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Name: Dove Vivi
Address: 2727 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR, 97232
Telephone: (503) 239-4444
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.17

Dove Vivi

2727 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR, 97232

(503) 239-4444
Store is closed

Dove Vivi Menu

Greens

Marinated Olives

Beet Salad

Mixed Greens

Kale Salad

Marinated Olives

Beet Salad

Mixed Greens

Kale Salad
Pizzas

Sausage and Peppers

Pepperoni Classico PIzza

Quattro Fromaggio Pizza

Roasted Olive Pizza

Pesto Pizza

Goat Cheese Pizza

Eggplant Pizza

Veggie Pizza

Corn PIzza

Blue Thyme PIzza

Chef's Choice Pizza

Sausage and Peppers

Pepperoni Classico PIzza

Quattro Fromaggio Pizza

Roasted Olive Pizza

Pesto Pizza

Goat Cheese Pizza

Eggplant Pizza

Veggie Pizza

Corn PIzza

Blue Thyme PIzza

Chef's Choice Pizza
Vegan Pizzas

Roasted Vegetable Vegan

Corn Cashew Pizza

Roasted Vegetable Vegan

Corn Cashew Pizza
Desserts

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Missionary Chocolate Vegan Truffle

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Missionary Chocolate Vegan Truffle
Drinks

San Pellegrino Limonata

San Pellegrinto Blood Orange

1 Liter San Pellegrino

Steel Head Root Beer

Fentimans Ginger Beer

Fentimans Curiosity Cola

Martinellis Sparkling Apple Juice

San Pellegrino Limonata

San Pellegrinto Blood Orange

1 Liter San Pellegrino

Steel Head Root Beer

Fentimans Ginger Beer

Fentimans Curiosity Cola

Martinellis Sparkling Apple Juice

Healthy Meal suggestions for Dove Vivi

Greens

Marinated Olives [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beet Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kale Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marinated Olives [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beet Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kale Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pizzas

Sausage and Peppers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pepperoni Classico PIzza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quattro Fromaggio Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Olive Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pesto Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Goat Cheese Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggplant Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veggie Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corn PIzza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Blue Thyme PIzza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chef's Choice Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sausage and Peppers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pepperoni Classico PIzza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quattro Fromaggio Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Olive Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pesto Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Goat Cheese Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggplant Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veggie Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corn PIzza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Blue Thyme PIzza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chef's Choice Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Vegan Pizzas

Roasted Vegetable Vegan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corn Cashew Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Vegetable Vegan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corn Cashew Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Chocolate Chip Cookies [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Missionary Chocolate Vegan Truffle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Chip Cookies [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Missionary Chocolate Vegan Truffle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Drinks

San Pellegrino Limonata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

San Pellegrinto Blood Orange [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

1 Liter San Pellegrino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steel Head Root Beer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fentimans Ginger Beer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fentimans Curiosity Cola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Martinellis Sparkling Apple Juice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

San Pellegrino Limonata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

San Pellegrinto Blood Orange [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

1 Liter San Pellegrino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steel Head Root Beer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fentimans Ginger Beer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fentimans Curiosity Cola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Martinellis Sparkling Apple Juice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Elisabeth B.

We ordered the cashew corn vegan pizza, and we aren't even vegan or vegetarian! Yes, it's that good :)
(4)
Brandon B.

Awesome take on deep dish style with cornmeal crust. I would give 4.5 stars, but they get an extra star for offering corn on a pizza! So fantastic! I've been hassling pizza places for corn for years. My advice: add house fennel sausage to the corn pizza. Backup plan: check out the specials for something new and exciting.
(5)
Marianne S.

This was the last stop for most people on our tour of pizza places bike ride. I never stepped foot inside, because after we got our pizzas for 20+ people that we ordered ahead of time, they told us we couldn't eat it there. Luckily, we were able to stop everyone from ordering drinks, which would have made them a lot more money also. And it wasn't until after the guy behind the counter got tipped, that he told us we had to leave. He was very untactful. We took the pizzas and rode away to a nearby park. The pizza was nothing special to me. When it comes to pizza, I just want simple. Crispy crust, delicious sauce, and mozzarella cheese. I didn't care for the corn meal crust thing they had going on.
(2)
Patti F.

OMFG! OK, first thing - it's a cornmeal crust. Most people don't eat the crust on their pizza, I devoured it. It's REALLY good. I've been there twice and keep trying to find a way to just be "in the neighborhood" so we can go back soon. I've had their salads - yumm-o. But this is about the pizza. Their corn and smoked mozz pizza, is amazing. Get the other half with the pesto pizza, and this veggie girl was foaming at the mouth. Try it - especially if you wish there was pizza crust worthy of eating...along with a sensational pizza. Frankly, I didn't expect great service, the place is always packed and the servers are crazy busy.
(5)
Chris W.

The owner greets you as you walk into the warm room; dimly lit to keep the romantic couples somewhat hidden. Lit candles are at every table. Waiting for a friend, I was invited by the owner to take a tasting tour of the local brews on tap. All were great, but I opted for a glass of Oatmeal Pale Ale. Delish. When my friend arrived, we were seated in the small but comfortable dining area, right next to the open kitchen, allowing you to stay entertained by the preparation of the many pies baking in the oven and being prepared. I chose a half pie, which is a standard 12". You can also order by the whole, or slice. My half pie of pepperoni and pickled jalapenos was beyond amazing. It was perfect. From the organic cornmeal crust, to the perfectly carved bits of tomato in the sauce, to the local organic cheeses topping the sauce to the flavor rich pepperonis and the mouth watering jalapenos... there's nothing better in the world for me than this pizza. My experience was perfect. I'll definitely return every time I visit Portland.
(5)
Tony J.

Poorly organised in terms of wait times. Rude staff. It had been a while since I'd been to Dove Vivi. I remembered the wait time being long. It was a Saturday night and we were trying to figure out what time we should arrive so that we could wait, eat and make a 9.15pm show at the Laurelhurst. My wife called. The female staff members response was unhelpful and rather baffling, "it's hard to say, could be anything". So my wife asked what the wait time was right now, exact same answer. This should have been a warning. Still we decided to go. There was no staff person to give people arriving any idea of wait time. Rather you had to wait in line, the line moves slowly as the one person (same person we spoke to on the phone, woman, long blonde hair) is both putting names on the wait list and taking/serving drink orders (which you pay for then and there; I guess to drink while you wait). She happened to walk by me, within 2 feet and I asked how long the wait time was. No reply. When she walked by again I asked again and she told me I'd have to wait my turn in line. There were 2 groups ahead of us in the wait line yet it took nearly 10 minutes to get to the front at which point we were told 45 minute wait. Add on to this the time for the pizza to be cooked (30 minutes) and we'd clearly miss the movie, so we left. It's a busy place, small, popular, you're going to have to wait. I get it but it would be nice if the staff could be a little more accommodating.
(1)
Tomato Q.

Gem. Their deep dish is not Chicago style, not any style I know other than their own unique, deeply satisfying flavor combinations. Also starring the most delicious seasonal salads. These cooks know how to treat a vegetable. But let's talk pizza. Don't feel pressured to get one pie for your table, when you can pick and choose individual slices and flavors (it's true that you get a bit less pizza that way, but 2 slices are intensely heavy). My personal favorite is the corn with smoked gouda, but really I also enjoy any of their tomato-based pizzas. Friends love their sweet and savory meat specials (such as the fig jam-pancetta). If you have a wait, get a little glass of tinto and know that it will be worth it.
(4)
Tim R.

If you can't tell that the people who are doling out less than stellar reviews are idiots, I will assure you they are. I've been eating at Dove Vivi for several years. I think it's best not to view it as pizza in the New York sense. It's obviously not trying to appease that crowd. It is gratuitous, crunchy cornmeal crust-based romance. Dove Vivi is, hands-down, my favorite place to have dinner. I can have two slices, a perfect salad, and a delicious pint for right around $20. The restaurant itself is cozy inside, at once feeling intimate and just spacious enough. High ceilings and understated lighting are perfected. On a warm evening the outside tables or sitting bar are idyllic. Come here not to lose weight, not to find the thinnest wood-fired Italian pizza of your New York wet dream, but to have a perfect dinner with someone you love. You won't regret it.
(5)
Jeff B.

I love cornmeal crust done right. Great jobs guys!
(5)
brittyn l.

This pizza is amazingly good! I'll be honest, the thought of cornmeal crust didn't appeal to me.. nor did the Corn Cashew pizza (I'm vegan and they only have 2 vegan options here). When I first visited a few years back, I got the Della Salute (roasted eggplant, caramelized onions, bell peppers, mushrooms and tomato sauce) and my friend got the Corn Cashew (roasted tomato and cashew cheese, corn, caramelized onions, chives). I ended up loving the Corn Cashew and wished I hadn't gotten the Della Salute. It was pretty good but nowhere near as amazing as the Corn Cashew. Oddly enough, the Corn Cashew doesn't have any sauce on it but it is so tasty it doesn't need it. The flavors blend together so well, it's got a little kick to it too. Last night I took my brother here for the first time and he too picked the Della Salute but later wanted to eat all of my Corn Cashew :) The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars because there aren't more vegan options and the prices are very high. It cost me $23 for a whole pizza (6 slices). The parking stinks since they only have 2 spaces out front and the rest is street parking, there is also not much seating. They were swamped on a Thursday night (good for them though!). I recommend everybody come here because this pizza is so unique and absolutely delicious. The counter staff was also friendly too (which I don't get too often in Portland, too many pretentious hipsters with no customer service skills). I can't wait to go back but PLEASE get better signage! It's almost impossible to see.
(4)
Brian B.

The cornmeal crust is amazing! We ordered the corn topping because it sounded different and it was delicious. We had a side of olives that were very tasty as well. The wait staff was super friendly and efficient. My only complaint was that it was a bit hard to find from the road. The black sign with the white heart is the place if you go looking for it and if you look really really close at the sign you'll see the name at the bottom in thin letters.
(4)
Cassie R.

Oh, Dove Vivi how I love your quattro fromaggio pizza and beet salad. One of my favorite places to eat in Portland. You may have to wait awhile for a table. Grab a drink and a seat at the bar and enjoy the ambiance and friends while you wait. Or call your order in and pick up. It's a small space and I wouldn't recommend it for parties larger than 4 or 5 people. Enjoy! I've never tasted pizza like this before. Delicious.
(5)
Brent F.

I'm addicted. The cornmeal crust pizza is unlike anything I've ever experienced. This is the real fork-and-knife style pizza. Order a half pie, two pieces will be solid, and take a third home. I swear the take-home-piece tastes even better the next day. I almost always order off the "specials" menu. The roasted olive pizza I had this week was possible their best pie to date. The addition of a shared salad and a nice beer or ginger beer makes for a good night out. Yum yum. 11-2-12 -- This place is still killing it. Took some friends from Canada here (who had pizza the night before in Seattle) and they were blown away. The salads, the service, the beer in chilled glasses, and the always-changing specials. You can't really go wrong. Its original, its local and its delicious. Another one of the local Portland spots that makes this city easy to show off to visitors who appreciate good quality food.
(5)
Ashley G.

I love love love the cornmeal crust on this pizza. It's such a nice change from regular pizza, thick, crispy, substantial. Dove Vivi offers 2 types of vegan pizza, the Della Salute (roasted eggplant, marinated green peppers, caramelized onions, mushrooms, tomato sauce) and Corn Cashew (vegan roasted red pepper & cashew cheese, fresh sweet corn, caramelized onions, chives). I had one slice of each on my first visit. I wasn't terribly impressed with the Della Salute, but the Corn Cashew is really something unique. The flavors are amazing. I love that you can order by the slice and just get a yummy snack or small meal. It's been awhile since I've been. I need to go back!
(4)
Melissa G.

I am certainly not much of a pizza eater, but greatly enjoyed the veggie pizza here. My friend and I split a half pizza and a salad and it was perfect! The crust was a perfect consistency and the pear salad that was a special was excellent as well...
(5)
Marsha Z.

Dove Vivi's a nice place to get a cornmeal crust, especially if you haven't had it before as not many places serve it. I had the pesto and vegan corn. I thought the pizza was okay; the crust overpowered each slice. Two slices was enough for dinner. Most of the staff were nice enough. The location is odd--right next to a convenience store in a small strip mall-like area. It's easy to drive by and not notice it. The food here seems more...refined. But it looks more as though a pizza chain should be situated here.
(4)
Kevin V.

I've ordered take out from here a few times and it's always been VERY busy when I arrive. However, they manage the crowd efficiently for being a smaller space. I do wish there was a way to jump the line if your just coming in for a pick up. I love love love the cashew corn vegan pizza with smoked tomatoes! I could care less that there is no cheese on it! The cornmeal crust is so so so yummy, crunchy and soft at the same time. I think the pricing is just about right.... If the pizzas were just a tincy bit bigger, as I always want just one more slice.
(5)
Alex P.

Very unique pizza with cornmeal crust. The Corn pizza with sausage made in house from local pork is phenomenal. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
John F.

Pretty good pizza. No thin crust pizza here, but good cornmeal crust. If you like thicker crusts but not chain pizza crusts, you will most likely enjoy. Small place so you might wait awhile for a table. Friendly staff. Fairly good selection of beer and wine. Kind of a hipster hangout... Lots of pizza options in PDX, but this would be one of the better.
(4)
oliver l.

Had a great time here, had a dirty thirty b-day party... Well started here. They put up with our large table in there small space, lots of pizza and even more beer.
(5)
Wolf L.

Zelos! Back in our old burg in SoCal, Zelos was our neighborhood pizza place. The pizza was made with a unique cornmeal crust and topped with inventive, premium goodies. Turns out, the folks at Dove Vivi learned how to make the same kind of pizza from the guy who owns Zelos--or so my wife tells me. It sure seems almost exactly the same to me. Awesome. While the pizza is the same, the restaurants are completely different. Zelos was laid back, with a skateboarder/punk rock kind of vibe. It often wasn't very busy and it wasn't much of a problem to drop in with the family for a quick dinner. When we were at Dove Vivi last night, the small dining room was packed to the rafters. The patio in front of the place was also jammed with eating and waiting patrons. It took a very long time to get some pizza in our bellies. Nevertheless, it was worth the wait. The service was friendly and as attentive as possible, considering how crowded the restaurant was. They have some nice beers on tap. I got a Heater Allen Dinkel Dunkel. Tasty. I was also able to close my eyes and imagine that I was back home--yeah, I guess Stumptown doesn't quite feel like home yet. Thanks for the nostalgia, Dove Vivi--and the delicious pizza.
(4)
betty k.

I don't even like to call it "pizza" because it is a delicious beast all it's own. I am not vegan, but I thoroughly enjoy both vegan options, and never stray from ordering the cashew-corn with roasted tomatoes-- pay extra for the tomatoes, absolutely worth it! The staff are super friendly professional hustlers... As they should be- this place gets busy! Expect a wait, especially on weekends. I am hopeful to see a second location? Please?!!!
(5)
Megan H.

I've heard friends raving about Dove Vivi for so long and finally made it over after having some happy hour drinks on 28th. When we arrived I was feeling ravenous from one whiskey too many and was happy to be quickly seated on the patio under the heat lamp. My husband and I split a pie that was a special with some sort of salty cured meat and lemon oil. We also had the kale salad to start, both were amazingly delicious. I love all kinds of pizza, from trashy delivery to wood-fired Neapolitan and this was another planet of pizza deliciousness. I have been having dreams about ever since, there's nothing quite like it!
(5)
Amanda E.

All you need to know is: vegan cornmeal crust corn cashew smoked tomato pizza. Just do it. The beet salad minus cheese is vegan too. It can be packed with a long wait because this place is small. Sometimes when this happens I start yelling things like "I THOUGHT THIS WAS A DOWN ECONOMY!" and "I THOUGHT NOBODY COULD AFFORD TO EAT OUT??!" like the tiny tyrant that I am when very hungry. But I don't really begrudge Dove Vivi's successful existence.
(5)
Holly D.

We came back from Chicago and were desperate to find a pizza with a cornmeal crust like Pizano's. This little hole in the strip mall is easy to miss,but the pizza was pretty dang good. The crust was cornmeal, which we loved and I think we would go back again if Chicago is too far to go.
(4)
Heather M.

Excellent pizza and service. The reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because it's super close to the parking lot. But great ambiance inside and heaters out front. Their crust is really somethin special. And the pesto pizza is made with spinach pesto which is perfectly mild and not overpowering like basil pesto sometimes is. They add fresh basil to the top which blends nicely. It's a small restaurant so I would suggest calling ahead to see how long the wait is.
(4)
Sarah H.

What more could you ask for? I would cross an ocean for this pizza. I also LOVE the atmosphere, the staff, the wine, and the food is what really keeps me coming back for more. They have exciting specials too! I don't even think about dessert at Dove Vivi because the dinner is the treat.
(5)
Michael H.

Dare I sound like a broken record here? AMAZING pizza! Hands down the best pizza I've ever eaten. I'm a huge fan of the corn pizza although I try to test out other pizzas when I'm there. The awesome thing is that they do half pizzas for almost everything so if you want a whole pie you can get half of your regular favorite and half of something new. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Caitlin C.

I probably never would have noticed Dove Vivi had it not been for the recommendation of my hair stylist. Though I'd walked by it at least a dozen times, the subtle signage had failed to catch my attention. But what it lacks in curb appeal, Dove Vivi makes up for with its unique, delicious pizzas. The cornmeal style crust at Dove Vivi proves that crust is the foundation of any good pizza. It's crunchy texture gives it a hearty base. The gourmet toppings are similarly exquisite. We ordered the Veggie, which included roasted green peppers and eggplant, caramelized onions, and tomato sauce (this will blow your mind) on TOP of the pizza. So delicious! Of course, this kind of decadence comes with a price. Whole pies, which serve between 2-3 people, cost around $22. You should also expect to wait at least 30 minutes or so for the food to arrive, but it's while worth it. And while you are waiting, you can kick back and enjoy a $2 German Tall Boy or something fancier from the wine list. The vibe is classy, but not pretentious--you'll feel comfortable in a t-shirt and jeans, but you could also come all dressed up for a romantic date. For practically an occasion, Dove Vivi would be a great choice!
(5)
Sheena H.

Had trouble finding the place at first, but I had read from others that it's sorta hidden, so I knew relatively where to look. For future diners, it's to the left of the laundramat! I ordered the corn pizza, because who doesn't love corn? Seriously, this was good stuff. My friend had never tried cornmeal pizza before, and I made him a fan. I'm definitely looking forward to trying the other options on the menu.
(4)
C M.

Great new take on pizza. Good beers and ambiance. Good for date, not really for the kiddos. Very filling, one pie easily feeds 3, or two and lunch the next day. The salads are also awesome. Small, so on weekend nights expect to wait for a table, or do take-out. Oregon park is really close by, and a good place for outdoor pizza eating during the dry season. Yum
(4)
Thilo W.

I loved this place and their pizza. Unassuming little spot on NE Glisan which was not crowded since we got there right at 5:00 (starting to feel like a senior citizen). Interior is basic and unpretentious. Our server was perfectly friendly and efficient and, if the pizza hadn't been so good, she would have been the highlight of the dinner. We had the roasted carrot salad to start which was a nice combo of roasted carrots, arugula, and goat cheese all in a very tasty dressing. For the pizzas, we had the corn pizza and the pepperoni mushroom. Both were excellent and I loved the cornmeal crust (held up very nicely re-heated the next day as well). Overall very good (and somewhat different) pizza and excellent service. Will be back for sure.
(5)
Mary Elizabeth H.

This is simply one of my favorite date-night restaurants. Its cozy, simple, romantic and leaves you feeling satisfied ... all for the perfect price Their pizza is not just another trendy gluten-free grub hub, it is gourmet. They offer new and and interesting toppings that change with the season and will excite anyone's pallet. They have wine to blend perfectly with any menu choice. The decor reminds me of a rustic-ish chic farm-to-table restaurant with only a handful of wood tables, candles and plants. Not too far from the seating area, you can witness the hands and ovens that make your food. Dove Vivi is a warm and welcoming spot that truly lives up to hand-crafted standards.
(5)
Shawntae J.

This place was awesome the Pizza was like heaven and the wine put me in the mood I would go back. Only thing was it was a bit small and there was a lil bit of a wait besides that staff was awesome.... Check this place out...
(4)
Ludo N.

The Cashew Corn pizza with Smoked Tomatoes is top notch, and just so happens to be Vegan. Seriously tasty pizza. You might want to eat a snack before you go, the wait can be half hour or better.
(5)
Brian B.

Amazing "can't be found anywhere else" style pizza. The wait and dining room layout can be a downer though. This place is just too popular for the tiny space it's in. I think we are going to revert to doing take-out here from now on, waiting almost an hour after arriving at 9:00pm is just not cool.
(4)
Stephanie H.

Every time I come to Portland I bring a pie home for post devour-ment on the way back. There is no place that makes my tummy this satisfied than Dove Vivi. My favorite is the cormeal cashew with corn and roasted tomato and the Greek slice with peppers. Oh man. pair that up with a beer on tap (preferably the red ale) and you are one happy customer. The people here are so appreciative that you enjoy their food and genuinely want you to be happy. Me and my husband were getting a pie to go but wanted to have a beer, so they warmed it up in their oven until we decided to leave. I loved this place so much I bought a t-shirt (and they're comfy!) months back and represent Dove Vivi in the Bay Area. Yea, it is THAT good.
(5)
Irene C.

The BEST beet and kale salads. The dressings are light and packed with flavor. Place is small, and not ideal for large parties. I prefer my pizzas on the thin side so their pizza was a bit hearty for me. All those with me loved the cornmeal crust.
(4)
Shovelle S.

Delicious flavors with a twist on a bed of chewy crust. That's what come to mind when I think of Dove Vivi. It was football Sunday and since we didn't feel like cooking a friend suggested Dove for a bake it yourself pie at home. Perfect. Though, it's close to our house and we've passed it many times it's easy to miss since it's tucked next to a convienient store. Now, since I know it's there I can spot their simple sign of a lone heart, which explains Dove's pizza perfectly. Simple yet complex ingredients and only the best. Since that fateful day we've tried it a few times and every pie has been incredible. The corn stands apart from the others with roasted red onions, sweet corn, and chives. I was hesitant at first to try it but now it's one of our favorites. The goat cheese is a close 2nd and my husband loves loves loves the pepperoni. The crust is cornmeal chewy deliciousness and easily one of the best crusts to date. Their sign says it all. Pizza love..and it's true.
(5)
Jennifer O.

I love this pizza - super delicious and TONS of toppings. The only reason I haven't eaten here in a long time is that it's a little pricey - $23.75 for a 12" pizza. But oh my god, the pizza is good.
(4)
Lisa K.

Several people told me to come here. I'm afraid my hopes were too high. Don't get me wrong - I enjoyed my meal. It was pretty tasty. The pizza was good, but it wasn't life changing or anything. The flavors were standard foodie type combinations. The place is cute inside and the staff is pleasant, but lots of people in a small space means it gets loud easily. Maybe go on a weeknight? Also it is really poorly marked and easy to miss from the street, but it is on the NW corner of the intersection. Definitely come here sometime if you're in the area, but don't go out of your way too terribly much.
(4)
Rich P.

This place was on our list to try after we had heard about it from a couple of family members that had been there. We ended up going one Saturday evening after our attempt to go to Ken's Artisan Pizza had been pummeled by how jammed the place was and how many annoying people there were in there (I couldn't stand waiting the 45 minutes we were told we would have to wait). I hopped on the ol' smartphone to see what other pizza places were nearby and Dove Vivi showed up on the list. I called them to make sure and she told me there was no wait, so we headed over there. Okay, so when we arrived there was a little bit of a wait (maybe 10 minutes), but it was a much more chill environment than Ken's had been. We shared the kale & beet salad and a pizza with half corn & caramelized onions and half pepperoni. The salad was fantastic. The pizza was pretty good, but I'm not a big fan of deep-dish, though their unusual crust made it more interesting. I'm not sure when/if we'll go back there. If we do, I kind of would like to try the vegan corn & onion pizza (based on a couple of the reviews here). On a side note, I had a little snafu with the red pepper shaker that evening. I like it spicy, so I was liberally sprinkling that stuff on every piece. On my second piece, I went for it and the lid dropped off, spilling about half the jar of pepper flakes all over my slice and the small plate. Like some kind of practical joke. I tipped off the excess into the empty space in the pizza pan and continued eating. When the waiter came to clear up our table, I felt compelled to explain why the pan had a ton of red pepper flakes on it. He was apologetic and they actually gave us about 25% off our meal, which was not necessary, but nice nonetheless.
(3)
Georgie K.

I will start by saying I would like to go back and try this place again because I was not impressed with our first try, but maybe it was a bad night. To start off with our waitress was a total grump. She immediately started off being difficult since we were so high maintenance because we asked for napkins before she felt like getting them. There was food and drink on the table and she did not think it was time for napkins. When I asked for them she argued a little bit about it. Really, about napkins. So unnecessary. Just go get some napkins so people don't have to wipe stuff on their jeans since they are not at home and do not know where the napkins are kept and are PAYING to go out to dinner. She also continued to have an attitude throughout the meal and finally let go about 3/4 the way through when hopefully some other table pissed her off and ask for water before it was time and they were her new target. I ordered the beet salad. While the beets and goat cheese were delicious, the dressing tasted like olive oil and olive oil alone. The pizza it's self was okay and not all that for $11 for a half of pizza. Yes, the corn meal deal thing is great and all, but it still needs to taste good, be affordable and be served by someone who feels like being a waitress. We will try again in long while so we forget about this.
(2)
Lyska M.

I don't understand certain reviews that call this place "not pizza". It most certainly is, and the best deep dish pizza I've ever had. I like the small casual yet intimate space, and I think it's a fantastic date spot, because the menu is uncomplicated, and perfectly balanced. I'm amazed at the vegan the pies. Everyone loves the corn and cashew slice for a reason, it's awesome. The smoked tomatoes really put that pizza over the edge. I sometimes even order extra... because I have little self control when it comes to them. So... eat here. You might get addicted.
(4)
Joshua C.

At dinner we were talking about trivia and that got me thinking... **Multiple Excuse Pop Quiz** In college I usually didn't test well, because: a) Sleep Deprivation b) Didn't study in order to avoid becoming a "brain dumper" who crammed, scored well, then knew nothing c) Too busy working on rock concerts and shooting pool d) Went back and replaced right answers with wrong ones while double checking e) All of the above Answer: E. Though thankfully I got my act together after a few years (and even graduated). Looking back, I still think tests would've been a lot easier had the answers and explanations been included directly below the questions (anyone care to disagree?). **Dove Vivi Final Exam: Almost Celebrity Jeopardy Easy Edition** (YES you can read the answers before answering!!!) 1. What is "Dove Vivi"? a) The body part of a white bird that often symbolizes peace b) Technical term used by Olympic judges to describe a "Belly Flop" c) PDX pizza joint on NE Glisan Answer: C. Told you this was easy. Ever in search of great pizza we decided to check it out. 2. Where should you park when eating at Dove Vivi? a) In front of the convenience store who's angry owners will tow your car b) Directly in front of the restaurant c) In a legal space on the street Answer: B or C. Unless you feel like moving your car or retrieving it later. 3. What makes Dove Vivi's pizza special? a) Crunchy Cornmeal Crust b) Made from real smurfs c) Awesome topping selection Answer: C. Kind of a trick question since they're known for their crust. Personally I found it too crunchy, but the toppings were fresh, generous, and delicious. I particularly liked the cured meat, eggplant, blue cheese, and caramelized onions. 4. Water at Dove Vivi is served in a ________? a) Horse trough b) Blue green glass jar c) Cactus plant that you have to cut open Answer: B. I kind of liked these. 5. What best describes service at Dove Vivi? a) Completely charming, never went thirsty, fun b) Upstate NY truck stop diner "take your own order if you want to eat" c) Like a "Powell's" or "Vodoo" review, neither bad, nor memorable Answer: C. I'd elaborate more if anything really stood out. 6. How long did we wait and was it worth it? a) Two hours. I don't think pizza's ever worth waiting that long. b) No wait. No. This is when you know a place is crap. c) 15 minutes. Yes. Answer: C. But I wouldn't wait thirty. That's enough time to drive up Burnside, find parking, place orders, and start eating at Oasis (which I prefer anyway). 7. (Photo Question) Who is the Yeep behind the flower yelp.com/biz_photos/3bBSâ€¦ ? a) Joshua C b) Wilson, Tim's neighbor from Home Improvement c) AC Answer C. The unintended result of taking random pictures. 8. Why only 3 stars? a) Cause I'm a hateful bastard that likes to bash over-hyped businesses b) Cause I can't count any higher c) Cause it's good, but unspectacular Answer C. There's nothing wrong with 3 stars. Good toppings. Some Vegan options. Crust that I'm sure some will love. It's "A-OK". All right so total up your score. 8 "Genius" don't you feel good, see a much better way to take tests. 7 "Aren't You Lucky?" that I weighted the test to help people who guess "C" for everything. You owe me a slice. 1-6 "Hide the Report Card" Celebrity Jeopardy Sean Connery just beat you. :) You owe me a whole pie. poor pictures doctored to appear artsy: yelp.com/biz_photos/3bBSâ€¦
(3)
Heidi H.

I love Dove Vivi's food - their pizza is awesome, and different compared to anything else we have in PDX, and their beet salad is wonderful (the only salad I've ever had there). Deep dish pizza rocks! And they have lots of different pizzas to choose from, including several vegetarian ones (not that easy to find around town). They always have several rotating specials that use seasonal ingredients. I would give Dove Vivi 5 stars, except for the fact that this place is small (and popular), so the wait can be extensive, especially if you have more than a 2-top. We went there last Saturday with 2 friends and their toddler and we waited over an hour! The wait sucked, especially with our 7-month old and being told our wait would be about 20 minutes several times early on. However, you can place an order to be picked up- that's what we'll do next time.
(4)
Rose R.

Dove Vivi has grown to become one of my favorite pizza places in Portland. Their cornmeal crust is uniquely crunchy and flaky, their salads are unexpectedly delightful, and bonus: they offer both good beer on tap *AND* nice wine by the glass. I appreciate that you can get any pizza by the slice, at any time. My favorite pizzas are the corn pizza, and the quatro fromaggio (sometimes I get extra crazy and add the house-made sausage). I see a number of folks have mentioned the beet salad. I can only add that it's one of the few salads in the world that I actually crave. I've been visiting Dove Vivi for two solid years, and have yet to be disappointed in either the service or the meal. Yum!
(5)
Jeff M.

A Haiku Review of Dove Vivi: Cornbread deep dish crust. Deliciousness in my mouth. Dip it in honey?
(4)
Paul G.

Awesome alternative for unique, healthy, fresh pizza. The crust is unique, tasty, and has substance. We tried the Chef's selection which provides a pie made of different slices chosen by the guy with the white hat, and we also tried the pepperoni classico. The pepperoni had a kick to it. Their sauce is smooth. The chef's selection is a nice introduction to all they have to offer. There was a sausage slice, gorgonzola cheese slice, veggie slice, etc. Their special arugala salad was fresh and delectable. Their beet salad was the balm! Fresh, crispy, and some pazazz to it.
(4)
tony a.

Best service in Portland! Besides the great environment, the food is fantastic! Vegan pizza options, the two there are, are both delicious, and the smoked tomatoes make me want to hurt someone...to get more that is! A must go-to if in Portland!
(5)
Lynsey O.

i wish i could eat dove vivi for every meal. the pepperoni and mushroom is my standby, but i've had some really amazing specials there too. pass on the corn, it sounds better than it is, but seriously, DOVE VIVI, I LOVE YOU.
(5)
James H.

