Emmy Squared Pizza: East Village is a Detroit-style pizzeria and burger restaurant at 83 1st Ave., New York, NY 10003, between East 5th and East 6th Streets in Manhattan’s East Village. Part of the Emmy Squared brand created by Emily and Matt Hyland, it draws travelers for crisp-edged square pies, the Le Big Matt burger, Italian-American sandwiches, and a relaxed brick-walled dining room near Astor Place and Tompkins Square Park.
What to Expect at Emmy Squared Pizza: East Village
The kitchen’s calling card is Detroit-style pizza: rectangular pies baked in deep, dark metal pans, with cheese spread to the rim so it caramelizes into a lacy, crunchy border. The dough is soft and airy through the middle, while sauce is applied in stripes over the cheese rather than beneath it. The style makes a filling shareable meal, though the smaller pies also work well for a solo lunch. Emmy Squared began in Williamsburg in 2016 and built its reputation around this distinctive square-pizza format, now brought to the First Avenue storefront.
Order a classic red-sauce pie or head toward the restaurant’s richer house combinations. The Colony 2.0 pairs pepperoni, pickled jalapeños and honey; the Roni Supreme layers pepperoni with house-made sauce and cheese; and the Vodka pizza is the move for a creamy, tomato-forward option. The menu also reaches beyond pizza with chicken Parmesan, Italian sandwiches, salads and the widely known Le Big Matt: two griddled beef patties, American cheese, greens, pickles and Sammy sauce on a pretzel bun. Expect counter-to-table casualness rather than formal Italian dining, with beer, wine and cocktails available alongside lunch, dinner and weekend brunch service.
- Detroit-style square pies: Pan-baked pizzas with a thick, pillowy crumb and crisp cheese-frico edges.
- Colony 2.0: A sweet-spicy signature combination of pepperoni, pickled jalapeños and honey.
- Le Big Matt: The restaurant’s double-patty burger, topped with American cheese, greens, pickles and Sammy sauce on a pretzel bun.
- Italian sandwiches: Hearty lunch-or-dinner alternatives for diners who want chicken Parmesan or other Italian-American flavors without a full pie.
- East Village setting: A brick-clad room on First Avenue, well placed for a meal before exploring St. Mark’s Place or Alphabet City.
Emmy Squared Pizza: East Village at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 83 1st Ave., New York, NY 10003 |
| Neighborhood / Area | East Village, Manhattan |
| Operating Hours | Mon–Tue and Fri 11am–11pm; Wed 11am–midnight; Thu noon–11pm; Sat 10am–11pm; Sun 10am–10pm |
| Admission / Price Range | No admission; $$ casual dining. Pizza, burgers, sandwiches and drinks are ordered separately. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 45 to 75 minutes for a meal; allow longer for weekend brunch or a group dinner. |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Astor Place (6) and 8 St–NYU (R/W) are about a 10-minute walk. Street parking is limited; paid garages are more practical. |
| Official Website & Phone | Emmy Squared Pizza; +1 917-463-3737 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
For the easiest walk-in experience, arrive close to the 11am opening on weekdays or before 6pm at dinner. First Avenue becomes especially busy on Friday and Saturday nights, when tables for groups and the burger-and-pizza combination are in high demand. Use the restaurant’s official website to check current menus, order options and reservations before setting out; a reservation is a sensible choice for a prime-time meal or parties larger than two. Casual streetwear is entirely appropriate.
From Astor Place, walk east on East 8th Street and turn south onto First Avenue; from the L at First Avenue, it is roughly a 12-minute walk north. The restaurant is at street level, which makes arrival simpler for strollers and many wheelchair users, but call ahead about current doorway clearance, restroom access and seating arrangements if step-free accommodation is essential. Pair lunch with the Japanese-influenced shops and snacks along St. Mark’s Place, a walk through Tompkins Square Park about 10 minutes east, or the historic La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club on East 4th Street, around five minutes away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Emmy Squared East Village’s hours, and when is the best time to go?
Hours begin at 11am most weekdays, with 10am openings on Saturday and Sunday; the restaurant stays open until 11pm on most listed days and until midnight on Wednesday. Weekday lunch and an early dinner before 6pm are generally the most comfortable times for a walk-in meal.
How expensive is Emmy Squared Pizza, and do I need a reservation?
It is a $$ restaurant with no entry fee: diners pay individually for pizza, burgers, sandwiches, sides and drinks. Reservations are useful for evening meals, weekends and groups, while off-peak lunch is better suited to spontaneous visits.
How much time should I budget for a meal?
Allow 45 to 75 minutes for a typical pizza or burger meal. Give yourself 90 minutes if sharing multiple pies, ordering drinks or visiting during a busy weekend brunch or dinner period.
Is Emmy Squared East Village suitable for families and wheelchair users?
Families can easily share square slices and choose between pizza, burgers and sandwiches, making the menu flexible for mixed appetites. The First Avenue location is at street level; contact the restaurant before arrival to confirm accessible-table and restroom needs, particularly for a wheelchair or large stroller.
When planning your Detroit travel guide or browsing verified restaurants in Detroit, pair this stop with standout local spots including Le Suprême, The Cochrane House Luxury Historic Inn Detroit, Motown Museum, and The FRIENDS™ Experience: The One in New York City (1.5 km away).
