Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
New 'New York Pizza Festival' Hopes To Avoid Fate Of Last Year's New York Pizza 'Fyre' Festival
By
Ben Yakas
Published Aug 9, 2018
Modified Aug 9, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Aug 9, 2018
Modified Aug 9, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Last year, the inaugural New York City Pizza Festival was dubbed the Fyre Festival of NYC food events after attendees paid up to $75 for a "total scam" that had them waiting over an hour to enter a "shady parking lot" in Bushwick for empty tents and barely any food. The Attorney General opened an inquiry into the fiasco, and the organizer apologized and gave out refunds. So it's understandable that some NYers might be deeply skeptical at the news that a new "New York Pizza Festival" (completely unrelated to last year's disaster) is set to hit the city this fall—but organizers swear it'll be nothing like that other one.
This fest, which literally is the New York Pizza Festival (as opposed to last year's "New York City Pizza Festival"), is set to take place October 6th and 7th on Crescent Avenue in the Belmont section of the Bronx, close to Arthur Avenue. It will feature more than 25 different pizza joints from both around and outside of the city (such as Chicago, Las Vegas, Seattle pizzerias).
Among the local fare, that includes favorites like Di Fara's, Denino's, Levante, Pugsley Pizza, Zero Otto Nove, and more. There'll be a Sweet and Spicy pie from Fairfield, Conn.'s Brick + Wood, the Pizza Parmigiana from the Il Pizzaiolo mini-chain in Pennsylvania and a Spinach Dip Pizza from Midtown's Sofia Pizza Shoppe. The website for the fest adds that there'll be slices from "famed Tony Gemignani of San Francisco, Jonathan Goldsmith of Spacca Napoli in Chicago, to Roberto Caporuscio of Keste and Don Antonio and Gino Sorbillo of Sorbillo Napoli."
"The professional pizzaioli that were handpicked to attend are pros at pumping out delicious pies so all slices will be fresh and hot," Fred Mortati, president of the Pizza Academy Foundation which started the fest, told the Daily News. "We have been putting a lot of thought into the layout of the event so that everything flows properly." For those traumatized by last year's fest's lack of actual pizza, he added there will be "full-size slices — no sample sizes."
If you buy tickets to the event (which are required for slices and alcohol) before September 9th, it'll cost $20 for three slices and $30 for six slices (after the 9th, prices for slices go up by $5); beer and wine-only tickets are available at $20 for three drinks and $30 for five drinks. There are also VIP passes available for each day for $100 a day (which gives you 5 beer/wine tickets, 10 slices, and access to a “fast pass” line). Check out all ticket info here.
Tagged
new york city pizza festival
new york pizza festival
pizza
the bronx
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 19, 2026
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .