Pizza is the all-American family meal, whether you’re grabbing it to go, getting it delivered, or taking the whole clan out for a night at your favorite pizzeria. Whether you like plain cheese or more exotic toppings, pizza is a meal option that keeps everyone satisfied, and a great family treat that doesn’t break the bank.
In Boston we’re lucky to have delicious pizza available on nearly every corner. In fact, we can be picky enough to want both great-tasting pizza and family-friendly service. Here are 10 of the best family-friendly pizza restaurants in the Greater Boston area. Whether you’re leaving the kids with their favorite babysitter or nanny to eat pizza while you go out on the town or planning an outing with the whole family, these spots will have you coming back for more.
The Flatbread Company
Address: 45 Day St., Somerville, MA 02144
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. | Sunday, 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Phone: 617-776-0552
The Flatbread Company has gathered a cult-like following throughout New England because of its entirely unique pizza flavors. With wood-fired pies topped with fresh vegetables, homemade sausage, and more, there is something for everyone. The Flatbread Company is an especially great choice for the health-conscious eater or people with dietary restrictions since the menu includes organic, nitrate-free, vegan, and gluten-free options.
What makes this restaurant in Somerville so special is that it took over a former Sacco’s Bowling Alley location. The new owners realized that pizza and bowling go hand in hand, so they left the lanes open. That means you can go to the Flatbread Company and enjoy an hour of family fun on the bowling lanes before sliding over to the restaurant side and eating some of the most delicious pizza in the city. If that doesn’t sound like the perfect family afternoon, we don’t know what does!
Picco
Address: 513 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02116
Hours: Sunday – Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Thursday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Phone: 617-927-0066
Is there anything that kids love more than pizza and ice cream? We don’t think so, and that’s what makes Picco a perfect destination for family dining. The South End restaurant offers delicious pizzas as well as homemade ice cream that is perfect for bribing little ones to be on their best behavior throughout dinner. Of course there’s also beer and wine to help the adults kick back and relax.
Picco can get busy, so opt to visit with kids during lunchtime or non-peak hours. If you’re craving a great pizza but don’t want to eat out, take advantage of Picco’s delivery service, available each night after 5. That way you can enjoy a delicious pizza without the fuss of wrangling little ones!
La Famiglia Giorgio’s
Address: 112 Salem St., Boston, MA 02113
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone: 617-367-6711
At La Famiglia Giorgio’s the focus is on family. In fact, the restaurant boasts that it will feel as comforting as a trip to Grandma’s house. Since grandmas always love kids, it’s fair to say that this is a family-friendly destination. In addition to large and tasty pizzas, the restaurant has a full menu with options for both kids and adults, so everyone will find something to keep them satisfied.
Dining out in the North End, with its cramped spaces that don’t allow for highchairs or strollers, can be tough for families, but La Famiglia Giorgio’s is more spacious inside than many other area restaurants, so you should have no problem navigating the space with little ones in tow.
Regina Pizzeria
Address: 11 1/2 Thacher St., Boston, MA 02113
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. | Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Phone: 617-227-0765
Regina Pizzeria has been a destination for Boston families in search of a great pizza pie since 1926. The chain now has locations around the state, but the original North End joint is still a favorite, offering delicious pizza in a no-frills environment. The low-key atmosphere means you don’t have to worry if the kids make a bit of noise or a little mess, which is a relief for any parent dining out!
The only downside to Regina Pizzeria in the North End is that there will probably be a line to get in during busy times. That’s OK, though we suggest visiting during off-peak hours to avoid the crowd. If you visit for lunch you can make a whole day out of your trip, taking the family on a walk through the North End and along the nearby waterfront after you eat.
Papa Razzi Trattoria
Address: 159 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. | Saturday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. | Sunday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone: 617-536-9200
A trip to the Back Bay with the family can be so much fun — until the little ones decide they’re hungry. With so many great dining options around, you’ll want something that tastes great but is also family-friendly. Enter Papa Razzi. The Back Bay trattoria offers pizza as well as a full Italian menu, and while the food is delicious it’s casual enough that no one will mind if the little guests make some noise.
We particularly love that the kids menu is full of items that will delight children as well as parents. There are no fried chicken fingers on this kids menu. Instead you’ll find real food like roasted chicken breast and grilled chicken salad. Of course, there are also treats that the little ones will love, including root beer, lemonade, and a kids sundae for all the well-behaved boys and girls.
