Upper Crust Pizza & Pasta in Santa Cruz, CA
Sicilian Pizza and Pasta for Every Craving
At Upper Crust Pizza & Pasta, we have spent more than four decades serving the kind of food people come back for again and again. As a family-owned pizza restaurant, we are proud to bring together authentic Italian pizza, hearty pasta, locally sourced ingredients, and two generations of time-honored family recipes under one roof. When people search for the best pizza in Santa Cruz, CA, they are looking for flavor, consistency, and a place that feels welcoming from the moment they walk in. That is exactly what we work hard to deliver every day, whether you join us for dine-in, pizza takeout, pizza delivery, or catering.
- Aptos
- Capitola
- Live Oak
- Pleasure Point
- Santa Cruz (Midtown / Eastside)
- Soquel
A Family Tradition Built on Sicilian Flavor
We are not trying to be just another pizza shop. We built Upper Crust Pizza & Pasta around the old-world approach our family believes in: make food the right way, use quality ingredients, and treat every guest like part of the family. Our specialty is Sicilian pizza, known for its thick, satisfying crust, rich flavor, and the kind of bite that makes you slow down and enjoy it.
For two generations, our recipes have been passed down, refined, and served with care. That family connection shows up in every part of what we do, from our dough and sauces to our pasta dishes and warm hospitality. We believe great food should feel personal, and that is why so many local families have been bringing their kids here for decades.
Featured Reviews
Syrus Rainsbury
Unbelievably delicious food and beautiful atmosphere. Great place if you love good food, chill indie music, good prices, and perfect portions.
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Lovely spot for a date or hang out. Very clean and food is high quality, fresh, and comforting. Definitely a hidden gem of the area! The tortellini is incredible. 100% coming back and bringing family & friends!
Claudia Caudle
The Italian Subs are fabulous, pizza is awesome. Been coming here for years
FOO DEE
I was in town and decided to stop by this spot for lunch. The place was super busy with orders and people picking up there pies. I loved the indoor atmosphere, had an old school vibe.
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The staff was really friendly and had my pizza ready when I arrived. The pizza was good, I enjoyed the crust it was light and had good flavor. If in the area and trying to decide on a place for food check this place out. Next time i. would like to try the square crust.
More Than a Pizza Place
We offer a full dining experience because we know everyone enjoys great pizza and pasta in different ways. Some nights call for a relaxed dinner out. Some days you need quick pizza takeout on the way home. Other times, fast pizza delivery is the easiest answer. We make all of it simple without cutting corners on quality.
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Here is how we serve our guests:
- Warm dine-in experience perfect for family dinners, date nights, and casual hangouts
- Fast, reliable delivery when you’re craving comfort food at home
- Easy takeout for busy lunches, weeknight dinners, and last-minute plans
- Flexible catering for gatherings of every size
- Sunday brunch, happy hour, and rotating nightly specials that give you new reasons to stop by
We love being the kind of Italian restaurant people can count on for everyday meals and big celebrations alike.
Authentic Italian Pizza, Pasta, and So Much More
While our Sicilian square pizza is what many guests know us for first, it is only part of the story. We serve a full menu of traditional Italian favorites made for real appetites and real gatherings. Whether you are craving a classic pie, a generous pasta dish, a fresh salad, or a complete catered spread, we are ready for it.
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Guests come to us for:
- Classic Italian pizza with bold, satisfying flavor
- Signature thick-crust Sicilian pizza made the traditional way
- Hearty pizza and pasta combos for lunch or dinner
- Vegetarian dishes that stand out on their own
- Gluten-free options that don’t sacrifice taste
- Fresh salads, sandwiches, desserts, and comforting Italian favorites for every craving
We want everyone at the table to find something they are excited to eat. That is why our menu includes choices for different tastes, dietary needs, and occasions.
