Highest-rated pizza restaurants in the Santa Maria 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 Maria 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 Maria 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 / 15

#15. Me-n-Ed's Pizzeria

- Rating: 2.6/5 (204 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 110 Mary Ave. Nipomo, California
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

2 / 15

#14. Me N Ed's Pizzeria & Crafthouse

- Rating: 2.7/5 (45 reviews)
- Address: 560 Betteravia Road Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Pizza, Beer Bar, American
- Read more on Yelp

3 / 15

#13. Great Scott's Pizza

- Rating: 2.9/5 (63 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1437 South Broadway Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

4 / 15

#12. Patricio's Pizzeria

- Rating: 3.4/5 (173 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 156 South Broadway Ste East Orcutt, California
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

5 / 15

#11. Giavanni's Pizza

- Rating: 3.5/5 (104 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1108 East Clark Ave. Ste 130 Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Pizza, Italian, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

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6 / 15

#10. Adelina's Bistro

- Rating: 3.7/5 (131 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1645 Trilogy Pkwy Nipomo, California
- Categories: New American, Bars, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

7 / 15

#9. PiWhole Pizza

- Rating: 3.7/5 (161 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 330 West Tefft St. Ste C Nipomo, California
- Categories: Pizza, Beer, Wine & Spirits, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

8 / 15

#8. Ricky's House of Pizza

- Rating: 3.7/5 (123 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4869 South Bradley Road Ste 106 Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Pizza, Italian
- Read more on Yelp

9 / 15

#7. Straw Hat Pizza

- Rating: 3.8/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1822 North Broadway Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Pizza, Italian, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

10 / 15

#6. Fire & Vice

- Rating: 3.9/5 (120 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3580 Skyway Drive Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Pizza, Hot Dogs
- Read more on Yelp

11 / 15

#5. Fatte's Pizza of Santa Maria

- Rating: 3.9/5 (218 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1772 South Broadway Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Pizza, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

12 / 15

#4. Klondike Pizza

- Rating: 3.9/5 (190 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2059 South Broadway Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Pizza, Burgers, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

13 / 15

#3. La Vera Pizzeria

- Rating: 4.2/5 (73 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 239 Town Center West Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

14 / 15

#2. Cugini's Pizzeria & Trattoria

- Rating: 4.3/5 (390 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 230 East Betteravia Road Ste G Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

15 / 15

#1. Pizzeria Bello Forno

- Rating: 4.5/5 (351 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 119 East Clark Ave. Orcutt, California
- Categories: Pizza, Wine Bars, Italian
- 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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