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Highest-rated pizza restaurants in the Santa Cruz area by diners

·Stacker

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sbrinister // Shutterstock
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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!

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1 / 28

#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
- Read more on Yelp

2 / 28

#27. Mentone

- Rating: 3.8/5 (352 reviews)
- Address: 174 Aptos Village Way Aptos, California
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp

3 / 28

#26. Venus Pie Trap

- Rating: 3.8/5 (71 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 113 Esplanade Aptos, California
- Categories: Cafes, Pizza, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp

4 / 28

#25. Pizza My Heart

- Rating: 3.8/5 (240 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 253 Center Ave. Aptos, California
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

6 / 28

#23. Village Host Pizza & Grill

- Rating: 3.8/5 (136 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 819-C Bay Ave. Capitola, California
- Categories: Pizza, American
- Read more on Yelp

7 / 28

#22. Showtime Pizzeria

- Rating: 3.9/5 (135 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 7960 Soquel Drive Ste East Aptos, California
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

8 / 28

#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
- Read more on Yelp

9 / 28

#20. Pizza My Heart

- Rating: 3.9/5 (459 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2180 41st Ave. Capitola, California
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

11 / 28

#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
- Read more on Yelp

12 / 28

#17. Bantam

- Rating: 4.0/5 (456 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1010 Fair Ave. Ste J Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Pizza, New American
- Read more on Yelp

13 / 28

#16. Redwood Pizzeria

- Rating: 4.0/5 (288 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6205 Hwy 9 Felton, California
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

14 / 28

#15. Pizza My Heart

- Rating: 4.1/5 (404 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 209 Esplanade Ste A Capitola, California
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

16 / 28

#13. Tramonti

- Rating: 4.2/5 (1064 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 528 Seabright Ave. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Wine Bars
- Read more on Yelp

17 / 28

#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
- Read more on Yelp

18 / 28

#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
- Read more on Yelp

19 / 28

#10. Caruso's Tuscan Cuisine Restaurant

- Rating: 4.3/5 (481 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 115 San Jose Ave. Capitola, California
- Categories: Italian, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

21 / 28

#8. The Pizza Series

- Rating: 4.4/5 (89 reviews)
- Address: 226 Mt Hermon Road Scotts Valley, California
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

22 / 28

#7. Bedda Mia

- Rating: 4.4/5 (129 reviews)
- Address: 736 Water St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Pasta Shops
- Read more on Yelp

23 / 28

#6. La Placa Family Bakery

- Rating: 4.5/5 (175 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 9280 Highway 9 Ben Lomond, California
- Categories: Gelato, Pizza, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp

24 / 28

#5. Namaste Grill & Bar

- Rating: 4.6/5 (124 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 303 Beach St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Pizza, Indian, Diners
- Read more on Yelp

26 / 28

#3. La Marea Cafe & Pizzeria

- Rating: 4.7/5 (26 reviews)
- Address: 311 Capitola Ave. Capitola, California
- Categories: Salad, Pizza, Bagels
- Read more on Yelp

27 / 28

#2. Mattia Pizza

- Rating: 4.7/5 (27 reviews)
- Address: Hollister, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Pizza, Italian
- Read more on Yelp

28 / 28

#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
- Read more on Yelp

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Kiersten Hickman, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 321 metros.

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