Dine in with water views or grab a cheesy slice after fun on the beach.
After a day of playing on the beach with the family or hiking in lush coastal forests, sometimes a hot, cheesy pizza hits the spot. The Coast has a pie for a range of tastes, too, from kid-friendly classics to premium toppings on artisan pies. Whether you’re searching for a neighborhood joint or hoping to try innovative combos while enjoying a waterfront view, here are six spots to consider.
Pizza to Go for a Beach Picnic
Blink and you may miss A&B Pizza in Seaside — located in a low-slung building on Highway 101 — but it’s worth seeking out. Highly rated in Oregon Coast pizza polls, this one-man operation has extremely limited indoor seating, so plan to call ahead and take your pie to the beach or hotel. Owner Mike Kaffer takes orders, cooks and dishes up 16-inch pizzas with chewy crusts thanks to house-made dough and classic toppings. You can build your own or select from the 13 options on the menu, including the capocollo, mushroom and onion or the vegan everything, which thrills lovers of vegetables.A Cannon Beach favorite since 1988, Pizza a’Fetta is the spot for pizza by the slice there — or in a newer location in downtown Seaside. Choose from four piping-hot slice options, take a full pizza to go or snag a seat in the dining room dressed up with red and white checkered tablecloths. There are 17 pizzas on the menu, including the Tuscany chicken with sun-dried tomatoes, Roma tomatoes and red onion, as well as a Hawaiian made with smoked ham.
Gourmet Slices for Date Night
For Neapolitan-style pizza made with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, head to Hearth & Table in Lincoln City. Sit at the countertop and watch the workings of the open kitchen and wood-fired oven or choose a cozy cafe-style table in a dining area enhanced by bright-white decor. Try out-of-the-ordinary combinations like the saltimbocca — featuring prosciutto, fresh sage and lemon — or the agrodolce with fennel sausage and onion, topped with a sweet-spicy combo of chile crisp and honey. Each pizza comes out of the oven blistered with a touch of char and is finished with Oregon’s Durant Vineyards olive oil.
Nye Beach is home to Sorella, an Italian restaurant featuring handmade pastas and pizzas. Inside find table seating in a warm dining space with wood detailing and an array of Oregon Coast art. Choose from five pizzas, including the bianca, which has a base of garlic-confit sauce, topped with various cheeses and garlic-chile honey. Prefer to get creative? Build your own by selecting from three sauces and adding toppings like roasted red pepper, Castelvetrano olives and Spanish anchovies.
Wood-Fired Pies With Water Views
In a charming setting just minutes from the beach off Highway 101 in Neskowin lies Hawk Creek Cafe. Some tables even deliver a waterfront view of Kiwanda Creek, and you can choose indoor or patio dining. Build your own wood-fired pizza or opt for combinations like the Thai chicken with a peanut-sauce base. After lunch or dinner, stop at the cafe’s seasonal ice cream truck — open daily from Memorial Day Weekend through September — to grab a scoop of Tillamook ice cream in a house-made waffle cone.
Pizza’s even better with beautiful harbor views at Zola’s on the Water in Brookings. The interior is nautical meets modern with a full bar glowing with blue lights. Enjoy the waterfront patio overlooking port docks dotted with colorful boats or live music on the outdoor stage. The menu has 27 wood-fired pizzas in multiple sizes, including personal pan mini pies. Try a macaroni-and-cheese pizza with four types of cheese or a shrimp salad with chimichurri and avocado. Pair your meal with a craft beer or a specialty cocktail.
– By Molly Allen
Top photo courtesy of Hawk Creek Cafe
in Food & Drink