The Best Pizza in Central Oregon
In Central Oregon, pizza might be said to be a melting pot. Bend may not be known for any particular style of pizza, but locals and transplants have brought a variety of techniques from their travels across the U.S. and beyond. Do you prefer your pizza ‘party cut’ (round pizza cut into squares) or served in an ‘isosceles’ (the perfect slice from a perfectly round pizza)? Maybe you seek a slice with the ideal ‘cheese pull’ (the tantalizing stretch of cheese when pulling two slices apart), or a piece that won’t ‘avalanche’ (when all of the toppings fall off as you pick up the slice). After scouring peaks and buttes, we think we’ve found some seriously noteworthy pies.
BEND PIZZA:
Abe Capana’s Detroit Pan Pizza + Italian | Bend
Abe Cappana’s serves up delicious Detroit-style pizza, proudly upholding a 70-year-old tradition of pie perfection in Central Oregon. Parked at Crosscut Warming Hut in Bend’s Old Mill District, this food cart crafts masterful pies with homemade red sauce and dough. The Max, a crowd favorite, boasts a flavorful medley of pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, roasted bell peppers, onions and black olives—all harmonizing with their signature red sauce. Another star on the menu is the Something About Olivia pie, featuring prosciutto, pear, mozzarella, arugula, lemon, balsamic and crumbled gorgonzola over a luscious white sauce. Click here for more information.
Bruno’s 6th Street Market | Bend
Bruno’s is not just a pizza stop, it’s a community market that caters to a wide-range of community cravings. Beyond pizzas, this neighborhood gem offers beer, wine, snacks, candies, calzones, sandwiches, salads and breakfast items—a one-stop-shop for quality and convenience. The pizza is a standout, though and here are some recommendations: The Meatza Pizza is a hearty delight, laden with ham, sausage, pepperoni, salami and roasted garlic; The Taco Pizza features refried beans, taco meat, red onions, pickled jalapenos and cheese, crowned with lettuce, tomatoes and crumbled tortilla chips for those wanting a south of the border adventure. Click here for more information.
Cibellis | Various Locations in Central Oregon
Cibellis brings the taste of a New York slice to the heart of Oregon, thanks to the vision of NYC native Frank Cibelli. With more than two decades of dough-spinning expertise, Cibellis has become synonymous with exceptional customer service and the finest, freshest ingredients. The simple menu pays homage to classic pizza, offering everything from plain cheese and pepperoni to Hawaiian and combos. Pizza lovers can craft their own pizzas, customizing bases, cheeses, meats and veggie options. With six locations around Central Oregon, Cibellis taste of the Big Apple right in the heart of Central Oregon. Click here for more information.
God of Pizza! | Bend
God of Pizza might seem like an impossible name to live up to, but the reviews are in and it seems as though this Bend food truck serves heaven-sent pies. Located off Century Drive at Powderhouse, this spot crafts thin-crust pizza topped with flavorful and fresh ingredients. Pies to tempt your palate include Apollo’s Sunburst with yellow heirloom tomato sauce, a house cheese blend, sun-dried tomatoes, prosciutto, basil oil and aged pecorino cheese. Another tempting option is Garuda’s Flight, which has a base of house red sauce and cheese topped with duck sausage, caramelized onion, sheep’s milk cheese, basil oil and aged pecorino cheese. Click here for more information.
Jackson’s Corner | Bend
What started as a weekly special—the Honey Pie— has become a permanent fixture on its menu. Jackson’s Corner uses locally sourced ingredients and naturally leavened dough for their pizza. For over 24 hours or more, the sourdough is left to rise using a generation starter created more than five years ago, allowing the dough to rise without commercial yeast additives and accounting for its remarkable flavor. This sweet-meets-savory pie is made using Home Farm Foods pork sausage, mascarpone cheese, sliced jalapeños, wildflower honey from Bend and house-made marinara. The omission of mozzarella for creamy mascarpone allows the house-seasoned sausage to bring a briny, salty element. The sweetness from local honey, drizzled over each slice, harmoniously balances out the heat from fresh jalapeños. Click here for more information.
Old Towne Pizza Company | Bend
Remember those hometown pizzerias with red and white checkered tablecloths, neon signs, a fresh salad bar and a jukebox? They were for go-to Friday nights and when Mom didn’t want to cook. For twenty years, Olde Towne Pizza Company has been serving family favorites at their Greenwood location. The Stromboli is arguably the best pie on their menu, loaded with classic pepperoni, thinly sliced white onion, green bell peppers and Italian sausage.
A robust crust, made with hand-thrown dough, holds up the weight of each slice, packed with traditional marinara and hot, gooey cheese. Terry Parker, owner, operator and full-time pizza maker, believes in consistent quality and service for his dedicated customer base. Crust lovers, choose from Original, Chicago, New York (thin), or New York City (extra thin) when ordering your pie. Click here for more information.