Dirty Water Dough Company
Address: 222 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116
Hours: Sunday – Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Thursday, 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. | Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Phone: 617-262-0090
Kids will get a kick out of the name of this pizza joint, while adults will love the Dirty Water Dough Company’s distinctly Boston feel. Only in Beantown can you get a pizza called the Fenway Frank or the Big Papi Pizza. The little Red Sox fans in your life will enjoy the names, and appreciate them even more once they’ve bitten into these delicious pies.
Inside, the Dirty Water Dough Company is a bit small and has lots of high-top tables, so think twice about dining in if you’re traveling with a stroller or a little one who will need a highchair. However, the restaurant does both takeout and delivery, which are great options if you want to grab a pie and eat it while doing some people-watching in the Back Bay.
Armando’s Pizza
Address: 163 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. | Sunday, 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Phone: 617-354-8275
In recent years, pizza has gone upscale with gourmet toppings, wood-firing, and other fancy add-ons. Sometimes, however, you just want a good old-fashioned slice, and that’s exactly what you’ll get at Armando’s. This pizza shop serves New York-style pies, and although it pains a Bostonian to admit anything from the Big Apple is good, we’ve got to say that those Yankee fans know how to make a pizza.
Armando’s is no frills: Picture red vinyl booths that might not have been updated since you were a kid. However, the pizza (and the rest of the food) is great. If you want to take the family out you can do that here without worrying about the kids causing trouble, and Armando’s is also a great option for takeout or delivery.
Crush Pizza
Address: 107 State St., Boston, MA 02109
Hours: Monday – Thursday, noon – 9 p.m. | Friday and Saturday, noon – 10 p.m. | Sunday, noon – 8 p.m.
Phone: 857-350-4222
How many times have you taken the kids out for pizza only to hear them argue over which toppings to get? Or you order a kid-friendly pizza but end up wishing that you could try something more exotic yourself? Well, Crush has the answer to that dilemma. Here everyone creates their own personal 11-inch pizza, which is flash-fired and ready in just 90 seconds. Custom food in a rush? A parent’s dream come true!
You might be worried that pizza made in a flash will lack great taste, but we promise you that isn’t the case. Crush founder Tony Nasser is a pizza aficionado — he even went on a pizza vacation with his family — and he is on-site to make sure every Crush pizza has the delicious Naples-style taste that has made Italy famous.
Za
Locations:
-
350 Third St., Cambridge, MA 02142 | P: 617-452-9292
-
138 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA 02474 | P: 781-316-2334
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Za is perfect for those nights when you want to take the whole family out, but still need to be realistic about the limits of dining out with kids. Both locations, in Cambridge and Arlington, offer upscale but casual dining. While there may very well be businesspeople at the bar, you won’t feel out of place sliding into a booth with your children.
Of course, the pizza is simply delicious. The menu is fully dedicated to pizza (with a few salads sprinkled in to appease the health conscious), and you’ll find options ranging from mac ’n’ cheese pizza to a spicy pizza topped with homemade bread and butter jalapeno peppers. Adults will feel like they’re enjoying a dinner that they couldn’t make at home, and kids will enjoy the excitement of a night out.
Pastoral
Address: 345 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210
Hours: Daily, 11:30 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Phone: 617-345-0005
If you’re venturing around the Seaport with the family (perhaps after a trip to the Boston Children’s Museum), swing into Pastoral for lunch or dinner. This sit-down pizza restaurant boasts artisan pies and a full bar. The interior is spacious and colorful, meaning that there is enough space for strollers and plenty for kids to look at to remain entertained.
Pastoral has basic but delicious pizza recipes, ranging from margherita to veal meatball. Kids will also love the puccia, wood-fired stuffed Italian bread just brimming with goodness. For parents there is a fairly large beer and wine menu just waiting to be explored.
Where are you favorite family-friendly pizza restaurants in Boston? Tell us in the comments below.
Care.com City Guides:
Atlanta, GA | Austin, TX | Baltimore, MD | Boston, MA | Burlington, VT | Chicago, IL | Cleveland, OH | Dallas, TX | Denver, CO | Detroit, MI | Houston, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Los Angeles, CA | Miami, FL | Minneapolis, MN | New Haven, CT | New York, NY | Orlando, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Phoenix, AZ | Pittsburgh, PA | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA | San Jose, CA | Seattle, WA | Tampa, FL | Toledo, OH | Washington, DC
