Want to please everyone? Get one of these delicious, DMV-based pizza pies for a kid-friendly dinner!
There’s a reason kid’s parties always serve pizza—it’s easy, cheap, and a universal crowd pleaser. In fact, it’s the second most popular fast food in America and a safe bet to turn to when you want to make sure everyone (and we mean, everyone, you picky eaters!) is happy with their meal. The only hurdle? Narrowing down the choices.
Washington, DC’s pizza scene has exploded over the past five years and offers a myriad of choices. From Detroit-style slices at Side Door Pizza to wood-fired Neapolitan pizza at Pupatella, we rounded up the best local pizza parlors and pizzerias for a family meal in the DMV.
We, The Pizza
You’ll find a huge assortment of pies at these pizza shops—14 to be precise—and all flavors are available by the slice. You’ll also find a huge selection of homemade sodas, including Spicy Ginger Mango Sling and Blood Orange Creamsicle Sky. They also make Italian gelato shakes for those who want their soda to float.
4201 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA
2100 Crystal Dr.
Arlington, VA
1301 U St. NW
U. St. Corridor
305 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
Capitol Hill
Online: wethepizza.com
Related: The BEST Pizza in Every State (& DC)
90 Second Pizza
Kids will enjoy watching their pizza spin to perfection in the 90 second oven at this Georgetown pizza joint. You’ll find chewy, Neapolitan-style pizzas that include your choice of up to three toppings. The wait here is never long; this restaurant lives up to its name and serves up fresh, piping-hot pizzas super fast (and their pies are pretty cheap). It’s a great place to grab a quick meal off M St. when strolling through G-town.
1077 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Georgetown
Online: 90secondpizza.us
All Purpose Shaw & All Purpose Pizzeria
The folks behind Boundary Stone and The Red Hen are the creators of All-Purpose’s artisanal, Jersey-style pizzas that feature foodie toppings like hot honey and truffle oil. You can grab a pie in Shaw or near National’s Park in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. This pizzeria also serves up notable brunch with bottomless mimosas and, for the kids, Nutella-topped banana bread.
9 Potomac Ave. SE
Capitol Riverfront
1250 9th St. NW
Shaw
Online: allpurposedc.com
Timber Pizza
Kids will clamor for the two-person swing seat at this rustic pizzeria’s Petworth location. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, but this popular spot can boast a wait. The upside? There is much to see, do, and check out in the neighborhood. Pop into near-by Loyalty Books while you wait. You can also order a pizza to grab-and-go.
Insider Tip: Follow Timber’s mobile schedule to find out when Timber Pizza is available in your neck of the woods.
4238 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA
809 Upshur St. NW
Petworth
Online: timberpizza.com
Side Door Pizza
This Detroit-style pizzeria features thick crust and sauce-topped cheese. This pizza is strictly to-go, but there is a small picnic table outside the venue for those that need to immediately dive in.
Insider Tip: If you’re having trouble locating the door, look for the red neon sign.
909 New Jersey Ave. SE
Navy Yard
Online: sidedoorpizza.com
Pupatella
The individual pizzas at this Neapolitan-style pizzeria are generous enough you can share a pie with a little eater. Fresh toppings with unique offerings, like pine nuts, make these pies foodie stand outs. The original Wilson Blvd. location boasts car benches made from a Fiat 500 and rainbow-themed outdoor dining (with fire pits!).
5104 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA
1621 S Walter Reed Dr.
Arlington, VA
1821 Wiehle Ave.
Reston, VA
2980 District Ave.
Fairfax, VA
1801 18th St. NW
Dupont Circle
Online: pupatella.com
Andy’s Pizza
If you’re craving a slice of pizza from the Big Apple head to Andy’s for some NY-inspired pies. Andy’s is the gold-standard in pizza, taking home the World Pizza Champion title last year. There are five convenient locations scattered across the DMV with all but Shaw offering sit-down dining options.
2016 9th St NW
Shaw
2001 International Dr.
McLean, VA
2465 18th St NW
Adams Morgan
51 M St. NE
NOMA
1201 Half St SE
Navy Yard
Online: eatandyspizza.com
Pizzeria Paradiso
Pizzeria Paradiso operates four restaurants in the DMV, but all eyes are on the Georgetown location if you’re dining with kids. Keep the kids occupied while you wait for your food in the game room located in the basement bar that features skee ball, shuffleboard, pin ball or an arcade game. If you have kids who like to nibble before their meal, you’ll appreciate the olives served while you wait for your wood-fired pizza.