"What's on your pizza?" "I dunno - goat cheese, and... love?" We made sure to schedule a visit here on our recent weekend excursion to Portland. It was my first time in PDX and Fofie just knew I would love this place. She was right. The heart sign out front says it all. I was able to try the goat cheese, quatro fromaggio, and corn cashew varieties. All were incredible, I love the cornmeal crust. I crave the smoked tomatoes set against the goat cheese. The vegan cashew red pepper cheese has me daydreaming. The balance of textures, flavors, and uniqueness combined with a true artisan feel are what set this place apart. They also offer a kale salad that has us experimenting in the kitchen trying to recreate the greatness. Be sure to wash down it all down with one of the local microbrews on tap. I had the Double Mountain IRA and it is my new favorite beer. Seriously, I wonder if Dove Vivi would ship via FedEx?
(5)
Alex M.

There isn't a better pizza place in Portland. Try the corn pizza with some wine. You won't regret it.
(5)
Anuj K.

I'm surprised I haven't written a review about this place yet... Well. Here goes nothing! Although there are many delicious pizza joints in Portland, Dove Vivi offers a delicious twist to the thin crust at Hot Lips or wood-burned crisp of some local food carts. The corn meal covered pizza crust is deep dish and holds its contents very well. Dove Vivi offers a great variety of meat, vegetarian, and vegan (try the cashew cheese or tofu ricotta on your pizza, you won't miss the real thing!) with seasonal ingredients. They also have some great salads, sometimes a roasted beet and usually throughout the winter they have a kale salad with grated dried ricotta and a lemon vinaigrette. Prices are a bit high, but if you think about it, a 22 dollars pizza feeds at least 2 people, possibly 3. Also, they do a 15% discount Sunday - Thursday if you have the Portland Eats Out card - I highly recommend getting your hands on one. The rotating taps with local beers is also fantastic. And check out the art-work near the restrooms! I thought they were funny and provided a nice chuckle. Enjoy your experience! p.s. the reason I'm giving this place a 4 is because it's a relatively small joint and one often has to wait for a while to be seated, since customers are invited to take time and enjoy their meal (this is not a bad thing! but I can't always get out of work on time to make it before it gets crowded), and the prices are a bit higher than I would think - if the pizzas were around 18 bucks I think I would be more generous with my ranking.
(4)
Lili S.

Cornmeal pizza... mmm! Haven't had a bad pie yet... and that's after working through about a third of their menu. I've got the upper hand living just a couple blocks away from this often crowded pizzeria. The take-out method beats the crowds of people waiting for a table every night around 6pm. The pizza is phenomenal! Try any of them, but call ahead and take your pizza to go. Dove Vivi is far too small to accomodate its sit-down clientele.
(4)
Michelle H.

Quite yummy indeed! On my quest to find vegan pizza in an area somewhat close to my home in the Grant Park area, I came across Dove Vivi. It is around $20 for a 12 inch pie, and you can order by the half-pie or by the slice. Although I am allergic to corn, I still eat it because I love it, and I especially love the deep dish cornmeal crust here. The toppings are all fresh and homemade. I ordered a half corn cashew with added smoked tomatoes, and for Hubs, I got the house sausage. No canned pizza sauce on these handcrafted pizzas...only fresh tomatoes will do. The corn on my pizza tasted freshly shucked, and I am sure it was. I'll have to confirm that next time we do a to-go order, which, given how much I love this place.....will be very soon. Oh, and I should mention that I brought some leftovers to work with me today, and oh my, the crust is even better the next day and the toppings too. Delicious! My only tiny gripe is that in the dark, this little restaurant was quite difficult to find. Now that I know it is right next to Plaid Pantry, I am set.
(4)
Keith B.

I bet you have never had pizza like this before. Going to Dove Vivi is a treat. Chill out with someone you like, and enjoy a creative slice. The options here are always very impressive and unique. Look for the heart, it's worth it. Patience Daniel son, good things come to those who wait.
(5)
Corey F.

Totally filling and totally tasty. We had a buffet of pizza options for 4 people and I was impressed with the quality. My favorites were the kale and butternut squash and the chile and ham with pineapple compote pizzas. Filling but light cornmeal crusts and crisp and refreshing beer. Minus the beer, I think I could go gluten free. But why? Delicious and moderately priced. Yes, please.
(4)
Andrew A.

Pizza and hamburgers are probably the most debated food categories; everyone seems to have an opinion. You may or may not love Dove Vive, but "different" is the one attribute most can agree on. Their cornmeal crust is very unique and I haven't seen it replicated. This is one of the best sit-down pizza joints in town, and prices are not through the roof like a few others (ahem, A.S. on Hawthorne) I can't remember all the varieties we've ordered, but nothing has been subpar. In fact, some of the specials are truly that. The star of the show here is not a pizza, but the Kale salad. The staff is a little hit and miss, not rude, but just a twinge of attitude now and then. Expect a somewhat long, but not crazy, wait. Parking kinda sucks, but try westward away from Pambiche.
(4)
Roxie G.

I adore the vibe here and the pizza is absolutely yummy! The lovely staff is very sweet as well.
(4)
Russell D.

Remarkably slow service even by Portland standards, but the staff were personable. My hopes were a little too high I think. The cornmeal crust is tasty, but the overall experience was forgettable.
(2)
Nick A.

Deep dish was pretty good, but not enough to make up for the lack of service. Place is known to be slow, but me and my friend didn't get service at our table until 5+ min after we were clearly ready; and only after hearing us discussing whether we order at the cashier. There was only one other table occupied, so it wasn't busy. Hip-looking server had been chatting up with her coworkers. Pizza, as I'd heard, took a long time to come. Was good, though not really better than deep dish at BJs or someplace. Server flashed a look of indignation and rage when we didn't order dessert. Not subtle at all. Again, decent food, but save your money for someplace that actually wants business and adheres to basic customer service.
(2)
Harry F.

This is a really really good pizza place. Be prepared to wait forever if you go at "dinnertime" but we went at 5ish on a Saturday with no problem. It's deep-dish(ish) pizza, not the thin-crust leopard-spotted artisan dough stuff everybody is soiling themselves over. I like both kinds and this one is worth a visit. It's a little pricey but the portion sizes are good -- if 2 people get a whole pizza for $22, you'll go home with a slice or two. Service was very good. For a party of six, they included a generous 20% tip (one which I would have given anyway, but still... it's nice to have the choice). Beer is good (three nice kegs, I think and they fill growlers). Super solid. I'd go back.
(4)
El S.

I hope they never find Vivi. This pan-baked nonsense wouldn't last two weeks in a real pizza town. This is the kind of pizza I'd expect to get if my car broke down in the middle of Iowa in 1952. The cornmeal is so overpowering and the toppings they put on the pizza are absurd. Why is there corn on a cornmeal pizza? This isn't pizza and I think that's the big problem here. This is more like quiche or a very bulky flat bread. Normally I'd give it two stars but there was a bug in my water so that drops them down to a one. This isn't pizza....someone put a stop to them before this crap spreads all over the USA. No exaggeration, I can make this in my house....I would choose not to because it is not very good.
(1)
Ann D.

Dove Vivi, I heart you. My friend Alysson has been raving about this place forevah, and last night I got to experience the pizza from heaven she's been talking about. A) The service was freaking unbelievable. Seriously. The staff was super attentive, super nice, and just plain super. Rumor had it that the owner was our waitress. She was fabulous. B) Cornmeal crust! In a word, WOW. Crispy, crunchy deliciousness. C) The toppings rock. I was with a group of people and we tried 3 pizzas - olive, garlic and corn. Olives are my favorite pizza topping, so this naturally was my favorite of the 3. Super yummy kalamata olives. The garlic pizza had tomatoes on it and was also realy good. But the corn, let me tell you....Order it! Pizza topped with corn and onions with sort of a barbeque flavor to it. Out of this world. Who knew corn was such a good pizza topping? Not me. Yes, do go to Dove Vivi. Their pizza will rock your socks off!
(5)
phil m.

Pretty interesting toppings on uncommon crust of a pizza, yet tasty! I'm a fan!!
(4)
lucia j.

Dove Vivi Do's and Dont's: Don't expect the pizza to be like what you've had before in x city. All the sign says is Dove Vivi - Cornmeal Crust Pizza. Where do they claim to be New York style or Chicago style? Not every pizza has to follow the standard of whatever place to be considered acceptable. Do order the corn pizza. With a cornmeal crust? Corn on corn. Yep. After the corn pizza, you're free to choose from the rest of the menu. My advice is to go with the specials because you're going to get some really innovative flavor combos there, which sort of cancels out the corn on corn no-no if you're worried about your gastronomic karma. Don't come here if you're in a hurry. It burns me just a little to wait up to 30 minutes for something that goes down the hatch in 10, but at least you never have to worry about soggy dough and congealed cheese. I would give Dove Vivi at least an hour of your time just in case. The wait is actually longest when they're just opening up and customer volume is low. You can walk in here at 8 pm, however, and get served in 15 minutes. Do give the service a chance. A smile goes a long way, complaining about the unavoidable wait doesn't go anywhere. There's a few sours working here I will admit, but you can always tip accordingly. The people working here in the evening always let me chill with a drink and pilfer through their newspapers while I wait for my to-go orders, even if the place is packed. And that whole experience of not hearing your name and wandering over to the counter eventually to find your now lukewarm pizza won't happen here, because they walk around the entire place calling your name to make sure you get it right away. Don't expect a bargain. Getting two different slices is $7.50 and getting a three slice equivalent "half" is $10.50, so you only save $.75 on that third slice. I'm not a cheapskate, but this is pizza, and there is an unspoken promise of money saved the more you order. $.75 discount is weak. There's only a $2.50 discount if you get a whole $20 pie. Don't do it for the money. Do come here with a crowd. As a solo or deuce it's kind of hard to enjoy all they have to offer unless you're (both) specifically craving one kind of pizza. With a large group you can order different kinds of pizza and comfortably enjoy their great salads (not a menu afterthought) and possibly split a little dessert without your stomach exploding all over the floor. Now doesn't that sound nice?
(4)
Brennan D.

really really good cornmeal crust pizza. a bit pricey but definitely worth it.
(5)
Christine K.

After driving a couple of drunks around all day, I was hungry. Searched for pizza and was encouraged by how highly reviewed this place was. We bellied up to the counter and asked for a table, the curmudgeon behind the counter said we could wait for one or just order slices and eat them at their "bar." We said we'd wait and then things got confusing. She said something that indicated that we should order from her and then it would just be brought to our table when we were seated but when we attempted to order she got snotty and told us to tell our waitress. It's a small place but I still didn't expect the 20 minute wait. Waitress was nice enough, we ordered a salad (beets?) and I think the house pepperoni. Had nearly died of hunger by the time the pizza came out - I know that deep dish takes a while but SHEESH. It was good. Nothing spectacular but honestly as hungry as I was, I probably would have found Taco Bell delicious.
(3)
Christy T.

Let me just start by saying that I broke my "you give me crappy service, I give you $1" rule and left a tip amount of ZERO. You know how you can tell when a server is sizing you up, determining by the way you look if you will tip well, and then ignoring you while offering others around you more attention? Dove Vivi - Guilty. The pints here are $4.50 each and a half of a pizza is $10 or $11. Yeah, they use local ingredients but in short, the food is Ok, not really anything special, the beer is overpriced and the place is pretentious. Another crappy Portland restaurant ticked off the list!
(1)
Heather C.

I adore Dove Vivi. Absolutely smitten. The kale salad is my favorite menu item, but the goat cheese pizza is a close second. You can eat in (be prepared to wait a little bit around dinner time) or take a pizza to cook at home. Of all the restaurants in Portland, Dove Vivi is easily on my list of favorites. The icing on the cake is that this restaurant takes advantage of our local bounty. Gotta respect that.
(5)
Jeffrey Y.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this fine establishment yet. Whist I cannot claim to be a regular I have dined here a number of time so my review will be a little generic. None of the food here is fussy, it is what I think of a peasant or farm style food. Well prepared with fresh ingredients and made like you would expect from someone's kitchen at home. The beet salad is really wonderful with the thick cut slices of sweet earthy beets on a bed of fresh delicate greens sprinkled with walnuts and crumbled blue cheese is indelibly etched into my memory although my vivid recollect could be due to the fact that I indulge every time I make it to this gem of a restaurant. The pizzas are a treat with the hearty cornmeal crust it just seems somehow more wholesome and filling with a bit of rustic whimsy. Usually this is one of the places I take visiting vegans because they have a couple choices in vegan pies. The corn cashew is my preferred choice and don't forget to have them add the optional smoked tomatoes. I think they are blanched first as they have no skin when served and they have a delightful sweet smoky taste (that follows the sweet earthy taste of the beets very nicely). More recently I had their eggplant pizza which was a nice departure from the norm. It has fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, roasted eggplant, mozzarella and blue cheese. I admit a soft spot for the fuzzy blue stuff. The basil was a nice counterbalance to the blue cheese and a couple slices felt like a very hearty and satisfying meal. The service here is always good, they never rush you and rarely neglect you although at times when the place is packed (as it so often is) you do need to catch their attention. But all is easily forgiven because the staff is pleasant and apologetic if they don't check in often enough. This may not apply to most people but I'm more inclined eating out for lunch and since this is a dinner only establishment I'm often anxious to leave as soon and I am properly gorged. Those of you who eat of a geriatric schedule will be treated to immediate seating whereas the trendier late-even diners will find themselves waiting for a free table. BTW, I am often the guy writing dissenting opinions about the quality of a restaurant recommended on Yelp but in this case I believe the naysayers are just people looking to be miserable. Don't bother with their reviews, they are all about the service which is more than adequate and complaints that their food wasn't instantly ready. Quality takes time so strap on your crampons and get ready to the ascent to culinary adventure!
(5)
Rebecca H.

"I was taken aback by the amount of that icky cheese on the pizza, they needed to use more fontina. I wasn't in the mood for frou-frou pizza." This sums up the experience for my husband. Having read the good reviews we headed here with friends, arriving about 8:30 pm. It was busy but we found a table. The service was quick and pleasant, and it's nice to have a big mason jar of water left on the table. The beet salad was delicious, big chunks of cheese, beets, and nuts. We had the Toscano pizza, with salami, some fancy cheese, gorgonzola, and tomatoes. I thought it was delicious. The cornmeal crust is buttery and crisp at the same time, and holds up well under the toppings. I give this slice of pizza a 5, but others rated it much lower, with comments like, "That meat tastes weird" and "This has too much fancy ass cheese on it." A whole pizza, six slices, is 20 bucks, half pizza, 3 slices, is somewhere around 12, I don't quite remember, and a slice is 3.75. One slice would fill somebody with a smaller appetite, but most people would probably get 2 slices, and at that point, might as well get the half so you have a piece for later. So why the 3 stars? Everybody hated the veggie pizza. I did not try it, as the comments were, "Soggy," "tastes dull and weird," and "blech, it's gross." The toppings were scraped off and people ate the crust. We had the half order, so there was a piece left, and nobody fought over it. I didn't think it was expensive, 3 bottled beers, one beet salad, and 9 slices of pizza came to 45 bucks. I liked the Toscano, but nobody else liked the pizza, so from their perspective it wasn't a winner. I would go back but my dining companions would not. I like weird stinky things, like pate, french cheese, and salmon roe, so my tastes may not be representative of the general populace. The Toscano had stinky cheese on it, so it was fine for me! Edited to add, so nobody has to sound like a yokel, the "Dove" part is pronounced like "stove," not "love." I thought it was dove like the bird, but the person on the recorded message when you call says it the other way, so if you are telling people about it, make sure you say, "Doooove vivi," and then you'll be the coolest of the cool people.
(3)
Cassidy S.

Delicious! I couldn't eat this type of deep dish pizza all of the time, but I was blown away when we tried this the other night. The prices are a bit steep, but the service was quite good and beer selection was suitable. It's an easy place to miss if you're driving by, but inside is cute and we didn't have a problem getting a table for two on Saturday night.
(4)
Lyle M.

FOOD: I might be speaking prematurely, but Dove Vivi might possibly be my favorite pie. I love pie, shit is genius. The corn meal crust is so damn good, I curse under my breath and weird out the customers around me. I'm always making up excuses to go here, like "F-yea, the Blazers won time to celebrate!" or "dude, Blazers sucked, I gotta cheer myself up with some comfort food." Either way, the corn pizza is great. Gimme some of that corn! I always get the ginger ale in the green bottle to wash it all down. SERVICE: I give it a B-. They are kinda hip for me at times. I certainly don't wanna feel uncool while I am stuffing my face. I'll also felt like they were rushing me out at times, as I was asked several times if I wanted my remaining slices to go. CHILL FOOL! DIGS: It's alright, you are not really coming here for the atmosphere. If there is a line, might as well go else where cause you are gonna wait. If the line is long Pambiche is across the street, so is Migration. Killer sandwich trifecta!
(4)
Shannon M.

The waitress was incredibly nice. The pizza tasted like house pizza. The crust is thick and hard and made out of cornmeal. It is a gimmick and it failed in my opinion. I had pizza with corn on it and carmelized onion. It was ass. I am tough on pizza. I have had the best. A pizza Scholls kicks this places ass. I moved here from NY and I will tell you I truly believe that the bread in Portland is the best bread I have ever had. Second only to France. So what a dumb ass idea to cut it completely out of the pizza equation here. Follow the lead of the best pizza ever artichokepizza.com and you combine it with semolina flour. Just a little cornmeal goes a long way. I am not a cool hipster. I am more of a - need to lose 15 pounds yuppie. Is this why I do not get this place?? I mean it smelled nasty when I walked in. Cornmeal crust wafting in the air actually doesn't smell good.
(2)
Laura N.

There must have been some magic in the air when that crazy corn met all that meal - because crust is their love child. And lordy do they know how to reproduce! (Awww...lookit all dow'es cute widdle doughy kernels!) If you're looking for a delicious deep-dish style pizza with the fresh local and seasonal toppings that you expect here in Portland, than you can take Dove Vivi's name, which literally translates to 'where you live,' to heart - especially after you wash a slice or two down with a Dr. Browns! Look for the super-secret blue heart signage to guide your way, or just follow the fluorescent glow of the laundry mat next door. Anyway - just find this place. You will not be disappointed...unless you actually try to live there, cause, well, that's just odd. (Try the laundry mat next door!)
(4)
Alexandra S.

This is the best pizza in the universe. Get the corn one no matter what!
(5)
Cooper W.

Good service but bad pizza. I ordered a pie with caramelized onions, but they were cooked only long enough to turn soft and flavorless, not long enough to darken and caramelize. The rest of the ingredients on both halves of the pie were also unappealing. The beer I had was ok. The beet salad was pretty good. This place has too much hype. I won't be returning.
(2)
E P.

"Love this place. Vegan corn cashew with the smoked tomatoes is legit. I'm a staunch meat eater, but order this slice everytime."
(5)
Mal C.

Wow. What a cornmeal crust - that crust is AMAZING. After a few visits here, I've decided that the Veggie pizza is my favorite - the sweetness of the carmelized and roasted vegetables, the slight acidity of the tomato sauce, and the salt of the mozzarella - now this is a pizza. The kale salad with the lemon shallot dressing and ricotta is not to be missed. I love everything about this neighborhood place and nice servers. Love their logo, their use of stamps, and wood - it's the perfect modern, rustic, warm ambiance. Warm fuzzies.
(4)
Katith B.

Rave rave rave. Can I please just eat here once a week until I'm finished with Portland? This is the best pizza I've had possibly ever. Husband and I got 1/2 Pesto and 1/2 Vegan Corn Cashew. The Pesto was fresh and delicious, the Vegan Corn Cashew with smoked tomatoes was my tastebuds idea of the ultimate pizza experience. My husband requested no chives, and even though upon arrival there were chives, we couldn't even complain. It was that good. Friendly service, not too busy early on a Friday evening, we shall return!
(5)
Jeremy H.

So effing bomb nasty. I love this place. So does the wife. We've had both the vegan pies and they're delicious. The corn one is one of the best vegan pizzas I've had. We had it last night. Get it with the smoked tomatoes. My wife and I are fat kid vegans eat a whole pizza. The pizza is not quite Chicago depth but on the deeper side, with amazing corn meal crust and bomb toppings. I had the burdock and dandelion fermented soda and it was good. The atmosphere is great; very chill and cute. Service is good; quick and friendly. Price is on the higher side, but it's worth it and it's very high quality. Also you can buy a slice, half or whole of any pizza. Try it, I think you'll like it!
(5)
mya j.

I got half of their pesto pizza. It was OK. Nothing great. A little oily. My bf got the house pepperoni and he said he really liked it. So maybe I just ordered the wrong pizza. I am giving them a 2 just because I might ve ordered the wrong pizza. After ordering our pizza we had to wait for about 45 mins to get the pizza! We played 4 games of 20 questions before our food came to the table. The service is just OK. Nothing great. What I didn't like about this place was how uncomfortable their chairs were. I would not be going back here again. pros - Maybe good pepperoni pizza cons - awfully uncomfortable chairs, pesto pizza NOT good
(2)
Michael K.

So, there are certain things in life where your brain tells you "you shouldn't do this man....". Those things include jumping out of a perfectly good airplane, swimming with sharks, and ordering corn pizza. Now, I'm not saying you should do the first two, but the corn pizza is one of the best things I have eaten in a long time. Fresh sweet corn with smoked mozzarella and caramelized onions, damn good. I'm glad I defied my natural instinct. Besides the corn pizza, we had the sausage pizza, which was good, but if you're looking for "Lou Malnatis", this is not it. Instead, you'll get an artisan pizza that will make your face-station happy. The service was excellent, but we may have lucked out on the wait. Since there were only 2 of us, we got a table quick, but the wait was nothing like the place on Hawthorne. We had wrestled over whether or not to get the special pizza , the Blue moon, so the waitress brought us a slice on the house! It was amazing, subtle blue cheese flavor with mushrooms, just amazing.
(5)
Sara B.

I was in Portland just last week visiting my bestie and she suggested this amazing place! She is a vegetarian (I am not) so I usually let her decide where we will eat. She did a great job with this one! To start, we shared the beet salad and it was simply lovely! The beets were sliced thin and rested upon a bed of romaine along with walnuts and gorgonzola cheese! The pizza is like none I have ever tasted! The crust is so perfect and made with cornmeal. It has a crunch that I just can't describe. I had a slice of pesto and my bff had the "special" of the day - a slice topped with roasted mushrooms, tomatoes, gorgonzola and mozzarella. Outstanding! Do not pass this place up if you love Portland and love pizza!
(4)
Katrina W.

As fancy pizza joints go, Dove Vivi is a lovely low-key option. Thumbs up for cornmeal crusts and surprising combinations for pizza toppings and salads. It's a small spot, but easy enough to pick up a slice to go if you don't want to eat in. The staff are happy to help, and kindly offer you drinks to start if you find yourself in the short waiting line. The slices are just the right size and contain the kind of goodness that makes you feel less like you've just created a pizza gut-bomb and more like you're treating yourself to a filling and savory snack.
(4)
Jenna F.

It's funny that I only have one Chinese food restaurant in Portland that I like, and maybe 15 incredible pizza places (Stark St., Blind Onion, Apizza Scholls) I will now add Dove Vivi. It's a deep dish style pizza with a cornmeal crust. The toppings are fresh and they have a few interesting Portland-esque combos such as the corn pizza with caramelized onions. Sounds odd, but you must try it. The crowd is very youthful- it felt a little weird taking my parents there and the prices are steep for pizza, but worth it.
(4)
Josie M.

If you've ever been to Little Star Pizza in San Francisco, you'll agree that this place comes a close second. I love the use of local organic ingredients and unusual combinations. The cornmeal crust is no longer a novelty and they do an a-ok job. I did think it was lacking a bit in flavor - maybe a bit more salt/sugar? I also like that they let you do halfsies so you can do two different combos on one pizza. We tried so many I can't remember them all! Service is a slow, portions are decent. Seating was a bit uncomfortable - the chairs are so hard! It was a bit chilly in there, maybe because we sat near the door. Love love the kale salad. Who knew kale could taste so good? I actually went home and tried to duplicate the recipe. Thank you Dove Vivi for introducing me to kale salad, packed with nutrients. Thank you also for carrying Dick's beer, which gave us a good first grader chuckle.
(4)
Claudia M.

I came here while visiting Portland from Phoenix in the summer. My dinner guests were the type to ask for substitutions and things being omitted. Blasphemy! Dining with the unadventurous. I had the special which I recall had butternut squash. It was one of those experiences where its so delicious I find myself eating really slowly because I don't want it to end. I remember our server was really friendly and accommodating too.
(4)
Robert M.

love their pizza...have been going there for years...yum...and why is it that i haven't written about them before... as in ... before i felt wronged ...i dunno...they consistently offer up great and unusual salads and an assortment of pizza topping on cornmeal crust . tonight however i got a shock... i went with a pal... we shared a (1) salad and each got a piece (1) of pizza and got a shocker of a bill ($74 plus a tip of $10).. we had five glasses of Fuso Barbera which retails for $14 and wholesales for much less... boom $50 bucks for the five glasses of wine...yes, shame on me for not looking ...trusting to not get taken advantage of...but shame on them.. they sell pizza right, or are they now a yuppi bar that sells pizza...bad dog!
(2)
Brooke F.

This place has good pizza, and it ends there. We came in for a birthday dinner with a group of 7. They told us we couldn't get a spot in line until our whole party showed. Everyone showed up soon after, yet we waited an hour and a half for a spot. We went in after about 45 minutes to see our table status, and they said they were waiting for one more table to open up for our party to be able to fit. There was plenty of room at the one table, yet we still had to wait. When that table opened up, they gave it to another party, and awkwardly had us sit in a different area. We kept our spirits up, but ended up seeing our waiter a total of three times the entire night; one these times was to tell us to quiet down at the end of our meal. Honestly, we were not being that loud, and we were about to leave the establishment as it was. As we reviewed our bill, we noticed our waiter automatically added gratuity. Rather than adding 15-18% as expected, he added a full 20%, for terrible service. Without complaining, we put 6 cards in and asked him to split it evenly. He replied, "We will only split up to 3 cards. Don't you know how a credit card machine works?" We left, and we will never return.
(2)
Christen B.

Dove Vivi, Dove Vivi, how do I love you? Let me count the ways..... Several days after exploring this lovely place I'm still pining for the cornmeal crust pizza... As I have mentioned in another review I am new to Portland so I must not waste anymore of my life not experiencing all the wonders of PDX. Anywho my roomies and I decided it was pizza night and chose Dove Vivi because it had great reviews and we were all curious about the cornmeal crust (and corn pizza as well). We all decided variety is the spice of life and went for two pizzas, one a 'veggie' pizza with half corn pizza half pesto and the other 'meat' pizza was half house sausage, half special for the night the fig pancetta (MY FAVE). OMG. OMG. We were in such pizza heaven with every bite that the table next to us asked us what we were having!! So yes, we will DEF be back here for pizza nite! Yum.
(5)
Melissa N.

Dove Vivi is a pizza place in a neighborhood that is saturated with good to exceptional pies. Just a few blocks down 28th Ken's grabs the artisan market, Pizzicato grabs the "franchise/to-go" market, but Dove Vivi sits quietly and smirks from its Glisan hideaway. Tucked into a nondescript 70s strip mall, the only signage is a heart cut into a slab of plywood, it's like a secret decoder ring/beacon for deep dish pie lovers in Portland. Drink trim Italian wines from jelly glasses, order a deep dish corn pizza, or better yet, split a few pies. You can order by the slice, by the half, or the whole, making a multi-pie sampling with a tablemate an easy excuse to eat all of her slices.
(4)
Brandon Z.

This place is awesome. My advice is to not get anything that seems more traditional, but go for the things that are a little more out there. They usually have a special or two that you should consider. The first time I tried sweet potato and kale pizza was one of their specials, and now I make it at home. What to get: Get the Corn Cashew pizza (two slices will fill you) and the kale salad (lemon and shallot dressing). This is a great meal, atmosphere is good, there can be a wait so be prepared.
(5)
Ryan N.

First of all... there is almost nothing I find more annoying than businesses that arbitrarily replaces the "C"s with "K"s in their names. I don't think I am alone here. That was why I wasn't heart broken to see the former tenant of this space, Kustom Pizza, close its doors. But out of the big Ks ashes rises the radical Dove Vivi. Dove Vivi specializes in deep-dish cornmeal crust, has a wide array of unusual gourmet topping combinations, and utilizes lots if local and seasonal ingredients. This was my first time eating a cornmeal crust pie and I enjoyed how buttery, flaky, and moist it was. But what I like most about it is that it isn't another brick-oven pizza shop vying for the title of best hoity-toity charred pie in town. No, Dove Vivi is doing something completely unique in Portland with their crust. They are charting new waters. Corn filled waters. I have become so desensitized by the typical crappy attitude I get from the "I'm so much f'n better than you but I have to take your order anyway so I'll play it cool" servers in my neighborhood. I expected to hear the usual smug "What-il-it-be-man?" when I was approached by our server at Dove Vivi, and was taken aback by the genuine friendliness and warmth I received instead. The atmosphere here is calm, casual, and adult feeling enough that I would say it is slightly romantic. Even for a Pizza Shop in a strip mall. Hell, maybe the reason I think it's romantic is because there is obviously a lot of love going into this restaurant, and it shows in all of its details, including the large heart that glows like moon on their Kustom-made sign. Yes, its the details. Everything comes together here, and it is the sum of all its parts that make Dove Vivi a wonderful addition to the neighborhood that I will now go to grind on a regular basis.
(5)
Claire W.

Crunchy crust with steaming fresh ingredients and melty cheese. How I want you. How do I find the strength to not stop in every time I pass by? The service was great, very fast, frequent, friendly and helpful. Our non-vegan server also recommended the vegan veggie cashew pizza to us cus it's just so dang tasty. Huzzah for tasty vegan options.
(5)
Elan E.

Possibly the best pizza in Portland, Dove Vivi is outstanding in all areas. Delicious, creative pizza with cornmeal crust, fresh beet salads, nice atmosphere, and sweetheart waitresses, I have zero complaints about this restaurant. The quality of food offsets any priciness, which isnt really a problem to begin with. The food is pretty affordable. I highly recommend checking this place out.
(5)
Sandra J.

I almost hate to write a review for fear that too many people will find out about Dove Vivi! The location is weird in a strip mall between a convenience store and dry cleaners but don't let that stop you...the decor is nice inside and the food is amazing. The cornmeal crust pizza with house made fennel sausage and pepperoni is awesome!! I like the green salad which is simple and it has the perfect amount of dressing nice and light and my husband loves the Kale salad. It gets crowded so you have to go early on weekends or go during the week.
(5)
Chris O.

This is one of my favorite pizza joints in portland. The crust is the standout. You just want to eat all of it.
(5)
Amy B.

