Sure, you could settle for chain delivery or check out the latest food truck trend, but knowing where to find that perfect slice when a craving hits is essential. Santa Barbara has its tourist traps and beachside stands, but no matter where you are along the coast, you’re never too far from bubbling mozzarella, charred crust, or a dining room full of people sharing pies. These are our 11 favorite spots.
Bettina
$$ | (805) 770-2383 | WEBSITE
Bettina, a Montecito Country Mart spot serving up handmade tagliatelli and outstanding mushroom pizza, often features seasonal specials and must-try mocktails. The cozy yet trendy dining space has a small indoor area with a fun pizza counter for those who enjoy being immersed in the action, cute outdoor seating with heaters, and plenty of warm ambient light beaming down from the ceiling.
While you’re here on a weekend night, you can order dishes like Caesar salad with braised lamb and get some ideas for the kitchen from any of the friendly, accommodating staff.
Little Caesars Pizza
$ | (805) 962-1966 | WEBSITE
If you’ve ever craved a pizza so good you’d forgive a little extra wait time while someone belts out Taylor Swift tunes in the kitchen, then you should head to Little Caesars on Milpas Street. This Santa Barbara spot serves up a tasty blend of Italian and Spanish flavors, with their famous crazy bread being the real star of the show. If waiting for your pepperoni pie or watching Carlos A.
rush to grab extra tomato sauce isn’t your thing, they also handle unexpected situations—like that water gun incident—with surprising calm and strength until your order is ready.
Lucky Penny
$$ | (805) 284-0358 | WEBSITE
Lucky Penny is a pizza spot in Santa Barbara with artisan-style pies that have phenomenal crusts—crispy, chewy, and packed with flavor. Besides the standout Salty Surfer pizza with its vodka-based sauce, you should try the east coast pepperoni, the hot girl pizza, or just a slice of their classic pepperoni with parmesan on top. This is a great and relaxing change-of-pace spot to meet, especially if you’re looking for a date night or catching up with a friend.
And they have tons of outdoor seating in a courtyard that you can even enjoy on busy weekends.
Rusty’s Pizza Parlor
$ | (805) 564-1111 | WEBSITE
Lovers of family dinners and perfectly cheesy, generously topped pizzas, rejoice: Rusty’s Pizza Parlor has arrived. Hungry kids play games while waiting for their pepperoni slices at the large tables, while chatting parents build custom salads at the fresh vegetable bar. This would all mean nothing if the pizza at this family-friendly parlor weren’t impressive—but the Rusty Special pan pizza, Hawaiian, and thin crust options are all delicious (make the Rusty Special extra cheesy).
The salad bar is fresh, but that’s not why you come here. You come to gather, let the kids play, and share pizza made with fresh ingredients until it’s time to head home.
Petrini’s Italian Restaurant – Santa Barbara
$ | (805) 687-8888 | WEBSITE
Petrini’s Italian Restaurant is an authentic Italian spot in Santa Barbara, and it’s one of those places that you only go to if you’re trying to have a proper family meal. The main dining area is a full-blown restaurant, with lots of tables and classic Italian cuisine. The atmosphere is cozy and family-oriented, where the cooks are praised as magic makers. And throughout, it’s a neighborhood gem, with attentive service, non-greasy dishes, and reasonable prices.
So you can have any kind of Italian experience you want depending on the mood and your taste in tiramisu or meatballs.
S.B Court House Distillery
$$ | (805) 564-3900 | WEBSITE
Santa Barbara may be known for its Spanish architecture and coastal views, and the Court House District may be known for its historic charm. But, most importantly, this spacious pizzeria is known for its exceptional service and family-friendly atmosphere. Thanks to the affordable prices, tasty pizza crusts, and fresh vegetarian toppings, it’s as versatile as it is welcoming.
Just in case the amazing drinks and accommodating staff don’t sell you on the place, Andrew and his tight-knit team put on a show every night with their 5-star service.
St. Bibiana
$ | (805) 679-9511 | WEBSITE
There are no quiet moments at St. Bibiana. On most evenings, the dining room buzzes with chatter over thin-crust pizzas, and on weekends, there’s a steady stream of families enjoying the arcade games.
It can get packed with regulars who’ve made this their pizza destination, and groups of tourists who visit Santa Barbara spots “just for the experience.” There’s limited seating inside, so it’s best for smaller parties, especially if you’re hungry and want to dive into the flavorful sausage pizza or the Whole Shabang.
But for the most part, people go to this cozy institution to savor artisan pies, enjoy the chill vibe, and get lost in a relaxed meal where you look up and realize you’ve spent two hours over perfect pizza.
Olio Pizzeria
$$ | (805) 899-2699 | WEBSITE
Olio Pizzeria perfectly captures Santa Barbara’s casual and happy dining scene. The space of this pizzeria is filled with warm lighting, rustic wooden tables, and the comforting aroma of baking dough, and it’s possible you’d feel completely at home before finishing your first slice. In addition to serving outstanding pizza, Olio Pizzeria has a menu of well-prepared dishes like salmon and the Quatro Formaggio Pizze.
They also make very good asparagus appetizers and Caesar Salad, and offer a great wine list. Keep your eyes on the attentive and polite staff for a perfect evening that feels reasonably priced. This spot is a top choice in town.
Domino’s Pizza
$ | (805) 898-0606 | WEBSITE
Domino’s Pizza is a straightforward spot where almost every visit is consistent. They have medium PAN crust pizza, customizations like feta and pineapple, and quick pick-up service. The affordable restaurant is usually busy with a casual crowd grabbing slices or whole pies to go, but inside, you’ll find a basic setup with fluorescent lighting and simple seating. Plus, they maintain reasonable prices that keep customers coming back.
So order a medium PAN crust pizza—it comes out warm and fresh, so you won’t miss out on that perfect crust and delicious sauce.
SB Pho
$ | (805) 770-5996 | WEBSITE
You want to come to SB Pho in downtown Santa Barbara on weekdays—it’s cozy, you’ll probably discover some new flavors with the same authenticity as you crave, and even though the courtyard is pretty inviting, it also somehow just feels like your neighborhood spot. The Vietnamese restaurant is open until 9pm, with plenty of tables, warm overhead lighting, high-top counters, and a glowing menu board where you’ll probably have to speak clearly to order your pho.
There’s a lengthy pho menu here, in case you want to have a few bowls and a round of spring rolls while watching the downtown crowd walk by.
Mesa Pizza Co
$ | (805) 564-4455 | WEBSITE
Head to Mesa Pizza Co in Santa Barbara when you want a pizza in an atmosphere casual enough to unload all of your cravings and pepperoni-filled dreams on an unsuspecting slice. Although it’s known for its high-quality ingredients, the charming spot is open to everyone. There’s a counter where you can get affordable pizzas that are flavorful enough to make you forget you can’t decide between regular and thin crust.
It’s a cozy-ish space that feels a little more welcoming than your average pizza joint. Plus, when the homemade ranch dressing arrives, and someone at your table asks to share, you’ll be happy the customization options can make you get creative and personal.