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Watchlist // DUMBO
pizza · DUMBO, BrooklynNO. 17 / 1960

Grimaldi's

Cash-only coal-oven pizza in a former 1869 bank at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, sold as whole pies only with a line down the block.

1 Front Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

// Live lines nearby

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//The line

Grimaldi's sells whole pies only, no slices, and the flagship has long run on first-come walk-in seating, so a single line forms to order and get a table. A Slice of Brooklyn writes that the line 'can be so long that you will often see people lining up down the block.' Wikipedia notes the queue can 'extend far up Old Fulton Street' and that waits historically ran 'up to an hour for a table.' The Infatuation reports you'll 'still often find a line on weekends, usually full of tourists.'

The location drives the line. The pizzeria sits at 1 Front Street in a former 1869 bank building at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, so foot traffic coming off the bridge feeds straight to the door. It is cash-only — A Slice of Brooklyn warns 'they only take cash' — which slows the register when the room is full. The coal oven and whole-pie-only menu mean tables turn on full pizzas, not quick slices.

The reported way around it is timing. The Infatuation says to come 'at lunch on a weekday, when there's no line.' Grimaldi's own site now shows a 'Join Waitlist' option, but the flagship has historically taken no reservations (Wikipedia). Next door, Juliana's — opened by Grimaldi's original owner, Patsy Grimaldi — serves coal-oven pizza too and rates slightly higher on The Infatuation (7.7 vs 7.3), and is a common fallback when the Grimaldi's line is long. damnlines has no camera inside Grimaldi's, so nothing here is a live count — every figure above is quoted from the sources listed.

//When the line peaks
Weekends, especially midday — The Infatuation reports a line 'usually full of tourists' Warm-weather afternoons, when Brooklyn Bridge foot traffic peaks — A Slice of Brooklyn describes a line 'down the block' Historically, waits ran 'up to an hour for a table,' with the queue extending 'far up Old Fulton Street' (Wikipedia)

Patterns as reported by press and regulars — not measured by damnlines.

//Getting in

Reservations: Per the venue's official page, this Grimaldi's location accepts reservations - guests can "Call to Reserve" at 718-858-4300 or join the online waitlist system.

Walk-ins: The official page doesn't explicitly describe walk-in policy beyond the reservation/waitlist system, but the presence of an online waitlist option indicates walk-ins are accommodated when space allows; the page also notes pizza service pauses 4-5pm daily for oven maintenance, though the restaurant stays open with special pricing from 3-5pm.

Per the venue's site: Sun-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-midnight.

Official site →

//FAQ

How long is the line at Grimaldi's?

There's no single number, and we don't measure it live. A Slice of Brooklyn describes a line that runs 'down the block,' and Wikipedia notes it can 'extend far up Old Fulton Street,' with historic waits 'up to an hour for a table.' The Infatuation says weekends are the crowded stretch.

What's the best time to go to Grimaldi's to avoid the line?

The Infatuation recommends going 'at lunch on a weekday, when there's no line.' It reports weekends are 'usually full of tourists,' and A Slice of Brooklyn ties the worst crowds to warm-weather Brooklyn Bridge foot traffic.

Is Grimaldi's cash only?

Yes. A Slice of Brooklyn warns 'they only take cash' — no cards. Bring cash before you get in line.

Does Grimaldi's sell slices?

No. It's whole pies only, per The Infatuation and A Slice of Brooklyn. You order a full coal-oven pizza, not a slice.

Does Grimaldi's take reservations?

The flagship has historically been walk-in only; Wikipedia says it 'does not accept reservations.' The chain's own site now shows a 'Join Waitlist' option, but plan to wait in line at busy times.

Does Grimaldi's DUMBO take reservations?

Yes, per the venue's official site you can call to reserve at 718-858-4300 or join their online waitlist system.

Can you walk into Grimaldi's DUMBO?

The official site implies walk-ins are accepted via its waitlist system, though it doesn't spell out walk-in policy in detail. Note that per the site, pizza service pauses 4-5pm daily for oven maintenance, though the restaurant stays open.

Sources: A Slice of Brooklyn: Grimaldi's Under the Brooklyn Bridge — The History and the Pizza · Wikipedia: Grimaldi's Pizzeria · The Infatuation: Grimaldi's review · Grimaldi's Pizzeria official site: 1 Front Street, Brooklyn · Tripadvisor review: 'Be prepared to wait in a long line'

Grimaldi's — The Line & How to Get In · DUMBO, NYC | damnlines