Ken's Artisan Pizza, pizzeria in Portland, Oregon
Ken's Artisan Pizza is a pizzeria in Portland where Italian-style pizzas are made in a large wood-fired oven with an open kitchen. The doughs are slowly fermented to develop flavor, toppings are hand-selected and high-quality, and the fire creates a characteristic blistered crust with light charring.
The pizzeria was founded in 2006, growing from owner Ken Forkish's success with his bakery and Monday pizza nights. Since opening, the restaurant has gained recognition as one of Portland's finest and expanded to a second location in Bend in 2025.
Ken's brings Italian pizza traditions to Portland while incorporating local ingredients and American flavors. The open fire and visible craftsmanship in pizza-making create a place where people value artisanal quality and honest, simple cooking.
The restaurant has limited seating and does not accept reservations for small parties, so visitors should expect wait times, especially on weekends and evenings. Arrive early or late to beat crowds, and note that orders are taken only in person at the location.
Founder Ken Forkish started with Monday pizza nights at his bakery, which later grew into this successful restaurant. These roots in artisan baking still shape the focus on fermentation and high-quality ingredients today.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