Pacific Pizza and Brew | Bend
Driving down the mountain after a day of adventure? Pacific Pizza and Brew is the ideal spot to fill up with pizza. Serving up ‘za since 2013, the vibrant and family-friendly ambiance also makes it a perfect place for weekend lunches or relaxed weeknight dinners. And the pizza doesn’t disappoint. The Greek Sausage Pizza, a flavor-packed creation featuring marinara sauce, mozzarella, sausage, mushrooms, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts and feta cheese, is sure to hit the spot. Or, for something a little more elevated, try the Bacon & Fig Pizza with a garlic olive oil base, mozzarella, bacon, figs and roasted red onions, topped with arugula and a balsamic vinegar reduction. Click here for more information.
Pizza Mondo | Bend
An iconic Central Oregon eatery, Pizza Mondo has been a downtown fixture for more than 25 years, welcoming guests with slices and whole pies to calzones, salads, breadsticks and garlic knots. For a rewarding post-adventure treat, indulge in the “After Mountain Special,” which is a carb-laden take on the idea of happy hour–get two slices with bottomless soda for $8, or swap in a pint for an additional $2. Click here for more information.
Raganelli’s Pizza | Bend
Named after the founder’s grandfather, Raganelli’s Pizza has been a family affair since 2011. Committed to fresh, local ingredients, and with the owner’s kids often lending a hand in the kitchen, Raganelli makes its signature dough from scratch daily and crafts pizzas and Italian sub sandwiches that hit the mark on quality and flavor. Try Vito’s Supreme, built on a bed of red sauce, layered with pepperoni, Italian sausage and veggies, or opt for the Mediterranean Veggie, a savory blend of fresh spinach, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts and feta cheese. Click here for more information.
SISTERS + TUMALO PIZZA:
Boone Dog | Sisters
For the mother of all prestigiously decorated pizza pies, head north to Sisters. Boone Dog Pizza, a food cart on Hood Avenue, has created the Quattro Formaggi, a garlic-and-cream-based pizza loaded up with every kind of specialty cheese you could imagine. Cascadia Creamery’s finest are showcased, including their Sleeping Beauty, Glacier Blue, the milder Sawtooth or a Bellweather Farms ricotta. Apprehensive about the distinctive blue cheese aroma? Fret not. Cascadia Creamery describes its Glacier Blue as the “gateway blue.” Buttery Sleeping Beauty is a fantastic complement to its cream-based sauce, while the ricotta offers a balance to toppings of sliced red onions, Castel Vetrano olives and fresh thyme. Balsamic reduction drizzle completes the acidity slice of the pie, curating umami with each savory bite. Flock to their cart early in the day, as they tend to sell out before 6 p.m. Click here for more information.
Pisano’s | Tumalo
When you want a pizza that can pass for a salad, go for the Proscuitto e Pomodorini. This pie starts out as a classico wood-fired pizza; the hand-tossed dough is covered in crushed San Marzano tomatoes and topped with fresh mozzarella slices. After this beauty is pulled from the oven, it’s loaded with prosciutto slices, heaps of arugula, cherry tomatoes and hearty shavings of parmesan cheese. We’re fairly certain this counts as your serving of greens for the day. Pisano’s, located in the heart of Tumalo, is stacked full of cut lumber for fueling their stone oven. Aside from a multitude of fifteen-inch blanco and rosso pies, the roadside pizzeria offers Italian favorites such as Zeppoli (fried pizza dough tossed in cinnamon and sugar), “insanely good” cheesecake, as well as clever beer and wine idioms scribbled in chalkboard pen. Click here for more information.
REDMOND PIZZA:
Grace & Hammer | Redmond
The pizzaioli (AKA pizza makers) of Grace & Hammer (read our restaurant review of Grace & Hammer here) elevate the white pizza sauce game with their bechamel-based pie, Propriety. French butter sauce delivers a slightly more sophisticated spin on the classic Alfredo sauce and is most often used for blanco pies. Propriety starts with a housemade bechamel, topped with fresh mozzarella and goat’s milk feta cheese. Chefs Pio Valensin and Adam Valentine chose button mushrooms to grace this pie atop the cheese and sourdough crust. After the pie emerges from their monstrous steel oven, it’s dressed with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. For a pop of color and peppery bite, it’s finished with a handful of fresh arugula. For a match made in non-denominational heaven, pair this pie with signature cocktail Three Finger Jack—Maker’s Mark whiskey, local smoked honey, orange bitters and Oregon cherry. Click here for more information.
SUNRIVER PIZZA:
The Fold Craft Pizza + Kitchen | Sunriver
The Fold is a must-stop for anyone on the hunt for a good slice in a bright atmosphere. While the pizza is the star of the show, the diverse menu offers something for everyone. Find salads, sandwiches, appetizers and a full bar alongside signature pizzas. But if you are craving a cheesy slice of pizza pie, check out the Bee Sting with house tomato sauce, homemade sausage, mama’s lil’ peppers, onion, provolone, parmesan, and spicy honey. Alternatively, try the Sweet Cheesus, featuring house tomato sauce, burrata, basil, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and parmesan. Click here for more information.
To see more options for pizza in Central Oregon, check the full Bend Magazine dining guide.