And I thought coal fire was the best... Pfft... It's all about the Cornmeal! Ok, so it's all good, but still, they sure do put their menu where their mouth is. Pizza is excellent! I would maybe say it's kinda country-style, with it's chunky stewed tomato sauce, super creamy high-quality farm-fresh mozzarella, house-made fennel sausage, piled-high crispy pepperoni and of course the crunchy, sweet, very unique cornmeal crust... So good!! Plus, the beet salad my hubby n i shared was to die for- so fresh n tasty!
(5)
T V.

cornmeal crusts! makes for such a fabulous pizza. And no, it's neither NY or Chicago, but it's its own thing, so enjoy it. The topping choices are creative and delicious, generous but not overwhelming. Don't expect typical offerings and be open to nontraditional stuff, like corn as some other reviewers have complained about. Trust me, it works. Also, oddly enough, I appreciate that they don't let you substitute orders, because there's nothing I like more than a side of fascism with my pie. JK JK, the service is actually really good, though there is often a wait and it's a small joint so there are few seats to begin with. The salads are also really good (beet and bleu!!) though the beers are a bit pricey.
(4)
Colleen W.

I love the cornmeal crust pizza here! It's crunchy and sturdy and allows you to devour the slice in your hand without a greasy sloppy mess. It's a different type of pizza than what I'm used to, but I consider that a good thing! Variety is the spice of life, or something... We ordered half pepperoni and half of the special soppressata. We loved both but the good old pepperoni won out. I think I'm just more partial to pizzas with red sauce on them, but whatev. They aren't skimpy with the toppings (loads of pepperoni) and the tomato sauce has a good kick to it. My only word of warning is on the "pickle" plate. Be warned that it's a plate of pickled vegetables: beets, carrots, and cauliflower. It crushed my hopes and dreams of a plate of homemade CUCUMBER pickles. It was foul. I think our server felt bad for our mistake and "forgot to charge us" for some drinks...or so I'm going to tell myself. Total bill came to $40 for a salad (split), appetizer and medium pizza with two drinks.
(4)
J L.

Some hearty and delicious pizza.
(4)
Rad S.

this place is my favorite fancy pizza place. They have good wine, and a killer kale salad to start with, and the cornmeal crust is AMAZING. All the different combos of the pizza that I've tried so far have been really tasty. Another cool thing about this place is that if you don't feel like eating at the restaurant, you can order your pizza par-cooked, pick it up and take it home to finish it off!
(5)
Katherine K.

As a self-prescribed pizza addict, I have had to vastly limit the object of my obsession in favor of a slimmer waistline. Boo. Dove makes it even harder for me by offering up pie bliss. Yes boys and girls, pie BLISS. I'm a whore for sauce. For me, the secret is truly in the sauce. If a pizza doesn't have enough or if it sucks, I shall not return. The sauce is so remarkable and rustic at Dove Vivi, I always order the pesto pizza with a side of the marinara. Double sauce. Oh yum. Now their crust is legendary crunch-tasticness because of the cornmeal. And it is a perfect vehicle for...that's right...the sauce. My husband, who could go without pizza for the rest of his life (I didn't marry him for his food prowess), loves Dove and always gets the goat cheese pizza. It is also amazing. Their salads are fresh and delicious, and their beer and wine selection are solid. My only lil peeve is that the place is darned small, so there can be a gnarly wait. But we go early, when we do get to go, which isn't nearly often enough.
(4)
Laura C.

On the topic of pizza, my friend mentioned reading that Dove Vivi was supposed to have a really good one - made with a cornmeal crust. That sounded yummy enough to me so we made a plan and went a few nights later. They don't take reservations, but I was able to buy a beer and sip on it during our 5-10 minutes wait. It's a very small place, not big enough for a group of 4 (unless they allow you to push 2 tables together, which would mean a longer wait for another party of 4), but there was just 2 of us so we got squeezed in quickly. The salads are very gourmet - too much so for my taste - but that's to be expected in a Portland pizzeria. Their pizzas are deep dish and fabulous! It's a little on the pricey side ($22.50 for a "large" that was more like a medium to anyone else's standards) but we'd seen the menu in advance and were okay with that. It was all about the experience. They carry PBR (and sell it cheap) so to diffuse the cost of the pizza, we ordered that beer. The table nearest the bathroom has a shelf built up to separate it from the restroom entrance. On the shelve's were numerous planted herbs. I don't know why that struck me as so fabulous, but in my mind I thought "Only in Portland". In a good way! We really enjoyed ourselves and think everyone should try cornmeal crust deep dish pizza.
(4)
Scoob W.

when you want pizza but the one you're with doesn't this is a great choice. the ingredients are fresh, creative and delicious. The salads at this place are worth trying. not to say this isn't a place for serious pizza lovers, it's just that its different. if you're craving apizza scholls or ken's, this place may not satisfy your craving. also, the interior space is nice but it's hard to get over the locale between the quickie mart and the drycleaner. overall though a nice addition to the pdx pizza scene.
(4)
Brandon Y.

First let me say that the pizza is good... but the customer service stinks!!!! I had a crappy server there in the past (about 1 month ago), but felt that they deserved a second chance. Tonight I called in to place an order, and I inquired about their daily special. I was told by person who answered the phone that I need to go online, because they simply do not have the time to answer any questions. Wow! And here I thought your business was selling pizzas. Well if you have zero customer service then you don't deserve my money, as there are loads of great places to eat in Portland.
(2)
Stephano G.

I'm going to give everyone here the advice that I spout each time I recommend Dove Vivi: do not go there if you are in the mood for pizza. In fact, I think they make horrible pizza. They do make the most wonderful cornmeal flatbreads though. I can't say that those are the same. I'm not sure if it goes against my Italian blood or my New England dialect. Still it hurts, and I can't do it. Clearly, I still love this place. I just never go there when I want pizza. Oh, and speaking of dialects, please keep calling it ' duhv vee-vee ' . Yes, you are pronouncing the Dove part wrong, but my lordy it makes me chuckle.
(5)
David M.

Great pizza! I know everyone talks about the cornmeal crust, and I hate to be another, but it was really really good and lived up to the hype. The salads were big and flavorful. Very well priced wine list. Service was excellent. Prices were low - 4 salads, one appetizer, one hell of a pie, and one bottle of wine came to $60. Cannot beat that!
(4)
Jam B.

first off, this isn't really pizza. and secondly the pizza scene in portland is pretty lame. BUT being a very "portland" take on pizza, this stuff is AMAZING. cornmeal crust and all kinds of rad random toppings and weird shit. i always take "out-of-towners" here because it's both different and delicious. it definitely makes me look really cool in their eyes. try the beet salad!
(5)
Sara M.

Cashew and red pepper cheese! All cornmeal crusts! Knock-knock joke decor! Sweet signage! Strip-mall cred! smoked tomatoes!!!! Sorry about the exclamation overkill, but Dove Vivi is the bees' knees. Two permanent vegan pizzas and salads that can be easily made vegan. Non-vegan pizzas (ga-fucking-lore) for the omni-carnivore inclined. Did I mention the cashew cheese? Holy raingutters Batman. It's so good. Not only is it worth burning your mouth over when the pizza arrives at the table (easily orderable in slice, 1/2 or whole pizza qtys) but it's good cold, eaten with greasy fingers out of the brown craft wrap while you're standing in front of the (still) open fridge. Not that I'd know. Order the smoked tomatoes - it's like going on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. In. Your. Mouth.
(4)
Erik J.

Yes, the ingredients are fresh, local and delicious and they have three rotating taps of cold microbrew. Yes, the deep pan treatment of the pie with the corn crust results in a very nice texture and taste. Yes, you can get that special feeling when eating locally-sourced and organic veggies, flours and meats. I had the sausage and mushroom and it was excellent. The corn adds a great crunch to the crust. The ambiance inside is nice with the little tables and little people all bundled together, sharing in their collective pizzagasm. Let me put it to you this way though, If I'm hungry - I won't come here. But If I want to take someone to try something new or impress a girl who never had corn pizza, I would. The slices are delicious, yet tiny (about the size of a large fist) and will probably leave you hungry for more if you have a normal appetite. Thankfully, there is the Asian K&T Market next door so you can pick up your Slim Jim's, 40 oz and stop being a pretentious corn pizza eating snob. Summary: $3.75 - Slice $10.50 - half pie (3 of the same slices) $20.00 - pie (6 of the same slices) Excellent pizza selection but a little pricey, small portions and gets very busy during peak feeding times.
(3)
Jacob G.

Guess what? I have found great pan pizza. Dove Vivi is its name and great pizza is its game. The best part is the cornmeal crust but the rest of my "pepperoni classico" pizza was good. However, after taking a bit of my girlfriend's pesto pizza, I was really jealous. My pizza was great, don't get me wrong, but her pizza was off the hook (as kids say these days). Yo.
(5)
Corrie H.

We go here constantly because we crave the crust (a unique cornmeal deep dish) and the fabulous foodie toppings. Yes, you'll probably wait 23-30 minutes for a table on a busy night, but it's worth the wait. Just grab a beer from the front counter and hang out until your table is ready. Recently, I suggested that we try their vegan pizza. Hot damn. My husband had been seriously opposed to the whole concept of "vegan pizza", but even he was blown away. The fake ricotta on the Della Salute tastes almost exactly like feta. The cheesy faux cheese on the Corn Cashew doesn't taste exactly like cheese, but it does taste like awesomeness. If you don't feel like being vegan, you can eat anything else and be very happy. Our favorite pizza is half corn and half whatever-is-on-the-specials-board. Finally, note that this is a particularly great place to take out-of-town company, because it's just so very PDX: weird wall art, exposed ceilings, foodie toppings, and tons of hipsters. Gotta love it.
(5)
Jenn F.

Everyone raves about the crust, and that's what gives this place an edge. My husband and I did a pizza-and-a-movie date night, and this made it a lot more interesting. I've been here once before, and I am glad we went back. It is a little spendy, but luckily we had a coupon. Still, it is a great splurge. Important to note: I'm lactose sensitive and I ordered pizza with goat cheese, which as other lactose sensitive/ people know is easier to digest than cow cheese. I was totally happy about that!
(4)
adam b.

always a fan of the specials here and the fact i can split a pie into 2 halves for my gf and i is amazing!
(5)
Milo D.

Friday night review (dinner). 1st time to this place and was very excited as there was a big group of people waiting and reviews are stellar. After almost a 2 hour wait (they said about 45 mins) we finally were seated. We asked for salad since we were starving - very bland, seemed like washed greens with pepper and a hint of oil. Couldn't they have thrown in some shaved parmesan or a few veggies. Pizza - I ordered the sausage/pepper/onion. One big + is the generous helpings of toppings. Taste was good but not great. Maybe due to their signature corn meal crust. Makes the pies a bit crunchy and the taste conflicts with the ingredients on the pie. Overall decent. Perhaps if you live in the neighborhood but no worth a special trip.
(3)
Taryn J.

omg. New favorite pizza place. CASHEW CREAM. Sooooooo good.
(5)
Laura M.

If you are looking for a big greasy cheesy NY slice, this is not the place. These pizzas have unique ingredients including cornmeal crusts. One combo I was skeptical about actually ended up being my favorite.... the Grape and Brie special... yum. Wasn't as thrilled about the Tapenade.. but one of my friends preferred it. Friends all got salads which I tasted and they were amazing. Only real negative was it got complicated because we were a group, we had to order in half pizzas or whole pizzas. Luckily they let a order a separate slice or two so everyone could get what they wanted. There was also some crabby server who seated us, I don't know what her deal is but everyone else was very nice. Try it!
(4)
Mr. G.

Really tasty pizza. The crust is made out corn meal (I think) which made the pie crispy. I had the sausage and pepper pizza. The sausage was really good which surprised me because the majority of the menu was vegetarian. The service was slow but friendly fitting the relaxed atmosphere of a small restaurant.
(4)
Sonia B.

Chunky, thick, bland. Their marinara "sauce" tasted like they dumped a can of crushed tomatoes on top of the crust. The sausage could have used some seasoning. Overall the pizza wasn't awful it also wasn't great and at $25.50 a pie I could never justify going back here.
(2)
Cybil S.

Recommended to this joint with the caveat that the crust is corn. As recommended I tried the corn veggie and it was awesome. The corn crust has a wonderful texture and flavor. The smoked motz was killer with the sweetness of the corn topping. I'm sorry I don't live closer because I'd love to try more flavors.
(5)
Tom J.

Hmmmmm...this one is tough. I wasn't really bowled over, but it also wasn't bad. I was also on a date, so my attention wasn't really on the food or service. The ambience is very nice, it's small, with subdued, warm, romantic lighting. It feels like a very cozy neighborhood place. The servers were super nice and friendly, we didn't understand how the ordering worked and started to order at the counter, but then she was like, "Oh, you're eating here? You can sit at a table and order." The pizza? Sorry, I just found it to be kind of meh. We had the classic sausage, the cornmeal crust was good, but not the best I've had. The pizza was sort of bland, like they had just piled on some sauce and sausage, with a little cheese. I'd be willing to go again and try something else, but this just didn't win me over, I've had much better pizza elsewhere. The service was super great, later in our meal, another staff member, I couldn't tell if she was a server, manager or what, came to ask how our meal was, then she later came by to chat as she had noticed my southern accent and she was from South Carolina. Excellent service and ambiance, maybe I need to try a different pizza??
(3)
Sumpter S.

The corn meal crust is amazing. My boyfriend and I LOVE pizza and this is one of our favorite pizza places. We have tried several different pizzas from here and we like all of them so far. It is a little pricey but so delicious.
(5)
Ryan A.

The pizza itself was very good. However, there is just too much good pizza in this town to wait forever or visit at an inconvenient time just to get in. Also, a bit too much attitude for a small pizza place.
(3)
Nicole C.

THE WORST PIZZA I HAVE EVER EATEN!!!! WILL NEVER GO BACK!!! I had a gift card for this place and decided to try it out. The crust was dry, the sauce if you can call it that was like tomato paste chunks. We got the sausage and peppers pizza and the only thing that might be good that I can say is the meat and peppers we decent. Everything was terrible. If I could get my money back for a gift card I would, but I NEVER want to eat there again.
(1)
Danni D.

"What's the best new place you've been to this month?" Well it's not new, but it's totally new to me, so that makes it the best new place I've been to this month. It makes me so nostalgic for Vicolo back when it was a pizza place and pizza was its own food group, at least according to my 20-something nutritional guidelines. My thoughts on nutrition have evolved in the last 20 years or so, but I would be hard-pressed to turn down an invitation to Dove Vivi no matter how many times per week such an offer is extended. Thick, chewy cornmeal crust pizza loaded with super fresh toppings. I cannot get enough of their goat cheese pizza. It is so fresh and creamy I half expect to find a little goat out back selling her milk in exchange for your pizza crusts. Be sure to follow them on Facebook so you always know the daily pizza and salad specials. But beware; seeing their pizza specials pop up in your news feed can have disastrous consequences on your plans to "stay home and cook."
(5)
Joe B.

The corn pizza was awesome. I was never a fan of the deep dish style pizza, but these guys know how to do it. The pepperoni pizza was pretty stand but the corn pizza was one of the best I've ever had. We also got a kale salad which was really really good, but a little small.
(4)
Dian K.

This was my first time trying a cornmeal crust pizza. While the topping was good, I like my crust light and thin and cornmeal crust is not that. A small slice is quite filling. One pizza split for two is quite enough. We couldn't even finish one since we ordered a salad also. The salad we tried was the roasted carrot with goat cheese. I had fond memories of a similar dish from Ox a couple months back and had my expectation set really high (and not met). Summary: Cornmeal crust is just not for me.
(3)
Mr. W.

Not only is Dove Vivi's cashew butter/roasted corn pizza the best vegan pizza I've ever eaten. It's also the best pizza -- period -- I've ever eaten.
(5)
kate H.

I'm so in love with you I could cry. I may cry. I've had 2 glasses of Rose and it's before 5. There are no other pizzas. I scoff at you lesser pizza's. Yes my husband says it's too expensive. I don't give a shit. How am I only, just now, finding out about you, my love? I've been here twice in 3 days. The special of Tasso ham and braised greens- are you kidding me? And the corn. I will make my way down the menu. I will love you always. Please don't ever leave me.
(5)
Kristen M.

Dove Vivi's claim to fame is using "cornmeal crust pizza". You might be thinking "WTH?!" at first, but I must reassure you that it's quite amazing! Located in a mini-strip mall, this restaurant is next door to a mini-mart. If you LOVE "hearts", outside, they have a cute little sign: ( yelp.com/biz_photos/doveâ€¦ ) [devour] ROASTED CARROT SALAD **4 STARS** {special} roasted carrots + goat cheese + arugula + tarragon vinaigrette = surprisingly delicious flavors! Intertwined with the pepperness of the arugula, the pungent goat cheese and balance of the roasted carrots gave a powerful, yet tamed flavor of harmony. Definitely worth trying! ( yelp.com/biz_photos/doveâ€¦ ) CORN PIZZA (half order) **4 STARS** mozzarella + smoked mozzarella (yes more cheese!) + balsamic marinated roasted red onions + chives + sweet corn = mesmerizing that I didn't care there wasn't any meat on the pizza! Worth ordering over and over again! SAUSAGE & PEPPER PIZZA (half order) **5 STARS** mozzarella + fennel sausage (homemade) + caramelized onions + green peppers + tomato sauce = amazing from start to finish! Can't go wrong with this one either! Photo of corn + sausage & pepper pizza ( yelp.com/biz_photos/doveâ€¦ ) FIG & PANCETTA (half order) **5 STARS** {special} was made with fig jam + italian bacon + blue cheese + mozzarella + salad greens = quite rich, exquisite, and ultimately amazing! ( yelp.com/biz_photos/doveâ€¦ ) FYI = *No reservations; therefore if you're coming in a large party you may need to hold the fort down *All items on their menu are available for TAKE OUT *Outdoor seating available, but the inside's decor is much more pleasant *You can add jalapenos to any of the pizzas for an extra fee (we added this to our corn pizza) *Option to also add sausage to any pizza for an extra fee (forgot how much more) *Great for a date or just hanging out *ALL pizzas can be ordered by the slice or half *ALL pizzas are 12 INCHES (good for 2-3 people; may seem small but it's quite filling) *NO SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED (I respect that) *Half orders ($12) and whole orders ($23.75) *Cornmeal crusts are worth trying! Overall, I was amazed by this hidden gem! The 3 half orders and salad was able to satisfy a party of five. I can't wait to come back! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Yelp 2013 100 for 100 Challenge - Review #67
(5)
Kedar D.

Dove Vivi makes an excellent, unusual vegan pizza. Sandwiched between a dry cleaner and a corner store, you wouldn't guess that this place makes a delectable cornmeal crust pizza. We had a full pizza split half and half between the two vegan options (Della Salute and Corn Cashew) which cost $24. The Della Salute sounded like it would be tastier, consisting of roasted eggplant, caramelized onions and a few other tasty things. However, I found this pizza to be off somehow and just felt like it was missing something. Maybe it needed more salt or seasoning. The Corn Cashew pizza, on the other hand, was delectable: a mix of savory cashew pate ("cheese") with sweet corn and other toppings. I could not get enough of this one and the combination of chives, roasted red peppers and cornmeal crust made for a delicious, memorable pie. I've eaten a lot of vegan pizza in the US and ones that use cashew cheeses are invariably the best---think of Minneapolis's Pizza Luce ("rinotta" cheese) and Seattle's Pizza Pi. Oh, add Portland's Dove Vivi to the mix. The Corn Cashew pizza here is a winner and in a big way. If Dove Vivi offered more unusual and delicious vegan options like this one, it would warrant another star.
(4)
rachael m.

Great pizza but needs to be a bigger pie for the price.
(5)
Kathy N.

Not sure if this was done on purpose but the water cups they give to you come out pre-chilled. I love corn and I love pizza so this was the perfect place. I couldn't choose between the two corn pizzas they had so I ordered a slice of each :) I like the regular corn pizza better, the corn cashew had like a salsa taste to it. This was the first time I've had cornmeal crust and it was ok. It definitely takes the sogginess out of pizzas. It's also hard to infuse any flavors in the crust and there's a lot of the crust so it's noticeably bland when you try to take a bite without the toppings if that makes any sense. Overall I loved the corn pizzas they had here. The business sign could use a little more oomph.
(4)
Connie C.

CORN. It's one of my default foods. You know that ingredient you see it on the menu and you have to get it by default? Yes, corn is one of those things for me. So CORN meal crust pizza? OK you've piqued my interest. Now CORN meal crust pizza with CORN and balsamic carmelized red onions? OK now you have my full blown attention. We have definitely made ourselves regulars here. Our normal order includes the Sausage Classico - huge chunks of flavorful housemade fennel sausage and tomato chunks (reminescent of the deep dish pizza I used to get at Zachary's in Berekeley) and, of course, the Corn - smoky mozz with fresh corn, balsamic red onions, and chives. We usually pair all this with a Fentiman's Dandelion & Burdock soda (don't knock it 'til you try it!) When I got off a 30 day cleanse one time, I comforted myself that my reward would be one of their vegan pizzas at the end of it. I went with the Corn Cashew (remember? CORN - default food). It was just as good as their non-vegan choices! Man! I'm talking myself into getting some tonight.
(5)
Rob R.

This place used to be a 10. Now, it's a shadow of its former self. Maybe the management/ownership changed. But the food has declined in the last few years. While still better than Domino's, it isn't worth the price. And let's talk about the waitstaff. I have high hopes for their success as supporting cast in the Portlandia episode about apathetic/surly waitstaff. Because they nailed it tonight.
(2)
Brian M.

If you're looking for a change of pace from your traditional pizza, you owe it to yourself to eat here. Their staple corn pizza is divine, as is their pepperoni Classico. On top of that, their cornmeal crust has the perfect crunch.
(5)
Mark S.

Our fave #1 pizza place... Dove Vivi is way cool, the pizza is fantastic! The Pepperoni Classico pizza... the goat cheese pizza with roasted green peppers, tomato... the cornmeal crust... ...my god, T H E C R U S T ! The cornmeal crust is very addicting. You have been warned. For an appetizer... marinated olives... about 24 olives, excellent and such a unique and perfect start to your pizza par-tay! Sometimes we take an olive order home with us for tangy treat later-r-r. During summer cherry season, do not miss the Cherry Salad... best salad... ever... in Portland salad history. It takes a while for quality pizza... that's why I say... call in advance, get it to GO! During our last visit, we noticed that almost two thirds of Dove Vivi's biz was take-out! So that's how we roll now. Don't forget the olive appetizer!
(5)
Ben P.

Delicious crust - really good pizza. But a little expensive. Some interesting alt options too like gluten free/vegan etc.
(4)
Alex D.

I live with pizza snobs. I play soccer with a gourmet pizza maker. That is to say: I eat a lot of great pizza. Dove Vivi is probably the place I frequent most though. Their cornmeal crust is just so crisp, rich, and interesting; it seems to wake me up to pizza in a way that other crusts don't. Every part of the pizza becomes distinct - and yet blends in beautifully with the whole... magnifique!
(5)
Bliss D.

Delicious cornmeal crust. Super-attentive employees. Laid-back Portlandia vibe. Everything about Dove Vivi is great. But it has the potential to be AMAZING. I ordered the maple delicata pizza and it was just a bit too bland for me. Alas, I took half of the pizza home, threw some Mama Lils peppers and a smidge of sea salt on top, put it in the oven for a few minutes, and BAM. it was heart-stopping. I'll try a different pizza when I go back and potentially upgrade Dove to 5 stars if my next experience is exceptional. For now it's a solid 4 with the recommend that the chef take my advice on the maple delicata...
(4)
Victoria J.

We came here sort of late, maybe 9:30ish and they were glad to seat us. There was no wait thankfully. We tried the kale salad, goat cheese pizza, and sausage pizza. Since it was the weekend they offer a half and half pizza deal so you can try more than one pizza in one pan. The kale salad was pretty good, but definitely something I could make at home easily. The sausage pizza was recommended to my boyfriend because they have "house made fennel sausage." This was not sausage. It was really just ground beef sprinkled on top and did not have any fennel scent at all. The goat cheese pizza was better than the sausage, but it was forgettable. They have a "deep dish" sort of crust, which was confusing to me. Is it Chicago style? No. Another reviewer said it was similar to Little Star, but it definitely is nothing like Little Star. Little Star has a thinner crust with a tomato sauce that covers the toppings. This place has a thicker crust with a lot less topping. The crust was just okay tasting and it wasn't chewy with a crunch how I expect pizza crust to typically be. The environment was pretty nice and there seemed to be regulars there, but this definitely doesn't even come close to my favorite pizza places in other cities.
(2)
Emily M.

So bummed they don't let you order individual slices anymore. That makes it hard for small parties and people with dietary issues.
(3)
Paige N.

Dove is one of my go-tos. The beet salad is delicious and I heart their cornmeal crust.
(5)
Camille M.

This pizza is unlike anything you've ever had before. Delicious and unique - not like traditional Italian pizza, but out of this world delicious! Great casual, warm atmosphere, and I've always experienced pleasant service. One of my Portland faves!
(5)
Chels J.

I adore Dove Vivi. Thin crust lovers Beware! Dove Vivi pizza is made with a thicker cornmeal crust which is so yummy and they use interesting ingredients which really makes them unique. My favorite pizza I've had by far is their eggplant pizza. I tried the regular vegetarian pizza once, but it seriously doesn't compare to the eggplant. Another favorite which is sweeter than the eggplant so a nice change when I'm in a different mood is their corn/caramelized onion pizza. Who thought to put corn on pizza?? Never saw that before but I'm glad someone thought of it because this was delish. They have vegan options and ones loaded with meat as well. There is definitely something for everyone (not sure if gluten free though, I'm not too in tune with that at most places - sorry!). If you go at peak dinner hours, you will most likely have to wait as it's somewhat small. They have outdoor seating and are dog friendly for outside seating. They brought my little pup a water bowl during the summer. It has a VERY hipster vibe. Some are pretty aloof and don't really seem to care about you, but there a couple who seem so genuinely friendly that they totally make up for the rest. You can order a 1/3 or 1/2 of a pizza which is great for my boyfriend and I - me veggie, him carnivore. Nice option I haven't seen much at other places... simply ordering half/half on the same pizza isn't acceptable to hardcore vegetarians/vegans, so this is perfect for the veggie/carnivore mixed couple!
(5)
Vanessa J.

I'm vegan so I've only had the Corn Cashew pizza, but I have no need to try anything else. It's bafflingly good. Especially with the smoked tomatoes. Order it. Love it. (Also the service is great and the place is adorable.) It's a bit pricey but it's just perfect for a special occasion or cute lil date.
(5)
Ben B.

for a pizza purist i must say this place was pleasantly surprising. i never thought i would appreciate a crust that wasn't paper thin, but i've been proven wrong. the corn pizza was outstanding, the crust supplies the perfect base for the toppings to rest, it's like culinary harmony. make sure you get here a little early, as a line develops once you reach 6pm. i'll be back again to try another variation, a truly nice spin on a classic.
(4)
Jason N.

The wait staff is cold, rude and apathetic. They slam your plates down, are unfriendly, and take a long time to do anything. The blonde waitress is the worst though. She literally pushed the table we were sitting at out from underneath us without asking because she thought it wasn't close enough to the table next to us. She didn't say excuse me or apologize. It seemed laughably passive aggressive. However, It was embarrassing to endure. I waited an hour and a half to be treated terribly.
(1)
RJ H.

Honestly I was a tad skeptical a first...Cornmeal Crust Pizza???? But for "something completely different" in the pizza department...I dig this little place! A full selection of traditional and vegan varieties ..all with that slightly sweet very tasty cornmeal crust. A small but adequate beer and wine selection They offer eat in and Par-Bake if not eating immediately... I don't always eat cornmeal crust pizza... But when I do ...I prefer Dove Vivi.:)...hours 4-10pm and a bit of parking out front.
(4)
Don B.

There's nothing new about Dove Vivi. It's been around for a long time and it's been on my radar equally as long. Many people whose tastes I completely respect have urged me time and again to come try the cornmeal-crust pizza. And somehow for years I've simply been... well... sleeping on it. No longer. Dove Vivi is new to me, and I like it. This pizza is nothing like the thin, charred crust of Apizza Scholls, Ken's, Pyro or Wy'east, and it's not really like anything else either. For one, it's a deeper dish pizza made with a cornmeal crust that's at once crispy and thick. This tasty crust is then topped with fresh, creative, local toppings and tasty cheese. Pizzas are available by the slice, the half or the whole. So even a smaller group could try multiple pizzas by ordering individual styles by the slice. It's more expensive that way, but you get variety! On our first visit I thoroughly enjoyed the corn and smoked mozzarella pie as well as the pesto pie. The pesto offered subtle yet deep fresh veggie and pesto flavors that all played well off of the cornmeal crust. To offset that, the corn, onion and smoked mozzarella pizza is dynamic almost to the point of being in your face. While vegetarian the combo of flavors is reminiscent of bacon (and who doesn't love bacon?!). In fact, the special of the night (which I regrettably did not try) was a brussels and bacon pizza. Yum! Everything about this restaurant, even outside the food, is charming. It's tight and cozy, decorations are all cute and hipster (as are the servers), wines are offered by the glass and served up in little tumblers (an oh-so-blue-collar-Italian way to drink wine). Prices are fair for the work that goes in to the pizza, and even the grain for the crust is locally sourced. As a package, I really dig Dove Vivi. It's rare that I find myself way, way behind the times when it comes to a stand-out Portland restaurant. I guess we all slip sometimes. But I definitely won't be sleeping on this awesomeness any longer.
(5)
Jonathan S.

I feel bad about my lack of excitement about Dove Vivi. I know a lot of people love and rave about the place, but I didn't care for the pizza at all. I do have my pizza spots that I'm pretty loyal to, but the word of mouth and excitement about Dove Vivi combined with the need to eat while in tow with our small child led us to an open table and instant seating to eat. The favorable impression I do have of the place was for the great service and care about the comfort of our little one. When we arrived, they were all out of high chairs and that was fine as she wanted to be held anyway. Without us asking or inquiring again, one of the workers (not our waitress even) immediately asked us if we needed the high chair the moment it freed up from the previous occupant. That was pretty impressive and a rare moment of superior service in the general Portland restaurant scene. The pizza? meh. Although I'm sure it was cooked to everyone's delight. To me, the toppings and such seemed undercooked and otherwise bland. We each had a half pizza to share, so with a veggie and a meat pizza, I feel like I gave it the good ole college try. In all honesty, I wont eat the pizza from there again. The crust wasn't anything that stood out to me, but I thought it was supposed to be special because of the cornmeal. I believe it did, in fact, have cornmeal in it. So, I didn't care for the food, but the service was very awesome. And, I think the babysitter was pretty stoked when I told her to feel free to eat our Dove Vivi leftovers the next day.
(2)
Misty S.

Wow! My taste buds definitely did a little happy dance. The crust is a little different. It's like some kind of cornmeal dough. It's not bad, I like it. If you are expecting regular dough you might not appreciate it so I'm throwing it out there so we're all on the same page... I know how people get about their pizza dough... moving on... The pizza options are very creative and well thought out, not the boring options you get at other pizza places. My husband and I typically try to go for specials. I'm glad we did. I think it had butternut squash, greens, a cherry reduction, and probably some kind of awesome cheese that I can't recall at the moment. Anyway, it was great. Dove Vivi is in a little strip mall so it might be difficult to spot. Good thing we went with friends that have been there before. I'm glad they suggested it to us.
(4)
Ed H.

