23rd Street Pizza — Restaurant in Bengaluru

23rd Street Pizza, Bangalore – A Slice of NYC, A Dash of Drama, and Some Seriously Good Soft Serve

23rd Street Pizza had been sitting pretty on my must-visit list for a while now, and with my cousin in town, I finally had the perfect excuse to check it off. From the moment you step in, the place delivers unapologetically "rad" NYC vibes—think exposed brick, hip-hop energy, and a bar counter that feels like it was flown in straight from Brooklyn.

We had made an advance reservation and lucked out with a table right in front of the action—the counter where the magic (read: pizzas) was happening. Watching the chefs stretch, top, and fire pizzas right in front of us really added to the experience.

To kick things off, we ordered the Soju Picante, a cocktail made with soju, jalapeño, agave syrup, coriander, lime, and jalapeño tonic. It was everything you want in a drink—refreshing, bold, and perfectly balanced with that spicy kick coming through beautifully. The Kir Royal, with blackberry cordial and sparkling wine, was elegant and crisp, a great contrast to the heat of the Soju.

For starters, we went with the Cajun Chicken Wings, served with a garlic ranch on the side. They had a satisfying crunch and were well-seasoned, though I’ve definitely had versions that packed more punch.

Now to the real stars of the night: the half-and-half pizza, a combo of Pick Me Up and The Bird. Pick Me Up was an absolute winner—tomato sauce, fior di latte, red onions, pickled red chillies, and hot honey. That drizzle of honey cut through the heat in the most glorious way and completely stole the show. The Bird, with peri peri chicken, chili, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted pepper sauce, and basil, was also a delight—fiery, flavourful, and rich—but next to Pick Me Up, it played second fiddle.

And just when I thought it couldn’t get better, dessert arrived. Their in-house soft serve, available that day in vanilla and hazelnut, was served with olive oil and sea salt—a genius touch. I chose vanilla (always a classicist at heart), and let’s just say… it was beyond words. Creamy, subtly sweet, with the olive oil and salt adding layers I didn’t know vanilla needed. I’d go back just for that and the Soju Picante.

Final verdict: 4/5 23rd Street Pizza is where ambience meets attitude, and where pizza isn’t the only thing stealing hearts. It’s bold, inventive, and rooted in quality—from cocktails to crust to soft serve. A spot I’ll gladly return to—and drag...

TL;DR: Overhyped. Portions were small, service was sub-par, food was mid, the ambiance felt mismatched with the cuisine, and prices were unjustifiably steep.

Full Review:

This place had been on my list of Italian restaurants to try for a while. The hype makes sense once you see the crowd and the locality. it’s all about appearances, not taste.

We started with pizza, ordering a half-and-half - Burrata-ta-ta and Pick Me Up. There was also a rather “convenient” extra charge for making it half and half.

Crust: Not the soft, melt-in-your-mouth kind you’d expect from a proper Neapolitan or New York-style pizza. Instead, it leaned toward burnt - crisp and hard like a papad, making it more of a chore than a delight to eat.

Burrata Half: I’m not sure if the burrata was made in-house or imported, but I’ve definitely had better. The cheese was overpowering and bland, though a drizzle of chilli oil helped slightly.

Pick-Me-Up Half: Topped with hot honey and red chillies, a combination that can be brilliant when balanced well, but here it missed the mark. The honey was cloyingly sweet, and the chillies overwhelmingly hot, creating more conflict than contrast.

Rigatoni Alla Vodka: Supposed to be al dente but ended up undercooked. The sauce, however, was rich and flavorful, easily the best part of the meal. A side of bread and a more generous portion would’ve made it much better.

Soft-Serve: Hugely disappointing. Tasted like any street-side softy, only priced at ten times the cost. Far too sweet. The rave reviews for this finally made sense - perhaps from patrons who’ve never had roadside softy.

Service: Perhaps being perpetually sold out is their excuse for subpar service, but that hardly justifies it. Orders were forgotten, “unavailable” tables suddenly opened up after long waits, and they were so short-staffed we could’ve walked out unnoticed.

Ambiance: It has a dim, neon-lit, pub-like vibe. Though I’d have preferred better lighting, considering it’s not a pub. I've added one extra star purely for the “vibe button” in the women’s washroom. Worth trying, if only for the amusement.

Totally not worth the hype. Some reviews even call it “economical” :) I’d genuinely like to meet those people and discuss their choices.

There are plenty of truly good and authentic Italian spots in Bangalore worth your money; this, unfortunately, isn’t one of them. I won’t be revisiting or...

Yo, let me tell you about this spot—if you're not here yet, you’re seriously missing out! First off, the pizza? Absolute fire! It's got that crispy crust and just the right amount of gooey cheese—not to mention whatever toppings you crave! Seriously, you could eat a whole pie and still want more! And, just ask for half and half, it's for those who are not decided on which one to order.

Don’t even get me started on the chicken wings. These things are crazy good! They’ve got a perfect kick that’ll make your taste buds dance. Whether you like them spicy or want to keep it chill, they’ve got you covered, and you’ll be licking your fingers like there’s no tomorrow.

Now, let's dive into the pasta. Holy hell, it’s like a big, warm hug in a bowl! The flavors are so pure and the pasta was cooked to perfection. You can practically feel your soul thanking you after you finish a plate.

We can’t skip dessert! The soft serve here is a total showstopper. It's so creamy and dreamy, you'll want to order a second one. Seriously, it’s the kind of ice cream that transports you straight to heaven.

Oh, and those wine cocktails? They’re out of this world! Like, grab a glass and prepare for your taste buds to throw a party. Seriously, just add it to your order—you won't regret it, maybe you would for having too many.

The vibe in this place. All the NYC feels! Great music pumping, a lively crowd, and the energy. If you’re looking for a place to chow down, hang out, and just vibe, this is it. Bring your friends, grab a few plates, and prepare for a helluva good time! Trust me, you’ll be talking about this place long after you've left. Get your butt over...