Insider Tip: Patrons are invited to use the game room even when the bar is closed.
3282 M St. NW
Georgetown
2003 P St. NW
Dupont Circle
124 King St.
Alexandria VA
4800 Rhode Island Ave.
Hyattsville MD
Online: eatyourpizza.com
Comet Ping Pong
This neighborhood gem truly caters to all needs. Everyone will love the pizza (with vegan and gluten-free options), and Mom and Dad (and adventurous tykes) should save room for the wood-roasted spaghetti squash, cauliflower, and beets. Or the Tin Roof Sundae. Or both—we won’t tell.
Insider Tip: Table tennis is free, but first come, first served so get there early if you plan to play.
5037 Connecticut Ave. NW
Friendship Heights
Online: cometpingpong.com
Uno Pizzeria & Grill
The Chicago-inspired deep dish pizza at this joint is a crowd pleaser. If you are dining on site, be sure to ask your waiter for some pizza dough for the kiddos to play with—just like Play-Doh, but not quite as eyebrow-raising if they “accidentally” eat some of that abstract dinosaur sculpture. You can even get pizza dough to go!
Insider Tip: Make-Your-Own options at this chain include table side pizza kits and DIY sundaes for kids.
Various locations in Virginia, Maryland and at Union Station in DC.
Online: unos.com
Related: 32 Lunch Ideas They Will Actually Eat
Pizzeria Orso
The same folks behind upscale 2941 operate this casual, Neapolitan-style pizzeria that features wood-fired pies alongside Mediterranean comfort foods like oven-roasted olives and lamb skewers. Inside, kids can ooh and aah as they watch their pizza being fired. There is also an outdoor patio.
400 South Maple Ave.
Falls Church, VA
Online: pizzeriaorso.com
Pete’s New Haven Style Pizza
Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza in Friendship Heights knows how to feed a family. These oversized pizzas are a whopping 18-inches and serve up 12 slices (enough to feed your little army!). Don’t forget to ask for the namesake New Haven white pizza with fresh clams, garlic and EVOO.
4940 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Friedship Heights
Online: petesapizza.com
&Pizza
Get your hunger pangs in check at this conveyor-belt pizza parlor, with locations across the city. The personal-size craft pizzas are made with fresh local ingredients. A popular choice is the Farmer’s Daughter, which combines a spicy tomato sauce, spinach, fennel sausage, fresh mozzarella, Parmigiano-Reggiano… all topped with red pepper chili oil and a cracked egg. Pickier palates can mix and match crust (there’s even a gluten free option), sauce, cheese and toppings.
1400 K St. NW
Downtown
1118 H St. NE
H St. Cooridor
1005 E St. NW
Downtown
Various additional locations in MD & VA
Online: &pizza.com
Related: ‘Za Best: 15 Pizza Recipes for Family Meals
Wiseguys Pizza
Get ready to dish up supersized slices when you purchase a pie from Wiseguys. There is only one size here, and it’s a whopping 18′. You can build your own pizza or choose from unique offerings like Korean chicken or paneer tikka.
300 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Chinatown
2121 H St. NW
Foggy Bottom
1735 North Lynn St.
Rosslyn, VA
710 12th St. South
Arlington, VA
202 M St. SE
Canal Park
Online: wiseguypizza.com
Emmy Squared Pizza
For those that love thick-crust pizza, head to this establishment in Shaw that serves Detroit-style in square-shapes (fun!). You’ll also find their famous burger, Le Big Matt., topping fresh pretzel rolls. Know someone who needs a square pizza in their life? Emmy Squared ships, too.
1924 8th St. NW
Shaw
Online: emmysquaredpizza.com
Stellina Pizzeria
Does it get better than a Michelin-rated pizza? Probably not. Inspired by Italian food carts and corner markets, Stellina restaurants feature a bottega in each store so you can buy their ingredients to make your own pizzas at home, too. If you’re dining at the restaurant, be sure to bring your pup; this place welcomes your entire family, fur babies included.
508 K St. NW
Mt. Vernon
2800 S. Randolph St.
Arlington, VA
399 Morse St. NE
Brentwood/Union Market
Online: stellinapizzeria.com