Of all the restaurants in Portland, this is definitely in my top three. I have a hard time thinking of anything I'd rather eat than my standby order here - a half-and-half corn (mozzarella, smoke mozzarella, balsamic marinated roasted red onions, fresh sweet corn, and chives with the optional house-made sausage added) and corn cashew (vegan roasted red pepper & cashew sheese, fresh sweet corn, caramelized onions, and chives with the optional house-smoked tomatoes added). Dear god. It's too good! If you don't know what you're doing here, you may be disappointed. Here are some pro tips: - Avoid peak hours or you will wait for-EVER. - Don't go in super hungry or you will be totally crashed out by the time you get your food. - Don't order a generic pizza here. Pepperoni is best left for Hot Lips. - The salads are delicious - the kale salad is the best - but they are way overpriced for what you get. One salad order is fine to split between two people if you're not trying to fill up on it. - Have them double-cut your pizza so instead of six unfortunately oversized slices you end up with twelve totally reasonable slices. - Don't worry about spending too much because the food is DENSE and makes AMAZING leftovers. They're excellent cold or reheated in a (toaster) oven (at a preheated 425F for ~10 minutes). - The seating area is very small and you will be right up next to your neighbors, so be ready for that. So ultimately there are some caveats you should know of if you want to have this be an ideal experience, especially if you're eating in. My wife and I used to eat in the restaurant area frequently enough, usually for special-ish occasions or when we wanted to spoil ourselves after a long visit to The Circuit Bouldering Gym down the street, but nowadays we're more likely to make a kale salad based on their recipe at home, call in the pizza order for pick up, and enjoy a night at home with plenty of extra salad and wine for a fraction of the price. The food alone is what's earned this place the five stars I'm giving it. If I weren't so lucky with my first order with them and was rating this based on the in-restaurant experience, I might have gone as low as three stars. But if you're prepared for what they have going on, you're going to enjoy what may very well be the best specialty pizza of your life thanks to Dove Vivi.
(5)
Rosemary R.

We love Dove Vivi pizza SO much. It is unique and delicious. Their service is also uniquely excellent. Recently, I waited an extra minute for part of my order and they threw in a little something extra to thank me for patience. It's that kind of touch that makes this place so special.
(5)
Debbie L.

Going down my list of Portland restaurants and it's Dove Vivi's turn! I love pizza and beer so this place was sounding pretty good after a long almost two weeks playing Oregon tour guide to friends visiting. So, I had Ray pick out my beer but I didn't like it. He was ok with that and drank it for me. I decided that my Beet Salad and Pesto one slice pizza would be enough. The salad was pretty tasty and I always feel good when I eat a plate of greens and other veggies before my pizza. When the pizza slice came, my first impression was that it was a small piece of pie! However.... it ended up being perfect! Rich, tasty, smooth and I loved the cornmeal crust! One piece was quite enough along with the salad. Ray had the olives and I snuck one of those and the flavor was delicious as well. I highly recommend Dove Vivi for a truly tasty pizza experience. A delicious alternative for your normal every day pizza pie!
(4)
Dan H.

I have eaten a lot of pizza in the past week. This is not a bad thing. It is a thing however. A friend moves back into town (this is not a joke) after moving out of town 8 months ago. Her new apartment isn't ready to be moved into so she and her dog stay with me. After spending the day playing in the sun, we decide it is time to get some dinner. Friend says she would like pizza. I mention that I have a coupon for $4 off of a pie at Dove Vivi. She has never heard of Dove Vivi. I tell her about the cornmeal crust. She is sold. We order our pizza and a large beet salad, go to pick it up and bring it back to my place. Whew. That was a mouthful. First, the salad. The first time I came to Dove Vivi I had this salad. Big enough to feed two, it was all I could think about for weeks on end. I did think about sex as well, but the salad was a close second. Anyway, I'll move on. The salad was just as good as I remembered it to be. Beets, roasted walnuts and blue cheese, served on a bed of greens with shallot balsamic vinaigrette ($7.50 for a large). People. It is better than it sounds. Simple, but yet oh so freakin' good. The pizza. We had the Goat Cheese pie. Mozzarella, goat cheese, marinated green peppers, fresh rosemary and marinated roasted tomatoes. Tell me that this pie doesn't sound good. I dare you to tell me that it doesn't sound good. This isn't inexpensive pizza and it is a step up with the kind of pizza I normally eat, but when you make a product that stands out with fresh ingredients, I am definitely going to partake on occasion. If you haven't been, it is an experience. It is a different kind of pie and a step away from the norm.
(4)
Marissa A.

Ive had people rave about this place to me, when i ask for a good pizza place. I have to agree. Since moving here from NY i have failed to enjoy good pizza despite the many pizzerias I have tried, until today! Service was friendly, atmosphere was relaxing, and the pizza was perfect! We stuck with the traditional pepperoni and were very pleased! Edit: Ive been back again and tried the sampler! OMG you cannot go wrong with any of the flavors! Love the cornmeal crust too! Seating is a little awkward and crowded and their hours are weird. I feel like for such a popular place, time to expand.
(4)
CA f.

The kale salad is absolutely amazing! As are any of their pizzas with their chunky tomato sauce
(5)
Smelly C.

Alli brought me here. It's one of her favorite places. It's easy to miss with it being sandwiched in a strip mall but don't sleep on this.. Cornmeal crust pizzas-- the whole pie or by the slice. I like that option. Salads Desserts I ate my pizza with a knife and fork but, in retrospect, I should have forgone that and just went all hands. I could see why Alli craves the food here and I'm glad I got to try it. It's pretty great. It's a small restaurant and it fills up fast. Open everyday from 4pm-10pm. Great food. Great service. Cute place.
(4)
Annie W.

I love the food at Dove Vivi. Oh so much. But... does it really take 50 minutes to cook a pizza? The wait time is atrocious. My favorite plan of action is to just call ahead and get the pizza to go.
(4)
Heather S.

Delicious cornmeal pizza, the best kale salad I've ever had (and I LOVE kale!), and killer (chewy) homemade chocolate chip cookies make Dove Vivi a treasure. Add to that warm, friendly, and efficient service, and you've got a winner. Only wish they had a bigger parking lot (do NOT park in the area by the market; you will be towed!). Other than parking, Dove Vivi is awesome!
(5)
Ronald A.

I think this is our current favorite for take out pizza. We are lucky, because we are just a few minutes away. The cornmeal crust is unique. Our current favorite is the corn cashew. It is vegan and contains roasted red pepper and cashew cheese, sweet corn, caramelized onions and chives. We served this to our meat loving friends recently and it was the first eaten. You can get it with smokes tomatoes added, something i will most likely do the next time. Last night we added a small beet salad for Rebecca and a kale salad for me. It is almost as good as Rebecca makes here at home. I recommend it. Eating this healthy lets me stop for gelato on the way home. By the way, the staff has been uniformly friendly and helpful. It is always ready when I arrive. Living just a mile or so away makes eating in the better option than waiting what is often a bit of a line to get this bit of good eating. Finally, while we love the Corn Cashew pizza, their meat pizzas are also good. My second choice is the pepperoni classico. It is old fashioned good. For cheese lovers, try their quatro fromaggio. This is just good pizza.
(5)
Justin A.

I love their pizza. I crave it all the time. Unfortunately they get way too busy and are unable to handle the crowd. I understand we came at a busy time. Which is why I was surprised when they told us 30 minutes. Hooray, right? Nope. An hour layer I checked in on our wait time and they told us it would be at least another 20 minutes. And that there were two people ahead of us.. They said "we can't exactly kick people out" Well they essentially kicked us out. I'll probably get food to go again but I'm done trying to eat in.
(2)
Katie C.

The cornmeal crust is not my thing! I am glad we tried this place though. I could see how this could be the best pizza place in Portland if you are vegan. I just like to feel like I'm being naughty when I have a slice and this left me feeling unsatisfied.
(3)
Alisha P.

I've been going to Dove Vivi since it opened. They use to know me when I lived around the corner. I was blown away by the corn meal crust, toppings, and service. Around that time I noticed Portland going through a foodie revolution of sorts where places serving easily customized food insisted there could be 'no substitutions'. I find this ridiculous and at the time Dove would customize pizzas, even by the slice. I've always had to struggle through long lines and inattentive service. HIRE MORE PEOPLE! But... after a 30+ min wait you're seated and after another 30+ min to be spoken to at all and another 10+ min wait for your drink and another 45+ min wait for the salad and another 20+ min wait for the pizza... the food is reliably great. And after a visit or two I knew what to expect. So ok, I can deal as long as I have expectations. I'm vegan and one of the first times I ordered their beet salad THEY suggested I sub out their vegan ricotta for the cheese. I've since done that ever single time I've gone. I know their menu says 'no substitutions' and now they've stopped allowing me to ask for no corn on my corn cashew pizza (even though I pick it off and they throw it away) they STILL didn't protest over the vegan ricotta on my beloved beet salad. TODAY... The waitress (W), that might be the owner, had this conversation with me (A). A - I'd like to sub vegan ricotta for the cheese on a salad. W- That will be an extra charge. A- For subbing? You've never charged for that before. W- Yes we have, we have ALWAYS. We do not sub, but we will add things for a charge. A- I've been here probably 40 x and you have NEVER done it before. W- Yes, we always have, do you still want to add it? A- (looks away, completely shuts down) Yes. I have had worse service and worse food at a restaurant that I didn't have such a long relationship with and went back. But I've never been called a liar and made to feel little in the way this woman treated me. JUST TELL ME THE TRUTH. "We no longer allow substitutions, that will be a small charge." A few notes. - I have gotten the beet salad EVERY time I've gone to Dove. - When I started eating at Dove they happily told me special orders were welcome and they build every slice to order. - About 2 years ago they started saying the pizzas are 'pre-made and heated to order'. - 3 years ago the menu did not say 'no substitutions' and they customized my housemate and my slices without issue. And he has a memory like a bear trap. - A friend of mine told me that a month ago they were told they COULD make a special order but when the pizza came the substitution wasn't done...? - Today I was shocked to see 4 open tables when we entered. Maybe the service has gotten so bad other people have stopped enduring it, maybe we were lucky. Either way. We waited 10 min for them to place water on a table and allow us to sit. Then after another 10 min what turned out to be our waitress sat at the table next to us and had a 5 min conversation about life. When she got up she asked if we'd decided. Do not expect to make a drink or appetizer order. I hope someone else opens up a pizza restaurant with a similar crust because I'm NEVER going back.
(1)
Erin H.

OH man. Vegan pizza does not get any better. The corn and cashew may sound weird, but it's delicious. For all the non-vegans out there, this place is also amazing for you. Their pizzas are inventive, and you can mix and match a pan (half-sies!). The ambiance of this place is great too. Mason jars, wooden tables, small dining space, etc... Expect a wait on a Friday and Saturday night.
(5)
Jeremy K.

Great unique pizza. Honestly, this is probably the best crust I have had on a pizza. The crust has some cornmeal in it, so it's got some crunch and great flavor to it. It's similar to cornbread, but without the corn and much less fluffy. We got a pizza, of which half was their Corn pizza and half was their Soprassata pizza. The Corn pizza was very light, but it was great. There were red onions with balsamic vinegar, chives, corn, mozzarella, and smoked mozzarella. I would have like to taste the smoked mozzarella more. Either way, it was good and satisfying. The Soprassata pizza had had Soprassata salami, red onions, red peppers, mozerella, and fontina. I really like the sweet and salty combination. Good, simple pizza. Crust is bomb. At about 23 dollars a pizza, this is not the cheapest pizza in town, and for its size, this does not get you the most bang for your buck. But it sure is unique, and I say that if you are in the area, you have to try it once. I haven't tasted something like this before.
(4)
Ainsley D.

Dove Vivi is definitely in the running for my favorite pizza spots! I've only been here once and I was blown away by how adorable this place was from the outdoor sign to the patio seating, to the decor inside and even the font on their menu and pizza boxes! But their pizza...the most important part...was incredibly delicious! I'm eager to try their vegan pies, but we opted to try their eggplant pizza with mozzarella, blue cheese, roasted eggplant, basil and fresh tomatoes on a cornmeal crust. Divine. Everything I saw leave their kitchen was mouthwatering. I simply can't wait to go back!
(5)
Sandy W.

Relatively quick seating, good furnishing and music to ease you into the killer meal that's headed your way. Fresh ingredients top off quality sauce & crust for every pie. This place definitely serves up a unique slice; not like the flabby, doughy grease-bombs you'll find at almost every American pizza joint. But the cornbread crust will fill you up good, real good. Get the shortbread to finish the meal off, one's enough to seal the deal.
(4)
Abe I.

Delicious pizza, great staff, and perfect salads - can't go wrong with Dove Vive
(4)
Emily L.

My good friend Amy has been pressuring me to go here since the time of Jesus and Dinosaurs and other old things. Like most people, when someone forcefully suggests anything to me repeatedly, I avoid it like the plague. "Don't tell me what to do!" So....I waited until she stopped nagging, and then I went here....because it was like it was my own idea. Then I pretended I forgot she ever told me about it.....so that I could tell HER about it, and insist she go try it. Yeah. Game changer. That's what just happened. Anyway, this place is in a mini-mall. I feel sad even writing that. You're thinking "really, Emily? Mini-mall restaurants? That's what you're endorsing? What is this, Phoenix? Beaverton?" Well, if you're questioning my taste, stop reading.....more pizza for me, A-hole! Winnerrrrrrr!!! You'd drive by it 1,000 times and not know it was there, because the building across the street is multicolored in a gray city. I mean, it catches the eye. And the dive bar across the street from that is bound to have some people pissing and/or shitting outside.....so, it's a tiny jewel, in a mini-mall, in a sea of visual distractions. There's like 6 tables inside and maybe like 4 outside, so there's a good chance you're going to have to wait to eat, and if you know me, you know that I was born without patience. Sad, I know. Well, I didn't protest having to wait by defiantly eating Frito's in their parking lot and staring all chemical-imbalancey into their dining room windows at people eating. I waited. The staff was ultra friendly, and helpful....and it's not because I'm cute OR friendly. It's because they're just nice, and they seem to grasp customer service and hospitality in a way that's typically foreign to Portland dining establishments. I drank rose while I waited. They kept that glass full. The wait on a Thursday was like 30 minutes....but when there's wine aplenty, who the hell cares!? I ordered their kale salad. I'm not a new-age exploratory artisanal vegetable aficionado. I'm not even a foodie. I'm actually a terrible vegetarian, because I hate most vegetables. Kale sounds trendy, and it looks weird. Yeah, well, this salad was ridiculous. If it had a job, I probably would have bought it a drink and tried to trap it with semi-consensual sex and a fake pregnancy. Order the kale salad. For the love of God. Since I first went there, I've actually ordered it for takeout on a number of occasions. That salad makes the world a better place. For the pizza, it's unique. I'm an East Coast gal, so I'm an Italian food snob. This pizza has a cornmeal crust....it basically tastes like cornbread and shortbread orgied-it-up with a pizza. (Wow....I need to stop personifying food...also I need to stop making sexual references about food, before TLC calls me for some "My Strange Addiction" segment.....again. Wait, was that "Intervention?" Oh, hey....). The pizza is cooked in a brick over. They cook it in front of you. You can witness the care being put into the food. You can also observe that your pizza didn't fall on the ground, and no one in the kitchen did any other unspeakable horrors to it before serving it up. Whew! This body can only handle so much food-service-industry-related Hepatitis. The pizza choices are creative, and I had a difficult time selecting just one. I went with the chevre, spinach (arugula?) and mushroom. My buddy got the meat explosion pizza. In closing, it's tough to compare this pizza to other pizza. I've literally never had anything like it.....it's "different," but in a delicious way. It's uniqueness makes it challenging to line up against other local joints....but it's worthy of a visit because 1.) good service 2.) clean, small, cute establishment 3.) open kitchen 4.) KALE SALAD (if you remember none of this review....remember that!!!) 5.) Creative topping choices 6.) I didn't order dessert, but the full-figured gals at the next table did and it looked enticing if not for the fact that I had all ready consumed enough calories to humble a large animal given to hibernation-related food storage.
(4)
Justine E.

The best pizza place in Portland to be sure! The crust is very different than traditional pizzas but its amazing. The corn pizza is the best! I know it sounds weird but seriously, get the corn pizza. They get all their produce locally and make all their own sausage. The beet salad is also very good.
(5)
Heather A.

Majorly delicious. The only reason why I am not giving 5 starts is because their pizza is so addictive and they are only open for dinner. I wish they were open for lunch so I could eat there more often! I could go for some right now...
(4)
Chris L.

Came here with a group of 5 on a semi-quiet Saturday evening. they don't take reservations, so if you have a larger group, you may want to stake out a place on their list in person! Our server was very friendly and gave us a good amount of attention. They provide their pizzas in 1/2 and whole (12" but its a BIG 12"s). We started out with their seasonal carrot salad, which was surprisingly delicious, because you know, it just has some carrots and some field greens. BUT, this worked out very well, the carrots were steamed or blanched to a perfect tenderness, and the dressing was a light oil with a hint of sesame that coated all over. Perfect for a late spring evening dinner. It was also topped with a mild goat cheese (not sure if it was chevre) that didn't overpower the rest of the flavors at all. Next, we went crazy and ordered three 1/2 pizzas (Seasonal Fig + Pancetta, Corn, and Sausage + Peppers) -All were equally delicious in their own way but the Corn was still my fave (reminds me of Cheeseboard back in Berkeley, CA) Fig and Pancetta - it had a fig based (?) sauce with generous amounts of pancetta and topped with red cabbage. At first I was unsure of how this would come together, but the sweetness of the fig, the salty smokiness of the pancetta, were all balanced against the crunch of the semi-raw red cabbage. Definitely give this a try if you're feeling adventurous. Sausage and Peppers - I liked this a lot because, duh, sausage + peppers! The pizza was also topped with a thick chicaco-style tomato ragu, which didn't really add much to the character. Overall this is a good pizza, but the peppers were just green peppers, and the sausage lacked a spicy bite, so a decent pizza at best. Corn- we also added jalapenos ($1.50) to this but it would be great with or without. The sweetness of the corn blended perfectly with the smokiness of the red onions and the milk cheese, and this pizza just screams "EAT MORE!!". If you've never had a corn based pizza, you should definitely try one, this will be my go-to when I come back to Dove Vivi. FYI: the crust is a semi dish so the slices are very filling, if you have a group of 6, 2 whole pizzas is more than enough! They also have a great selection of beers and natural sodas. Parking is a bit tight in the area, so give a few mins to scoot around the neighborhood.
(4)
Robert R.

Delicious pizza, albeit a bit heavy. I love it!!!
(5)
Ace C.

This place came highly recommended by two friends of mine. They gave this place rave reviews so I had to try it (with them of course). Let me start off by saying that the pizza was really good. A huge change of pace from the pizza that I'm used. The cornmeal gave it a unique twist and added an unexpected surprise to my taste buds. But unfortunately, the taste wasn't spectacular enough to win me over and make me leave the "doughy goodness" that I've come to love in pizza. You can order the pizza 3 different ways: by the slice, by the half and a whole pizza. A half size has 3 slices, just to give you an idea what you're working with. This option makes it easy to try several different kinds if you're with a party of 3 or more. I have to say that my favorite part was the place itself. I love a chill and relaxing environment where you don't feel pressured. The servers were also extremely friendly. My only complaint is that it's a little pricey for my taste buds.
(3)
James A.

One of Portland's best dinner spots! Which is saying something. Very unique food experience and everthing is just so well done.
(5)
Angela N.

This may be my favorite in Portland. Surpassed my expectations. I went to this place since it was top rated for pizza. It took forever to get in on a Friday evening. So long I thought I'd never go back. Until I tasted the pizza...which was the best I've ever had- by far. Cornmeal crust is to die for. Topping were perfect. Nice simple homey atmosphere. The next time I went back I went at a non-peak time and got seated right away. Was just as good as I remembered. Now be warned, the pizza is about $22. Seems spendy, but it is delicious and heavy. I say it's totally worth it.
(5)
William J.

We went with one of the two vegan options; it was a pizza made with cashew-cheese (which is really more saucy than cheesy) and lots of corn, and chives. The plenitude of corn was fairly redundant with the cornmeal crust. If you're a corn lover, though, you will definitely want to order this one. We gave the bottled dandelion soda a try. It was very tasty! You're already being a little adventurous eating pizza here, so don't hold yourself back when it comes to dandelion soda. When the pizza was set down on our table, we were not warned of the temperature of the pan it was in. Mistakenly, when dishing out the first piece, I touched the pan. I still felt the burn in my fingertip late into the evening. Of course I would have been more careful had I been warned (as is customary when setting down a hot plate). The prices were a bit high ($23 for a whole pizza), and while the pizza was certainly good, it wasn't so good that I anticipate craving it and wanting to go back. Some reviewers have complained about service, but we had no problem there. I did try to call the order in, so that it would be ready when we arrived, and was told "That's hard to pull off" (so, no). I didn't find this rude, but it might inconvenience you if you're thinking of ordering that way. An okay place, only recommended highly for lovers of corn.
(3)
Anita H.

I came with two other friends and we each ordered a half pizza. This is seriously the way to go instead of ordering a whole pizza to be shared among 3. A half size has 3 slices so with 3 halves, we were each able to try a slice of 3 different pizzas! Okay, enough of the math and the number 3...moving on to the review. We ordered the sausage/pepper, the wild mushroom, and the corn pizzas. The cornmeal pizzas were tasty and definitely a change up from a traditional dough crust. But unfortunately, the taste wasn't spectacular enough to win me over. The cornmeal crust was a bit thicker and crunchier than I would normally prefer and there was not really much of a crust to chew on afterwards. No wood-fired, airy pockets to admire. The cornmeal crust kind of gives a pie-like appearance to the pizza. As far as toppings go, I enjoyed the corn pizza substantially more than the other two. The smoked mozzarella and the corn combination was very pleasing to the tastebuds. I did enjoy the ambiance though -- super low key and chill. Our server was friendly and unpretentious.
(3)
Shannon K.

My life is changed. Plain and simple, this pizza is a game changer. Pizza is my favorite food. I'm a New Yorker and I know pizza. Stop now if you're looking to compare this pizza to traditional NY pizza, they aren't the same and they don't deserve to go up against each other. However, being a New Yorker, I've been swayed. Maybe this is the "dark side" but I don't care, because the dark side tastes goooooood. This pizza is so friggin' amazing, I had it twice in one week. That cornmeal crust (which I was not psyched to try at first) is damn fantastic. We ordered the veggie pizza (to go, both times) and man, oh man, the veggies on there are so flavorful, cooked so perfectly. And the way the veggies and the cooked onions sit right on top of the cheese, there is just some sort of perfection happening in there when you take a bite. We also ordered the house salad which was really good. I wish they would bottle that dressing, it's light and delicious. Oh geez, I gotta stop writing this review because just thinking about this pizza is making my mouth water and my stomach grumble... Try the pizza. Know it isn't NY style and know you are in for something different and delicious...and maybe even life changing.
(5)
john A.

Solid 4 stars. It was a great pizza, but probably not the best i've had. It was a treat to breakaway from your run of the mill super thin artisan crust! I love a good deep dish and it was the first-time I had an all cornmeal crust. As a group we ordered family style, so we were able to try a bit of everything. We tried two salads; the beet and the kale, both were really good(large order can feed 2 or 3 people) we ordered four pizzas; the veggie, basil-pesto, the corn, and pepperoni mushrooms and added sausage. I'm a big meat guy but I really enjoyed the basil-pesto too. I'd definitely come back to try some others.
(4)
Kylie A.

Honestly, I think this place is a bit overhyped. Went here last week on a Friday night and had to wait 40 minutes to be seated, and another 40 just to be served a premade (yes, they're stacked on shelves ready to go) "deep dish" cornmeal crusted pizza that wasn't anything super special. I've purchased 2 premade decently sized cornmeal crusts to make my own pizza's at home before for a mere $5.00. I could've EASILY made this at home (if not better) for half the cost. One 12" pizza that serves just 2 (maybe 3? only if you want to eat like a bird) for $22.50? 6 slices? I'm sorry, but that's a bit outrageous. I don't know about you, but that isn't too easy on my checkbook. Won't be going back here anytime soon. If we do, we'll do takeout. Much faster.
(2)
Lili H.

I cannot say enough good things about this place. I have been there several times and never had a less-than-excellent experience. The very first time there were a lot of children running loose, which was annoying, but we simply started going later to avoid them. If you are looking for a typical pizza, this is not the place for you. If you are looking for something new, different and amazing, it is. Great food, wine and staff. The olives are so good we grab orders to-go for family members. A couple weeks ago my husband and I took my father-- who is a fan of neither corn nor kale-- there for his first time. The next week he requested it for dinner again, as he wanted their kale salad and corn pizza. Need I say more?
(5)
Jess P.

When my friends suddenly changed their mind from sushi to pizza, I was perturbed. Admittedly, I'm not a huge pizza fan. Usually a ton of calories that leaves you feeling sick and sluggish. But when I walked into Dove Vivi I was taken aback by how good it smelled. What was probably the scent of their baking corn-meal crusts created an aromatic heaven for my nostrils. This quickly turned into a heaven for my tastebuds as well. Dove Vivi is not your run-of-the-mill pizza joint. It isn't dripping with grease and other guilt-inducing fixings. If forced to describe their pizza, I'd call it Portland style. Unexpected flavor combinations that will leave a foodie's tongue wagging. I had a slice of the corn- sweet corn, marinated red onions, hearty smoked cheese, and chives combined to blow my mind. Paired with a kale salad, I was more than satisfied. The kale salad really lets the greens shine. Mixed with bits of cheese and a light lemon/shallot dressing, this salad stole my heart and off-set any feelings of pizza-sin I had. This meal was perfectly completed with a glass of their red wine. Perffeto, delizioso, magnifico! This will be my new go-to pizza joint, absolutely.
(5)
P W.

Wife and I go to dove vivi at least twice a month...and it never dissappoints. Their salads are fantastic - I wish the roasted carrot salad was on the menu as a standard. In fact that might be my only complaint... The sausage classico pizza with their house pickled jalapeÃ±os = heavenly! The corn pizza is our other fave. Dove vivi is a rare Portland destination that is completely non pretentious and just consistently puts out great food with good service.
(5)
Kelly W.

I've been going to Dove Vivi for years. I love the corn pizza and usually stick with it since I'm a creature of habit. The beer salad is also a favorite. The staff are usually awesome. Hipsters or not. Welcome to Portland. You are in hipster land. From time to time the staff appear rushed or stressed. I'm willing to overlook because i love the food. Couple things: this place is tiny. Your neighbors are going to hear your conversation and maybe even eavesdrop. If you want to have a private conversation go elsewhere. It's probably not a good idea to bring a party of seven or more. It's a small place and you're gonna have a long wait on Friday or Saturday night if you don't have a reservation.
(4)
Jen I.

We waited about 45 minutes for a table but this was understandable as we were a party of 6 on a Saturday night. Yes seating is tight. The place is not large. This should not deter you from eating their pizza though. I noticed they do take out. If I lived in Portland this would be dangerous news as I'd have to accept my new pizza addiction and take on a triathlon workout regimen to maintain my weight. We ordered 2 whole pizzas, 1 of each vegan options and a bottle of wine. I was worried this wouldn't be enough food. I was wrong. It was just enough. The tomatoes and veggies on the more traditional pizza were amazing as well as the creamy faux ricotta. But the corn and cashew cream pizza? With the smoked tomato? INSANITY IN MY MOUTH. I had never had anything like it before. The smoked tomato was amazing. The combination of the sweet, salty and smokey all together really made me question my reality as I knew it. Don't let the weirdness of corn on pizza stop you from getting this. It's too good to pass up.
(5)
Jennifer A.

I think this place is one of the best. I eat pretty strictly gluten-free for health reasons, but one of the things I miss the most is pizza. Enter Dove Vivi! Their pizzas are baked on corn crusts, so I can order anything on the menu and it is delicious! I tried the sausage and peppers pizza, and it was even better the second day for lunch! The atmosphere is delightful, and it is true, from the outside it does not look like much; however, that is most often how gems are found, and this is a great one. From the mason jars used for water to the leftovers wrapped in butcher paper, they did everything right from top to bottom. The ambiance is perfect for a date night, but relaxed enough for kids to come in and eat too. The prices are reasonable, a half-pizza is around $12, and you can feed two if you are not starving. I would highly recommend this place!
(5)
Allyssa W.

Really good!! I actually really enjoyed the cornmeal crust. Their sausage and pepper pizza is really really good. I definitely recommend trying the kale salad, I am obsessed with it now!
(5)
Alyssa A.

Dove Vivi is in a class all its own. You just can't compare it to any other pizza joint because who else makes their cornmeal crust? No one. I have ordered several of their pizzas and never been disappointed. The fennel sausage is amazing. If you want something plain, custom-made or don't really like to be adventurous with your pizza then go elsewhere...but you will be missing out on the experience of a lifetime. This is not quick service and they don't do substitutions but they're so darn phenomenal at what they offer, I think they're fully justified on both accounts. Love, love, love you Dove Vivi.
(5)
K. W.

I was blown away by Dove Vivi on many levels. It's just a lovely little tucked away place, and there is a good vibe inside. The staff is very warm and down to earth. The food was amazing. Salads: incredible. Pizza: delicious, and unique. Dessert: eye-rolling pleasure ! This place is also shockingly inexpensive. I can't wait to go back and try all the other pizzas ~
(5)
Jill P.

Well the pizza is awesome but not worth the crappy service. What's with the attitude Dove Vivi??
(1)
M R.

Oh. My. Goodness. You know those meals where you go in with a decent amount of expectation (nothing too wild) and you end up eating something that makes your eyes wide with amazement every time you take a bite? THAT, my friends, was me last Saturday. This deep dish + thin crust lovechild of a pizza was probably one of the best I've ever had. We ordered the Chef sampler because we couldn't decide, and it actually turned out to be the best thing to do because we got 5 little different pieces of heaven. The service was good and prompt, the restaurant somewhat small. We ate outside because the weather was great, and we were not very bothered by the fact that the street and parking lot were busy. All in all, we have decided that Dove Vivi will get all our pizza business from now on.
(4)
Sara S.

Passing Dove Vivi on the street, one probably wouldn't take a second glance. Their sign consists of a white heart with "Dove Vivi Pizza" written in a chalk-like medium, (not exactly the most eye-catching). But, don't give up! Just look for the white heart on 28th & Glisan. You won't be disappointed, their pizza is amazing! The decor is clean, vintage-esque, and classy. It's not too loud, lighting is low, and mood is relaxed. It'd be perfect for a special occasion, date night, or nice dinner with visiting relatives. It took around 40 minutes to seat my party of nine (without a reservation), and our waitress was accommodating and attentive. $190 for 11 drinks, 4 whole pizzas, and gratuity. -Actually not that bad for a big group (~$20 each). There are two vegan options and they're both good. One is basically a corn pizza, which could be a little overkill paired with a cornmeal crust... buuuuuut, still delicious! The other option has eggplant and a delightful cashew ricotta. It'd be great to see more vegan options in the future, or rotate toppings with seasonal veggies. Dove Vivi is certainly a hidden gem, and they know how to make a killer deep dish pizza.
(4)
Brett L.

I have to give these guys 5 stars. Warm hearty delicious Deep Dish Cornmeal Crust Pizza with fresh toppings. Simple concept, fantastic execution. Great location and product. Professional staff. This place is a winner. A unique Portland experience.
(5)
Jana H.

Went to Dove Vivi after a recommendation from a friend. Saw what other yelpers had to say and wanted to try it out. Wait was a bit long, so we opted to sit in the waiting area and eat. Totally worth it. We even had service there! Wasn't sure what the cornmeal crust would be like, but the hubby and I were hoping that it wasn't going to be dense. Ordered the kale and beets salad for an appetizer, as I had read that the pizzas take a while to cook. Beet salad was great. Good flavor, not too much cheese, and walnuts are always a good touch. Kale was good too, but needed something else - salad was basically kale, cheese and some light dressing. Ordered the sausage and peppers pizza. Looked and tasted great. Ingredients were super fresh, and there wasn't too much of any on thing on the pie - fresh tomatoes too. Crust was well cooked, and not too crispy - and definitely not too dense. It is a dense crust - we each had one full piece of the pie each and split another, which is a small meal for us. Flavor definitely wins out over quantity, and we have leftovers for lunch!
(4)
Natalie W.

