees which are fine ways to supplement a group meal, but not the main event. If you’re with a group, order a few different pizzas instead—each pie is the size of a frisbee. They have a great cocktail menu with several solid tiki drinks, and big picnic tables at the open-air bar outside, so it's a convenient place for drinks after work or before a show at MSG. There’s an additional bar and enough room for large parties inside as well, where you can see your pizza come out of the bright orange oven in the corner. R.Slice , their slice shop near the entrance downstairs, has a separate selection of New York-style pies if you just want to grab a bite.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Emily Schindler

Bee Sting

Honey on pizza is everywhere these days, but Roberta’s was one of the first to do it, and their version is still one of the best. This classic, meaty pie hits every taste bud at once, with tomato, mozzarella, sopressata, chili, and honey on top.

photo credit: Kate Previte

Ursula’s Parade

The small, chewy clams on this pie blend easily into the garlic parmesan breadcrumbs around them, but it’s still full of clam flavor, with a slight kick from the calabrian chili. It’s our favorite pie here.

Salads, Appetizers, & More

Our preferred way to eat at Roberta’s is to share as many pies as our party can eat—but they do have a robust menu of antipasti, salads, pasta, and bigger meat entrees. It’s all perfectly serviceable, but the flavors are generally underwhelming, and most of the pasta and salads feel like something we could have whipped up at home. If you do want some variety, the smoked porchetta, and the fried skate wing—cooked picatta style—are pretty good.