Di Fara Pizza
7.5Friend Score / 10#13 of 20 Restaurants in New York City
Known forclassic round cheese pieSicilian square piewhite piepizza by the slice
The legendary Midwood pizzeria where Dom DeMarco hand-made every pie from 1965 until his death in 2022; his family carries it on at 1424 Avenue J. Still one of the great classic NYC pies — and still a trek on the Q with a wait, at about $5 a slice. Pilgrimage-worthy for pizza obsessives; casual fans can stay in Manhattan.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon–Mon 12:00–17:00 Tue–Sun 12:00–20:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ |
| Phone | (718) 258-1367 |
| Website | difarapizzany.com |
| Nearest transit | Avenue J (Q), about a 2-minute walk |
| Time needed | 1-1.5 hours including the wait, plus 40-50 minutes each way from Manhattan |
| Best time to go | Weekday early afternoon right at opening; note the daily mid-afternoon break around 4:30-6pm |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.5/10- Value7.0
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level5.5
- Authenticity9.5
- Accessibility6.5
Frequently asked questions
- Should I order the round or square pie?
- The round is the archetypal NYC-meets-Naples pie; the square is denser and crispier with caramelized edges. If you made the trip with a friend, get one of each — that's what everyone ends up doing.
- Is Di Fara still good since Dom DeMarco passed away?
- Dom died in 2022 and his children now run it, keeping his methods — fresh mozzarella, three-cheese blend, olive oil drizzle, scissored basil. Most longtime fans say it's still excellent, if inevitably not quite the ritual of watching Dom himself.
- How much is a slice at Di Fara?
- About $5, long famous as the city's most expensive slice, and a whole pie runs around $30. Nobody has ever gone to Di Fara for the value — you go for the pie.
- How long is the wait at Di Fara?
- Better than the Dom-era hours-long waits, but you should still budget 20-60 minutes at busy times since pies are made with care, not speed. Going right at opening on a weekday is the move.
- What should I order at Di Fara?
- A classic round pie, or a square if you want the crispier pan style — both are canonical. Purists get it plain; the basil and olive oil finish does the seasoning for you.
- Is there anywhere to sit at Di Fara?
- A handful of no-frills tables — this is a neighborhood pizzeria, not a restaurant. Plenty of people eat standing or take the pie to a stoop; the pizza is the entire experience.
- What are Di Fara's hours?
- Roughly noon to 8pm Tuesday through Sunday and noon to 5pm Monday, with a daily break around 4:30-6pm to prep for dinner. Confirm before making the trek — hours here have always been a little fluid.
- How do I get to Di Fara from Manhattan?
- Take the Q train to Avenue J — the shop is steps from the station. It's about 40-50 minutes from Midtown, which is exactly why the pilgrimage feels earned.
Nearby in Ask New York City
- Green-Wood CemeteryPark3.93 km · 49 min walk
- Prospect ParkPark3.96 km · 50 min walk
- Smorgasburg (Prospect Park)Market4.01 km · 50 min walk
- Brooklyn Botanic GardenAttraction4.85 km · 61 min walk
- Brooklyn MuseumMuseum5.14 km · 64 min walk
Where to stay near Di Fara Pizza
Compare hotels & stays on Booking.com · doesn’t affect the Friend Score