I have never, ever tasted more delicious pizza. The crust is somehow the nearly impossible combination of deep dish and cracker-crisp. Please go here as soon as possible.
(5)
Jen L.

I'd never tried pizza with a cornmeal crust before, but I'm a total convert! We had an amazing time, the service was fabulous and we got there at just the right time (around 6 pm) - after we ordered, the place got packed! There were four of us, so we got 4 half pizzas: Sausage Classico, Pesto, the Chorizo special pizza, and....the Corn pizza. Ah, the corn. It's absolutely amazing. The balsamic onions, the fresh sweet corn, the chives....we were in raptures. The other choices were all delicious, I loved the Pesto especially but I'm sorry - my heart belongs to Corn!
(5)
J. O.

This is the best pizza in Portland. Not necessarily traditional, but every bit as good as anything else. When I moved here from Chicago years ago, I was pretty disappointed in the pizza options around town. Apizza Scholls is pretty good classic thin crust, but until recently that was about all we had. I didn't make it to Dove Vivi until a couple years ago, but haven't bothered with many other pizza places around town since. I'm always happy here. The cornmeal crust is excellent. The quality of cheese and toppings also are. I love the Sausage & Peppers, Classic Pepperoni, and Corn pizzas. They also have great specials once in awhile, along with tasty salads. The pizzas do take a while to cook, and the service can sometimes be a bit slow, but like most places in town, it's worth the wait. The last time my parents were visiting town, I took them out to some of the nicest restaurants around PDX, then came here on a cheaper 'dinner and a movie' night, and Dove Vivi was their favorite meal of the week.
(5)
Shannon P.

I would give 5 stars, but while we were eating we watched a pretty unsanitary thing go down in front of the entire restaurant. A cook was stacking pizza boxes and fumbled and knocked 5 or 6 over onto the floor outside the bathroom door. Amazingly, he and a waitress picked them all up and put them back in the stack. We then watched the boxes get used one by one for to-go pizzas. I would assume they put the boxes on the prep table when they fill them, or at the very least the cook touches the box then touches your food. Regardless, you can't serve food in boxes that were on the floor... The food here is great and the girls working were ridiculously nice, but I was really turned off by the whole box thing lol. This place is expensive, I'd expect them to know better!
(4)
Tim F.

If you're tired of the same thing over and over again: wood fired etc. Go here, it's different and delicious. A newish take on pizza. The corn crust is very yummy.
(5)
John K.

There are a variety of ways to put a Portland stamp on dining - Wy East did it by making arguably the best pizza in town in a food cart. Los Gorditos successfully uses the words Vegan and Mexican in the same sentence. Many others seem content just slapping pork belly on whatever happens to be handy. But Dove Vivi has quite possibly been the most creative - essentially reinventing something that most people don't want to see changed at all. Their cornmeal crust remains unique in texture and flavor, and though I haven't tried it, I've heard wonderful things from professionals and enthusiasts alike about their corn topping. It's been many years now since I moved here from the East Coast, and I still consider pineapple to be a sacrilege, pizza-wise. But with Dove Vivi, I'm thrilled to see that someone has come up with something that is ostensibly pizza, but is brand new, tasty, and, judging by both word of mouth, and the crowds when I've been there, wonderfully popular.
(4)
Chris C.

Definitely a different take on pizza. The crust won't be exactly what you expect but for a change of pace I would recommend it.
(4)
Amir M.

Great pizza. The cornmeal dough was great and different. I love it that they had a pizza that each slice is different.
(5)
Annette S.

After searching for, "Chicago deep dish pizza" I decided to give this place a try. First off, let me tell you that this is not deep dish pizza, nor Chicago style. I would keep looking else where or your expectations might fall short and no one likes being let down. The good: - It's pizza, who can go wrong with that? - The indoor decor and seating is nice - There appears to be no health violations The bad: - The waitress was completely clueless. Me: One pepperoni pizza please Waitress: Half pepperoni and half mushroom? Me: NO mushroom, just all pepperoni.... please Waitress: So no mushrooms? *25 minutes later* Waitress: Here's your pepperoni and mushroom pizza Me: I didn't order this, I said no mushrooms Waitress: Oh sorry about that, so what kind of pizza do you want? Waitress: You can eat it while waiting for your pizza to come out. Me: No, I'm allergic.... - So with that in mind, she half ass attempted to make up for her mistake by giving out complimentary olives. I don't even like olives, seriously I'm trying to not be rude or unreasonable. - Pizza arrived, it was small... 23 dollars? - It tasted like dive bar food, the crust was tasteless and it had limited sauce on it. - Again it was 23 dollars. - Cornbread crust? Dry and hard - I wish we would of gotten a discount on the pizza, we wait 50 minutes to eat and the waitress didn't seem to really give a shit, she spent 85% of her time talking to the chefs. So over all experience 1 star for service and 1 star for food.
(2)
Don N.

I randomly found Dove Vivi on Yelp at 5:30 as I was in need of Pizza and beer for a meeting at 6PM. I was told it would take 25 minutes. I ordered a growler of beer (my first ever). The beer in the growler is great although I forget the name. The ladies working there were all very pleasant. Double Barrel Ale maybe? I ordered a large pizza to go and gave a $5 tip. I asked if I could sit down at a table (most were empty at that point) and drink a glass of the beer. Oddly, I was the first ever to ask the question. They said OK and a waitress sat me. I opened the growler and enjoyed a glass. I waited about 30 minutes and nobody came to tell me anything about my pizza. So I stood by the door for another 15 minutes, smiling at the ladies, one who had taken my order was there, so I assumed they were busy and no need to push them. I was late and life goes on. Then I noticed people coming in and picking up pizzas and I looked on top of the oven and sure enough my pizza was sitting there. Maybe for 25 minutes! Oh, well, I signaled for my pizza, the young lady looked at the receipt and seemed puzzled, but nothing was said. I guess my ordering to go and then being seated threw the planets out of alignment. I don't expect anything, stuff happens. I will be back.
(4)
T C.

Excellent pizza. Nice, eclectic selection of ingredients, drink, and location. 3-stars for very pricey, very slow service, and a bit pertinacious attitude....
(3)
Steph C.

If cornmeal and pizza had a love child, they would face population extinction b.c i'd eat all of them. Seriously, hands down, amazing. I am kinda picky when it comes to my food. I will practically eat anything, but I often find that places get too much hype than what is deserved and I come in with these great expections that fail me. I had one bite of dove vivi and I was blown away. This is not your regular, run of the mill pizza. If you like dough based pizzas, this may not be fore you. For me, the cornmeal is the best of both worlds: thick and crispy.. and because its corn meal, it doesn't make me feel bloated afterwards. Doesn't matter what toppings you pick, bc seriously, you cannot go wrong. The combos are very gourmet, perfect for foodies, or people who like to instagram and show off their fancy-schmancy meals. Dining place is small, but cozy. If you come during peak hours, expect to wait. Then it takes an addtional 30-ish minutes to cook your food. Worth it.
(5)
Cecilia K.

Wonderful family run business who donates a percentage of their earnings to non-profit groups each month. We try to visit on Tuesdays when that happens. The pizza specials are different all the time and are always up to date on the website which makes it nice. The beet salad and kale salad are so good! Corn meal crust is unlike any other in Portland and always a good amount if toppings. You will not go home hungry!
(5)
Theodor A.

I'd give a lower rating, but the food was good, especially the pesto pizza. The problem was that I signed in for a table for 3 at 7:30, wasn't told it might be a while before I'd be seated. About 30 minutes later, I was told it would be another 5-10 minutes, and then was finally seated 45 minutes after putting my name on the list. The server apologized weakly. (In their shoes, I would have offered free drinks or dessert at least.) Perhaps they need to figure out a better table configuration. Lots of two-tops were empty.
(4)
Mark M.

Dove Vivid has one of the best pizzas in Portland. Be aware that this a corn flour crust that is very good in my opinion. However, it is very different from a typical pizza crust. While it is heavier, it is definitely lighter on the digestive system. Dove Vivi's toppings are among the best I have ever had! Great atmosphere for a night out with friends or friend. The service staff is well trained and knowledgeable. The only reason Dove Vivi did not get ***** is the price. Will I go again even though I think it is a bit over-priced; yes. The flavors are attractive for me. If The prices were $15 - $18 this would be my go to place.
(4)
Cassandra Q.

Went for the first time tonight and it was wonderful. Great atmosphere, great waitress, and great food. We will be back!
(5)
Sarah P.

I've never eaten anything like the pizza at Dove Vivi. It is ridiculously good! Having developed a dairy allergy at age 15 and never having been much of a fan of cheese anyway, pizza has always been a bit out of reach for me. Dove Vivi has two vegan pizzas (no cheese!) that induce a craving in me allowing me to understand the brain's ability to overlook life's pressing needs -working, paying bills, breathing, -and submit wholeheartedly to the intently obsessed and focused mind of addiction. The pizza is that good! My favorite is the Della Salute. On a recent visit, I was given a side dish of their Yemeni sauce (think diced green chiles, coriander, cilantro, garlic). This with the Pear Cider and I do believe I might have signed my soul over to the devil. Ah well, totally worth it. Before going, one should know that this pizza will fill you up quick! It's not like anything else you've tried. The pizza is dense and you can probably count on leftovers. I have a very healthy appetite and one to two pieces is my capacity. Then eat another for breakfast the next day.... Our waitress was extremely attentive and friendly. My friend thoroughly enjoyed the sausage pizza and ordered their fancy root beer. I had a taste and we both agreed it was the most delicious root beer ever! Was it the stars, the moon, or is their food just that good? Decide for yourself, but I personally cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Michaelangelo T.

I originally posted a scathing review after a bad server experience. However, the management went as far as contacting us personally to make sure we knew that it was a fluke. I wanted to give them a good review because the cashew corn pizza was good, but couldn't justify it after the experience. The fact that the owners went out of their way to correct the problem shows the pride and dedication they have invested into their restaurant, which is admirable and deserved. In addition, I have to give an extra star to any restaurant that includes Destroyer and Velvet Underground on the playlist.
(4)
Jennifer A.

What a cool concoction. I enjoyed the pesto pizza. Would like to try them again with a different topping. Unique!
(4)
Paige H.

Very tasty pizza. I mean pizza is pizza right? Not when the crust is a perfect combination of soft and crunch due to the cornmeal. This is an exciting twist on the traditional pizza fare. The only reason I docked them a star is because they are too busy to really offer great service, but it's worth it.
(4)
Katie R.

Don't eat anywhere else for pizza! The cornmeal crust is fantastic, crunchy, and a perfect complement to the toppings. Sooo good.. their pizzas aren't annoying "gourmet" type, they're eloquently placed veggies and meats complement the cornmeal crust in a perfectly balanced way. Did I mention excellent service?!! Win win.
(5)
Christina R.

Good food, hand crafted & made with love. Not cheap! Sit and enjoy the food with someone whose company you enjoy.
(4)
Foodvana F.

We stopped in very late on a Saturday, looking for a quick bite before making the two-hour drive back to Olympia. Although it was 10 minutes until closing, the hostess graciously seated us and didn't rush us at all. We ordered one pizza pie, half the Blue Room special (mozzarella, gorgonzola, marinated mushrooms, fresh tomatoes) and half the pepperoni (pepperoni, mozzarella, fontina, mushroom, fresh tomatoes). Two things of note: the awesome, awesome cornmeal crust and the welcomed summer-evoking sweetness of fresh tomatoes. We spent three years in Chicago, and I dare say Dove's pizza crust bests Gino's, Giordano's, and Pizzeria Due's. The pie is baked in a classic deep dish pan, but it is not as thick or as overwhelming as its Chicago brethren. The compact crust is almost pastry like, with flaky buttery layers. The cornmeal gives it a nice bite, like a good Southern biscuit. These were white pizzas, so no tomato sauce per se, which was fine by me. Instead we got generous helpings of fresh, fresh tomatoes, coarsely chopped and salted. It really brightened each savory bite. The cheese topping itself was just right (the gorgonzola was tangy enough without being overpowering), a palatable proportion. Good pizza, friendly service, and unpretentious setting, not that far from bustling Burnside scene. Will definitely come back again! Look for the big heart sign from the street ... the actual Dove Vivi sign is hard to spot.
(4)
Emily Y.

Mmmmmmmmm!! My favorite pizza place in the world. I love the corn one. It's amazing how filling cornmeal crusts are, so I usually just get two slices. Add a pint of double mountain IRA to your meal and it's the perfect meal!!
(5)
derek C.

Ate here while visiting Portland. I might have to start my own cornmeal crust pizza shop to cure my cravings because I cannot find a place like this anywhere else in the country. (The person a few reviews ago is trying way too hard. Just write a review. Honesty goes further than using the new word you learned earlier in the day... just saying.) beatoftravel.com
(4)
Rachel L.

Love the cornmeal crust on the pizza. We shared a pesto pie and a kale salad between three people and it was plenty of food (we were all very full, but no leftovers). The kale salad was delicious - a perfect blend of flavors. The pesto pizza was a little underwhelming, though. Not much pesto flavor, kind of like they just chopped up some unflavorful basil and added a ton of similarly unflavorful cheese. I'll give them another try with a different pie, though, because I like their style and I have a greater antipathy to blandness than most people.
(4)
Evan S.

Love this place. The pizza is amazing and you always get great service and a good vibes from the employees! My only negative experience with Dove vivi was once i dropped in to pick up a pizza and the cook was wearing a sleeveless shirt. I have to admit I thought this was a bit unsanitary, but it was one time out of dozens. Over all Dove Vivi has given me a great experience and I highly recommend them!
(4)
Tracy S.

This quaint pizza eatery is innovative, unconventional, charming, and well-deserving of my 5 star rating for overall quality, experience, and service. Dove Vivi proves that vegan and vegetarian foods do not have to be dull and painfully expensive. Their cornmeal crust sets this place apart from many pizza joints. If I lived in Portland, you would find me here every week at a bare minimum. I returned back home (to Hawaii) with dreams of this place and their cornmeal crust, assorted vegan delights, and flavorful salads. When I return to Portland, this will be one of my very first stops. Our good friend (and trusty Portland native) took us here and assured us that pizza isn't just pizza here. We ordered the corn cashew (vegan) and house sausage pizzas with a kale salad. I'm not a big meat-eater (and our friend isn't either), but my boyfriend is, hence the house sausage pizza. I've never had kale before so this was my kale debut. All in all, their kale salad, corn cashew pizza, and cornmeal crust were phenomenal and most definitely something to write home about (or Yelp about)! The kale salad was a lemony heaven! The corn cashew pizza had a touch of spice, sweetness, and cheesy goodness in each bite. However, I wasn't horribly impressed with their house sausage pizza (but I'm biased toward vegan and vegetarian items), but my boyfriend enjoyed it. We didn't have any wine or beverages alike, so I can't comment on wine pairings with the pizza here (but other Yelpers do!). We were happy with water, which was served via a cute vase located on each table. Beware, this is NOT a 'fast food' joint, but they do take-out. Keep in mind that everything here is made to order and you are paying for labors of love totally worth every minute of wait and penny spent.
(5)
Petra L.

There's something unsettling about this pizza. In my quest to craft the perfect Portland Vegan Pizza list, I had to try the much-touted (among my vegan friends, anyway) Dove Vivi. My roommate and I acquired a pizza that combined their two vegan options. Half red pepper/cashew cheese/corn/onions/chives and half roasted eggplant/green pepper/onion/mushroom/tofu ricotta. First - the crust was like a smack to the face. There's a lot of it, it's heavy, and it's *definitely* cornmeal. A little overwhelming for someone who's so loyal to thin crust. Second - cornmeal crust plus a fresh corn topping? Officially a terrible idea in my book. I have a corn quota and it was met, exceeded, and then trampled upon by this pizza. Way, way too overwhelming. The eggplant half was the clear favorite - lots of toppings, tasty tofu ricotta, and a much better balance of flavor. Overall the pizza was fine (and who isn't charmed by the heart on the to-go boxes?) but disappointing after all the hype I'd heard. I'm clearly not a cornmeal crust type of girl. Don't worry Bella Faccia, my heart is still yours for the taking.
(3)
Kody L.

This pizza is pretty damn good: cornmeal, deep dish crust and tons of traditional and rotating specials. You can take one home to bake yourself, get one by the slice from the display case or dine-in. I would give this five stars, but I think I chose the wrong pizza to really compare it to other places. The Tasso Ham special was full of smoky, spicy flavors. This was great, but halfway through my meal I wish I had ordered a tomato-based pizza. Oh darn, guess I'll have to come back again to try it out! Really great pizza!
(4)
Jeff Z.

Two years after leaving the East Coast, I am no less opposed to spending more than $7 on a large pizza than I was when I first came here. I'm just more accepting that this is the way it is here and that there's nothing I can do about it. But, ok, I got it: If I want a large pie with a topping or two, I have to shell out $20. Which would be easier to accept if so many of these $20 pies were any good at all. Alas, most lack any character. And then there is Dove Vivi. And if my options in Portland are $7 for a tray of garbage from Rovente, or dropping $20, I'd just as soon come to Dove Vivi and have something delicious. Their pizzas have always been outstanding every time I've been there. Service has been genuine and great. Good stuff. And I don't have to wear a tuxedo like the other fancy "pizzeria" a few blocks away on 28th.
(5)
Erica M.

I love their pizza. It is an unusual crust made with cornmeal and is really thick, my fiancee does not like it but I loved this greasy thick pizza with a mighty fine micro brew. Plus they have very good vegan pizza and refreshing salad to curb the grease.
(5)
Eli B.

I'm not sure why this experience left me so irate. Here is my main theory: My experience here made me wonder what Portland has become since I grew up here. Is it really inhabited by a bunch of pretentious, self-aggrandizing foodies? Are the days of laid back crunchies in Patagonia fleeces and Chacos replaced by the Organic/Vegan Mafia? SAY IT AIN'T SO!! We were in a little bit of a hurry but were absolutely flexible, asking the hostess if perhaps we could put our order in because the line was short and we would most likely be sat before the pizza was ready, offering to sit at the counter etc. I'll spare you the details, but the end result was that the hostess refused to allow us to place the order, and strongly SUGGESTED that we order to-go so that "our experience wasn't ruined." She kicked us out! It took us 15 minutes to come to this and place our order and another 35 minutes of waiting for the order. And we missed our movie. Perhaps it was my fault that I tried to go to a pizza joint with a timeline. MY B, Portland. MY B! I'll remember to savor it next time....somewhere else. And the pizza was delicious (the B.E.A.T special and the corn) but that fact irritates me even more.
(2)
Rob T.

Consistently excellent pizza. I really, really like the corn with sausage but I don't think you can really go wrong. Some of the special slices are really interesting and delicious. The slices seem expensive at first, but I can't really eat more than one and a half so in the end it's comparable with other dinner food. The tap selection is limited but REALLY GOOD. Whoever picks these must like the same things I do, because I'm rarely disappointed. I like to get a slice or two to go and have a beer while I wait. The cornmeal crust is interesting, filling, and I've yet to have a bad one - they have good quality control, except for the time they made us three pizzas instead of three slices which ended with us getting some extra pizza. You'd think they'd have double checked if we ordered $70 worth of pizza or $12 but they were very nice about it.
(5)
J T.

I recently discovered this little gem and I'm obsessed. The beet salad is perfection. I would eat it everyday if I could. The pizza is delicious, the ingredients are fresh. I would give 5 stars but the service leaves something to be desired.
(4)
Clare S.

The yum factor at Dove Vivi is seriously off of the charts. With a recommendation from my brothers girlfriend, we set off for some pizza, with my expectations pretty high. I was not let down. We started with the salad off of the specials board which was a large mixed green salad with fresh whole asparagus on top tossed in a fantastic vinaigrette. There were three of us, and the salad was certainly enough for all of us at $6.75. Wine was relatively on the cheap side, with a bottle of pinot costing us $20. We ended up with two bottles over the evening, and didn't even feel bad about doing so. Although this was the least expensive wine on the menu, I think their highest prices bottle was $29. We ordered two half pizzas for the three of us, and it was literally the perfect amount. We ordered the corn pizza and added sausage and the speical potato pizza. I've never had such an amazing pizza in my life. No, this is not your traditional pizza, sure when I was in Europe I had pizzas that blew me away, don't look for that same style here. This pizza is inventive and flavorful and nothing like you will find anywhere else. The potato pizza was hands down my favorite. It was cornbread crust (fantastic!!!!!), with light pizza sauce, loads of mozzarella, thinly sliced potato that had the perfect amount of crisp, italian bacon, and marinated roma tomatoes. I can't get over the flavor combo that this pizza had. YUM. The corn pizza was similar in base, but the toppings were fresh kernel corn, with italian sausage. Both were fantastic and I would certainly get them both again. The service was pleasant and attentive. We got that right at the start of the busy Friday night dinner rush, and there was definitely a line when we left, but we were never rushed. All in all we got out of there for a little over $70 before tip. If we wouldn't have had wine, we would have gotten out of there for $27 plus tip for three people. You can't eat almost anywhere in Portland for that. We will certainly be back considering it's 9 in the morning and all I can think about it cornmeal crust.
(5)
Giggly C.

Cornmeal crust pizza- corn option. delicious and perfect. We take out all the time since it's so close.
(5)
Ela M.

It's happened. I have had the potato and pancetta pizza. The pancetta was a little too fatty but it was real real good so the fat was real real forgivable. I feel right, kids. I feel right.
(5)
JJ R.

This is one of my favorite places to go. Cornmeal crust is so buttery and good! I always order from the specials because they get pretty effing creative with those combinations. Plus I'm a sucker for caramelized onions. The beet salad makes me feel like I'm doing something healthy so that's a must. The staff is so friendly. One time, my husband and I drove ourselves crazy trying to figure out how we knew our server, but it turns out that's just her schtick. You feel like you know her right off the bat. The environment is cute and cozy with dark lighting. That paired with the warmth from the pizza ovens can be a dangerous combination after stuffing your face and downing a bottle of wine. This place can get packed around din din time, but it's not bad if you're a small party.
(5)
Thomas W.

Huh. I'm actually kind of at a loss here. On one hand, this isn't really pizza. I mean, you can always flatten something out, put toppings on top of it and bake it in an oven, but that isn't what really defines the whole school. In the case of the cornmeal crust (inventive, I will give it that, and far from inedible) and usual assortment of "high brow" toppings, I would have to say that this is an example of what pizza is not. *!!*HOWEVER*!!* that does not make this a bad place to eat. While the food that they have cobbled together is not pizza in the strictest sense, it IS tasty...annoyingly so, because it is so difficult to pigeon-hole. I mean, I can't offer my usual "Dear God! What IS this crap?!" reply as I might for Hot Lips, Round Table, Pizza Schmiza or the like. It's...gah! This is so difficult! I really should hate this place, but I don't! I actually like it a lot...but they say it's pizza, and... ... ... ... ...you know what? Just go try it. If nothing else, it will be a novelty, and at best you'll find a "corn pie" of excellent quality that you will thoroughly enjoy. Wait a minute...eggplant on pizza? What am I telling you guys?! Oh wait, it's not pizza, it's...gah! It's just really good, ok? There, I said it. Now go get a corncrust pie!
(4)
Mr. S.

I don't make it here as often as I'd like. I think of going to Dove Vivi at least 4 times a week yet, have only been twice. I think Dove Vivi is one of the most slept on spots in town. I've ordered sausage for myself both times and have ended up finishing my kids' pesto pizza both times as well. It is one of the few places, in my lifetime, that my only review or suggestion or whatever, is to just see for yourself. I've been so fortunate that I've shown up at mellow hours and was able to sit down immediately. The staff was really warm and welcoming on both visits and surprisingly accomodating when it comes to 1/2 and 1/2 pizzas. Plus they serve Eye of the Hawk from Mendocino Brewing which, if you haven't had it yet, is the poop- so take a big whiff. The cornmeal crust is unbelievable, to the point that I can't imagine a bad pie on it. The salads are unsung, but incredible none the less. I feel like I'm hurting myself by not making this a bigger habit.
(5)
A B.

My total favorite neighborhood spot. I never get sick of eating here! Amazing pizza, great waiters and comfortable atmosphere. Love it!!
(5)
Lana S.

This is tops - my favorite pizza place in town. Yes, I know it's not classic-style pie, but when I leave I don't feel full of dough. The cornmeal crust gives me the feeling of satisfaction without that overwhelming pizza feeling of over-eating. (I don't know maybe that's just me, but it's like a pizza hangover - doughball in my tummy at other places.) I had fantastic service to boot.
(5)
JT G.

Remarkable pie & an excellent beet salad!
(5)
James O.

Pretty expensive but worth it if you have never tried a cornmeal crust on a pizza. They come with really good toppings too. And tasty oatmeal beer on tap!
(4)
Michelle H.

Positively decent pizza! However, if it weren't for the fresh, tasty toppings [like blue cheese, caramelized onions, and eggplant] it could honestly almost pass for a DiGiorno. Scandalous, I know. It's that same thick, buttery crust, only a little bit crispier. Some parts were almost too crispy for my liking, making the knife-and-fork job I was doing more tough than necessary. Did I really want to launch that piece of crust with the knife? No, not really. The thickness was pretty spot on for what I usually like, though. Like I said, toppings were amazing. Spicy salami, blue cheese, eggplant--all delicious. I can get used to that. Two pieces left me comfortably full, but I could have easily probably eaten more. I think I was just expecting something different, something thicker and more hearty. I could have easily tackled it by hand if it weren't for the new braces. The beer was pretty decent, too. Two on tap, which I assume they probably rotate, lend themselves to the array of bottles. I'm pretty sure you could find something you liked. They even have Delirium Tremens! I just couldn't pay $6 for a bottle of beer tonight. It's a cute little place to grab a bite. Window seats stare out to the parking lot [romantic, no?], and a handful of tables line the walls. This is not a place for groups, not at all. Four people at the most. Even on a Tuesday night we had to wait 10-15 minutes. There isn't a ton of space to wait either, which kind of sucks. You feel like you're on display or in everyone's way. The plus to this, though, is you can have your whole meal picked out before you even sit. Service was pretty good. I like how they leave you water for the table, but it'd be nice if the glasses were bigger. Or hell, just give all of us a jar to drink from. We were a group of water drinkers, that's for sure. Parking is kind of a pain, even though there is a lot. If it's busy, you can't park in front of the mini-mart deal. They flip out. It worked out, though. I snagged a spot around the corner. A weekend would probably result in nightmares, night sweats, or full on convulsions. I'm definitely still a Pizza Oasis girl.
(3)
Skegger S.

Very slightly on the steep side, but really worth it. These folks dish out a great pizza, full of hearty goodness and tasty flavors. I was not sure what to expect, but it was fresh, hearty and I kinda thought it might have been good for me... which is odd in comparison to the last pizza I had. Seriously. Artisan pizza is something I've never had the inkling to try, but this was probably the best pie I've ever had, and it was made by somebody with a degree in something other than history.
(5)
Gina H.

I am in love with this place. I just went for the first time on Wed. night. 1) food was amazing! great pizza and salads 2) cute atmosphere 3) great service 4) cookie was super tasty This is a great spot for a first date or just to grab a slice with a friend. I will for sure be back.
(5)
Victor N.

Simply outstanding thick-crust pizza. Great neighborhood, too. I enjoy walking around 28th. Love the whole decor and vibe of this place. Cool and unique. Only bummer is the dude at the register when I was there recently. He was rather impatient and condescending. Very rare for Portland. In fact, I might now prefer Ken's down the street next time I have a pizza hankering around there.
(3)
Katie A.

Sweet baby Jesus... I haven't ever had pizza pie as good as this. Oh, I'm serious. It might be because I'm not really supposed to have dairy, but whatever.... And with a cornmeal crust, nevertheless. Seriously. The pies here are INSANE. We popped in here tonight, were seated promptly and brought water and menus almost immediately. I'm not really supposed to eat cheese, so I went with the vegan options. I had the Della Salute, which was roasted eggplant, green peppers, caramelized onions, mushrooms, in a tomato sauce. I also had a slice of the corn cashew, which was absolutely incredible! Every bite left me 'oohing and mmming' with delight. It had a roasted red pepper and cashew cheese which was the consistency of hummus, fresh corn, caramelized onions, and chives. The crust was dense and perfectly crunch and thick. I simply cannot stress to you enough how lovely these pies are. And the ambiance of the actual establishment? Very cool. Almost 70's chick. Lots of wood, plants, and medium lighting. Interesting art and a good playlist.. almost an organic feel to the place. Love love love it. They've got meat pies too, so don't go thinkin' this is just a place for the veg- heads. The carne pies are just as good. Oh, and the bill was $15 for four decently sized slices. Can't beat that. Whenever I'm in town, I can be found here. And if you haven't been here yet- go. Just go. You'll be very happy you did.
(5)
Alexis D.

Usually I hate the review like the one I'm about to write, but I couldn't resist. This review is strictly about the service, and not about the food. My friend and I walk in around 6:00 for Sunday dinner. There is only a group of 4 or so in front of us waiting for a table. I'm stoked since I'm starving and I know from the reviews that it can take some time to get your pizza once we're seated. We see the sign that says check in at the counter, so we do. A lady asks us how many, and tells us to just take a seat and it will be a few minutes. We sit at the bar counter/window seats. 45 minutes later, and we see a table clear and sit empty for way too long. My friend goes to ask if we're up soon, and the woman working the counter replies "you're not on the list you should have checked in, I already gave that table to someone else". She looks to the woman we in fact checked in with, who pretends she's never seen us before, even though we sat there for 45 minutes staring at the both of them. She also mouths to her coworker "I never saw them". They tell us we can just sit at the counter that we had been waiting at to begin with. We said no thank you and left in search of food elsewhere, knowing that this experience would in fact taint our first Dove Vivi pizza eating experience. I really wanted to try their pizza, and I'm sure I will one day. But the fact that they didn't take their mistake with grace definitely left a sour taste in my mouth.
(1)
Diane Y.

Finally made it to Dove Vivi last night (a Friday), after some strong recommendations from friends. As usual they were slammed, but we passed the wait time for a table pleasantly with a glass of wine. The Caesar salad was the real deal, with a light dressing that included just the right amount of anchovy and garlic, not an overdose. We ordered a half eggplant, and half special of the evening (Coppa) pizza, which was astoundingly great. The service was very friendly and the servers exuded genuine warmth and friendliness. As much as I love a great thin-crust wheat dough pizza, a cornmeal crust is a delectable alternative, and we enjoyed every bite. Bravo, Dove Vivi, bravo!
(5)
Ashlee H.

I'm used to just tossing mediocre pizza crust back on the plate after I've finished eating the good part (you know, the important part: the cheese). Dove Vivi has made me a different woman. There are basic staples I tend to order first at every place just because it can often say a lot about the establishment -- flautas at a Mexican place, chicken tikka masala for Indian -- and, at pizza places, I like to try the pepperoni. I went with the one with fontina and mushrooms as well rather than the classic. After taking one bite, I wasn't entirely sure I could ever eat at a "normal" pizza place ever again. Fontina is one of my favorite cheeses and it went perfectly with the other toppings. Speaking of said toppings, they are absolutely piled on! These people are not stingy. The special crust only makes it that much better. I devoured my slices and savored every bite -- even the crust-only cheeseless ones. Oh, Dove Vivi. If only you delivered, I might love you even more than my computer.
(5)
Ash. A.

