It’s the type of city that warrants several menu-centric iterations of “top restaurant” posts—because there are just far too many to cover in one general article.
So, in that spirit, I’ve rounded up a list of the best pizza places in the area, keeping in mind that folks tend to be very…opinionated about the type of pie they think should take top spot (think thin crust vs thick, sweet sauce vs savory, etc.).
Two facts stood out whilst I gathered information about the vast and varied pizza scene in Portland, Maine: There are lots of options for delicious pizza, and a lot of them end in “o.” Buon appetito!
Map Of Portland Pizza Restaurants
The map below shows the locations of every restaurant mentioned in this post:
Otto
At first, I didn’t want to start this post with a chain restaurant…but Otto isn’t your typical chain.
Dubbed “one of the best pizzas in America” by The Travel Channel and The Boston A-List Awards, Otto first opened in 2009 on Congress Street in Portland and has since expanded to Massachusetts.
Their menu is far from traditional (their most popular pie, “The Masher,” includes mashed potato, scallions, and bacon), although if you want a basic cheese pizza, you can get that, too.
Check their website for the location nearest you…and prepare to have all other brands of pizza ruined for you (as one Yelper put it).
Location: Five Portland locations
Website: Otto
Pizzarino
This wood-fired, brick oven pizza is really something special. It could have to do with the fact that their handmade crust is crafted with whole-grain Italian flour. Or maybe it’s the fresh Italian mozzarella and other toppings imported from the mother country.
It could be that the pizza is cooked using only 100% sustainable Italian beech wood. But really, what it comes down to is that this pizza is out of this world.
The flavors each stand out—nothing overpowers anything else, and the freshness of every ingredient makes enjoying one of these pies a true culinary experience, whether you dine in or take it home, and no matter which pizza you choose from their menu.
Location: 505 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Pizzarino
Bonobo
When you walk into this tidy, casual nook on the corner of Brackett and Pine Streets, you can’t help but notice its cozy, welcoming feel; lights strung from the ceiling give the space a warm glow, and smiling faces surround you.
The menu options range from classic (Margherita, Cheese, or Pepperoni) to creative (like the Hot Honey Pie, a daring combo of red sauce, mozzarella, capicola, pickled red onions, Calabrian chilies, and local honey), with two vegan pies as well.
Bonobo also has a full bar, and their craft cocktails are available to go (as doubles). Cheers!
Location: 46 Pine St, Portland, ME 04102
Website: Bonobo
Tipo
This urban kitchen has it all: a cool vibe, great location, spectacular nosh, and catchy name. Their open kitchen allows you to watch your fresh-made crust being tossed expertly into submission before being slathered with your toppings of choice (while all the pies on their menu are amazing, may I suggest the Supreme pizza, with its spicy red sauce, sausage, prosciutto, and pickled peppers?) and then wood-fired to perfection.
Oh, and did I mention they have crust dips? You know, to dip your sad, topping-less crust smile into once you’ve eaten away all the good parts? My world is now complete.
Location: 182 Ocean Ave, Portland, ME 04103
Website: Tipo
Pizzaiolo
If you are a fan of New York (specifically, the Bronx) pizza, then make haste to Pizzaiolo.
These folks are passionate about their pies—also offered with gluten-free crust—and it’s obvious as soon as you take a bite. Most items on their menu are made in-house with only the freshest local ingredients (like their Blueberry BBQ Chicken pizza, made with—you guessed it—spicy wild Maine blueberry barbecue sauce)—and if they can’t make it from scratch, they source it from nearby.
There is limited seating, and the ambiance is…well, it’s a pizza joint. But no worries—take it home and enjoy it while wearing your stretchy pants on the couch.
Location: 865 Forest Ave, Portland, ME 04103
Website: Pizzaiolo
Leonardo’s
There really should be more businesses like Leonardo’s—folks who not only are really, really good at what they do (just try one of their pizzas and you’ll see what I mean), but they are serious about always giving back to the communities that support them.
