Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Ken's Artisan Pizza

    4.5 (84 reviews)
    Open 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Ken's Artisan Pizza Photos

    Business Info

    KEN'S ARTISAN PIZZA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Touristy
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Ken's Artisan Pizza

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Cocktail Menu
    Mary R.

    The crust was delicious! So, if that's what you're after read no more. The restaurant was busy to the point of being almost hectic. The don't take reservations but will text you or you can wait on the "patio," more like the sidewalk with chairs on either side, and get a drink. My salad was pretty but needed a better dressing. The pizzas take time so fortunately the cocktails are good. The pizzas when they arrived were most notable for the delicious crusts but the toppings were good too. It was a good visit but we will probably go somewhere less hectic in the future.

    Meatballs
    Emily F.

    Stopped in for dinner and was a little wait but not bad. Service was great and loved the open kitchen. Pizza was pretty good. Fresh ingredients and good flavor. We also got the meatballs as an appetizer and was delicious. I also tried a bit of the pistachio and mortadella pizza. Loved the uniqueness of that one and the meatballs were my fav. I wanted to like the sausage pizza more but overall a great place.

    Sausage and onion with Calabrian chilies
    Richard B.

    The pizza is as good as advertised. Fennel sausage and onion with Calabrian chilies pictured. Caesar salad was large and tasty. Cute interior space. Great experience!

    Sohil M.

    Bend finally has great pizza! We decided to check out Ken's in Bend since we love the Portland location. We arrived at 5:30 p.m. on a Friday and had to wait an hour and a half--but it was totally worth it. In Portland, we usually go early (around 4:30) to beat the crowd. I loved the high ceilings at the Bend location; it felt more spacious and less congested than the Portland spot. The pizza was top quality, as always, and the wine selection was excellent. One suggestion for the owners: it would be really helpful if the menu clearly labeled vegetarian pizzas and offered vegan options. This is Oregon, and there's a strong demand for plant-based dining here.

    Caesar salad
    James T.

    Best to come 30 minutes before they open so you can catch the first seating because you'll be waiting an hour for the 2nd. Had beet squash salad, Caesar, meatballs, pistachio pizza, spicy sausage, and Barata. They gave our calamari to another table so we just cancelled it when it never came.

    Pepperoni. Delicious!!
    Tammy N.

    Oh my goodness! You want proper ARTISAN pizza, then this place is legit!!!!! The place was packed but managed to snag a spot at the bar. Staff were super friendly. Bar tender recommended a fabulous wine which went fabulously with our pizzas. Delicious is an understatement! They were probably the best pizzas I've had..... and I've travelled the world and eaten a lot of pizza Also, not usually a left over pizza fan the next day, but it reheated great and hit the spot.... Again!

    new york with pepperoni
    Kyle C.

    We hit up Ken's on a Friday night and it did not disappoint. The wait was about an hour to an hour and a half (totally normal for a Friday), but honestly worth every minute. The lady running the waitlist was super nice and made the whole process easy. We ordered the New York pizza with pepperoni and it was amazing. The crust was perfectly chewy with a little crisp, the sauce had great flavor, and the pepperoni added just the right kick. We also got the Caesar salad, and wow... it was incredible. Fresh, perfectly dressed, and seriously one of the best Caesars we've had in a long time.

    Prosciutto pizza
    Amber A.

    Great spot in downtown Bend. They don't take reservations but have a great text system when you arrive. Typically there is a wait so we tend to get on the waitlist and walk around downtown. It's a good date night spot, and also family friendly but it is pretty loud. They have a massive pizza oven, which is where everything is cooked, even the apps. Highly recommend the carrots and feta, and the pizza's are of course all great but definitely get one with red sauce (like the prosciutto one).

    Cheers
    Alison M.

    I first went to Ken's Artisan Pizza in Bend shortly after they opened. We ordered four pizzas to share -- the mushroom was my favorite -- plus a Caesar salad. The space has tall ceilings and an open kitchen that adds to the energy, and service was friendly even on a busy night. Ken's started in Portland and has a big following, so it's fun to see them here in Bend. The wood-fired crust and quality toppings definitely live up to the hype. When I lived in Portland I went a few times but that was a long time ago. Now that peak tourist season has slowed down, I need to go back and try more. It's a great addition to the Bend restaurant scene.

