Tucked away on NW Davis Street in Portland, Oregon, Old Town Pizza and Brewing is not your average pizza spot. This historic building carries decades of dark legends, mysterious tunnels, and at least one ghost who never quite checked out.
Whether you come for the craft beer, the wood-fired pies, or the spine-tingling tours, this place delivers a dining experience that feels straight out of a Stephen King novel. Get ready to explore everything that makes this hauntingly cool restaurant one of Portland’s most unforgettable destinations.
The Legend of Nina, the Resident Ghost
Some restaurants have a mascot. Old Town Pizza and Brewing has Nina, a ghost who has reportedly haunted the building for well over a century.
According to local legend, Nina was a woman who worked in the hotel that once occupied this building during the late 1800s and met a tragic end here.
Guests who sit in Nina’s booth have reported cold chills, strange feelings, and even flickering lights. The staff talk about her openly, which somehow makes the whole thing feel both eerie and oddly welcoming.
She is not just a gimmick either. Multiple visitors have mentioned sensing a genuine presence in that corner of the restaurant.
One reviewer wrote that sitting in Nina’s booth was “spooky in the best way.” Whether you believe in ghosts or not, her story adds a layer of mystery that turns an ordinary dinner into something truly memorable.
A Building Soaked in Portland History
Long before anyone ordered a slice of pepperoni here, this building served as one of Portland’s most active hotels during the city’s rough and tumble early days. Built in the 1880s, the structure has witnessed everything from gold rush travelers to the dark era of Shanghaiing, where unsuspecting men were reportedly kidnapped and forced onto ships.
The owner recently purchased the entire building, which means tour guests now get access to additional floors and hidden spaces that were previously off-limits. Visitors have noted that you can still see the architectural bones of the old hotel if you look carefully past the modern updates.
One guest who had lived in Portland for over a decade said they learned more about the city’s history in a single one-hour tour than in years of living there. That kind of time-travel feeling is genuinely rare and worth every minute.
The Famous Shanghai Tunnel Tour
Beneath the floors of Old Town Pizza and Brewing lies one of Portland’s most talked-about secrets: the Shanghai Tunnels. These underground passages were allegedly used during the 1800s to move kidnapped men, known as Shanghaiing victims, directly onto waiting ships at the waterfront.
The tunnels are tight, with low ceilings, so tall visitors definitely want to watch their heads.
The tour runs about 90 minutes and covers both the tunnels below and newly accessible areas above. Guides are praised again and again for being knowledgeable, entertaining, and respectful of the history.
One reviewer called their guide Skippy “super knowledgeable and fun while also being respectful of the stories of the spirits.”
Even guests who are not into horror or ghost stories have loved the tour because it balances real historical facts with just enough spooky storytelling to keep everyone on edge. Book it before it sells out.
The Ghost Pie You Have to Try
Every great haunted restaurant deserves a signature dish, and Old Town Pizza and Brewing delivers with the Ghost Pie. Reviewers rave about it consistently, with one guest rating it a perfect 10 out of 10 and specifically calling it out as their top recommendation.
That kind of enthusiasm from a paying customer is hard to fake.
The pizza here is made with quality ingredients, and the crust has something special about it that keeps people coming back. One self-described New York pizza snob said it was “easily the best pizza in PDX,” which is a bold claim in a city full of serious food lovers.
The menu is straightforward and easy to navigate, which is refreshing when you are already overwhelmed by ghosts and history.
Pair the Ghost Pie with one of their craft brews and you have a meal that is equal parts delicious and atmospheric. Hard to beat that combo.
Craft Beers Brewed On-Site
Old Town Pizza and Brewing is not just a pizza place. The brewing side of the operation is taken seriously, and guests who know their beer tend to be pleasantly surprised.
The Northwest IPA in particular has earned repeated shoutouts from reviewers, with one calling it their favorite beer of the evening.
The brewing tanks are actually visible from the dining area, adding an industrial cool factor to the already atmospheric space. You can see the equipment up close, which makes the whole experience feel a little more personal and hands-on.
It is the kind of detail that beer lovers genuinely appreciate.
Tour tickets even include a complimentary drink at the end, which means your first pint is already covered. One guest who normally avoids IPAs said the tasting at the end of the tour actually changed their mind about the style entirely.
That is some seriously good brewing.
Garlic Knots That Deserve Their Own Fan Club
Before you even get to the pizza, the garlic knots at Old Town Pizza and Brewing will make you rethink every bread appetizer you have ever had. Multiple reviewers have singled them out as a highlight of the meal, with one guest calling them “next-level” and another noting they were “seasoned really really well.”
They come with marinara sauce on the side, and at around four dollars for three pieces, they are a genuinely great value. The knots are a solid size too, not those tiny bite-sized ones that disappear in two seconds.
They arrive piping hot, which makes that first pull-apart moment deeply satisfying.
Ordering these while you wait for your pizza is basically a requirement at this point. The staff move quickly, so you will not be waiting long.
Think of the garlic knots as the perfect warm-up act before the main event hits your table.
The Atmospheric Vintage Interior
Walking into Old Town Pizza and Brewing feels like stepping through a time portal. The decor is a delightful mix of mismatched furniture, vintage photographs, ambient lighting, and walls covered in collaged art and old memorabilia.
