01
Best for a night out
Oddfellows
Downtown Portsmouth Riverfront • Lively Bowling-Alley Pizzeria • Best For Groups And Nights Out
Creative specialty pizzas, drinks, and bowling lanes under one roof make Oddfellows an easy crowd-pleaser.[1]
Oddfellows sits on 2nd Street in downtown Portsmouth, pairing a modern bowling alley with a full pizza-focused menu.[1] It’s the spot locals pick when they want a place that works for mixed groups—some people bowl, some linger over pizza and apps, and nobody feels rushed. Go when you want atmosphere as much as you want a good pie.
02
Classic local chain pick
Giovanni's Pizza (11th Street)
East Portsmouth Near Us-52 • Casual Italian-American Pizza Restaurant • Classic Local Favorite
A long-running Giovanni’s outpost known for thick-crust pies, pasta, and a popular lunch buffet.[3]
This Giovanni’s on 11th Street is the dependable choice when you want familiar, hearty pizza with plenty of cheese and a slightly thicker crust.[3] Regulars like the buffet hours for an easy lunch, especially if everyone at the table wants something a little different. It feels like a straightforward, no-frills Ohio pizza joint in the best way.
03
Best for families
Mr Gatti's Pizza
North Portsmouth Shopping Area • Family-Friendly Pizza Buffet • Best For Families With Kids
All-you-can-eat pizza, salad bar, and arcade-style fun make Mr Gatti’s a go-to for family outings.[4]
Mr Gatti’s in Portsmouth leans into the classic buffet model, with plenty of kid-friendly pies and a steady flow of fresh pans coming from the kitchen.[4] It’s the kind of place where parents can relax a bit while kids bounce between the pizza line and the game area. Expect a casual, slightly noisy room that works best for groups rather than quiet date nights.
04
Best pan pizza
Fred's Pizza Express
Central Portsmouth Neighborhood • Carryout-Focused Pan-Pizza Shop • Best For Pan-Pizza Lovers
Local institution known for thick, pan-style pies piled high with toppings and baked golden at the edges.[5]
Fred’s Pizza Express has been serving Portsmouth and southern Ohio since the early 1970s, building a reputation on deep-dish, pan-style pizza.[5] The pies are dense and satisfying, with that crisp-edged, soft-centered crust that pan fans look for. It’s primarily a takeout and delivery play, so think of Fred’s when you want to grab a couple of heavy boxes and head back to McDermott.
05
Best fast-casual stop
Rapid Fired Pizza
Portsmouth Retail Corridor • Fast-Casual Build-Your-Own Pizza Spot • Quick Custom Lunch Or Dinner
Chipotle-style pizza line where you pick your toppings and watch your pie bake in just a few minutes.[4]
Rapid Fired Pizza in Portsmouth is built for speed and customization, ideal when everyone in the car wants something different on their pie.[4] You move down the line picking sauces, cheeses, and toppings, then the pizza hits a high-heat oven and comes out in roughly the time it takes to fill your drink. It’s a smart choice for a quick stop on shopping days or before a movie, without defaulting to another national chain.