Savvy Picks
Pizza
Twelve South Coast pizza places locals keep recommending, from wood-fired pies in Montecito to New York slices at 2 am, with what to order and what it costs.
- 12 picks
- 20 locations
- 6 towns
- Updated November 3, 2026
Ask where to get pizza around here and the same names come up, from sourdough pies to a take-and-bake that's been at it since 1982. Here are twelve, in order of how often they were recommended, each checked against its own menu.
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Bettina
Wood-fired, 48-hour dough.
Naturally leavened pies from a wood oven, with dough fermented at least 48 hours.
OrderPepperoni with chili oil and Fillmore wildflower honey. $25. The Margherita is $21.
TipReservations are recommended (on Tock); walk-ins are welcome and the bar is first come. Online ordering stops at 2:30 pm, so call for dinner takeout. Happy hour Monday to Thursday, 4:30 to 5:30.
Checked Nov 3, 2026 on bettinapizzeria.com (opens in a new tab)
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Revolver
New York pies and Sicilian squares.
14-inch New York-style pies plus thick, Sicilian-style square pies, sold whole or by the slice. The patio has live music and chef pop-ups.
OrderPepperoni Square Pie: Ezzo pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, red sauce and basil. $34, or $11 a slice.
TipClosed Mondays; noon to 9 pm otherwise. Squares can run out. Pickup orders take 30 to 60 minutes. The vegan Rosso is $21.
Checked Nov 3, 2026 on revolversb.com (opens in a new tab)
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Rusty's Pizza Parlor
Since 1969.
The local parlor with a shop in almost every neighborhood, thin or pan crust, four cheeses on every pie, and party rooms.
OrderChile Verde Pizza: tomatillo sauce, marinated pork and four cheeses. $26.50 medium.
TipOpen 11 am to 11 pm; delivery until midnight Friday and Saturday. Weekday Quick Lunch (11 to 4): a two-topping personal pizza, salad bar and drink for $13.25.
Checked Nov 3, 2026 on rustyspizza.com (opens in a new tab)
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Saint Bibiana
Sourdough, and Detroit squares.
Hand-stretched sourdough pies, all 16 inches and six slices, plus Detroit-style pan pizza on a butter-beer crust.
OrderLemon Mushroom: beurre blanc, roasted mushrooms, garlic confit, lemon zest and mozzarella. $25.
TipClosed Mondays and Tuesdays; opens at 2 pm the rest of the week. Slices rotate in the shop. Delivery is through Slice.
Checked Nov 3, 2026 on saintbibianapizza.square.site (opens in a new tab)
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Giovanni's Pizza
Family style since 1979.
A sit-down pizza place on upper State with pies from 10 to 16 inches, now with a Goleta shop by Target.
OrderThe Gringo: pepperoni, sausage, jalapeño and capicola. $29.95 for a 12-inch.
TipState Street is open 11 am to 8:30 pm daily. Weekday lunch, 11 to 3, has a $5.95 cheese slice. The Carpinteria Giovanni's is a separate business with its own menu.
Checked Nov 3, 2026 on giovannispizza805.com (opens in a new tab)
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Rozzi Pizza
18-inch pies, every one by the slice.
New York-style pies sold whole or by the slice, between Rodeo Room and 7Bar, with soft serve and big cookies.
OrderSan Gennaro: cheese under vodka sauce, Ezzo sausage, pesto, sesame crust. $7 a slice, $29 a pie.
TipOpen Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 8:30. A cheese slice is $5.
Checked Nov 3, 2026 on rozzipizza.com (opens in a new tab)
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Woodstock's Pizza
Gluten-free crust, until 1 am.
The Isla Vista shop of the Woodstock's chain, with five crusts (gluten free among them), vegan cheese and half-and-half pies.
OrderKickin' Carnitas: chipotle sauce, carnitas, bacon, red onion and cilantro.
TipOpen until midnight weekdays and 1 am Friday and Saturday. Monday: buy a large or XL and get a large or XL cheese free.
Checked Nov 3, 2026 on woodstockspizza.com (opens in a new tab)
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Uncle Rocco's Famous NY Pizza
Slices until 2:30 am.
Thin, hand-tossed New York pizza on lower State, by the slice or in pies up to 22 inches.
OrderA slice. $7.55, plus 85 cents a topping.
TipOpen until 2:30 am Thursday to Saturday and past midnight the rest of the week. Delivers to Montecito, Goleta, Carpinteria and Isla Vista.
Checked Nov 3, 2026 on uncleroccosfamousnypizza.com (opens in a new tab)
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Petrini's Italian Restaurant
No reservations.
Family-owned, old-school Italian off upper State: thin-crust pizza, pasta and calzones with local wine on tap.
OrderPetrini's House Special: salami, pepperoni, sausage, olives, mushroom and bell pepper. $24.95 for a 12-inch.
TipFirst come, first seated. Lunch 11:30 to 2:30, dinner 4:30 to 8:30, every day.
Checked Nov 3, 2026 on petrinis.com (opens in a new tab)
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Ca' Dario Pizzeria Veloce
10-inch pies in the Public Market.
Ca' Dario's pizza counter, with every pie 10 inches and gluten-free dough for $6 more.
OrderSottocenere: truffle oil, mushrooms, panna and mozzarella. $17.
TipOrders by phone for now; its online ordering is down. Open noon to 8 pm, 9 Thursday to Saturday.
Checked Nov 3, 2026 on cadariorestaurants.com (opens in a new tab)
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Valentino's Take 'n Bake Pizza
You bake it.
Take-and-bake since 1982, with homemade dough and sauce, deep dish and a stuffed pizza pie.
OrderHouse Special: pepperoni, sausage, olives, mushrooms, onion and bell pepper. From $15.99.
TipBake at 450° for 10 to 12 minutes on the top shelf. Open Monday to Saturday, 11 am to 7 pm. Closed Sundays.
Checked Nov 3, 2026 on valspizza.com (opens in a new tab)
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IV Pizza Pub
Slices and pitchers.
A New York-style pizza pub by UCSB, with slices, whole pies up to 18 inches and vegan pies.
OrderBig Sur: 40 roasted garlic cloves, pepperoni, sausage, portobellos and green onion. $5.75 a slice.
TipOpens at 4 pm Monday to Thursday and 11:30 am Friday to Sunday. Happy hour Monday to Thursday, 4 to 5:30.
Checked Nov 3, 2026 on ivpizzapub.com (opens in a new tab)
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