    Margherita - Classic and one of our favorites
    Josh G.

    We arrived at our reservation time and were seated immediately. The place is pretty cool. It was packed on a Monday night! Service was great, with pleasant staff and food arriving quickly. Our party of 4 ordered 1 Caesar salad and 3 pizzas. In retrospect, we would have been better off ordering 2 salads and 2 pizzas. We actually brought an entire pizza home. Now for the food... Fennel Sausage & Onions: We opted to include Calabrian chiles. The flavor was really good, and the toppings were plentiful. The only surprise here was the lack of heat from the chiles. The only complaint was that the pizza felt a little wet/heavy Brooklyn: Capicola, pickled jalapenos, and hot honey. Speaking of heat, this pizza brings it! This pizza was way hotter than the sausage pizza. Again, really good flavor and you can see in the pics, toppings plentiful again Margherita: The classic. Surprisingly, this was prob our favorite pizza of the night. All the pizzas were cooked really well and had great chew on the crust. I can't wait to go back and try some of the other pizzas (along with another Margherita!)

    New Yorker and Basil Prosciutto pizza
    Cindy G.

    We waited outside for Ken's to open. It was definitely worth the wait. Service was amazing. Our server was very friendly and attentive. The Caesar salad was delicious. We ordered the New Yorker, wonderful. Also, the Basil Prosciutto, great! The place is comfortable.

    Side of Salt and Chili Flakes
    Jennifer Y.

    Ken's Artisan Pizza is a pizza place related to Ken's Artisan Bakery. We visited the bakery in Portland and enjoyed the pastries. While visiting Bend and hanging out in downtown, we were pleasantly surprised that there is a Ken's Artisan Pizza so we decided to go for a late dinner around 9pm on a Saturday night. Upon entering, we were greeted by the hostess. It was pretty busy when we arrived and we waited about 20 minutes to be seated. There are high ceilings and a lot of wood elements throughout. Past the tables and the bar, one can see the pizza oven and the pizzas being made. We ordered the Mortadella and Pistachio pizza to share. The pizza took quite a while to come out (more than 30 minutes). The crust to filling ratio was good and the pizza had a good amount of Mortadella on it. For me, the crust had too much leoparding as there were some charred parts on the bottom too. The overall taste of the pizza was okay. The pistachio pesto tasted like a typical pesto, but the pickled shallots were tasty and added a pop of flavor to the pizza. We were also given a side of chili flakes and salt to use. Overall, giving Ken's Artisan Pizza a 3.5/5. The space and ambiance are cool. Staff are nice, but service was a bit slow. The pizza was okay, but pricey (we paid $30). Not sure if we would come back but we're glad that we got the opportunity to try it.

    Michele R.

