Portland has been called “the greatest pizza city in America.” While much about our city has changed since COVID, the next-level pizzerias serving the community haven’t. With an overwhelming amount of choices to wade through, especially when it’s 5 o’clock on a Friday and you’ve got hungry little mouths to feed, a quick list of top family-friendly picks is useful. Read on for a list of our favorite spots throughout Portland.
Oly’s
This pizzeria has won the hearts of Portland families with its delicious thin-crust New York style pizza. Kids love: The cute cartoon dogs on the menu, the housemade chocolate chip cookies. Parents love: Local beer on tap, being able to bring the family dog along.
5425 E. Burnside
Portland, OR
Pick up only
503-384-2596
Online: olyspizza.com
The Star
This branch of the popular Bay Area franchise is family-friendly without sacrificing style and flavor. Priding themselves on sustainable food choices, the Star serves both deep-dish, Chicago-style pizza as well as thin crust pizza, salads, and sandwiches. Large semi-circle booths and communal tables in the huge dining room make for a casual vibe. Kids love: The cheesy monkey bread. Parents love: The great selection of Oregon wine and beer.
1309 NW Hoyt St
Portland, OR
Open for pickup, takeout, patio and indoor dining.
503-300-7827
Online: thestarportland.com
East Glisan Pizza Lounge
In addition to an extensive menu of pan pizzas, East Glisan Pizza Lounge also has a large vegan menu to keep things fresh, with six specialty pizzas and a variety of salads. Make your own pizza and grab an order of the garlic parm breadsticks. Yum. Kids love: Watching pizzas being made. Parents love: Seeing their kids actually eat the veggies on their pizza.
8001 NE Glisan St
taekout and some onsite dining
971-279-4273
Online: eastglisan.com
Otto’s
A little further down Foster Rd., near the Mercado, check out the newest branch of Otto's—a Neapolitan-style pizzeria with wood-fired pizza oven and a casual, welcoming environment. Order at the counter while your littles watch the pizzas going in and coming out of the large tiled oven. Kids love: The personal, kids-size pizzas! They get to pick their own toppings. Parents love: Sophisticated options for toppings, unusual salads.
7122 SE Foster Rd.
Portland, OR
971-279-5077
6708 Sandy Blvd.
Portland, OR
971-373-8348
Available for pickup, takeout and onsite dining
Online: pizzeriaotto.com
Atlas Pizza
A well-known Portland pizza establishment, with locations on N. Killingsworth and SE Division, and Foster, Atlas Pizza offers classic pies, salads, and beverages. Be on the lookout for P.I.E nights (stands for Portland Invests in Education), when 20% of profits go to a chosen public school, or the free monthly craft nights at every location. Kids love: The stuffed pizza "knots" to dip in marinara sauce. Parents love: The old-school rock vibes.
6529 SE Foster Rd.
Portland, OR
Pickup, take out and onsite dining.
503-232-3004
Online: atlaspizzapdx.com
Mississippi Pizza
Superb pizza and we're there. Order up a sausage-and-ricotta pie and pesto kale salad for the grownups to share, and a slice of plain cheese for your picky eater, then sit back and enjoy. Kids love: The dance parties. Parents love: The extensive vegan options.
3552 N. Mississippi Ave
pickup, takeout, dine onsite
503-288-3231
Online: mississippipizza.com
Red Sauce Pizza
In addition to their sourdough pizzas with unusual toppings (like chorizo sausage, pickled peppers, and black olives), this spot also serves their Sicilian-style pan pizzas, plus a variety of sourdough breads. Any pizza can be made vegan. Kids love: The upside-down pizza sign outside. Parents love: The truly warm welcome.
4641 NE Fremont St
503-288-4899
Takeout
Portland, OR
Online: redsaucepizza.com
Lovely's Fifty Fifty
Don’t let the fancy shindigs fool you: this popular, innovative pizza place offers wood-fired pizzas that are quite literally works of art. Order a pie topped with locally-sourced, seasonal delicacies (spring nettles and goat cheese anyone?) and grab a kid-size pizza margherita for the little ones. Kids love: The house-made ice cream. Parents love: Their commitment to 100% farm-fresh organic produce, and flour made from organic, Oregon-grown grains. Wow.
4039 N. Mississippi Ave.
Takeout
503-281-4060
Online: lovelysfiftyfifty.wordpress.com
Pizza Jerk
There are two locations to choose from with this funky pizza spot, recently crowned one of the 50 Best New Restaurants in the Country. Kids love: The pepperoni pizza, soft-serve, and strawberry milk. Parents love: The adult slushies, the punk rock feel.
621 SE Morrison St
971-803-7960
Delivery
5028 NE 42nd Ave
503-284-9333
Online: pizzajerkpdx.com
Stark Street Pizza Co.
If you’re feeling nostalgic for an old-fashioned pizza parlor, complete with taxidermy, faded Persian carpet, and a game always on, Stark Street Pizza is for you. This is a classic old-Portland operation that’s been slinging crispy-crust New York style pies on the East side since 1965. Order your pizza at the bar, take a pass through the salad bar, then set your kids loose on the pinball and claw-machines while your pizza bakes. A giant taxidermied bear watches on from a large glass case near the salad bar. Oh, and there’s a large selection of beer on tap. Need we say more?
9234 SE Stark St.
Portland, OR
Takeout, dine in.
503-255-2364
Online: starkstreetpizzaco.com
—Annette Benedetti
RELATED STORIES
Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Portland
The Best BBQ Joints for Kids in Portland
Best Sustainable Restaurants in Portland