Nothing matches perfectly, and that is exactly the point. The whole place has a worn-in, lived-in charm that no designer could fake.
One reviewer described it as feeling like “an old salon,” while another said it had “authentic and cozy” vibes. The women’s restroom even has its own personality, with collaged walls that have reportedly distracted more than one visitor mid-visit.
That is a level of commitment to atmosphere that deserves recognition.
The lighting is kept deliberately dim and warm, which works perfectly whether you are there for a romantic dinner or a spooky tour. Everything about the space feels intentional, even if it looks wonderfully accidental at first glance.
Tour Guides Who Make History Come Alive
A haunted tour is only as good as the person leading it, and Old Town Pizza and Brewing seems to have cracked the code on finding exceptional guides. Names like Natasha, Skippy, and Sue show up repeatedly in glowing reviews, each praised for their knowledge, humor, and ability to read a crowd.
One reviewer even said Natasha showed “amazing composure” with a tough group and was “very quick on her feet.”
What sets these guides apart is their balance. They take the history seriously without making it feel like a boring lecture, and they handle the ghost stories with just enough drama to be fun without being disrespectful.
One guest noted that Sue managed to teach them more Portland history in one hour than years of living in the city had.
If you get a guide who clearly loves what they do, the whole experience transforms. These guides absolutely love what they do.
Newly Unlocked Upper Floors Full of Secrets
Until recently, guests on the tunnel tour only got to see what was underground. But after the owner of Old Town Pizza and Brewing purchased the entire building, the tour expanded to include newly accessible upper floors that were previously hidden away.
This upgrade has been a major hit with visitors who appreciate getting the full picture of what this building once was.
The upper floors still show glimpses of the grand hotel that once stood here, even though much of the space has been divided into offices over the years. Reviewers have described catching “glimpses of what used to be there” if you look past the modern changes.
There is something genuinely moving about seeing history preserved in the bones of a building.
One guest called the expanded access “a great addition” that made an already fascinating tour feel even more complete. More building means more stories, and this place has plenty of both.
A Free Drink Waiting at the Finish Line
After 90 minutes of ducking through underground tunnels and listening to ghost stories, there is something deeply satisfying about knowing a free drink is waiting for you. Every tour ticket at Old Town Pizza and Brewing includes a complimentary beverage redeemable at the bar, and reviewers consistently mention this as a highlight of the whole evening.
The options are not limited to beer either. One guest ordered a mango Italian soda with cream and described it as “incredible.” Non-drinkers are fully taken care of, which is a thoughtful touch that not every tour operation bothers with.
The bar staff are knowledgeable and happy to walk you through the options.
There is something almost ceremonial about that post-tour pint. You survived the tunnels, you heard the ghost stories, and now you get to sit in a historic haunted building and toast to it.
That is a pretty perfect way to end any adventure.
The House Special Pizza That Shocked Everyone
Sometimes the most unexpected dish becomes the most talked-about one. The House Special Pizza at Old Town Pizza and Brewing has a habit of surprising people who walk in expecting average bar food.
One reviewer admitted being “shocked it was only $28” because the size and quality far exceeded what they anticipated for the price.
The pizza fed three adults comfortably, which makes it a solid group option. The crust is thin but not flimsy, the ingredients taste fresh, and the whole thing arrives looking like something you would Instagram even before you taste it.
Multiple reviewers across different visits have come to the same conclusion: this pizza punches well above its weight.
Pair it with garlic knots and a house-brewed beer and you have a meal that would impress even the most skeptical foodie. The kitchen clearly cares about what comes out of it, and that pride shows in every bite.
Operating Hours and How to Plan Your Visit
Planning a trip to Old Town Pizza and Brewing takes just a little bit of prep, and it is absolutely worth it. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so keep that in mind when scheduling.
Wednesday and Thursday hours run from 3 to 10 PM, while Friday and Saturday open earlier at noon. Sunday hours are 2 to 10 PM.
The address is 226 NW Davis Street in Portland, which puts it right in the heart of Old Town. Parking can be tricky in this neighborhood, so arriving a few minutes early is smart.
Tours are popular and tend to sell out, especially on weekends, so booking ahead through their website at otbrewing.com is strongly recommended.
You can also call ahead at 503-222-9999 if you have questions about tour availability or group reservations. The staff are friendly and helpful over the phone, which sets a great tone before you even walk through the door.
Why This Place Earns Its 4.3-Star Rating
With 744 reviews and a 4.3-star average on Google, Old Town Pizza and Brewing has clearly built something that resonates with a wide range of visitors. History buffs, ghost hunters, beer enthusiasts, and pizza lovers all walk through the same door and most of them leave happy.
That kind of broad appeal is genuinely hard to pull off.
The combination of great food, craft beer, a fascinating building, and an immersive tour creates a layered experience that goes way beyond a typical dinner out. Repeat visitors are common here.
One guest mentioned visiting three times in three weeks and calling it their new favorite spot in all of Portland.
Even reviewers who found the tour a little underwhelming still came back for the pizza and atmosphere alone. When a place earns loyalty from guests who had mixed experiences, that says a lot about the overall quality of what they have built here.
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