Mi piace! Dove vivi is definitely "where I want to live!." The always delicious cornmeal crust is great for the wheat intolerant diner and is way more filling than its wheat pizza counterpart. If you are looking for a good vegan pizza than look no further. The tofu ricotta is so close to the real thing that even my meat eating friends end up requesting a slice from time to time. The specials are always amazing and if you are feeling a wee bit fancy try the brie and grape slice when they have it. It's one of my faves! Also for lighter fare or a starter there beat, goat cheese, and walnut salad doesn't miss a beat (bad pun intended).
(5)
Ariella O.

First off I think calling this 'pizza" is misleading and unfair. It is pizza in the sense that it is pizza shaped and has toppings though it is a far cry from any traditional pie and really should have it's very own category. I say this because I love pizza and I love Dove Vivi's corn crust and using the same rating system for both would leave a bad taste in my soul. Dove Vivi is one of a kind. The atmosphere is comfortable and eclectic: Romantic enough for a date and casual enough for a group of friends. The deep dish corn crust pie with non-traditional toppings is the only one of its kind in Portland and the first place we bring anyone visiting from out of town. (Try the corn. It's a must.) A single slice and a half salad will fill you up for about $10. The servers are great aside from a few bad eggs here and there which is unfortunate....but sadly this is Portland. You can expect great service but you'll be disappointed.
(5)
Althea R.

This is my favorite pizza place in Portland. The cornmeal crust is great. The toppings are epic, I love the corn with balsamic onions... My fiance' is vegetarian and allergic to dairy so usually pizza is not a very exciting option for him. Dove Vivi, however, is the exception. There are some great vegan or goat cheese options so you aren't just left with tomato sauce and some sad, pathetic looking veggies.
(5)
Lauren G.

Dove Vivi is so darned precious and sweet it gives me a darned toothache. Seriously, pals, the staff is super sweet and nice and so so genuinely so. The little restaurant is very very cute and despite the somewhat uncomfortable chairs, 'tis a lovely experience. And the pizza! ooooh the pizza! That pizza is rich! I mean it. That crust is heavy on the butter. Girl can do some damage on a pizza pie but even after one slice my stomach was all like "yo girl, check yourself" (my stomach is totally from the streets). The corn pizza is amazing...really rich. The pepperoni...dang delicious. And seriously, I know it SOUNDS boring, but the three-cheese is totally totally great. Do not be afraid to have leftovers, it's definitely just as good the second or third time around!
(4)
erica p.

We ordered a whole and two half pizzas and all of them were great - very heavy, topping driven, but with strong tasty crusts. And how can you NOT love the ability to order pizza halves? And slices of the fancy stuff, not just the basics! For those who want to enjoy more than just a robust pizza, the salads are snazzy, too. We were too stuffed to have dessert, but I imagine they are lovely. Oh, and the hanging flower shelves near the restroom is great. One of many "hey, that's neat!" interior design choices. For those who like artsy, independent spaces, not just meals, this is a sweet little spot.
(4)
Rex N.

This is the best pizza I've ever had. It's not the uppity thin-crust artisan pizza that you get at Ken's Artisan Pizza (which is good, tho' Ken is an asshole) The folks at Dove are so sweet and kind and they tire endlessly to carefully create perfectly balanced, amazingly delicious pizza. Their rotating specials are something to keep you on your toes. I'm on the email list for when they have the Fig and Pancetta pizza. They're now open 7days a week with nice long hours! Go eat there! It's so reasonably priced too!!!
(5)
kristen p.

Wow and Yum!! This pizza is something special, something different and so delicious. The beet salad is incredible and so many affordable and tasty wine options. The owners know what they are doing with the menu and pricing, my new fav pizza joint! Okay, the only reason why I'm not there every week and gave only 4 stars is because this restaurant needs a bigger space. I'm not up to waiting an hour or more each visit (no reservation option) and with such a small number of tables, it's nearly guaranteed. I hope they expand soon!
(4)
alexis c.

You've read about the cornmeal crust and the deliciousness they top it off with, but you should start your meal with the fantastic broccoli salad. After moving here from Los Angeles I struggled to find a replacement for my California Chicken Cafe salads, but I think the broccoli salad at Dove Vivi has filled that void. Fresh greens, al dente broccoli, black beans, mushrooms, and a wonderful balsamic vinaigrette make this salad a perfect pizza companion, or a wonderful dinner (the full size is plenty for one person's dinner). Another bonus is this place is open past 9 which is a rarity for Portland I've found.
(4)
Beth G.

I was sort of underwhelmed. First off, they had the front door open--perhaps to counteract the effects of the pizza oven. But it was cold in there. I'm always sort of grumpy when I'm cold, so maybe I was hard to please. We had the mixed green salad, which was *just* greens and vinaigrette. I think they should have included some shredded carrot or a crouton or something. Greens all by themselves are kinda dull. It was a nice vinaigrette, however. Our pizza was one of the specials, with gorgonzola, mushrooms and tomatoes. The highlight here was the crust, which was both crispy and crunchy, and hovering somewhere between thin and thick crust. Very nice. I opined to my sweetie that maybe gorgonzola doesn't belong on pizzas--he disagreed, but I felt that the whole thing moved too far from all the things that are best about pizzas. It was a brave new world but I didn't particularly like it there. Now that I've whined a bit, let me clarify-- this was quality food, well-prepared. I just didn't love it. Maybe of they had closed their front door?
(3)
Ginger M.

Best (unconventional) pizza in Portland! The stewed veggies blow away ANY pizza sauce, bursting with flavor. I recommend getting the veggie pizza and adding pesto, perfection! The beet salad is over the top and I HAVE to get it every time I go there or it just doesn't feel complete. The staff is super friendly, albeit sometimes scattered but always accommodating. Hopefully they open another restaurant somewhere in SE.....the demand is definitely there!
(5)
Adrienne I.

Dove Vivi certainly has unique and innovative pizzas. When passing on the street you will undoubtedly see all the outdoor seating taken and a packed house inside. I did love the cornmeal crust but did not love the prices. The pizza was good but, to me, did not eclipse cheaper pizzas. The ambiance of the restaurant is charming but waiting for 30 minutes for a seat on the street next to a plaid pantry isnt my first choice. I cant blame them for their popularity. I also would never direct someone away from Dove Vivi. However, it wont be a place I regular just due to the value for what you get.
(3)
Via H.

YOU GOTTA TRY IT. Definitely one of the better pizza places I've tried in Portland. Not your ordinary pizza-by-the-slice joint (although, they do have that option - but once you have one slice, you'll be wishing you ordered at least a half pizza.) My date and I got half cheese, half pepperoni. The best of both worlds, especially if you're dining with a vegetarian. You can't beat the beet salad. Love the casual atmosphere. Cozy, quaint, intimate. It's pricier than I normally would spend but well worth it.... Oh, and it's a great date place, too!
(5)
Jonny L.

Cornmeal crust! I'm not a deep dish fan but this is exceptional. To me, deep dish tends to taste too doughy but the cornmeal crust seems to solve this problem. You get a nice crispy base and dough that isn't too doughy and the whole thing just cooks better. Ingredients here are fresh and eclectic. Solid beer selection, which is par for the course around these parts. Apparently DV is modeled after a now-defunct place in SF but it's not Little Star, which I consider to be the pinnacle. Perhaps they shared a madre... Comparing apples to oranges: I prefer it over Apizza Scholls, even though i much prefer thin over deep dish.
(4)
Andy W.

Some friends of mine live near Dove Vivi, which last year replaced a whole line of now defunct pizza restaurants. We tried it when it first opened and couldn't believe the combination of lousy and expensive they had going on there. The cornmeal crust was awful, so strong in its bitter flavor that it overpowered all the ingredients we were supposed to be tasting. We did not return. Fast forward one year. After reading one positive yelp review after another, we decided to give it another go. We're so glad we did. The cornmeal crust, once reviled, had been perfected -- yes, perfected -- it's crispy and the right kind of flavorful, but takes its rightful back seat to the pizza's other elements. ...such as the tomato-based sauce, which is pretty much the most important ingredient in a Chicago style pizza. It was outstanding and perfectly accentuated the fennel sausage we had as a topping. They need to work on their pesto sauce a bit, though, as it was too light on the flavor and had too little texture. Too green. More garlic and pine nuts would have been appreciated. We're definitely going back -- we're gonna need to make up for a year's worth of lost time.
(4)
Kyle P.

Very slow service for very good pizza
(3)
Aubree N.

This one time I went to dove vive and I totaly dropped my whole slice on the floor. The toppings were everywhere, it was a mess. But I mean, face up is fine, right? Everything is amazing here: the service, the atmosphere, and of course the food. The cornmeal crust is delicious and the toppings are always very unique and extremely fresh. The exterior is slightly deceiving and you'll be pleasantly surprised when you walk inside. I would highly recommend.
(5)
michele f.

Not sure why it took me a year to find Dove vive but now that I have, I'll be back sooner than later! On the suggestions of other yelpers I got the vegan cashew cheese and corn pizza with an addition of smoked tomatoes. Heavenly! Nice place with friendly staff. There are a couple outdoor tables but we took our pizza home to eat. It took everything we had not to bust into it on the way home! Satisfying in the mouth as well as the tummy- and the mind too since they use fresh, local ingredients.
(5)
Lorena G.

Went on a Friday night, not too late, and it was WAY too packed. Which is fine - if it's awesome. but it was just so-so. We waited at the counter and had several staff come up to the counter and not even look at us before someone took our order. The pizza was pretty good but not worth the wait - waiting to get seated, waiting to get a drink, waiting to get pizza, waiting to get the check. I understand it was busy but it's a small place, it can only get so hectic. I'll be back but it's not my favorite spot.
(3)
Cassandra D.

I think I just don't like cornmeal crust pizza. That said, I really like their space and staff and if I could be encouraged to change my mind about cornmeal crust pizza this would be the place that could do it. They have a great array of choices - some very original combinations and old school choices as well.
(3)
Lizzy J.

Fantastic pies! The cornmeal crust adds an unusual taste but its sooo good.
(4)
PollyManda A.

Very unique and tasty crust! Great tasting unique pizzas. The corn pizza is especially good! 2 slices is pretty filling. A really great restaurant that has a very portland vibe to it. One great positive is that they have Vegan pizza options (i find the regular pizzas a little too cheesy for my liking). The negative is that since it's a small place, the wait time can be long...
(4)
Janessa P.

Oh my goodness. This place is like heaven. Pure pizza heaven. We had a group of 10 walk in, and the staff couldn't have been kindlier or more accommodating. I had a glass of white wine while we waited for a table (the place is pretty tiny, a group of ten doesn't fit so easily with no notice). They have 2 white wines, 4 reds. All around $5. 2 beers on tap--both Pale Ales, but a good selection of about 10 bottled beers. And the Pizza! Oh my! I shared a whole pizza with 2 others--cashew and roasted red pepper with corn, caramelized onions, and chives . It may be the most delicious thing I have ever put in my mouth. All the others at the table tried it and didn't even mind the lack of cheese. (Which is saying a lot for pizza lovers!) A whole pizza was just right for 3 people sharing, and a half pizza would be perfect for 1-2 people. Their single pieces all looked delicious, but maybe just a tad small? Not enough for a whole meal. that's fine though--an extra slice of pizza never hurt anyone. The food came fast, hot and with a smile. For the quality of food and the amazing service, I think the value is fantastic and I will be back again and again and again. Seriously, though, try that vegan pizza--it'll blow you away.
(5)
Helen H.

I am such a lucky girl! This place is within walking distance and offers two of my favorite substances on earth in abundance - cornmeal and cheese! Not to mention, they have onions marinated in balsamic vinegar, house-made sausage, salami, mustard greens, marinated artichoke hearts, and loads of other interesting, yummy toppings. They also have some good beers to wash it all down with. So, I just polished off the last leftover piece, and it's as good as it was the day I got it! I'll be walking through the door of this place with speed and regularity from now on!
(5)
Michael E.

The pie is good. The space is nice. The service is so-so. But what's new in Portland? It's a bit overrated, but go try it. You'll probably like it. It will definitely fill you up. Try the beet salad, too.
(3)
Jared B.

Yummm. Corn meal crust was better than i expected. Very fresh ingredients.
(4)
Sam O.

This review is more of a 4.5/5, but the whole experience justified a '5'. We went with decent expectations of deep-dish pizza, and they were exceeded. As a Chicago native, I can say this isn't quite as good as Lou Malnatti's or Pizza Uno, but it's pretty darn god. And you can order it by the slice! There are some great topping choices as well. I'd give the pizza a 4/5. We shared a zucchini salad (special), and it was outstanding! Really well balanced. Just a tad too oily, but way better than we expected. The beer wine selection is pretty decent as well. The service was also really good.
(5)
Michael P.

Portland has a million pizza places, many above average, but none that I've fallen in love with. Until now. I'm yours Dove Vivi. Last night I tried DV with 8 other people. We ate family style and I got to sample 3 different salads, 5 different pizzas, and desert. All of it blew my mind. The beat salad is the best I've had in town and surprisingly, the broccoli and black bean salad was awesome too (great textures and dressing.) The thick cornmeal crust on the pizzas was perfect, the toppings all fresh and flavorful. Sausage and corn was the table's favorite, but the artichoke pie wasn't far behind. Make sure to save room for desert as well, cause the zuccotto is amazing. Eating this stuff I started to think "when can I come again...maybe Saturday???" I started thinking, "I could swing by tomorrow after work for a slice and a salad..." Anyway, when you get around to trying this place...look around for a skinny baldheaded guy...you're likely to find me getting my weekly fix.
(5)
Sprina C.

dove vivi is amazing. i crave it always. look for the big white heart for their sign. the corn pizza is my favorite, so i always get it. even if i just want an eggplant slice, i still get the corn because i cannot deny it. the house sausage is awesome, and the pesto is yummy, too. the vegan ones were alright--i can't remember which one, but i added the suggested tomato and it made it good. the beet salad!! changed my life to loving beets. the kale salad!! so cleansing feeling and delicious. i love their salads because they don't go heavy on the dressing--somehow they make it enhance and NOT overwhelm the natural flavors in the salads i call ahead now because it is super busy usually, and takes a long time---just plan for that and you'll be fine. i love all the people that work there. some are more outgoing, some will offer their nice smile after getting to know/trust you--everyone is awesome and has always provided excellent service. everyone!!!! once a chef ran out to give me a cookie. which brings up another thing-- THEIR CHOCO CHIP COOKIES ARE AWESOME!!!! i went through a phase of getting at least three per visit. they are classic choco chip cookies, but taste way better. i'm sad i can't get my fix at lunchtime, but the wait makes me want it more. and i hope they rearrange somehow to offer more seating one day. not sure if they still offer parbaked--but i learned while ago to just have them cook it fully--even if i eat it a day or two later, it's better than if i try baking it in my unawesome oven at home. and yay! a while ago they got a bike rack installed nearby (i guess i don't know if it was them who arranged for that, but i can imagine it being so). i'm pretty sure the owner (i think there's a dude and a lady) made most of the tables/chairs/lamps/etc., but i could be wrong. if he did, i love the pdx diy ness. and i love the mason jars everywhere. and the cute little vases/flowers. YUMMMMMMMMMm uggghhhhh i want it nowwww :(
(5)
Becky L.

I am all about the cornmeal crust pizza! And I love, love, love the vegan pizza - della salute! Huge portions and too yummy. Will come back for more!
(4)
Natalie B.

Dove Vivi, you've stolen my heart. The fact that you serve water out of a huge mason jar instead of a water pitcher is great. I love it. Let's talk about that cornmeal crust... flaky buttery rich crispy delicious I want more! My husband and I tried two of the daily specials, the Blue Room and the Grape Brie Pizza. The grape pizza was just my style, unusual, sweet, and more than delicious. It involved sliced red grapes, melty brie and mozzarella, pinenuts and rosemary... mmmmm. My husband's pick was undeniably fabulous in a very different way from my grape pizza. The Blue Room involved blue cheese, mozzarella, marinated mushrooms and some incredibly sweet and flavorful tomatoes. This is seriously some of the best pizza I have ever eaten. The topping combinations are unusual and tasty and the cornmeal crust is downright incredible, as I have already mentioned. We went on a Friday night about 8:00, and had to wait quite a while for a table. After we had waited about 45 minutes, a server came out to tell us that they were down to their last crusts and that we could order something before we were seated so that we would be able to get a pizza. That made us feel like we got there just in time. After dinner the server brought out two amazing chocolate chip cookies for our long wait. Heaven in my mouth.
(5)
J E.

Delicious pizza - far above the 30 minute delivery pizza. Wonderful toppings. Crip and tasty pizza dough. Don't get why they don't have coffee available.
(4)
J D Y.

Complimentary reviews of the pizza notwithstanding, nothing about the food here justifies enduring the horrendous service -- a perfect storm of incompetence, indifference, and annoying hipster malaise. Never before have I waited so long to have half my order forgotten. Your overall mood and appetite will be much better served elsewhere....
(1)
Amber G.

I don't know if this is the best pizza in existence but damn is it tasty! Dove Vivi definitely has a niche in the specialty pizza market because the cornmeal crust is entirely scrumptious. It's buttery and crunchy but not too thick or too thin. It's perfect. The vegan della salute is sooooo good. My husband has had three of the carnivore pizzas and has loved all of them. Definitely try this place if you need a pizza fix!
(5)
Gordon M.

I love pizza, and I've been to many pizza joints in Portland. We recently stumbled upon this place, and have now been there three times. The pizza here is unique with it's cornmeal crust. It sounded kinda weird when it was described to me, but the result is a crunchy and light crust that makes their pizza special. A friend of mine from Chicago who is also a fan of Dove Vivi says that this is the closest to Chicago style pizza anywhere in the Portland. We have tried both the sausage and eggplant pizzas. Eggplant on a pizza can be a nightmare in the wrong hands, but here it is light and perfectly complimented with blue cheese. This pizza is heaven in a slice. The staff is gracious and helpful. I cannot say enough good things about this fabulous place. If you love pizza, try Dove Vivi and prepare to be amazed.
(5)
Brie P.

Very cool pizza place. "Deep Dish" with corn meal crust. They serve half pizzas which is cool but I always wish I had just gotten one whole pizza of their specialty...corn pizza.
(4)
A H.

We stopped here on our way back to Seattle from a camping trip in Florence. The pizza here is delicious with interesting topping choices. I love that they have reed's bottled ginger brew. The service was a little slow and a bit unimpressive. But the pizza was good and the leftovers reheated wonderfully. Yum.
(3)
Ken A.

Dove Vivi has some of the best pizza I've had in Portland. I've long been a fan of cornmeal crust, and it is hard to find - as far as I know, Dove Vivi is the only place in Portland that has it. I am from Chicago originally so I have high standards for pizza and Dove Vivi is as good as it gets for this style of pizza. They have many creative and tasty toppings, and there are always many choices available by the slice. The space is somewhat bare bones but we enjoy eating our pizza there nonetheless. The staff is so friendly, that it is almost more like going over to a friend's house and hanging out than going to a restaurant. I had a little trouble finding it the first time, even though it is right on the corner of 28th & Glisan, because it is in a strip mall and there is not an obvious sign. Dove Vivi is a great addition to Portland's casual dining scene and its casual, friendly attitude combined with its high quality, creative food exemplifies what is best about Portland's food scene. Dove Vivi, don't ever change - I love you just the way you are!
(5)
Julia C.

When it comes to pizza I am quite fond of creative pies, and like an interesting twist on the traditional, but something is just amiss with dove vivi. Don't get me wrong, this is good, but it isn't great. You know what it is? This crust reminds me too much of those Bisquick crust pizzas I used to make after school when I was a kid. Crisp, flaky, even crunchy are all great descriptions for its texture, but there is something a little too biscuit-y, a little too homemade and a tad too heavy about this pizza. Sure it tastes alright, but it isn't spectacular, and although I appreciate the reminder of my first forays into cooking, this is neither the spectacular pizza I was expecting nor nearly as good as the ones from my youth.
(3)
Preston P.

This pizza is absolutely worth the wait! The cornmeal crust was delicious. Very generous portions of salads. Nice menu of local wines. Great service. We will be back.
(4)
Greg E.

I am so glad to have finally paid them a visit yesterday evening with my daughter, having lived in the neighborhood before they opened the business. The beautiful ladies working there were very attentive and provided excellent service. The pizza is not traditional NY style that I grew up with but a very nice departure w/ a cornmeal crust. We had the classic pepperoni pie and it was the closest thing to Zachary's pizza in Oakland CA. I will definitely be back on a regular basis.
(5)
Dan N.

The vegan pizza with the corn siz-natch is unlike any vegan pizza. And add the smoked tomatoes. The crust is thick and rich. The crusty crust is corn-mealy crust-alicious. No fake plastic soy cheez on this pizza. Instead, some type of cashew herbal something that sings with flavor. It is a work of art.
(5)
Dave W.

Yum. I was a skeptic. Now I'm a believer. It won't replace my need for a traditional wood-fire pizza (with the perfectly charred crusts), but man it's good. A whole other deal. Don't even try to compare the two, just enjoy this for what it is. The pesto pizza was great, Next time I want to try the corn and smoked mozzarella.
(3)
Ron L.

We went there on a Wednesday night - thought it wouldn't be too busy, and it wasn't. First we waited about 20 minutes to be seated. Then we waited about 10 minutes while being ignored after that (there aren't that many tables (maybe 10?) - it's a small place). Then we left. Walked over to Pizzacato and had delicious pizza and salad in about 5 minutes. Might be good pizza, but good service is important too.
(1)
Joshua M.

You know very rarely do I go for the whole gourmet pizza thing... but this place is actually pretty decent. It's a bit hard to find though due to it's very understated sign. The logo looks more like an indie greeting card company than a pizza joint. I am not a fan of places I have to walk through a bunch of dogs in order to get to the front door though.
(3)
Steve S.

It's true! No olives...they don't use them,, or carry them! And unless you specify, no sauce! No sauce! But let's backup.... It was my first time there (a Dove Vivi virgin). When I ordered a pepperoni, mushroom and olive pizza, I was informed, "we don't carry olives". Not in a nice way, but in a, "how dare he even ask for them!". And no, I wasn't told that my pizza wouldn't have sauce (how dare I even think that?...a Mushroom and Pepperoni pizza with sauce?). And then there's the crust. It's not rolled in cornmeal....it IS cornmeal. Hard, strange, odd. Oh, and when I left, I asked if I could have a little sauce (how dare I?) for the leftovers. The server said, "no problem, that will be $2"...and I passed. I spent $20 on a pizza with no olives, and no sauce. They have gotten all the money they would get out of me. I should have just asked for my money back, but I didn't. Ps. It actually tasted much better cold!
(2)
Jav V.

This is not really what I crave when I crave pizza. Ya, it was interesting and different and even pretty good, but it just didn't do it for me. I would go back, mainly because I didn't have to wait very long, but I also don't need to go back. The sauce was really good. The cheese was just OK and there was wayyy too much pepperoni. The crust is really crunchy which was kind of nice for the parts with stuff on them, but the actual crust was a little too much for me.
(2)
Laura W.

Every time I have someone visiting from out of town, I take them to Dove Vivi. The food is fantastic! I always order the special salad because whatever it is, it's always good. The pizza is always good too. Must try the corn pizza!! I love the staff, love the food, love the atmosphere.
(5)
Emily T.

Dove Vivi is down the street from my house, so, the convenience factor is high. There's usually a bit of a wait for a table, but it is more than worth it. I've never had deep-dish cornmeal crust pizza anywhere else, and while theirs is hearty, it's not overly heavy. There are always different and interesting seasonal varieties as well as the "old standby's" on the menu. Their cookies are delicious, the wine menu is great, and the servers are pleasant and accommodating. Last time I asked, the crust was not gluten-free, but one can't nit-pick that much. There are many other restaurants in PDX that cater to GF needs, and by now Dove is probably working on an amazing GF crust recipe.
(4)
brian c.

WOW!! I'm a big pizza guy from New York. Living in Portland has been great but finding really good pizza has been difficult. I have heard about Dove Vivi for a few months and just haven't got around to trying it. Boy i was missing out. This place is by far the best Portland has to offer!! They could compete with places back home. The service was a great! Everybody was very friendly. The atmosphere was pretty nice. The pizza was outstanding. I order a whole sausage classico, a slice or four cheese and a slice of pesto with spinach. Everything was great! The price is a bit higher then you may think but its worth it.
(5)
Dinna R.

This place has AMAZING PIZZA. There is no way I could say enough nice things about the food at this place! Eat here! However, I would say the service needs a little bit of improving. I understand (working service for years myself) how frustrating customers can be, and how much stress can lay on a waitress in the middle of a Saturday night dinner rush. That being said, our server last week was a bit rude. we showed up about an hour and a half before out movie, thinking that'd be plenty of time to get a few slices and run up the street to the theater... It was not. WHICH IS FINE, I just hadn't anticipated that long of a wait. If we had more time i'd be more than willing to wait. So we ran inside to grab two small boxes to put the pizza in (as we were on bikes and can't fit a whole pizza in one bag), and were scoffed at. The idea of putting the pizza in two small boxes instead of one seemed to put the waitress out A LOT. That is my only complaint about this joint, and it wasn't even a big deal. didn't ruin our night, and we got to sneak a delicious pizza into the theater and eat while we drank beers and watched a movie. so eat here. it's goooood
(4)
Stephen U.

The crust and combinations on their pie is outstanding! Unique combinations and local ingredients make for a delcious meal! Unfortunately, the service is horrendous. It took the server 15 minutes to simply ackowledge our presence, and we were the only people in the place. I also noticed that there were so few tables available for seating. It's probably best to order out.
(3)
Jayne T.

Unbelievable experience with Dove Vivi last night. After spending more time reading Portland pizza establishment reviews than I would like to admit, I choose Dove Vivi as my next pizza adventure, and I am still smiling about my experience as I write this review. Here's how it breaks down: Atmosphere: From the modest exterior to the quaint and comfortable interior, Dove Vivi provides a casual and relaxing environment to enjoy a great meal with friends. Three outdoor tables welcome you, and inside provides a sprawling bar with seats looking outside the restaurant (great for someone dining alone) as well as small and large tables to accommodate any number of guests. Interior dÃ©cor is very clean and welcoming. Service: We were warmly greeted by a very sweet hostess as soon as we walked into the restaurant (don't be fooled by the deli-style counter, you need to have them seat you and order at your table) and were lucky to snag a table outside (score on a Friday night at 7:30). The waitress was great, and recommended a good bottle of Sangiovese Italian red wine for starters (and totally inexpensive at $14 - try finding other places in Portland with such an affordable bottle on their standard menu). Water came immediately served in an old Mason jar for full vintage/Portland effect. Attentive throughout, she went through the specials with us and let us know how to order (pizzas come in 1/2's). We were advised to order 1 full pizza, and that was the perfect amount for 2 hungry people (but don't expect leftovers, you will eat it all!). Overall great service! Food: Ah, the pizza. A great specials menu was provided, so we chose to order 1/2 of the special Spanish Chorizo pizza and 1/2 of the Veggie pizza from the standard menu (both were perfect combinations with our bottle of red wine). The pizza arrived straight from the oven in a heavy cast-iron looking round pan, with toppings piled high. The chorizo was sliced nice and thin, and onions layered on top balanced perfectly. The Veggie came with mounds of chunky eggplant, tomatoes, mushrooms and green peppers, with the perfect blend of spices for a slight kick. Then there was the infamous corn meal crust - best idea ever! It literally makes the pizza over the top delicious, and worthy of all 5 stars in this review. The pizza is deep dish style, but without the heaviness of the traditional doughy deep dish because of the corn meal base. It complimented the salty flavors of the pizzas we choose remarkably well, and was never dry or soggy at any point throughout the meal. With every bite I was more impressed. Ok, and if all that wasn't enough, they have great deserts as well! A glutton for chocolate, we ordered the homemade Zuccotto. Unbelievable! I will just call it out from the menu "chilled chocolate whipped cream cakes with a crushed biscotti layer and a ladyfinger crust." Need I say more? The perfect way to end your meal at Dove Vivi. Cost: At $40 for the entire meal, this was a total steal! I left completely stuffed and overwhelmingly happy with my entire Dove Vive experience. Dare I say it...yep, here I go...Dove Vivi has the best pizza in Portland! Thank You Dove Vivi, and I will see you (VERY) soon :)
(5)
Cheryl G.

Corn meal crusty pizza heaven! Some of the freshest pesto I have ever eaten on a pizza pie. Not too cheesy- exactly right on. The corn pizza sounded a little strange but it is a huge hit. The smokiness of the grilled onions and sweetness of the fresh corn...mmm..mmmm...mmm.
(5)
R T.

A friend and I went last night and ordered the pesto pizza (although I really wanted pepperoni--oh well, next time!). Last night the pizza was delicious, rich, garlicky, and cheesy, but this morning (and this afternoon)--holy crap!! It was even better! The flavors had mellowed and it had become... divine!
(5)
Maureen O.

It's not every day of the week that I eat at a place in a strip mall. This is Portland, not Southern Cali, and we just don't do that here. But this place, situated between a laundromat and a convenience store, is an exception to the rule. They make their pizza crust using cornmeal, which spices up the pizza scene just enough to be interesting without risking the delicious familiarity of pizza. Salads are great (beet salad, five stars alone!) and the pizza is wonderful. I say, give this strip mall shop a shot!
(5)
j s.

I'm addicted to the corn and sausage pizza... nothing makes my day like the yummy cornmeal crust. A truly great eat, treat a friend and yourself! Beware leftovers are not likely.
(5)
Molly W.

Awesome pizza in a totally unassuming locale. Would never have guessed this place existed, as it's tucked into a strip, but am totally excited to have found it. GREAT pizza, had never had the cornmeal crust before, and it's fantastic -- little cripser than a regular pizza crust, but great texture. Loved the toppings, and the not-overwhelming sauce. Everything was fresh and prompt. Full pie was great for 2 people, with a couple pieces left over -- we split a salad & the pizza, and the tab was $25.
(5)
D. N.

I fell in love with Dove Vivi pizza last night at a birthday party! I introduced myself to the sun dried tomato and to the pepperoni and tomato slices...so good! I cannot wait to try this pizza again and check out the restaurant!
(4)
Steve S.

This place was radical. Not what I was expecting at all. I was told we were going out for pizza, and figured I would be getting run of the mill italian style pizza. Not so. This place has a cornmeal crust that's buttery and delicious and lies somewhere between a pizza crust and a pie crust. It gives new meaning to the phase "pizza pie". We tried 4 different kinds of pies and each was better than last. I'll definitely be going back.
(4)
Mandy W.

Honestly, I am a little peeved at Dove Vivi - they have sort of ruined me on all other pizza places in town. I literally crave this pizza. I am not really a corn person, yet I am obsessed with their corn pizza? The quatro fromaggio is perfection on a plate. I love that you can order half pies so you don't have to commit to one flavor for the evening. I am always excited to see what specials they have, and they have yummy vegan options taboot. I might as well buy stock here, put a little money back in my own pocket...
(5)
Mike B.

Hands down the best pizza I've ever had. I would recommend the "Corn" pizza for any first timers - it is absolutely brilliant. At $20 for a whole pizza it (you can only buy the pizza as Whole - 6 pieces half-3 pieces ($10.50) or by the slice). The wait time at the resturant so id either call ahead or just get take out (15-30 mins)
(5)
Lisa S.

