Nonno's
Pizza restaurant · Museum District
1613 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77006
Highlights
Tavern-style pizza, arcade games, and 90s nostalgia
Tavern-style pizza, arcade games, and 90s nostalgia
"This pizza joint is bound to please all ages, with thin crust, tavern-style pizza, and combinations including a Spam, pineapple, and jalapeño pizza and a meat lovers-style pie. The restaurant’s nostalgic vibe is heightened with a small arcade, ‘90s tunes played on a reel-to-reel machine (an educational moment for the littles), and vintage lamps in booth-style seating that harken back to the halcyon days of dining in at Pizza Hut." - Brianna Griff
"From the folks behind Nobie’s and Toasted Coconut, Nonno’s Family Pizza Tavern functions as part restaurant, part heal-your-inner-child paradise. The mostly pizza and somewhat Italian restaurant in Montrose exudes pure ‘90s pizza parlor nostalgia, complete with a mini-arcade and those funny little stained glass bar lamps. Nonno’s was obviously built for fun and for slangin’ pizzas, both of which are in great supply. If you could upload a mid-’90s Pizza Hut straight into 2023—maroon decor, squishy vinyl booths, and all—we reckon it would look exactly like Nonno’s: modern, whimsical, tongue firmly in cheek, and deeply unserious. Packed with adults swigging back $1 shots of Malort from glasses affixed to mini race cars, children indulging in arcade chaos, and families splitting every pizza on the menu, Nonno’s feels like a safe space for just about anyone who wants to both relax and feel a little silly. photo credit: Quit Nguyen The food and cocktails (uh, Malort spritz, anyone?) however, does take itself a bit more seriously, and makes what could be a restaurant composed purely of vibes into a delightful pizza palace. Tavern-style thin crust pizzas have ribbons of house-made giardiniera, tufts of broccoli with little piped dollops of ricotta cheese, and the ever-controversial spam and pineapple. And the mile-long cheese pull from the hand breaded mozzarella sticks makes us feel a little tingly inside. Nonno’s a great occasion for donning the silliest shirt in your closet, loosing children upon giant toys with blinky lights, and getting down on some great pizza. And since everyone here seems to be enraptured by some distant childhood memory or currently creating one, the atmosphere always feels friendly and a bit electric, making any visit feel a bit more special. photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen Food Rundown photo credit: Quit Nguyen Caesar Salad This might be a typical Caesar, crowned with a few salty anchovies, but we think the classic version of something classic usually makes the most sense. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Mozzarella Sticks These chunk hand-breaded mozzarella sticks come with smoked tomato marinara and the meltiest cheese and could be a satisfying meal all on their own. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Wise Guy Pizza This is sort of like an Italian sandwich-turned-pizza with crispy sausage and layers of tangy, fresh pepper giardiniera. Pairs great with a shot of Malort (or two). photo credit: Quit Nguyen Broccoli Pizza We imagine this is where the “family” portion of the name “family pizza tavern” sneaks in. Nonno’s is implicitly telling you to eat your vegetables with this crispy broccoli pie. We’re glad someone cares." - Chelsea Thomas
"Get a dose of nostalgia with arcade games, tavern-style pizza, and 90s pizza parlor aesthetics at Nonno’s Family Pizza Tavern. Run by the folks behind Nobie’s, Nonno’s makes some of the best pizza in town with toppings ranging from zippy giardiniera, piped dollops of ricotta, and, yes, pineapple. Plus the cheese pull from the chunky, mozzarella sticks feels deeply satisfying. Throw on a couple of shots of Malört, a few rounds of Crusin’ The World, and a thick slice of cheesecake for a casual weeknight out with friends." - chelsea thomas, gianni greene
"Nonno’s Family Pizza Tavern in Montrose knows what’s fun: pizza, classic arcade games, and shot glasses glued to little toy cars filled to the brim with $1 shots of Malört. Whether you are attempting to heal your inner child or are an actual child (see photo), Nonno’s provides cheese-drenched food in an equally (but purposefully) cheesy environment that looks a little like an interior designer’s carnival funhouse. Loosen up at Nonno’s and grab dinner with the fam, a few friends, or a second date that’s up for a round of pinball after pizza. " - chelsea thomas, gianni greene
"Between bits of crispy tavern pizza and shots of Malört, hit up the arcade at Nonno’s and challenge someone new to a couple of rounds of pinball. The pizza spot in Montrose oozes ‘90s pizza parlor nostalgia with squeaky vinyl-wrapped booths built for large groups and stained glass lamps. Reliving your childhood, or just continuing it, is easy at Nonno’s, so get a little sentimental over pizza and blinking lights. You may not win any tickets, but you might meet someone worth adding to your competitive mini-boat racing club. " - chelsea thomas, gianni greene