    Ending the 2025 review year with the most memorable dining experience of the year for my husband and me. Yes, a pizzeria. BACKSTORY FOR WHY A PIZZA PLACE IS WORTH A 45 WAIT IN LINE OR HOUR PLUS WAIT FOR TABLE: The irony was not lost on us, as we waited in line for 45 minutes before the doors opened, that when Ken's Artisan Pizza mothership opened in Portland in 2006 we lived in Bend and yet, as many trips for multiple day visits we made to Portland in those years to eat here and there, we never could get into Ken's pizza there because of lines and long waits and well...we didn't. (Up to our Bend Ken's visit, I had waited in line for a table at only two places: Toro Bravo in Portland and Ciccio in Yountville.) The irony was that we left Bend in 2014 and here we were, after a 6 hour drive on a pilgrimage visit from our home in Boise to wait in line at Ken's to be sure we got two of the 117 seating capacity spots when the doors opened because if you're not seated in that first wave, you will wait an hour'ish (plus maybe) for a seat. The trio of local people standing behind us mentioned that they had lived in Bend for more than thirty years and they had never seen this kind of line to get into a restaurant, and in particular a pizza place. One of them said, "It will be good in a couple of months to come again when there are no lines." And we said, "There will ALWAYS be lines at Ken's Artisan Pizza." They didn't know of Ken's Artisan Pizza's history and showing up on "best of" lists in the US and Internationally so we filled them in. Pizza pilgrims will come here. A HOORAY: They do not take reservations (in Portland or Bend) and at the time we visited, they also didn't have take out. But the Bend location has recently adopted the Portland store's policy that take out orders can be place IN PERSON at the restaurant. SERVICE: When the founder and master baker and pizza maker Ken Forkish retired from Portland to Hawaii a few years ago, he turned Ken's Artisan Pizza and Artisan Bakery over to long time employees who he knew would carry on the traditions of excellent food and service not only as offered at Ken's Artisan Pizza but also Ken's Artisan Bakery and in its' time the terrific Trifecta Tavern eatery he launched. A customer at Ken's feels well tended by service professionals and never rushed. We left a 30% tip. FOOD: Is it worth it? You betcha. There is a reason why Ken's Artisan Pizza has gathered national and international acclaim. We stuck with glasses of wine, they have a good list but they also have a full bar, and a shared pizza, although we knew they had excellent salads and apps, including their popular meatballs, too. It was a smart decision for us because we could barely finish the pizza. (Pizzas are 12" and range in price from $19 to $27. Our choice of Italian sausage with fennel and Calabrian chili was $26.) We also took a chance on a shared dessert, having had great ones at Ken's bakery and his Trifecta Tavern, but the S'More's style panna cotta struck out here. AMBIANCE: This used to be Seven nightclub space that was dark, funky and even a little creepy, but the Ken's team has transformed it to something perfectly classy-rustic meets industrial with wood floors, plaster (I think) over brick walls, exposed ductwork and open kitchen at back. So well done. But it is LOUD when full and I imagine it is full all the time. CONSIDER WEATHER FOR WAITS: Bend winters can at times be very cold with lots of snow and that is good to keep in mind if you're going to wait in line in winter months. (Those winters and the over abundance of tourists is what had us move from Bend after almost twenty years and not necessarily in that order.) Plan accordingly. PARKING: Downtown Bend parking is awful and made more so by the not so brilliant idea to turn several of the rare on street parking spots in into seating for various restaurants during covid. Those "parklets remain". Alas. There is a parking garage a couple of blocks from here but heads up for those who don't know the town, there have been safety issues there. ACCESSIBILITY: There are a couple of on street ADA spots on this block but reality is they are often taken during eating out hours. Ken's is level in from the sidewalk, all on one floor and there were some tables with space for a wheelchair user of which I was one on the night we visited.

    Prosciutto Pizza

    See all

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of May H.
    0
    12
    7

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Mediocre pizza, under cooked. Amazed at the ratings because Bend Mondo pizza is so much better. Great atmosphere.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 3 of 3

    Ask the Community - Ken's Artisan Pizza

    What's the best time for a party of 5 to get there without a long wait ? Thanks, Tom

    Around 5:15. Or if you prefer to go later 7:15.

    Do they take reservations?

    no first come first served👍

    The website kensartisan.com says Bend location is closed, is that true?

    Yes, it is temporarily closed due to a fire sprinkler manfunction on 7/17/25. Re-opening date TBD. See Central Oregon news article I'll link here. I hope you can enjoy a visit here eventually. It is such good pizza. Be prepared to wait for a… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Jackson's Corner - Tomato soup and grilled cheese

    Jackson's Corner

    4.2(798 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    Wow! This place is very good! Everything on the menu is fresh, breads, pastries and desserts are…read moreall made from scratch in house! The pizzas are to die for! I was in town for 4 days and ate there 3 times, breakfast, lunch and dinner!! It's a must period. One thing that was very inconvenient. You have to order at the counter and there's only one person. For breakfast the line was out the door with a 45 min wait just to order, and most of all the tables were empty. In other words, it makes no sense to have one register with all the tables they have. People are obviously eating fast then ordering your food. It's like have 1 waitress to take orders. They must either have waitresses or multiple registers to order. One order at a time and mist of them are large groups which makes it even harder to order. Everyone is adding food to there orders at the counter because that's when you see all the amazing backed goods, but it is way to time consuming. They can triple their sales easily!! That must change!!