YUM! i never eat the crust.... but i ate all my Dove Vivi crust :) A unique pizza for Portland, more Chicago-esque than the usual New York style places around town. Yet, It wasn't the deep dish style belly bomb type of Chicago pizza, it was just right!
(5)
IP B.

My girlfriend and I went here last night (May 12) and loved it. We're from L.A. and read about this place on yelp. My girlfriend loves cornmeal crusts and we both thought the crust was excellent. We had slices of the sausage, pesto and corn cashew (vegan option) and all were delicious. I wasn't so into the pesto, I think because of the ricotta cheese, but girlfriend loved it. We had this amazing local brew called Deschutes Green Lakes Organic Ale. Finally, we also got the mixed greens salad, which was great. Very fresh lettuce and well dressed with a light vinaigrette.
(4)
Darryl S.

Great service, a real nice bunch. The pie is damn good. Unique, Chi-town styles. Large sausage/mushroom with extra tomato and you're feeling like John Lennon when he figured out the bridge to "woman."
(4)
Erika B.

Very good, very filling deep dish pizza. We had the sausage classico and the mexican chorizo and both were very tasty. Next time I would be more inclined to order by the slice and get one of their salads which looked great. After eating 3 slices for dinner, I was about ready to explode! The service was pretty slow....even just to get our beverages....but not that big of a deal, really. One change I would like to see is the they would have better lighting. They did not have any form of direct lighting for the tables...just some dim overhead lights.
(4)
Chase M.

I'm an east coast transplant, so I tend to like my pizza traditional. Dove Vivi said "$%#& That!" and I must agree. Cornmeal crust, killer pizza combos, lovable service. West coast pizza done right with a small but good complimentary beer selection (who knew Caldera had a Pilsner?) The price is what I expected for quality restaurant food.
(5)
Gene L.

This pizza is nothing short of amazing. Quality ingredients combined with a charming small dining room and good service make for a new favorite! The crust was not the traditional thick crust by the likes of pizza slut. Dove Vivi's corn meal crust is thick enough to be considered thick but it certainly wasn't doughy. It was crispy enough to hold up without curling like a taco and filled us up thanks to a generous amount of toppings. We tried the salad with goat cheese and roasted carrots first and it too was amazing. Add to the experience assorted alcoholic beverages including Strongbow Hard Cider and deserts that are anything but ordinary make this dining experience something worth any wait you might experience. Take out service was offered immediately and their hours are 4 pm to 10 pm 7 days a week.
(5)
kate k.

I just went here with a friend, and it is totally worth the somewhat high price and the wait. Fresh ingredients, pretty pizzas, nice atmosphere. Great crust. I think this was mentioned, but if you are into classic American style pizza, this may not be the place for you. I want to learn how to make this crust. Makes excellent leftovers.
(5)
Z Z.

What do red grapes, brie, mozzarella, pine nuts, rosemary, and garlic all have in common??? Well, they were all on the amazing pizza I got from Dove Vivi last night! That's right folks, red grapes and brie...together, on a delicious corn meal crust pizza. Fantastic! I had actually read about the grape and brie pizza in another yelpers review and decided that I had to have it, I couldn't live another day without it actually. Now, just a heads up they normally only have a few of their special pizza's each day but for some reason the stars aligned in my favor because last night it was one of them! I think I might have scared the women that answered the phone at Dove Vivi a little bit, I think I gave her the impression I was some type of grape and brie pizza stalker! And I must say.......WOW, it was all I thought it would be. For some reason the sweetness of the red grape mixed with a bit of garlic, the crunch of a pine nut and the delicious smooth taste of the brie fit perfectly with the crunch of the corn meal crust. It was fantastic. It was like a delicious fruit and salad plate that was baked into a perfect cornmeal crust rather than being eaten with a piddly ole cracker. I may never be able to eat cheese, crackers, and fruit again. (OK, that is a lie, I will probably have some tonight....but I will like it a little less). Sigh, now I am going to have to start calling Dove Vivi every day to see when they will have the grape and brie pizza next! Let the stalking begin!!!!!!!! My husband got the pepperoni which came with not only pepperoni but mushroom and fresh tomatoes. He liked his pizza too although he was too busy playing Dungeons & Dragons to be as passionate about the pizza as I was. But, hey, give him a break folks....he was trying to get his wizard to level 10! Anyway, yes...........order Dove Vivi today! Oh, be prepared that the sign outside is just a basic black sign with a giant white heart on it. And the boxes have a black heart stamped on them with Dove Vivi written in the center.....super cute, eh???? I do heart them, that is for sure!
(5)
Erin K.

Delectable. Super, friendly service. Local beers on tap. Only drawback is looking out the window at the Edible Arrangements headquartered across Glisan, pitying the weirdos who choose to eat cantaloupe cookie-cut into flower shapes rather than cornmeal crust covered with eggplant, mozzarella, gorgonzola, tomatoes and fresh basil. Oh, America.
(5)
Rebecca L.

What pizza (and for that matter, a meal out) should be. I believe there was only one other table (Tuesday, 6:00), and service was great; really friendly, quick, and helpful. We got one pie, half pesto, half tapenade, and the broccoli salad. Pesto was particularly yummy (something about the quality of the cheese and, uh, the pesto), and the salad a great foil. Crust was blind baked and delicious, thin, crunchy and rich. Wood, plants and mismatched plates all lent a warm glow to a drizzly day. Cookies weren't half bad. I will definitely be back to try other kinds and experience the bittersweet thrill of the dinner rush. My bro and I ate 2/3 of a pie (with broccoli salad and water).
(5)
K B.

Cornmeal crust will change your idea of pizza. Definitely crave-worthy.
(5)
carly s.

Dove Vivi is that kind of place that you get in the mood for more so then you randomly go to when you want some pizza. I like to refer to it as "fancy pizza" to establish that I want Dove Vivi and not It's A Beautiful Pizza (my regular pizza jam). They have 2 types of vegan pizza, sold by the slice, half or whole. The price is a tad high if you get it by the slice, and gets more reasonable if you bite the bullet and get a half or a whole pizza. They are all about cornmeal crust, which I think is the reason I consider this an "in the mood" place. Its good, crunchy and flavorful, but I love soft thick pizza dough over anything. The corn cashew is respectable and the della salute (with eggplant and mushrooms) would be better without mushrooms in my opinion. They dont allow substitutions, which bums me out because I see a lot of awesome ingredients on other pizzas that would make delicious combinations. The servers are friendly and their help seems genuine.
(3)
Carey m.

My friends would not stop talking about this place, so I had some pretty high expectations. I have to say I was a little dissapointed. The service was horrible. While the servers were friendly, speed was definitely not their strong point. For some reason it took 20 minutes to get a table, and at least 10 for anyone to acknowledge us after we sat down. Im not a deep dish pizza fan, but I will say the cornmeal crust was pretty tasty. Definitely different than any pizza I've ever had. I recommend trying the pesto, it was awesome! It was super fresh, and full of garlic, but stay away from the sausage. Not so good. Overall I would say this place was worth trying, but Portland has too many other great options for food to ever go back to this place again.
(3)
James M.

What a great classy joint to go to for some near perfect gourmet pie. It's right around the corner nearby my place and it's pretty cool. The eating area is nice and open and you feel like you can breathe and inhale all the delicious smells that are going on while you wait for your food. The wait staff is pretty cool and nice. It kind of reminds me of a little Italian joint back where I used to live. When I arrived here I was pretty starving and two slices were all that I needed to fill me up. The pizza itself, is quite tastey and there is a good amount of variety in the selection of pizza to choose from. This is definately a good place to take a date to, I would, if I could even get a date, ha ha. This is what it's like when doves don't cry :) Enjoy.
(4)
Peri P.

I tried this place for the first time with my wife and enjoyed the variety of pizzas they had to offer. Expect to wait quite a while for a table if you go on a weekend evening. They have a variety of unique toppings, we tried the eggplant, wild mushroom, goat cheese and pesto pizzas as well as a salad. The best part was that you can order by the slice, so you can sample the different toppings. The pizza crust is different than most other places, as this is more like a pie like crust. Kind of crunchy. Took about 25 minutes to get our pizza, but the service was very friendly. The pizzas were all very flavorful and we enjoyed them. The pizzas were quite cheesy, compared to neoplitan style pizzas. Some may or may not like that. I tend to prefer less cheese. My favorite was the wild mushroom which was on the special list. The pesto pizza was also quite nice. Get the pizzas to go if you are short on time. Overall, a good unique pizza place in Portland!
(4)
t a.

this place is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. All I can say is: Corn pizza with sausage. The salad specials are also always great. I love their beet salad. And don't miss those chocolate chip cookies. They are out of this world!
(5)
Melissa M.

Dove Vivi has won over my pizza heart, with it's thick delicious cornmeal crust, local seasonal sometimes organic and always creative toppings (sauteed kale, ricotta, spinach pesto, roasted butternut squash, fresh basil, oooh there are so many yet to try!). The service was friendly and sweet, the lighting and ambiance cozy and comfortable and hip, the music good, the salads were HUGE and wonderful (tonight special was arugula, roasted carrots, goat cheese, tarragon vinaigrette, totally big enough for two to share). Two of us shared a pizza and we are both happily full, and there are still four pieces left! I am so happy to find this place, and only sad that I did not go there before today. we can't wait to go back and try more toppings! yum!!!
(5)
Hazel G.

I think the pizza at Dove Vivi is really good if you're in the mood for a non-traditional pizza. I give them 2 stars for this but the service is lacking. Most nights it's been ok but yesterday was unacceptable. It was Saturdaya nd pretty busy in there but we were told it would be about 30 minutes for our to go order. Not a bad wait, so we order. An hour later and still no pizza. Apparently, they got backed up on orders. This wouldn't have been a big deal if someone just bothered to tell us this! They also didn't really seem very apologetic when I finally asked where our food was. I don't think we will be going back.
(2)
Bryn M.

A step up from what you think of as pizza. The cornmeal crust is tasty as can be, and the flavors of the savory toppings just nestle themselves into it. I'm vegetarian and there are tons of options in the vegetarian realm (the Eggplant is excellent!)- and even some vegan. Veggies on the pizza are roasted/marinated to perfection and the cheese is definitely quality. The flavors are perfectly balanced and not overwhelming - and you can taste that they use only the freshest ingredients. I can't say enough good things about the combination of flavors in their pizza. Will definitely be going back again and again. Nom nom nom!
(5)
Reece M.

so, after hearing a bunch about this place, i decided i needed to give it a try. all that i'd really heard prior to my visit, was that it was deep-dish pizza with cornmeal crust. well, it IS deep dish, but not in that traditional way that you think of deep dish pizza. the crust itself is quite thin, and absolutely amazing. we had the vegan whachamacallit (can't remember the name, but it wasn't the vegan cashew one..) with the tofu ricotta. um. wow. i was first overwhelmed by how good it smelled. and the pizza itself? amazing. just amazing. if you're looking for NY-style pizza, this is not the place. but if you want a very tasty pizza, that strays a bit from tradition, i think it's a great choice.
(4)
Edward J.

This is probably why I love Portland. Cornmeal Pizza! WHAT THE HELL!? How awesome is that???? Dove Vivi serves up pizza pies and all their crusts are made with homemade cornmeal dough. The slice is thick and smaller than usual pizza. The cornmeal crust is really filling and taste a lot more like cake dough. I love it. Its a fast growing popular place. When we got there at 8pm on a Friday night the wait was about 40 minute. Kinda sucks but hey, I thought it was worth it. I would definitely get there a bit earlier so you won't have to wait. They have two vegan pizza choices. The Della Salute is basically a vegan pizza without cheese, filled with eggplants, tomato sauce, mushroom, green peppers, and caramelized onion. Sounds good huh? I got the Corn Cashew cheese with red pepper and caramelized onion. I spread some nutritious yeast and chili powder on top to give it a spice. It is a bit blend without the spice. Though still awesome. I wish I know how to make a cornmeal pizza crust. It can't be hard! Right? Each slice is $3.75, but you can get a half pie for $10, which is enough for two. PS: Make a reservation for Friday and Saturday dinner time.
(4)
Alex W.

Best Pizza I have had in Portland. The deep dish is in full effect, and the cornmeal crust is awesome. Buttery and cripsy. The half pizzas are perfect for 1 person. Make sure to call for weekly specials, they are really unique.
(5)
Nicolle H.

I just moved into the neighborhood after spending sometime away from Portland. While I was away, this lil' gem of a place opened. Lucky me :) Some people seemed to be bothered by the fact its in a strip mall-esque location. Well, so what? It's not your average strip mall restaurant. Now I can't say anything about service because we called in for take-out, but the gal on the phone was pleasant and greeted us with a smile and our pizza in hand. We debated getting a half or whole. for 2 people I definitely recommend the whole. 2 pieces is just perfect with a couple slices left over. We went with the Sausage Classico. I love the contrast of the rich savory sausage and roasted peppers with the sweet cornmeal crunch in the crust. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!! I will say, I was expecting a deep dish style pizza since so many reviews on here compare it to Little Star in San Francisco. It was in fact not deep dish. It is a fork and knife experience but not "deep dish." I love that they offer slices and have so many killer special pizzas. I cant wait to eat my way through the menu!
(4)
Chiemi N.

Dove Vivi was the 2nd stop in our vegan pizza tours. They have 2 pizzas listed for vegan pizzas, and they are both terricfic! The Della Salute has roasted eggplant, marinated green peppers, caramelized onions, mushrooms, tomato sauce, herbed tofu ricotta. The Corn Cashew vegan roasted red pepper & cashew, fresh sweet corn, caramelized onions, chives. Our group sat outside next to the outdoor heaters. Service was very good!
(5)
Boll W.

To say the least, pizza in Portland is extremely underwhelming. Flying Pie is good sauce, but the crust isn't the best, Old Town is flavorless, and you'd have to slip a C note to someone to get in at Apizza Scholls. That's where you think Dove Vivi would come in to play, right? Deep dish? Cornmeal crust? Interesting topping combinations? Sure. Maybe it's the hype that a lot of new places garner in Portland or maybe it's just high expectations from a former pizza tosser/wood oven cook. I found the flavor of the pizza to be pretty good and the toppings blended very well but the sauce just didn't seem to be there. I don't mean physically, this is deep dish after all, the flavor of it just didn't jump out at all. The cornmeal crust was good, but nothing to garner award after award. I did order a chai in a french press which was enough to power two towns in Tibet! Great deal for 2 bucks. They have a pretty good array of beers and wine as well. I think the thing that made it all sort of average for me was the service. Though everyone there was nice but just off. Maybe it was the night, maybe it was the rockstar at the table next to us. Not sure. But what I do know is that we were delivered the wrong salad, had to wait entirely too long for water and I had to practically beg for my chai. They weren't even that busy. I'll go back and try them again before I bid farewell to Portland, but I can't promise my mind will be changed.....
(3)
K G.

Pizza this good, served by the slice, is a rarity. It is soooooo good. The space is a little bare, but hey, you pay for the food and friendly service and those two things are perfecto! This place was highly recommended to us by friends, and it lived up to it's expectations for deliciousness in a comfy setting.
(4)
Rob T.

Had daily special salad and the house sausage pizza, both were delicious. Good stuff will be back...
(4)
michael p.

great pizza and great salads everytime i go to dove vivi i order off the special board, not because the pizzas on the permanent menu are any lesser, it's just that the specials are SO GOOD. so good they're the only words in the review in all caps. the staff at dove vivi is friendly and welcoming with smiles. highest recommendations for dove vivi
(5)
Bula W.

I had a half wild mushroom and my husband had a half pepperoni. Both pizzas were delicious. I'm not sure if they claim to be Chicago-style or if people just say it's Chicago-style because of the "deep dish" but this is NOT Chicago-style (we're from the CHI); however, this is as deep-dish are you're going to get in Portland and I'm pretty satisfied. When I have deep dish actual Gino's East, LouMalnati's or Giordano's, I end up feeling fat/bloated/greasy/nasty because all the loaded cheese; however at Dove ViVi's I left feeling full and still pretty healthy. We waited maybe 10 minutes at the "bar," had a drink, seated outside. It rained briefly before being seated so we were able to enjoy the fresh rain aroma (um.. only Portlanders can enjoy this, huh?). Unfortunately, a couple of random guys started pestering us while we were waiting for food- but I won't get into that. Food was great!
(4)
Hal H.

dove vivi 101: how to impress your date with pizza. "NOT POSSIBLE!" you say? au contraire mon frere! i've have a few versions of the vegan pies here, and all of them have been splendid (all of my friends agree as well)! it's really nice to experience something different than all the other pizza shops in town. they have a great selection of veggies, but the clincher for me is the herbed tofu ricotta and the cashew cheeze. UGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! WANTTTTTT!!!!! NOW!!!!!!! slightly on the pricier side, but you can taste the upper echelon of quality. the pies are filling. 2 super really hungry people can split a pie. but if you're just snacking and/or eating with salads and side, 3 people could share the pie.
(4)
Matt E.

While the cornmeal crust is hardly traditional, I might have just found my favorite pizza in all of Portland! This adorable little shop off the corner of 28th and Glison is twee as can be, but when you serve up a pizza this amazing, I don't even mind. Being in Portland, of course they have vegan and gluten free pizza offerings, but I was in the market for their regular pie. Each 12" pizza runs for $23.75, and while that price might seem a bit high, the thick, dense cornmeal crust promises to fill you up. The menu has ten regular offerings plus a couple of specials. All look amazing. I did a 1/2 and 1/2 combo. One one side, the corn pizza: mozzarella, smoked mozzarella, balsamic marinated roasted red onions, fresh sweet corn and chives. I added sausage ($1.50/$3.00 for half/whole). On the other the Toscano, which has mozzarella, blue cheese, salami and heirloom tomatoes. Both sides were fantastic. No, they were effing fantastic. A cool thing this shop offers is a Chef's choice, which is six random slices of pizza for the same price as any of their whole pies. I'd love to do this some day to really take the menu for a test drive. I also want to try a couple of their salads. The table next to us ordered the kale salad and it looked ridiculously good. This isn't "whoa, I'm drunk" pizza. This is "I'm feeling fancy!" pizza. You should eat some soon.
(5)
Priya C.

Heavenly pizza! The crust is phenomenal - delicious cornmeal and substantial enough to really hold its own against the generous toppings. The elote pizza blew my mind: corn, cotija, poblano peppers, with smokey mayo and even more different cheese melting together for the perfect combo! The other specials looked awesome too and were certainly creative combinations. Be prepared for a wait!
(5)
Kathi B.

This pizza was really good and I liked the selection. We had a half leek and half corn pizza. Both were great! My only complaint is that while the crust was delicious, it was a bit hard. Thankfully we had one left-over slice to bring home for breakfast!
(4)
H O.

+: DELICIOUS corn pizza, wow! -: Chocolate mousse cake for dessert was pretty bad... !: Crust is so mmmmmmm..... ?: Location is pretty random but who cares.
(5)
Roger M.

You'll never taste any pizza anywhere quite like it. That good! And the cornmeal dough makes it special-delicious! Semi-thick, crunch-crunchy crust! Corn dough cooked through. And my favorite foodie line, don't panic, it's organic! And you know, no GMO. Thick enough (and did I say crunchy) to hold its pie-delicious pie-shape so you can load lots of seasonal, farm fresh ingredients on it. It won't collapse in your hand. It's a 3-4 course meal on a single slice. 2 to 3 slices and I'm fully satisfied. One pizza, 1/2 smoke corn mozzarella and 1/2 ricotta / housemate pesto fed 2 adults and grandma. Local farmers supply the pork and Dove Vivi does in-house meat curing too. Good wine and beer! Good engaging servers will chat along with you. Fun place. Low key. Hip. Chased it with a homemade moistest ever homemade chocolate chip cookie, on the house cuz we were first timers. For sure, we will be next timers!
(5)
Christina M.

I've been here 3 times, so I feel like I gave DV a solid go. My opinion is that this place is way overhyped, riding on it's own coat tails and the stellar reviews from the past. No one working here is particularly friendly, in fact, I'd go so far as to say they are quite snobbish. After my to-go piece of pizza (ordered last night) costing nearly $5 with the side/edge burnt, I think it's safe to say it'll be my last.
(2)
Amanda P.

Before I ate at this restaurant, I thought there were three general categories of pizza: Chicago deep dish, giant floppy NYC style triangles, and authentic Italian, super crunchy thin crust. Well, I believe that Dove Vivi has successfully created a 4th category of pizza. The dense cornmeal crust is so delicious, and like nothing I've had before. My friend and I got the chef's special and each of the six pieces were great in their own way. Yum. If only I could find a way to take this place home to Chicago with me... FINE, twist my arm. I'll just move to Portland.
(5)
Shaedyn M.

With the raving over the cornmeal crust, I wouldn't hold myself back from this place any longer. I love corn meal, corn masa, corn corn corn... and pizza. So going into this, I was expecting to find my one true love. Since we wanted to try as many different flavors in combo with the crust, they had my perfect pizza- Chef's Choice. 6 different slices of their pizzas! ($23.75) What?!? The prices are a little up there for a 12 inch pizza, but we were willing to pay in order to experience a never before heard of pizza! The slices included in our Chef's Choice was pesto, sausage and pepper, pepperoni mushroom, corn, summer squash, and one other I can't remember. We tasted each of them expecting to find the one that we could fall in love with, but we unfortunately didn't. Each and every one was on the bland side, and we had 6 of their different pizza flavors... You could say we were bummed. Our conclusion was that we wished the cornmeal crust has its own personality. it was kind of just.. THERE. If they had some secret herb/seasoning combination that they put in their crust to make it pop, I think they could have sold me. They could seriously make it SO good! Sadly, it was on the flavorless, gum-rawing side, and even the toppings didn't bring much to the table. Our favorite had to be pesto, but it was probably because it was the only one that engaged our taste buds :/. I could see why people love this place, though. Cornmeal crust is definitely something that you either fall in love with and swear by, or it is something that doesn't quite float your boat. For us, it was the latter.
(2)
Heather J.

Why has I ever given this place four stars? Three years after moving here this place is the most consistent of my favourite places in town. The food is always good. The atmosphere is adorable. It's the perfect place to take a friend, a date, a parent. The standards are always a hit, but the specials are always so interesting and I have never been disappointed by anything I've ordered here. I was a little sad when they stopped letting you order a single slice of their regular pizzas (you can get those only in a half pizza. Special pizzas by the slice only). But even that wasn't enough to sway my devotion. You should have had five stars all along, and for my error there I am sorry.
(5)
Daniel W.

I really wanted to like this place since it is so close to home and every time I have walked by it smells delicious and the place is always busy. I eat cornbread about once every two years, so I am not really a big fan. And when I do eat more than a bite, it has to be light and fluffy. The crust on the veggie we got was like lead. I did not finish my piece and the wife and I just scraped off the dry toppings because spending $15 on 3 tiny slices of pizza, we needed something. And that brings me to the prices. I don't get it. A 12" pizza for $23.75? Half a pizza is $12(plus tip, $15.) It is in a strip mall and is pretty tiny, so the overhead can't be that much. I understand they are sourcing local ingredients, but how much can local cornmeal cost?
(2)
Bob K.

we have been back here a few times and I now feel that this is the best pizza in town if you like chicago style pizza. the cornmeal crust is wonderful and they actually use lots of tomatoes and tomato sauce with lots of spices!!!! wonderful.
(5)
Mindy C.

The vegan corn cashew with roasted tomatoes is the best!!!
(4)
Amy W.

The crust is amazing! This is such a unique approach to pizza, it just cannot compare to any other! They offer many vegetarian options. The corn pizza is addictive!
(5)
Dan R.

I love pizza. tried making it twice. Like pizza in a lot of styles. This stuff is great, Being different doesn't hurt, the corn meal base. seems more like a pie crust crossed with crossed with corn bread, not yeasted like most pizza dough. Works great. Had halves of 4 different pies all very tasty. The special featuring tasso ham & caramelized onions was everyone's favorite. fennel sausage with peppers another fave. you might not be able to go wrong. Wish the beer selection a little wider (beer geek that I am.) Service down right enthusiastic. Weather was good and we had a table outside, celebrating my birthday.
(5)
Shauna M.

The pizza is DELICIOUS!!! The Beet and Kale salad, also excellent!!! I always have the three-cheese pizza. Excellent every time! My mouth waters just thinking about it!!! A MUST try. We always go take-out, but they have indoor and outdoor seating and a good wine list. Prepare to pay big money, but the pizza and salads are worth it!
(4)
Ky S.

This is hands-down my favorite pizza spot in Portland, perhaps anywhere. We always bring out-of-town friends here and love meeting up with local friends, too. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and has a really special feel without being pretentious in the slightest. The owners and staff are truly lovely, and it's obvious they put their heart into Dove Vivi. The pizza is out of this world - the cornmeal crust is the perfect blend of flaky and filling. My favorite is the pesto (so fresh!), the corn (creative perfection!) and sausage classico (sooooo savory!). The specials are always something to behold and keep you coming back for more. We love Dove Vivi so much we often get it as take-out and bring home the goodness. The line can be long at peak hours, but enjoying a glass while your mouth starts to water just thinking about what's to come is worth it here.
(5)
Lilly J.

Pepperoni Classico. Yum! The cornmeal Crust is super rich and the spicy pepperoni is the best!
(4)
Gordon M.

Ordered the Pepperoni and mushroom along with the Beet salad. Enjoyed the heck out of it so much, I forgot to open the beer I had sitting next to my plate. The pizza crust has a great crunch to it. Perfect balance of each topping and not greasy. My girlfriend and I usually pound a whole large pizza at most places on Sunday. We could only get in two slices each on the 12". Super good and satisfying.
(4)
Jason L.

Chicago born pizza snob here at the virtual podium...this pizza...oh this pizza...*wipes tear* has a special place in my mouth, throat, stomach, small and large intestines. It's amazingly delicious. The ghost cheese, I mean the goat cheese(get extra marinated tomatos) is literally something i will fight you for. Fork and knife pizza It's bangin'
(5)
Hulk I.

The staff was really nice and very helpful with the menu. They kept the place very clean and the service was quick. However, I don't think I like their crust. It taste like I'm eat crunchy cornbread. The toppings are good but I didn't feel it tasted like a pizza. Not enough sauce as well. Some would love this place, but not for us.
(3)
Jessica L.

LOVE Dove Vivi! Their pizza and salads are delicious, but I really loved their customer service when I ordered a zuccotto cake from them for my recent wedding. Delane was super helpful and the cake was amazing and it was really easy to pick up. My husband is obsessed with their cake and this one didn't disappoint.
(5)
private i.

We tried this place about a year ago. I suppose perhaps i would have enjoyed the pizza if i wasn't consistently being nauseated by the overwhelming smell of patchouli coming off our server. I can't believe anyone would choose to smell like that.. especially when they are serving food. If i had been the one paying i would have pulled a bill murray in kingpin and asked her to wash off before returning to our general vicinity.
(2)
Sherry S.

Pizza is not for grownups. That's my personal opinion. People that eat pizza are either 20/30 somethings that just ran 5 miles, hiked a trail, played a couple of games of basketball, and then biked to this restaurant, or they are children of these people. It's not a diet I could live on. I don't chase children around and I don't run marathons. I do like unusual recipes though for usual food.. the whole cornmeal crust thing in this case.. and the whole cashew cream for vegans?!!!! I had to check this all out. Walked in at dinner time and still managed to get seated. I sensed wonderful servers immediately. Awesome start. To begin, had a nice glass of italian dry, full bodied red. Found their salad choices to be also quite imaginative and my favorite was right there in print.. kale salad... Sigh... They sat this huge pile of wonderous fresh kale and tasty dressing with cheese in front of me. I devoured it and felt no guilt. Kale and guilt does not exist in a sentence. OK now it does but it seriously was scrumptious. Leslie and I split a pizza. One half of the corn/onion/cashew cream/ and of course smoking smokey tomatoes, the other was the vegetarian pesto. Once again I was devouring this pie like nobody's business. It was exceptional, especially the vegan. Cashew cream is a best kept secret for vegans. It's SO much better than just melted cheese.. so rich and flavorful. When all was said and done, I knew I should walk the 12 miles home, and find some kids to chase around to work off this meal but I knew this going in.
(4)
Jessica D.

Cornmeal crust for the win! Gosh, after visiting my sister four years ago and visiting this place, I insisted we go back. I absolutely love their pizza. The crust is amazing. I tried finding a place like them where I live but no luck, so as soon as I got back to Portland we stopped for dinner at Dove Vivi. The service is so lovely and helpful. But be warned, if you ask for a recommendation, you will end up hearing how all of the pies are great and quite honestly they are right. So I can't blame them for that.
(5)
Ali K.

So here's the thing ... Portland has a lot of really good pizza places. In fact, Portland has a lot of really great pizza places. But if you want my honest opinion, Dove Vivi has THE BEST pizza in Portland. I had heard of Dove Vivi from some vegans posting some super delicious looking pictures of their pizzas on instagram (as those vegans do). Being the nosey non-vegan gal I am, I did a quick google search and my mouth began watering uncontrollably from reading the menu. My boyfriend and I ordered take out -- a pepperoni & mushroom pizza and the mixed greens salad. It sounds like a simple meal but I am telling you people, it was seriously the best thing I've eaten in a very, very long time. It's safe to say that I may now have an addiction to this pizza. Please, do yourself a huge favor and order some food from this place. Not only your taste buds, but your soul will thank you.
(5)
Anne K.

I don't rate service, ambiance, cleanliness and wait times; they are too variable. I can put up with anything if the food is good. It is all about the food- that's it. All of my ratings are based on vegan options only. Notes: This place was great in its own unique way. Not like traditional pizza, so don't expect that. Flavors were great. They add a lot of toppings, which is fantastic. I was pleasantly surprised.
(5)
Anne K.

I don't rate service, ambiance, cleanliness and wait times; they are too variable. I can put up with anything if the food is good. It is all about the food- that's it. All of my ratings are based on vegan options only. Notes: This place was great in its own unique way. Not like traditional pizza, so don't expect that. Flavors were great. They add a lot of toppings, which is fantastic. I was pleasantly surprised.
(5)
Steph C.

If cornmeal and pizza had a love child, they would face population extinction b.c i'd eat all of them. Seriously, hands down, amazing. I am kinda picky when it comes to my food. I will practically eat anything, but I often find that places get too much hype than what is deserved and I come in with these great expections that fail me. I had one bite of dove vivi and I was blown away. This is not your regular, run of the mill pizza. If you like dough based pizzas, this may not be fore you. For me, the cornmeal is the best of both worlds: thick and crispy.. and because its corn meal, it doesn't make me feel bloated afterwards. Doesn't matter what toppings you pick, bc seriously, you cannot go wrong. The combos are very gourmet, perfect for foodies, or people who like to instagram and show off their fancy-schmancy meals. Dining place is small, but cozy. If you come during peak hours, expect to wait. Then it takes an addtional 30-ish minutes to cook your food. Worth it.
(5)
Cecilia K.

Wonderful family run business who donates a percentage of their earnings to non-profit groups each month. We try to visit on Tuesdays when that happens. The pizza specials are different all the time and are always up to date on the website which makes it nice. The beet salad and kale salad are so good! Corn meal crust is unlike any other in Portland and always a good amount if toppings. You will not go home hungry!
(5)
Theodor A.

