Nonno’s Family Pizza Tavern

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

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

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.