    Great spot for families with a good selection of healthier food options, including sourdough pizza…read more You order at the front and then grab a table while you wait. The drinks were good, and they also have a happy hour, which is always a plus! Overall, a casual spot with good food and a family-friendly atmosphere.

    Photos
    Jackson's Corner - Beer options

    Beer options

    Jackson's Corner - Seasonal Turkish Eggs, Seasonal donut holes, gluten free bread, side of bacon and drip coffee.

    Seasonal Turkish Eggs, Seasonal donut holes, gluten free bread, side of bacon and drip coffee.

    Jackson's Corner - Family table

    See all

    Family table

    Laughing Planet

    Laughing Planet

    4.0(211 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    We stopped by laughing planet twice on our trip to Bend, Oregon. The first shortly after we arrived…read moresince we were really hungry, and the second during lunch on our final day. Both times, my wife and I were glad we went. I forget what my wife had, but I had the comfort bowl my first day and it was delicious. Everything tasted fresh. Good portion sizes. Friendly staff. And a vibe that said the place really cares about somewhat healthy foods, and common allergens. The second day I had the Thai bowl and it was equally delicious. I ended up taking some leftovers with me since I knew I was going to want to enjoy some of it for lunch the next day. The staff was absolutely wonderful. I never really like going to new restaurants and trying to figure everything out, but the staff was easy-going, and walked us through their process, the menu, and genuinely seemed like they are treated well. If we are back in Bend, Oregon, and then near future, we are definitely going to come back.

    Reasonably priced, good vegan and gluten free options, friendly staff, and service was efficient. I…read moregot a vegan burrito on a gluten free tortilla, and I thought it was great! The tortilla was so good and big that I was worried it wasn't actually gluten free. Good portion of avocado included too. We took to go but there was a lot of indoor seating that was well lit. Not particularly a cool place to hang out but not bad by any means. I think there was a lot of parking if I'm remembering.

    Photos
    Laughing Planet - Tiny $15 burrito

    Tiny $15 burrito

    Laughing Planet
    Laughing Planet

    See all

    Wich Doctor Sandwich

    Wich Doctor Sandwich

    4.9(38 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    When I find something I like ( especially food) I want to share my thoughts with my friends and…read morefellow Yelpers. 4 days ago I came to the Wich Doctor for one of my favorite sandwiches I have ever eaten. The Peach Pit. I knew my wife and friends were going out to dinner in a few days . I made sure we were going to eat at the WIch Doctor. My wife and friend Cheri are both vegetarian. They both tried the TLC. Farm tomatoes and mixed greens, house mayo, smoked crunchy salt, tillamook smoked cheddar crusted sparrow bakery sliced sourdough. My wife and friend Cheri are vegetarian. They both could not believe that the sandwich tasted like a BLT. Brenda ( co-owner) said the combination of the smokey salt and smokey cheese make a bacon flavor. They both loved their sandwiches. MY friend Dave had the Peach Pit. He had the same feeling as when I had that sandwich the other day. OUTSTANDING. I wanted to try Cedar Street . Roasted tri-tip, irish cheddar, obsidian stout worcestershire shallot jam, house mayo, arugula, toasted one loaf bend bakery sourdough ciabatta. This upscale Cheesestake sandwich was terrific. The best tri- tip I've ever eaten. After eating I had to tell "Chef" Cody ( co-owner) he was batting 2 for 2 on my visits to " Wich Doctor". Both Brenda and Cody are great at what they have put together. Great food and friendly , informative service.

    10/10 no notes…read more Looking for a good lunch spot? This is it. Their tri-tip sandwhich is delicious. The meat is cooked perfectly and is well seasoned on a soft toasted ciabatta roll. I've tried a few different tri-tip sandwiches in bend recently and this one might be my favorite (don't come for me!). The staff are really nice too! In case you haven't been to this area, it's a food truck that is part of an outdoor pavilion area. Super fun spot to check out if you're with a group. I'll be back!

