Santa Panza

"Santa Panza is ideal for a casual date. It has wood-fired pizzas, salads, and small plates, with a little bar up front in case you’re dining solo. This place is cash-only, but there’s an ATM in the restaurant, which is something you should know ahead of time so you can avoid the weird payment dance at the end of your date." - Neha Talreja, Hannah Albertine, Bryan Kim, Carina Finn Koeppicus

"Santa Panza is the restaurant that inspired this guide. We once showed up unannounced to this Bushwick pizza spot with six people (and two more on their way), and lo and behold, Santa Panza made it work. It’s usually somewhat busy but no matter how many friends you have coming late, the friendly staff will somehow find space for your party. It might be along a skinny counter in front of the chef’s window. It might be at a big rectangular wooden table in the back by the massive cans of tomato sauce. But it’ll happen, and you’ll get to eat good and shareable pizzas and kale salads along with $30 carafes of wine with all of your delightfully squished friends." - hannah albertine, nikko duren

"Have your next adult pizza party at Santa Panza in Bushwick. You’ll escape the drama and prices that normally come with big parties at restaurants, while still being able to split multiple carafes of wine as you hang out for a few hours. The pies here are wood-fired and Neapolitan, and there are gluten-free and vegan options, so everyone in your group should be able to find something to eat." - team infatuation

"Come for the excellent wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pies at this cash-only place on the border of Bushwick and Bed-Stuy that’s very fine company — competition even — for the beloved pies at Roberta’s. Highlights include the Napoli, topped with Kalamata olives and anchovies, and the salame picante options." - Alexandra Ilyashov

"You haven’t seen this person in a while, so you may not be looking for reasons to make extra small talk. Santa Panza in Bushwick is great because you can show up almost anytime and get seated right away. Even if it’s busy, this Italian place magically seems to have room for everyone. Walk five minutes from the J train, order two Neapolitan pizzas and a carafe of wine, and you’ll have successfully reached your friendliness quota unscathed." - Hannah Albertine, Bryan Kim, Neha Talreja