Nowadays, pizza in New York is everywhere. It’s become such an integral part of the state that it’s hard to imagine a time when it didn’t exist here. But it really wasn’t all that long ago that the first pizzeria in New York (and for that matter, America) opened up. You can still get pizza from that same restaurant today. Lombardi’s Pizza, the first pizzeria in America, is now only a block away from where it first opened 115 years ago.

Gennaro Lombardi was a bread maker from Naples who immigrated to America in the early 1900s. He opened up a small grocer in New York City in 1897 and began selling pizza slices to factory workers on their lunch breaks.
Lombardi's Pizza
Lombardi's store was in the Little Italy neighborhood. Immigrants began meeting up there to socialize and reminisce. Life for new Americans could be very lonely and isolated. It's easy to see how places like this became vital parts of immigrant society.
In America, pizza didn't really take off in popularity until the 1950s. One contributing factor may have been the return of World War II veterans who had tried European pizza while fighting abroad.
Lombardi's Coal Oven Pizza/Facebook
Tough economic times led to Lombardi's closing down in 1984. A decade later, it reopened a block away from its original spot.
Lombardi's Pizza/Google Maps

Related Stories

Enjoy Wood-Fired Pizza And A Delightful Patio At Sticks And Stones In New York

Enjoy Wood-Fired Pizza And A Delightful Patio At Sticks And Stones In New York

 The Oldest Continuously Operating Restaurant In Downtown Syracuse, New York Is Delicious

The Oldest Continuously Operating Restaurant In Downtown Syracuse, New York Is Delicious

 A Local New York Pizza Chain Is One Of The Best Small Businesses In The Nation

A Local New York Pizza Chain Is One Of The Best Small Businesses In The Nation
The pizza here is simply delicious. This is definitely not a place to rest on its claim to fame as a history-maker. It's worthy of all the praise even on taste alone.
Lombardi's Coal Oven Pizza/Facebook
You'll get that classic coal-fired New York crust, crispy and baked to perfection.
Gloria Cancel/Google Maps
If you aren't in the mood for pizza, they've got salads, pasta, and calzones as well.
Lombardi's Coal Oven Pizza/Facebook
This is a historic (and delicious!) way to experience pizza in New York.
Gladwin Louise Cedeno/Google Maps

 

Have you been to Lombardi’s in New York City? Share your favorite pizza toppings in the comments!
 For more information about Lombardi’s, check out the restaurant’s website.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore New York

Featured Addresses
Lombardi's, 32 Spring St, New York, NY 10012, USA