Pizzeria Avanti is the real deal. This place absolutely nails it, locally owned, Tucked away near Pacific Ave, it's perfect for hanging out. The pizza is seriously next-level. They use really fresh, top-quality ingredients on everything. You can't go wrong with the Avanti pizza, but everything else is always a win too. The vibe is just right: not too fancy, but still cool and always buzzing. It’s the perfect spot for a great meal with friends, without any pretension. Hands down one of the best pizza spots in Santa Cruz.
Overview
If you're craving a cozy, vibrant spot to grab a delicious bite in Santa Cruz, look no further than Pizzeria Avanti. Located at 1711 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, this charming pizzeria is more than just a place to grab a slice-it's a local favorite for casual dining with a focus on quality, flavor, and community.
As soon as you step through the door of Pizzeria Avanti, you're greeted with a warm, inviting atmosphere that immediately makes you feel at home. The decor is laid-back yet modern, with an open kitchen that lets you watch the magic happen. The scent of freshly baked pizza fills the air, and you can't help but feel excited about what's to come.
One of the standout features of Pizzeria Avanti is their commitment to using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Their menu is full of mouthwatering options, from classic margherita pizzas to more creative combos that will make your taste buds dance. Their dough is light and fluffy, perfectly paired with a rich tomato sauce and high-quality cheeses. Whether you're a fan of traditional toppings like pepperoni and mushrooms or more adventurous combinations, there's something for everyone on the menu.
During a recent visit, I had the chance to try their signature "Avanti Special" pizza, which features a blend of pepperoni, sausage, bell peppers, and onions. The balance of flavors was spot-on-the savory sausage paired beautifully with the slight sweetness of the peppers, all topped off with just the right amount of melted cheese. It was clear that each ingredient was chosen with care to complement the others, creating a pizza that was not only delicious but also satisfying.
What really sets Pizzeria Avanti apart is the attention to detail in every dish. It's not just the pizza that impresses, but the whole experience. Their fresh salads, like the seasonal greens with lemon vinaigrette, provide the perfect balance to the rich, cheesy pizzas. The side of garlic bread we ordered was a hit as well-crispy on the outside, soft and buttery on the inside, just the way it should be.
For those who prefer a lighter bite, Pizzeria Avanti offers a variety of appetizers and entrees that are just as delightful as their pizza. The bruschetta, for instance, is made with toasted bread topped with fresh tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze-simple but bursting with flavor. Pair it with one of their craft beers or a glass of wine from their well-curated selection, and you've got yourself a meal worth savoring.
The staff at Pizzeria Avanti adds to the experience, always friendly and eager to share recommendations. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a regular, they make you feel like part of the family. The casual, yet attentive service makes dining here a relaxed and enjoyable experience every time.
If you're in the Santa Cruz area and looking for a great place to eat, Pizzeria Avanti offers more than just a meal. It's a place where you can gather with friends, enjoy flavorful food, and savor the vibrant atmosphere. Whether you're stopping by for a quick lunch or planning a leisurely dinner, you'll always leave satisfied.
With its prime location, fresh ingredients, and fantastic service, Pizzeria Avanti is the perfect spot for anyone in search of a delicious and memorable meal in Santa Cruz. If you haven't visited yet, make sure to add it to your list-you won't regret it.
Good to know
Service options
✓ Delivery ✓ Takeaway ✓ Dine-inHighlights
✓ Fast service ✓ Great wine listPopular for
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible car park ✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance ✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating ✓ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
✓ Alcohol ✓ Beer ✓ Coffee ✓ Comfort food ✓ Organic dishes ✓ Vegetarian options ✓ WineDining options
✓ Breakfast ✓ Brunch ✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Dessert ✓ Seating ✓ Table serviceAmenities
✓ ToiletAtmosphere
✓ Casual ✓ Cosy ✓ TrendyCrowd
✓ Family friendlyPlanning
✓ Accepts reservationsPayments
✓ Credit cards ✓ Debit cards ✓ NFC mobile payments ✓ Credit cardsChildren
✓ Good for kids ✓ High chairsParking
✓ Free of charge street parking ✓ Free parking lot ✓ ParkingPhotos
1 / 4
Location
Reviews
- No ratings yet 166 reviews
The food at Pizzeria Avanti was absolutely outstanding! We started with the chicken wings and garlic bread both were exceptional. The garlic bread was creamy, flavorful, and truly the best I’ve ever had. The Avanti and King Gorg pizzas tasted authentic and thoughtfully crafted, with the added spinach giving a fresh, organic touch. The staff provided excellent service—attentive, friendly, and welcoming. The owner even stopped by our table to personally greet us and engage in conversation, which made the experience feel even more special. I highly recommend visiting Pizzeria Avanti, a wonderful local business that adds so much charm and flavor to our beautiful city!
Very good food. I had the Avanti pizza for which the place was named after and was blown away. Pizza was very savory, the flavor was very soft, and I had spinach instead of aruvala but thought that the spinach complemented the pizza very well. The garlic bread was also very good, was buttery, garlic, maybe a hint of cheesey. Overall, the food felt very organic, homemade, and if you like a pizza that is Italian authentic, this is the place to go in Santa Cruz. Very chill atmosphere, felt like a family restaurant, service was quick and responsive, server was very nice . Definitely coming here again, very good dine in spot for pizza.
Decent amount of vegetarian options. Crunchy and good tasting thin crust pizza. Best thing of all we ordered was the pizza. Fettuccine pasta was nice too. Garlic bread wasn't bad. Slow service. They kept on forgetting things like silverware. At the same time they were soft spoken and would quickly do the needful once told. Would visit again for the pizza!
Avanti pizzeria is really authentic Italian pizza and pasta. I tried the burger, it’s so juicy and delicious. Shrimp scampi is highly recommended it was creamy rich flavor, I didn’t even get a chance to take a picture but I promise to do it next time.
The food was so good we forgot to take pictures! The waitress Taylor was super nice and accommodating
Quaint restaurant. Family run and great consistent food. The pizza's are the best in town. Service is quick and the people are very kind and accommodating. Salads are great too, and so happy to get a real Caesar Salad with the ability for whole anchovies on it.
This was literally heaven to me. Being from the Boston area, I miss my North End Italian pizza and East Boston pizza. I hadn't had what I call "good pizza" since last time I flew back to Boston, took the train to aquarium, and walked with my suitcase to Regina's on Thatcher. This was the best pizza I've had in California. I got the margherita but asked for fresh sliced tomatoes on top. The sauce is incredible. It is true vine-ripened plum tomato with just the right amount of garlic. The sliced tomatoes on top were also vine-ripened and reminded me of garden tomatoes I used to grow. The wine list was excellent and perfect pairing. So glad they reopened!