I'd give a lower rating, but the food was good, especially the pesto pizza. The problem was that I signed in for a table for 3 at 7:30, wasn't told it might be a while before I'd be seated. About 30 minutes later, I was told it would be another 5-10 minutes, and then was finally seated 45 minutes after putting my name on the list. The server apologized weakly. (In their shoes, I would have offered free drinks or dessert at least.) Perhaps they need to figure out a better table configuration. Lots of two-tops were empty.
(4)
Mark M.

Dove Vivid has one of the best pizzas in Portland. Be aware that this a corn flour crust that is very good in my opinion. However, it is very different from a typical pizza crust. While it is heavier, it is definitely lighter on the digestive system. Dove Vivi's toppings are among the best I have ever had! Great atmosphere for a night out with friends or friend. The service staff is well trained and knowledgeable. The only reason Dove Vivi did not get ***** is the price. Will I go again even though I think it is a bit over-priced; yes. The flavors are attractive for me. If The prices were $15 - $18 this would be my go to place.
(4)
Cassandra Q.

Went for the first time tonight and it was wonderful. Great atmosphere, great waitress, and great food. We will be back!
(5)
Sarah P.

I've never eaten anything like the pizza at Dove Vivi. It is ridiculously good! Having developed a dairy allergy at age 15 and never having been much of a fan of cheese anyway, pizza has always been a bit out of reach for me. Dove Vivi has two vegan pizzas (no cheese!) that induce a craving in me allowing me to understand the brain's ability to overlook life's pressing needs -working, paying bills, breathing, -and submit wholeheartedly to the intently obsessed and focused mind of addiction. The pizza is that good! My favorite is the Della Salute. On a recent visit, I was given a side dish of their Yemeni sauce (think diced green chiles, coriander, cilantro, garlic). This with the Pear Cider and I do believe I might have signed my soul over to the devil. Ah well, totally worth it. Before going, one should know that this pizza will fill you up quick! It's not like anything else you've tried. The pizza is dense and you can probably count on leftovers. I have a very healthy appetite and one to two pieces is my capacity. Then eat another for breakfast the next day.... Our waitress was extremely attentive and friendly. My friend thoroughly enjoyed the sausage pizza and ordered their fancy root beer. I had a taste and we both agreed it was the most delicious root beer ever! Was it the stars, the moon, or is their food just that good? Decide for yourself, but I personally cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Tom J.

Hmmmmm...this one is tough. I wasn't really bowled over, but it also wasn't bad. I was also on a date, so my attention wasn't really on the food or service. The ambience is very nice, it's small, with subdued, warm, romantic lighting. It feels like a very cozy neighborhood place. The servers were super nice and friendly, we didn't understand how the ordering worked and started to order at the counter, but then she was like, "Oh, you're eating here? You can sit at a table and order." The pizza? Sorry, I just found it to be kind of meh. We had the classic sausage, the cornmeal crust was good, but not the best I've had. The pizza was sort of bland, like they had just piled on some sauce and sausage, with a little cheese. I'd be willing to go again and try something else, but this just didn't win me over, I've had much better pizza elsewhere. The service was super great, later in our meal, another staff member, I couldn't tell if she was a server, manager or what, came to ask how our meal was, then she later came by to chat as she had noticed my southern accent and she was from South Carolina. Excellent service and ambiance, maybe I need to try a different pizza??
(3)
Sumpter S.

The corn meal crust is amazing. My boyfriend and I LOVE pizza and this is one of our favorite pizza places. We have tried several different pizzas from here and we like all of them so far. It is a little pricey but so delicious.
(5)
Ryan A.

The pizza itself was very good. However, there is just too much good pizza in this town to wait forever or visit at an inconvenient time just to get in. Also, a bit too much attitude for a small pizza place.
(3)
Sonia B.

Chunky, thick, bland. Their marinara "sauce" tasted like they dumped a can of crushed tomatoes on top of the crust. The sausage could have used some seasoning. Overall the pizza wasn't awful it also wasn't great and at $25.50 a pie I could never justify going back here.
(2)
Cybil S.

Recommended to this joint with the caveat that the crust is corn. As recommended I tried the corn veggie and it was awesome. The corn crust has a wonderful texture and flavor. The smoked motz was killer with the sweetness of the corn topping. I'm sorry I don't live closer because I'd love to try more flavors.
(5)
Mr. G.

Really tasty pizza. The crust is made out corn meal (I think) which made the pie crispy. I had the sausage and pepper pizza. The sausage was really good which surprised me because the majority of the menu was vegetarian. The service was slow but friendly fitting the relaxed atmosphere of a small restaurant.
(4)
Nicole C.

THE WORST PIZZA I HAVE EVER EATEN!!!! WILL NEVER GO BACK!!! I had a gift card for this place and decided to try it out. The crust was dry, the sauce if you can call it that was like tomato paste chunks. We got the sausage and peppers pizza and the only thing that might be good that I can say is the meat and peppers we decent. Everything was terrible. If I could get my money back for a gift card I would, but I NEVER want to eat there again.
(1)
Danni D.

"What's the best new place you've been to this month?" Well it's not new, but it's totally new to me, so that makes it the best new place I've been to this month. It makes me so nostalgic for Vicolo back when it was a pizza place and pizza was its own food group, at least according to my 20-something nutritional guidelines. My thoughts on nutrition have evolved in the last 20 years or so, but I would be hard-pressed to turn down an invitation to Dove Vivi no matter how many times per week such an offer is extended. Thick, chewy cornmeal crust pizza loaded with super fresh toppings. I cannot get enough of their goat cheese pizza. It is so fresh and creamy I half expect to find a little goat out back selling her milk in exchange for your pizza crusts. Be sure to follow them on Facebook so you always know the daily pizza and salad specials. But beware; seeing their pizza specials pop up in your news feed can have disastrous consequences on your plans to "stay home and cook."
(5)
Joe B.

The corn pizza was awesome. I was never a fan of the deep dish style pizza, but these guys know how to do it. The pepperoni pizza was pretty stand but the corn pizza was one of the best I've ever had. We also got a kale salad which was really really good, but a little small.
(4)
Dian K.

This was my first time trying a cornmeal crust pizza. While the topping was good, I like my crust light and thin and cornmeal crust is not that. A small slice is quite filling. One pizza split for two is quite enough. We couldn't even finish one since we ordered a salad also. The salad we tried was the roasted carrot with goat cheese. I had fond memories of a similar dish from Ox a couple months back and had my expectation set really high (and not met). Summary: Cornmeal crust is just not for me.
(3)
Mr. W.

Not only is Dove Vivi's cashew butter/roasted corn pizza the best vegan pizza I've ever eaten. It's also the best pizza -- period -- I've ever eaten.
(5)
kate H.

I'm so in love with you I could cry. I may cry. I've had 2 glasses of Rose and it's before 5. There are no other pizzas. I scoff at you lesser pizza's. Yes my husband says it's too expensive. I don't give a shit. How am I only, just now, finding out about you, my love? I've been here twice in 3 days. The special of Tasso ham and braised greens- are you kidding me? And the corn. I will make my way down the menu. I will love you always. Please don't ever leave me.
(5)
Kristen M.

Dove Vivi's claim to fame is using "cornmeal crust pizza". You might be thinking "WTH?!" at first, but I must reassure you that it's quite amazing! Located in a mini-strip mall, this restaurant is next door to a mini-mart. If you LOVE "hearts", outside, they have a cute little sign: ( yelp.com/biz_photos/doveâ€¦ ) [devour] ROASTED CARROT SALAD **4 STARS** {special} roasted carrots + goat cheese + arugula + tarragon vinaigrette = surprisingly delicious flavors! Intertwined with the pepperness of the arugula, the pungent goat cheese and balance of the roasted carrots gave a powerful, yet tamed flavor of harmony. Definitely worth trying! ( yelp.com/biz_photos/doveâ€¦ ) CORN PIZZA (half order) **4 STARS** mozzarella + smoked mozzarella (yes more cheese!) + balsamic marinated roasted red onions + chives + sweet corn = mesmerizing that I didn't care there wasn't any meat on the pizza! Worth ordering over and over again! SAUSAGE & PEPPER PIZZA (half order) **5 STARS** mozzarella + fennel sausage (homemade) + caramelized onions + green peppers + tomato sauce = amazing from start to finish! Can't go wrong with this one either! Photo of corn + sausage & pepper pizza ( yelp.com/biz_photos/doveâ€¦ ) FIG & PANCETTA (half order) **5 STARS** {special} was made with fig jam + italian bacon + blue cheese + mozzarella + salad greens = quite rich, exquisite, and ultimately amazing! ( yelp.com/biz_photos/doveâ€¦ ) FYI = *No reservations; therefore if you're coming in a large party you may need to hold the fort down *All items on their menu are available for TAKE OUT *Outdoor seating available, but the inside's decor is much more pleasant *You can add jalapenos to any of the pizzas for an extra fee (we added this to our corn pizza) *Option to also add sausage to any pizza for an extra fee (forgot how much more) *Great for a date or just hanging out *ALL pizzas can be ordered by the slice or half *ALL pizzas are 12 INCHES (good for 2-3 people; may seem small but it's quite filling) *NO SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED (I respect that) *Half orders ($12) and whole orders ($23.75) *Cornmeal crusts are worth trying! Overall, I was amazed by this hidden gem! The 3 half orders and salad was able to satisfy a party of five. I can't wait to come back! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Yelp 2013 100 for 100 Challenge - Review #67
(5)
Rob R.

This place used to be a 10. Now, it's a shadow of its former self. Maybe the management/ownership changed. But the food has declined in the last few years. While still better than Domino's, it isn't worth the price. And let's talk about the waitstaff. I have high hopes for their success as supporting cast in the Portlandia episode about apathetic/surly waitstaff. Because they nailed it tonight.
(2)
Brian M.

If you're looking for a change of pace from your traditional pizza, you owe it to yourself to eat here. Their staple corn pizza is divine, as is their pepperoni Classico. On top of that, their cornmeal crust has the perfect crunch.
(5)
Kedar D.

Dove Vivi makes an excellent, unusual vegan pizza. Sandwiched between a dry cleaner and a corner store, you wouldn't guess that this place makes a delectable cornmeal crust pizza. We had a full pizza split half and half between the two vegan options (Della Salute and Corn Cashew) which cost $24. The Della Salute sounded like it would be tastier, consisting of roasted eggplant, caramelized onions and a few other tasty things. However, I found this pizza to be off somehow and just felt like it was missing something. Maybe it needed more salt or seasoning. The Corn Cashew pizza, on the other hand, was delectable: a mix of savory cashew pate ("cheese") with sweet corn and other toppings. I could not get enough of this one and the combination of chives, roasted red peppers and cornmeal crust made for a delicious, memorable pie. I've eaten a lot of vegan pizza in the US and ones that use cashew cheeses are invariably the best---think of Minneapolis's Pizza Luce ("rinotta" cheese) and Seattle's Pizza Pi. Oh, add Portland's Dove Vivi to the mix. The Corn Cashew pizza here is a winner and in a big way. If Dove Vivi offered more unusual and delicious vegan options like this one, it would warrant another star.
(4)
rachael m.

Great pizza but needs to be a bigger pie for the price.
(5)
Kathy N.

Not sure if this was done on purpose but the water cups they give to you come out pre-chilled. I love corn and I love pizza so this was the perfect place. I couldn't choose between the two corn pizzas they had so I ordered a slice of each :) I like the regular corn pizza better, the corn cashew had like a salsa taste to it. This was the first time I've had cornmeal crust and it was ok. It definitely takes the sogginess out of pizzas. It's also hard to infuse any flavors in the crust and there's a lot of the crust so it's noticeably bland when you try to take a bite without the toppings if that makes any sense. Overall I loved the corn pizzas they had here. The business sign could use a little more oomph.
(4)
Connie C.

CORN. It's one of my default foods. You know that ingredient you see it on the menu and you have to get it by default? Yes, corn is one of those things for me. So CORN meal crust pizza? OK you've piqued my interest. Now CORN meal crust pizza with CORN and balsamic carmelized red onions? OK now you have my full blown attention. We have definitely made ourselves regulars here. Our normal order includes the Sausage Classico - huge chunks of flavorful housemade fennel sausage and tomato chunks (reminescent of the deep dish pizza I used to get at Zachary's in Berekeley) and, of course, the Corn - smoky mozz with fresh corn, balsamic red onions, and chives. We usually pair all this with a Fentiman's Dandelion & Burdock soda (don't knock it 'til you try it!) When I got off a 30 day cleanse one time, I comforted myself that my reward would be one of their vegan pizzas at the end of it. I went with the Corn Cashew (remember? CORN - default food). It was just as good as their non-vegan choices! Man! I'm talking myself into getting some tonight.
(5)
Mark S.

Our fave #1 pizza place... Dove Vivi is way cool, the pizza is fantastic! The Pepperoni Classico pizza... the goat cheese pizza with roasted green peppers, tomato... the cornmeal crust... ...my god, T H E C R U S T ! The cornmeal crust is very addicting. You have been warned. For an appetizer... marinated olives... about 24 olives, excellent and such a unique and perfect start to your pizza par-tay! Sometimes we take an olive order home with us for tangy treat later-r-r. During summer cherry season, do not miss the Cherry Salad... best salad... ever... in Portland salad history. It takes a while for quality pizza... that's why I say... call in advance, get it to GO! During our last visit, we noticed that almost two thirds of Dove Vivi's biz was take-out! So that's how we roll now. Don't forget the olive appetizer!
(5)
Ben P.

Delicious crust - really good pizza. But a little expensive. Some interesting alt options too like gluten free/vegan etc.
(4)
Alex D.

I live with pizza snobs. I play soccer with a gourmet pizza maker. That is to say: I eat a lot of great pizza. Dove Vivi is probably the place I frequent most though. Their cornmeal crust is just so crisp, rich, and interesting; it seems to wake me up to pizza in a way that other crusts don't. Every part of the pizza becomes distinct - and yet blends in beautifully with the whole... magnifique!
(5)
Bliss D.

Delicious cornmeal crust. Super-attentive employees. Laid-back Portlandia vibe. Everything about Dove Vivi is great. But it has the potential to be AMAZING. I ordered the maple delicata pizza and it was just a bit too bland for me. Alas, I took half of the pizza home, threw some Mama Lils peppers and a smidge of sea salt on top, put it in the oven for a few minutes, and BAM. it was heart-stopping. I'll try a different pizza when I go back and potentially upgrade Dove to 5 stars if my next experience is exceptional. For now it's a solid 4 with the recommend that the chef take my advice on the maple delicata...
(4)
Victoria J.

We came here sort of late, maybe 9:30ish and they were glad to seat us. There was no wait thankfully. We tried the kale salad, goat cheese pizza, and sausage pizza. Since it was the weekend they offer a half and half pizza deal so you can try more than one pizza in one pan. The kale salad was pretty good, but definitely something I could make at home easily. The sausage pizza was recommended to my boyfriend because they have "house made fennel sausage." This was not sausage. It was really just ground beef sprinkled on top and did not have any fennel scent at all. The goat cheese pizza was better than the sausage, but it was forgettable. They have a "deep dish" sort of crust, which was confusing to me. Is it Chicago style? No. Another reviewer said it was similar to Little Star, but it definitely is nothing like Little Star. Little Star has a thinner crust with a tomato sauce that covers the toppings. This place has a thicker crust with a lot less topping. The crust was just okay tasting and it wasn't chewy with a crunch how I expect pizza crust to typically be. The environment was pretty nice and there seemed to be regulars there, but this definitely doesn't even come close to my favorite pizza places in other cities.
(2)
Emily M.

So bummed they don't let you order individual slices anymore. That makes it hard for small parties and people with dietary issues.
(3)
Paige N.

Dove is one of my go-tos. The beet salad is delicious and I heart their cornmeal crust.
(5)
Camille M.

This pizza is unlike anything you've ever had before. Delicious and unique - not like traditional Italian pizza, but out of this world delicious! Great casual, warm atmosphere, and I've always experienced pleasant service. One of my Portland faves!
(5)
Chels J.

I adore Dove Vivi. Thin crust lovers Beware! Dove Vivi pizza is made with a thicker cornmeal crust which is so yummy and they use interesting ingredients which really makes them unique. My favorite pizza I've had by far is their eggplant pizza. I tried the regular vegetarian pizza once, but it seriously doesn't compare to the eggplant. Another favorite which is sweeter than the eggplant so a nice change when I'm in a different mood is their corn/caramelized onion pizza. Who thought to put corn on pizza?? Never saw that before but I'm glad someone thought of it because this was delish. They have vegan options and ones loaded with meat as well. There is definitely something for everyone (not sure if gluten free though, I'm not too in tune with that at most places - sorry!). If you go at peak dinner hours, you will most likely have to wait as it's somewhat small. They have outdoor seating and are dog friendly for outside seating. They brought my little pup a water bowl during the summer. It has a VERY hipster vibe. Some are pretty aloof and don't really seem to care about you, but there a couple who seem so genuinely friendly that they totally make up for the rest. You can order a 1/3 or 1/2 of a pizza which is great for my boyfriend and I - me veggie, him carnivore. Nice option I haven't seen much at other places... simply ordering half/half on the same pizza isn't acceptable to hardcore vegetarians/vegans, so this is perfect for the veggie/carnivore mixed couple!
(5)
Vanessa J.

I'm vegan so I've only had the Corn Cashew pizza, but I have no need to try anything else. It's bafflingly good. Especially with the smoked tomatoes. Order it. Love it. (Also the service is great and the place is adorable.) It's a bit pricey but it's just perfect for a special occasion or cute lil date.
(5)
Ben B.

for a pizza purist i must say this place was pleasantly surprising. i never thought i would appreciate a crust that wasn't paper thin, but i've been proven wrong. the corn pizza was outstanding, the crust supplies the perfect base for the toppings to rest, it's like culinary harmony. make sure you get here a little early, as a line develops once you reach 6pm. i'll be back again to try another variation, a truly nice spin on a classic.
(4)
Don B.

There's nothing new about Dove Vivi. It's been around for a long time and it's been on my radar equally as long. Many people whose tastes I completely respect have urged me time and again to come try the cornmeal-crust pizza. And somehow for years I've simply been... well... sleeping on it. No longer. Dove Vivi is new to me, and I like it. This pizza is nothing like the thin, charred crust of Apizza Scholls, Ken's, Pyro or Wy'east, and it's not really like anything else either. For one, it's a deeper dish pizza made with a cornmeal crust that's at once crispy and thick. This tasty crust is then topped with fresh, creative, local toppings and tasty cheese. Pizzas are available by the slice, the half or the whole. So even a smaller group could try multiple pizzas by ordering individual styles by the slice. It's more expensive that way, but you get variety! On our first visit I thoroughly enjoyed the corn and smoked mozzarella pie as well as the pesto pie. The pesto offered subtle yet deep fresh veggie and pesto flavors that all played well off of the cornmeal crust. To offset that, the corn, onion and smoked mozzarella pizza is dynamic almost to the point of being in your face. While vegetarian the combo of flavors is reminiscent of bacon (and who doesn't love bacon?!). In fact, the special of the night (which I regrettably did not try) was a brussels and bacon pizza. Yum! Everything about this restaurant, even outside the food, is charming. It's tight and cozy, decorations are all cute and hipster (as are the servers), wines are offered by the glass and served up in little tumblers (an oh-so-blue-collar-Italian way to drink wine). Prices are fair for the work that goes in to the pizza, and even the grain for the crust is locally sourced. As a package, I really dig Dove Vivi. It's rare that I find myself way, way behind the times when it comes to a stand-out Portland restaurant. I guess we all slip sometimes. But I definitely won't be sleeping on this awesomeness any longer.
(5)
Jonathan S.

I feel bad about my lack of excitement about Dove Vivi. I know a lot of people love and rave about the place, but I didn't care for the pizza at all. I do have my pizza spots that I'm pretty loyal to, but the word of mouth and excitement about Dove Vivi combined with the need to eat while in tow with our small child led us to an open table and instant seating to eat. The favorable impression I do have of the place was for the great service and care about the comfort of our little one. When we arrived, they were all out of high chairs and that was fine as she wanted to be held anyway. Without us asking or inquiring again, one of the workers (not our waitress even) immediately asked us if we needed the high chair the moment it freed up from the previous occupant. That was pretty impressive and a rare moment of superior service in the general Portland restaurant scene. The pizza? meh. Although I'm sure it was cooked to everyone's delight. To me, the toppings and such seemed undercooked and otherwise bland. We each had a half pizza to share, so with a veggie and a meat pizza, I feel like I gave it the good ole college try. In all honesty, I wont eat the pizza from there again. The crust wasn't anything that stood out to me, but I thought it was supposed to be special because of the cornmeal. I believe it did, in fact, have cornmeal in it. So, I didn't care for the food, but the service was very awesome. And, I think the babysitter was pretty stoked when I told her to feel free to eat our Dove Vivi leftovers the next day.
(2)
Jason N.

The wait staff is cold, rude and apathetic. They slam your plates down, are unfriendly, and take a long time to do anything. The blonde waitress is the worst though. She literally pushed the table we were sitting at out from underneath us without asking because she thought it wasn't close enough to the table next to us. She didn't say excuse me or apologize. It seemed laughably passive aggressive. However, It was embarrassing to endure. I waited an hour and a half to be treated terribly.
(1)
Misty S.

Wow! My taste buds definitely did a little happy dance. The crust is a little different. It's like some kind of cornmeal dough. It's not bad, I like it. If you are expecting regular dough you might not appreciate it so I'm throwing it out there so we're all on the same page... I know how people get about their pizza dough... moving on... The pizza options are very creative and well thought out, not the boring options you get at other pizza places. My husband and I typically try to go for specials. I'm glad we did. I think it had butternut squash, greens, a cherry reduction, and probably some kind of awesome cheese that I can't recall at the moment. Anyway, it was great. Dove Vivi is in a little strip mall so it might be difficult to spot. Good thing we went with friends that have been there before. I'm glad they suggested it to us.
(4)
Debbie L.

Going down my list of Portland restaurants and it's Dove Vivi's turn! I love pizza and beer so this place was sounding pretty good after a long almost two weeks playing Oregon tour guide to friends visiting. So, I had Ray pick out my beer but I didn't like it. He was ok with that and drank it for me. I decided that my Beet Salad and Pesto one slice pizza would be enough. The salad was pretty tasty and I always feel good when I eat a plate of greens and other veggies before my pizza. When the pizza slice came, my first impression was that it was a small piece of pie! However.... it ended up being perfect! Rich, tasty, smooth and I loved the cornmeal crust! One piece was quite enough along with the salad. Ray had the olives and I snuck one of those and the flavor was delicious as well. I highly recommend Dove Vivi for a truly tasty pizza experience. A delicious alternative for your normal every day pizza pie!
(4)
Smelly C.

Alli brought me here. It's one of her favorite places. It's easy to miss with it being sandwiched in a strip mall but don't sleep on this.. Cornmeal crust pizzas-- the whole pie or by the slice. I like that option. Salads Desserts I ate my pizza with a knife and fork but, in retrospect, I should have forgone that and just went all hands. I could see why Alli craves the food here and I'm glad I got to try it. It's pretty great. It's a small restaurant and it fills up fast. Open everyday from 4pm-10pm. Great food. Great service. Cute place.
(4)
Ed H.

Of all the restaurants in Portland, this is definitely in my top three. I have a hard time thinking of anything I'd rather eat than my standby order here - a half-and-half corn (mozzarella, smoke mozzarella, balsamic marinated roasted red onions, fresh sweet corn, and chives with the optional house-made sausage added) and corn cashew (vegan roasted red pepper & cashew sheese, fresh sweet corn, caramelized onions, and chives with the optional house-smoked tomatoes added). Dear god. It's too good! If you don't know what you're doing here, you may be disappointed. Here are some pro tips: - Avoid peak hours or you will wait for-EVER. - Don't go in super hungry or you will be totally crashed out by the time you get your food. - Don't order a generic pizza here. Pepperoni is best left for Hot Lips. - The salads are delicious - the kale salad is the best - but they are way overpriced for what you get. One salad order is fine to split between two people if you're not trying to fill up on it. - Have them double-cut your pizza so instead of six unfortunately oversized slices you end up with twelve totally reasonable slices. - Don't worry about spending too much because the food is DENSE and makes AMAZING leftovers. They're excellent cold or reheated in a (toaster) oven (at a preheated 425F for ~10 minutes). - The seating area is very small and you will be right up next to your neighbors, so be ready for that. So ultimately there are some caveats you should know of if you want to have this be an ideal experience, especially if you're eating in. My wife and I used to eat in the restaurant area frequently enough, usually for special-ish occasions or when we wanted to spoil ourselves after a long visit to The Circuit Bouldering Gym down the street, but nowadays we're more likely to make a kale salad based on their recipe at home, call in the pizza order for pick up, and enjoy a night at home with plenty of extra salad and wine for a fraction of the price. The food alone is what's earned this place the five stars I'm giving it. If I weren't so lucky with my first order with them and was rating this based on the in-restaurant experience, I might have gone as low as three stars. But if you're prepared for what they have going on, you're going to enjoy what may very well be the best specialty pizza of your life thanks to Dove Vivi.
(5)
RJ H.

Honestly I was a tad skeptical a first...Cornmeal Crust Pizza???? But for "something completely different" in the pizza department...I dig this little place! A full selection of traditional and vegan varieties ..all with that slightly sweet very tasty cornmeal crust. A small but adequate beer and wine selection They offer eat in and Par-Bake if not eating immediately... I don't always eat cornmeal crust pizza... But when I do ...I prefer Dove Vivi.:)...hours 4-10pm and a bit of parking out front.
(4)
Rosemary R.

We love Dove Vivi pizza SO much. It is unique and delicious. Their service is also uniquely excellent. Recently, I waited an extra minute for part of my order and they threw in a little something extra to thank me for patience. It's that kind of touch that makes this place so special.
(5)
Dan H.

I have eaten a lot of pizza in the past week. This is not a bad thing. It is a thing however. A friend moves back into town (this is not a joke) after moving out of town 8 months ago. Her new apartment isn't ready to be moved into so she and her dog stay with me. After spending the day playing in the sun, we decide it is time to get some dinner. Friend says she would like pizza. I mention that I have a coupon for $4 off of a pie at Dove Vivi. She has never heard of Dove Vivi. I tell her about the cornmeal crust. She is sold. We order our pizza and a large beet salad, go to pick it up and bring it back to my place. Whew. That was a mouthful. First, the salad. The first time I came to Dove Vivi I had this salad. Big enough to feed two, it was all I could think about for weeks on end. I did think about sex as well, but the salad was a close second. Anyway, I'll move on. The salad was just as good as I remembered it to be. Beets, roasted walnuts and blue cheese, served on a bed of greens with shallot balsamic vinaigrette ($7.50 for a large). People. It is better than it sounds. Simple, but yet oh so freakin' good. The pizza. We had the Goat Cheese pie. Mozzarella, goat cheese, marinated green peppers, fresh rosemary and marinated roasted tomatoes. Tell me that this pie doesn't sound good. I dare you to tell me that it doesn't sound good. This isn't inexpensive pizza and it is a step up with the kind of pizza I normally eat, but when you make a product that stands out with fresh ingredients, I am definitely going to partake on occasion. If you haven't been, it is an experience. It is a different kind of pie and a step away from the norm.
(4)
Marissa A.

Ive had people rave about this place to me, when i ask for a good pizza place. I have to agree. Since moving here from NY i have failed to enjoy good pizza despite the many pizzerias I have tried, until today! Service was friendly, atmosphere was relaxing, and the pizza was perfect! We stuck with the traditional pepperoni and were very pleased! Edit: Ive been back again and tried the sampler! OMG you cannot go wrong with any of the flavors! Love the cornmeal crust too! Seating is a little awkward and crowded and their hours are weird. I feel like for such a popular place, time to expand.
(4)
Jessica L.

LOVE Dove Vivi! Their pizza and salads are delicious, but I really loved their customer service when I ordered a zuccotto cake from them for my recent wedding. Delane was super helpful and the cake was amazing and it was really easy to pick up. My husband is obsessed with their cake and this one didn't disappoint.
(5)
Annie W.

I love the food at Dove Vivi. Oh so much. But... does it really take 50 minutes to cook a pizza? The wait time is atrocious. My favorite plan of action is to just call ahead and get the pizza to go.
(4)
Heather S.

Delicious cornmeal pizza, the best kale salad I've ever had (and I LOVE kale!), and killer (chewy) homemade chocolate chip cookies make Dove Vivi a treasure. Add to that warm, friendly, and efficient service, and you've got a winner. Only wish they had a bigger parking lot (do NOT park in the area by the market; you will be towed!). Other than parking, Dove Vivi is awesome!
(5)
J. O.

This is the best pizza in Portland. Not necessarily traditional, but every bit as good as anything else. When I moved here from Chicago years ago, I was pretty disappointed in the pizza options around town. Apizza Scholls is pretty good classic thin crust, but until recently that was about all we had. I didn't make it to Dove Vivi until a couple years ago, but haven't bothered with many other pizza places around town since. I'm always happy here. The cornmeal crust is excellent. The quality of cheese and toppings also are. I love the Sausage & Peppers, Classic Pepperoni, and Corn pizzas. They also have great specials once in awhile, along with tasty salads. The pizzas do take a while to cook, and the service can sometimes be a bit slow, but like most places in town, it's worth the wait. The last time my parents were visiting town, I took them out to some of the nicest restaurants around PDX, then came here on a cheaper 'dinner and a movie' night, and Dove Vivi was their favorite meal of the week.
(5)
Shannon P.

I would give 5 stars, but while we were eating we watched a pretty unsanitary thing go down in front of the entire restaurant. A cook was stacking pizza boxes and fumbled and knocked 5 or 6 over onto the floor outside the bathroom door. Amazingly, he and a waitress picked them all up and put them back in the stack. We then watched the boxes get used one by one for to-go pizzas. I would assume they put the boxes on the prep table when they fill them, or at the very least the cook touches the box then touches your food. Regardless, you can't serve food in boxes that were on the floor... The food here is great and the girls working were ridiculously nice, but I was really turned off by the whole box thing lol. This place is expensive, I'd expect them to know better!
(4)
Tim F.

If you're tired of the same thing over and over again: wood fired etc. Go here, it's different and delicious. A newish take on pizza. The corn crust is very yummy.
(5)
John K.

There are a variety of ways to put a Portland stamp on dining - Wy East did it by making arguably the best pizza in town in a food cart. Los Gorditos successfully uses the words Vegan and Mexican in the same sentence. Many others seem content just slapping pork belly on whatever happens to be handy. But Dove Vivi has quite possibly been the most creative - essentially reinventing something that most people don't want to see changed at all. Their cornmeal crust remains unique in texture and flavor, and though I haven't tried it, I've heard wonderful things from professionals and enthusiasts alike about their corn topping. It's been many years now since I moved here from the East Coast, and I still consider pineapple to be a sacrilege, pizza-wise. But with Dove Vivi, I'm thrilled to see that someone has come up with something that is ostensibly pizza, but is brand new, tasty, and, judging by both word of mouth, and the crowds when I've been there, wonderfully popular.
(4)

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Address : 2727 NE Glisan St
Portland, OR, 97232
Phone (503) 239-4444
Website https://www.dovevivipizza.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :4:00 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Pizza

Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.

Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.

Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20^th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.

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Dove Vivi

2727 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR, 97232

Dove Vivi Menu

Greens

Pizzas

Vegan Pizzas

Desserts

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Healthy Meal suggestions for Dove Vivi

Greens

Pizzas

Vegan Pizzas

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