WILLIAMSBURG PIZZA

Hoppen Hierarchy:★★★⭑

NY-style pizzeria

Perfect For: Lunch; Casual Dining; Takeout

Standout Dishes: Cup & Char Grandma; Sophia Loren; Tartufo; Meatballs

Ever since Williamsburg Pizza first opened the doors of its first location in South Williamsburg, New York, in 2012, it’s grown to become an important part of the New York pizza scene. With renowned pizza master Nino Coniglio serving as its head chef/owner, Williamsburg has grown to have five locations in the Big Apple.

So how did the restaurant decide its landing place for location No. 6 would be Omaha?

Fortunately for Omahans, co-owner Aaron McCann is originally from Omaha and wanted to bring authentic NY-style pizza to his hometown. So in the summer of 2023, Williamsburg broke outside the Empire State and descended upon the Heartland.

Though there are a few seats inside the restaurant, the Omaha location is mostly intended to serve takeout and delivery orders. Its menu offers two styles of pizza (Brooklyn Round Crust and Grandma Style; more on those shortly) and a few salads and side dishes.

The immediate standout of both styles of pizza is the dough, which undergoes a unique warm and cold ferment, allowing the restaurant to greater control the dough’s density. This results in a dough with good structure but is still foldable.

The red tomato sauce that serves as the base of most of their pizzas is more sweet than acidic, as Ciao tomatoes (imported from Campania, Italy), combine with sea salt and black pepper to give every bite a zesty note.

Your experience at Williamsburg is going to greatly vary depending on which style of pizza you get. The Brooklyn Round Crust options are similar to what you’d expect to find in a classic NY slice joint. The crust is firm enough to avoid flopping, yet pliable enough to fold. There’s a slight char on the bottom, and the pizza’s trip through the gas oven gives it a puffy crust with billowing bubbles.

The Margherita allows every element of Williamsburg’s brilliant pizza base shine. The light crust has a good salt level to it, and the lack of toppings allows the bright, sweet sauce to take center stage.

The Sophia Loren starts with gobs of mozzarella, which melt to spread their gooey, milky flavor throughout every centimeter of the pizza. Marinated tomatoes slices arrive with pops of acidity and sweetness, while a load of shredded basil is sprinkled atop for a sweet, pungent finish.

If you’re looking to try something different, Williamsburg also offers Grandma-style pies. This Sicilian-style pizza features a thin crust and a rectangular shape. Cooked in the oven with little time to rise, the dough is more dense and firm than the traditional NY slice.

The pan is also coated in olive oil before the dough is inserted, which creates a crispy, caramelized bottom and crusty edges. This method imparts the delicious flavor of fried bread on the outside and creates a sturdy structure for the cheese and sauce on top.

Among your Grandma Style options at Williamsburg:

Char & Cup Grandma: The simplicity of the pizza best allows its excellent elements to stand out. The small pepperoni discs curl up into mini bowls during the cooking to catch and hold extra grease. The fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and basil combine to create an excellent experience.
Tartufo: One of the most unique pizzas in the city, this white pizza is covered in cheese and cremini mushrooms. The sauce is rich and creamy, accenting the mild, earthy flavor of the mushrooms. But the kicker is the liberal drizzle of white truffle oil, which adds a pungent, garlic-y essence.

Paesano: Fresh mozzarella and the tomato sauce are again present, and both play their roles well. Mushrooms and roasted red peppers give this option a “combo pizza” vibe, though the sausage could use a bit more life. It’s good, with a slight spicy punch, but isn’t as flavorful as other sausages.

Pizza may be in the name, but Williamsburg does not mess around when it comes to the sides. The Meatballs are some of the best, if not the best, you’ll find in Omaha. These orbs of beef, veal, and pork are tender and delicious, and they’re crowned with gobs of ooey cheese and served in that wonderful, sweet marinara.

The Garlic Knots are a testament to the brilliance of butter. These pastries are practically oozing oil, which may not make them the most diet-friendly side. But damn, are they delicious. The bread tastes like a homemade roll, tender and with a springy consistency. And there’s delicious garlic butter soaked into every bite. Just ignore the calories and dive in.

I love Omaha’s pizza scene as it is and was initially skeptical of whether we needed an outsider coming to join its ranks. But Williamsburg isn’t a chain, and it brings something completely new to the scene. Nino’s pizza expertise is apparent in these pies, and they’re a welcome and delicious addition to Omaha.