    Photos
    Wich Doctor Sandwich
    Wich Doctor Sandwich
    Wich Doctor Sandwich

    See all

    Crux Fermentation Project - Bar scene

    Crux Fermentation Project

    4.3(990 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    It's been awhile since I visited here and it has really improved. The outdoor space is so much…read morenicer and the turf eliminates the dust that at times would be circling through the air from the kids running around playing. The Italian sandwich, order inside, it delicious! The smash burger outside in the food truck is great! Their mimosas are the best in town!

    After eight years, Crux is overdue for a review update. Biggest reason is that quite a few years…read moreago they expanded the place significantly, opening up the large room to the right of the bar that opens into the outdoor area. That room is equipped with restrooms, relieving one of my major complaints about a lack of facilities, as well as a second serving station complete with taps. Since then, Crux has significantly changed the outdoor area as well although I'm not certain it's an upgrade. It's a little too landscaped and way too much like a playground now. Locals have always tended to refer to Crux as 'daycare but with beer.' The last several times I've come here, the second serving station has not been in operation even though it looks to be still fully functional. Meanwhile the line to the bar serving stations is often long, sometimes almost out the door. Not sure why that is, doesn't make sense to have the capacity to more efficiently serve customers but not use it. All that said, the beer is still stellar and they continue to have a wide range of beer choices, the new(ish) large room has plentiful high-top seating (mobility challenged folks will need to venture outside), and the music is kept below ear-splitting volume. You can also sit at the bar itself although the vibe there isn't great - it's not like a neighborhood pub bar. Crux still has a kitchen. I used to order directly from them but have since transitioned to patronizing one of the several food carts outside. Being food carts, they tend to come and go so I'll not go into detail there. That said, the new Alpine Smash burger is fabulous. The other significant change in recent years has been with the location. A dispute with the property owners to the west resulted in the access road that way being closed, requiring Crux patrons to use the road coming from Second/Scott Street (or ride a bike). The west road is now open, maybe because the Jackstraw housing complex over that way is now completed and the road serves their tenants. RIP Spoken Moto.

    Photos
    Crux Fermentation Project
    Crux Fermentation Project - Main Bar area

    Main Bar area

    Crux Fermentation Project - Cider and beer

    See all

    Cider and beer

    The Hook & Plow Bend - Nashville hot fish sandwich

    The Hook & Plow Bend

    4.3(172 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    An unfortunate event lead to our trying this most excellent restaurant. A broken piece of artwork…read moreneeding restoration necessitated a trip to Bend, OR. Between the exceptionally good food at Hook and Plow, a most pleasant hotel experience, and a memorable trip to the High Desert Museum; our trip to Bend turned out to be a pleasure instead of the miserableness I expected. We had the Steak Tartare, the Chef's Board, the Blackend Crabcake, the Pear and Burrata Salad, and the Bone-in Pork Chop. We each got the cheesecake for desert and split the other dishes. This was more than enough for the three of us and we left full, happy, and with three large to-go boxes. The flavors of the various dishes were amazing. While all the dishes were vvery good, the standouts to me were the steak Tartare, the Pear and Burrata Salad, and the Cheesecake.

    Really cool place. It's got kind of an east coast yacht club meets an industrial exposed iron vibe…read more The inside is decorated nicely. A contemporary seaside look. The bar is long and open. There are big windows so you can get the rays of sun. It's light and warm. My bartender, Cody, was very warm and welcoming. He really made my visit a nice one. I got the green salad with the lemon cintronette, which was perfectly dressed. I added some grana padano cheese. It was *chef's kiss* I also got the dungeoness crab Calabrian pasta, because I love Calabrian chiles. It didn't have the deep flavor I was looking for. And the pasta really overtook the crab. The Marionberry Spritz, was great. I feel like I got all the things that you should if you're in the NW. I would definitely come back here. The folks are lovely.

    Photos
    The Hook & Plow Bend
    The Hook & Plow Bend - Flat Iron Steak: You can always find a great steak option on our menu!!!

    Flat Iron Steak: You can always find a great steak option on our menu!!!

    The Hook & Plow Bend - Crab sandwich and clam chowder

    See all

    Crab sandwich and clam chowder

    Ken's Artisan Pizza - salad - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...