Highest-rated pizza restaurants in the Santa Cruz area by diners
Highest-rated pizza restaurants in the Santa Cruz area by diners
Pizza is one of those universal languages that Americans just get. Even if the styles are vastly different based on the region鈥攍ike a thin wide slice from New York, a thick rectangular cut with crispy edges from Detroit, or deep cheesy pie in a pan from Chicago鈥攎any can agree that the combination of chewy dough, tangy sauce, and gooey cheese is a true American classic.
The growing number of pizza joints is proof enough: More than , up just under 1% over the last five years. Yet, with so many options to choose from, how is a pizza connoisseur supposed to know the best place to grab a slice?
There's a lot of competition out there to become the best pizza place in town, especially with people who have a lot of opinions. The aesthetic is always important to consider; maybe customers prefer a classic greasy joint with checkered tablecloths and shakers of Parmesan and red pepper flakes to douse their slice, or perhaps something artisanal with wood-fired pies served with a thoughtfully curated wine menu. Then there's the pizza itself. Is the restaurant using high-quality ingredients? Does the taste make you want to keep eating more and more?
It may seem like a lot of meticulous details, but given that Americans could eat up to , it only makes sense that all of these details are considered when choosing a go-to local spot. Thankfully, there's enough data out there to steer customers in the right direction instead of having to do the research themselves.
compiled a list of the highest-rated pizza shops in the Santa Cruz area based on diners' reviews on as of February 2025. Restaurants with at least 20 reviews tagged as "pizza" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Santa Cruz were included. As a result, some restaurants featured may serve other food items.
Get ready to find the perfect place for your next slice!
#28. Cork and Fork Capitola
- Rating: 3.8/5 (53 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 312 Capitola Ave. Capitola, California
- Categories: Wine Bars, Music Venues, Pizza
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#27. Mentone
- Rating: 3.8/5 (352 reviews)
- Address: 174 Aptos Village Way Aptos, California
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Cocktail Bars
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#26. Venus Pie Trap
- Rating: 3.8/5 (71 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 113 Esplanade Aptos, California
- Categories: Cafes, Pizza, Bakeries
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#25. Pizza My Heart
- Rating: 3.8/5 (240 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 253 Center Ave. Aptos, California
- Categories: Pizza
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#24. Upper Crust Pizza & Pasta
- Rating: 3.8/5 (497 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2415 Mission St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Pizza, Italian
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#23. Village Host Pizza & Grill
- Rating: 3.8/5 (136 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 819-C Bay Ave. Capitola, California
- Categories: Pizza, American
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#22. Showtime Pizzeria
- Rating: 3.9/5 (135 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 7960 Soquel Drive Ste East Aptos, California
- Categories: Pizza
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#21. Woodstock's Pizza Santa Cruz
- Rating: 3.9/5 (1492 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 710 Front St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Pizza, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
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#20. Pizza My Heart
- Rating: 3.9/5 (459 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2180 41st Ave. Capitola, California
- Categories: Pizza
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#19. Pizzeria Avanti
- Rating: 3.9/5 (159 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1711 Mission St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Pizza, Salad, Chicken Wings
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#18. Crow's Nest Beach Market
- Rating: 4.0/5 (105 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2218 East Cliff Drive Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Gift Shops, Pizza, Sandwiches
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#17. Bantam
- Rating: 4.0/5 (456 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1010 Fair Ave. Ste J Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Pizza, New American
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#16. Redwood Pizzeria
- Rating: 4.0/5 (288 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6205 Hwy 9 Felton, California
- Categories: Pizza
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#15. Pizza My Heart
- Rating: 4.1/5 (404 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 209 Esplanade Ste A Capitola, California
- Categories: Pizza
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#14. Engfer Pizza Works
- Rating: 4.1/5 (283 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 537 Seabright Ave. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Pizza
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#13. Tramonti
- Rating: 4.2/5 (1064 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 528 Seabright Ave. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Wine Bars
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#12. Pizzeria La Bufala
- Rating: 4.2/5 (174 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 725 Front St. Abbott Square Market Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Pizza, Salad, Italian
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#11. Lago Di Como Ristorante
- Rating: 4.2/5 (612 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 21490 East Cliff Drive Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Italian, Wine Bars, Pizza
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#10. Caruso's Tuscan Cuisine Restaurant
- Rating: 4.3/5 (481 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 115 San Jose Ave. Capitola, California
- Categories: Italian, Pizza
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#9. Bookie's Pizza
- Rating: 4.4/5 (150 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1315 Water St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Pizza, Beer, Wine & Spirits, Desserts
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#8. The Pizza Series
- Rating: 4.4/5 (89 reviews)
- Address: 226 Mt Hermon Road Scotts Valley, California
- Categories: Pizza
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#7. Bedda Mia
- Rating: 4.4/5 (129 reviews)
- Address: 736 Water St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Pasta Shops
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#6. La Placa Family Bakery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (175 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 9280 Highway 9 Ben Lomond, California
- Categories: Gelato, Pizza, Bakeries
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#5. Namaste Grill & Bar
- Rating: 4.6/5 (124 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 303 Beach St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Pizza, Indian, Diners
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#4. Buzzo's Wood Fired Pizza
- Rating: 4.7/5 (111 reviews)
- Address: 2510 South Main St. Soquel, California
- Categories: Pizza, Wine Bars, Beer Bar
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#3. La Marea Cafe & Pizzeria
- Rating: 4.7/5 (26 reviews)
- Address: 311 Capitola Ave. Capitola, California
- Categories: Salad, Pizza, Bagels
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#2. Mattia Pizza
- Rating: 4.7/5 (27 reviews)
- Address: Hollister, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Pizza, Italian
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#1. Sleight of Hand Pizza
- Rating: 5.0/5 (34 reviews)
- Address: 2901 Research Park Drive Ste A Soquel , California
- Categories: Pizza, Caterers, Street Vendors
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Kiersten Hickman, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 321 metros.