Consistently donating a portion of their earnings to a rotating list of non-profits on certain menu items is only one of the ways Leonardo’s sustains their neighbors, and their local followings are fiercely loyal (they also have two locations in Burlington, VT).
Just take a peek at their list of specialty pizzas for an idea of how well these folks blend culinary creativity with pizza prowess (case in point: their Bacon Cheeseburger Paradise pie, with honey BBQ sauce, cheddar/mozzarella, red onion, extra ground beef, bacon, and gorgonzola).
Location: 415 Forest Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Leonardo’s
Slab Sicilian Street Food
Whether you order an original, Sicilian-style or a thin crust pizza, every pie at Slab is a taste sensation. The Sicilian menu options feature five different choices—including the zesty Spicy Meat pie with red pepper sauce, pepperoni, pepperoncini, mozzarella, provolone, and blue cheese dip (can you hear my stomach growling?), and the thin crust menu has 10 choices, like the Pickle and Bacon (try it—you’ll like it!).
They also have a full bar, including signature cocktails and extensive local and craft beer offerings.
Location: 25 Preble St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Slab Sicilian Street Food
Lazzari
The vibrant, welcoming atmosphere at Lazzari would be enough to draw in customers—but the
menu is what brings them back, again and again.
While their pizzas are nothing too extravagant or involved, it’s the simplicity of the recipes and the confluence of fresh flavors that really make these pies shine (although I must say, the addition of chili honey to their Spicy Sausage and Broccolini pizza was a happy surprise). And with all the extra toppings to choose from, you can create a pizza that is as wild and crazy as you want (or not).
Location: 618 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Lazzari
Portland Pie Company
Another establishment with multiple locations (8), this local fixture also has a faithful following of their build-your-own-style menu. Choose one of four dough options (basil, beer, garlic, or wheat—each as good as the others), then a pie size (10”, 10” gluten-free, 14” thin crust, or 16”)—and then it’s on to the real goods.
The pizza flavor options at Portland Pie are creative, plentiful, and include many Maine-ish names like the Cape Neddick, Old Orchard, Crescent Beach, Monhegan, and my favorite, the Bradbury Mountain: Olive oil and garlic sauce, three cheese blend, Portobello/cremini/button mushrooms, arugula, goat cheese, and balsamic reduction.
Location: 51 York St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Portland Pie Company
Coals
This cool eatery with the hot name has two other locations (in Westchester County, New York), and Executive Chef Billy Etzel uses the Portland location as an urban experimental laboratory for his grilled pie creations.
Alongside traditional recipes like the Margherita, customers can find delights like the hugely popular Bee Cool (three cheeses, tomato, basil, pepperoni, and hot honey) and the Preble Rebel (asiago, mozzarella, tomato, cremini mushrooms, and rosemary) on the menu.
And for dessert, Coals also has a Nutella pizza (and hey, who says it has to be for dessert, right?).
Location: 118 Preble St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Coals
Old Port Slice Bar and Ice Bar
The brick oven pies on offer at Old Port Slice Bar come in a host of mouthwatering options, and are all available by the slice, as well…although, much like potato chips, I’ve never been able to eat just one. Just get the whole pie, and then look forward to pizza for breakfast, I say!
With jazzed-up options like the Lobster Mac & Cheese or the Thai Chili pie, this is the type of place you’ll be hard-pressed to pick just one pizza. And for a little post-meal tipple, head on up to the hip new ice bar upstairs.
Location: 420 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Old Port Slice Bar and Ice Bar
And because I ran out of space about 250 words ago, here are a few more-than-honorable mentions I couldn’t fit in the article. Pat’s Pizza offers a delicious and affordable menu at their family-friendly establishment on Market Street, and the Pizza Joint, at 448 Forest Avenue,
has been making their simple, affordable, delicious pizzas from scratch with fresh ingredients since 1977.
And the Flatbread Company consistently satisfies—no matter which location you visit—with their sensational wood-fired flatbreads made with all organic ingredients.
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