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—like 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—many 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 74,000 pizza restaurants were logged in the United States in 2024, 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 180 slices of pizza in a year, 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.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated pizza shops in the Santa Cruz area based on diners' reviews on Yelp 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!
