Fresh pies in the Pizzeria Sapienza display case

EST. 1990Downtown Albany · MVP Arena

The legendary slice of downtown Albany.

Homemade sauce, the finest cheese and meats, and New York–style pies pulled fresh all day. Family owned and operated by the Sapienzas for more than three decades.

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Hours today

Mon–Sat · Open daily

Find us

51 S Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207

Call ahead

(518) 427-1007

House favorites

What Albany orders, again and again.

See the full menu

Classic Cheese

The one that started it all — homemade sauce, real mozzarella, thin New York crust.

$15.99By the slice

Chicken Parm Pizza

Breaded chicken cutlet and mozzarella. A Sapienza signature.

$22.99House favorite

Garlic Knots

Baked fresh, brushed with garlic, marinara on the side.

$3.49Must-order

Chicken Parm Sub

Homemade cutlet on a toasted 12" roll with mozzarella and parm.

$11.49Hot sub

Pizzeria Sapienza green awning storefront on South Pearl Street

Our story

First in the door. Still family after 35 years.

Nino Sapienza opened Pizzeria Sapienza in 1990 as the very first tenant of the Knickerbocker Arena — the building Albany now knows as MVP Arena.

Three decades and a few arena names later, it’s still a family owned and operated pizzeria, backed by a loyal and dedicated staff. The recipe for staying power hasn’t changed: exemplary service, a real commitment to the community, and never cutting corners on ingredients.

1990Doors opened

35+Years on Pearl St

4.1★380+ Google reviews

Read our story

Game day at MVP Arena

Two slices and a soda before the show. A downtown tradition.

We’re right on the arena’s street level, so generations of fans have made Sapienza part of the ritual — from River Rats nights to today’s concerts, Siena hoops and Firebirds games.

Admit one · Before

Fast slices at the counter

Pies come out of the oven all day. Grab a slice (or three) and still make the opening puck drop.

Admit one · Sundays

Open for every event

Closed most Sundays — but when the arena has an event, our doors are open. Check the schedule and stop in.

Admit one · Groups

Tailgating with the crew?

Order the 2 XL pies + 30 wings deal ahead of time and we’ll have it hot and ready when you arrive.

Catering & offices

Feeding the office, the team or the whole family.

Downtown offices have been ordering from us for years. Supersized trays of lasagna, chicken parm and baked ziti, salads to share, and stacks of fresh pies.