Döden Bistrattoria

"Washington Heights needed a casual, sit-down pizza place, but no one could have anticipated that this need would be fulfilled by Swedish pizza restaurant with craft beers, an oven painted to look like a monster, and the unlikely theme of...death. For a place with black walls and skulls everywhere, Döden is a surprisingly cheerful spot, with creative sourdough pizzas (try the bresaola and kimchi pie), a cool playlist, and enough room to linger with your friends over a bottle of natural wine. " - Willa Moore, Sonal Shah, Bryan Kim, Nikko Duren, Matt Tervooren

"Editor's Note, 10/7/2024: The menu and concept of this restaurant have changed since we last visited. Check their Instagram for more information. Pizza or death? You’ll get a taste of both at this sprawling, black-walled Swedish pizzeria, decked out with kooky skulls, skeletons, and tentacled eyeballs in Washington Heights. You’ll also get a complimentary, slaw-like pizzasallad with your 12-inch pie, just as the Swedes do. The thin, chewy, sourdough pizzas are fired to a nice char, in an oven that's painted to look like a purple, pizza-eating monster. There are nine varieties, and several have funky or fermented toppings like kimchi, aged gouda, bresaola, and marinated apricots. A bunch of  interesting craft beers on tap (check out the ceramic taps), and a few natural wines make Döden a good place to unwind over a couple of pies with friends. photo credit: Sonal Shah photo credit: Sonal Shah photo credit: Sonal Shah" - Sonal Shah