Locally Sourced Ingredients Make a Real Difference
We believe you can taste the difference when ingredients are chosen with care. That is why we focus on locally sourced products whenever possible. Fresh produce, quality cheeses, flavorful herbs, and well-made staples all help create food that feels honest and satisfying.
Our commitment to better ingredients is part of what makes our pizza and pasta stand out. We are not interested in shortcuts. We are interested in serving meals we would be proud to put on our own family table. That means balancing tradition with freshness and making sure every plate reflects the standards we have built our name on.
Catering That Feels Like Family
When you’re feeding a group, you want food that’s dependable, delicious, and easy to enjoy. Our pizza catering and full-service options are designed to take the stress out of the planning so you can focus on your guests. Whether it’s a casual office lunch or a big celebration, we bring the same quality and care to every order.
We cater events such as:
- Weddings
- Corporate events
- Birthday parties
- Community gatherings
- School and team events
- Family celebrations
From gourmet pizza and home-style pasta to fresh salads, sandwiches, and desserts, we help make hosting simpler. If you need an Italian restaurant that can deliver flavor, variety, and a smooth catering experience, we are ready to help.
Weekly Specials That Keep Things Fresh
One of the best things about visiting us regularly is that there is always something happening. We want to give people reasons to come back throughout the week, not just when they are in the mood for pizza.
Our regular guests love us for:
- Happy hour with a relaxed, welcoming vibe
- Nightly specials that make dinner decisions easy
- Sunday brunch for a different take on Italian favorites
- Seasonal features and house specials worth coming back for
Whether you are meeting friends after work, bringing the family in for dinner, or making brunch part of your weekend routine, we make it easy to keep Upper Crust Pizza & Pasta in the rotation.
A Place Families Have Loved for Generations
Some restaurants are just stops for a meal. We have always wanted to be more than that. We have worked hard to create a family-friendly environment where kids, parents, grandparents, and friends can all feel comfortable. Many of our guests first came here as children and now bring in their own families. That kind of loyalty means everything to us.
Our dining room is built for connection. It is where weeknight dinners turn into traditions, where teams and clubs gather after events, and where celebrations feel easy because the food is already taken care of. We are proud to be part of so many local routines and milestones.
We also serve guests throughout Santa Cruz County and welcome neighbors from nearby Capitola, Soquel, Aptos, Scotts Valley, and surrounding communities. Being part of this coastal community means a lot to us, and we love serving both longtime locals and first-time visitors.
Why Guests Keep Choosing Us
We know there are plenty of places to eat, so we never take your support for granted. People continue choosing us because we offer a combination that is hard to fake: family history, consistency, hospitality, and food made with intention.
When guests think of the best pizza in Santa Cruz, CA, they are often looking for more than just one good meal. They want a place they can trust for dinner tonight, takeout tomorrow, delivery on a busy weekend, and catering when something important comes up. That is the role we are proud to play.
At Upper Crust Pizza & Pasta, we keep showing up with the same mission we have had for decades: serve authentic food, welcome people warmly, and give our community a restaurant that feels like home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. We offer gluten-free pizza so guests with dietary preferences can still enjoy a flavorful pizza night with us.
Absolutely. We offer vegetarian choices across our menu, including pizza, pasta, salads, and other Italian favorites.
The earlier, the better, especially for large events. We cater groups from 5 to 500 and recommend reaching out as soon as you have a date.
Yes. We offer happy hour, nightly specials, and Sunday brunch, so there is always a fresh reason to stop by.
Our family-owned pizza restaurant has been serving guests for over four decades, with recipes passed through two generations.
Join Us for Your Next Favorite Meal
We have built Upper Crust Pizza & Pasta around the idea that great food should bring people together, feel welcoming, and keep you coming back. From authentic Italian pizza and pasta to gluten-free pizza, weekly specials, and catering for life’s biggest events, we are here to make every meal feel a little more memorable. Whether you are searching for the best pizza in Santa Cruz, CA, planning a family dinner, or booking food for a crowd, we would love to serve you. Visit us for dine-in, call for pizza takeout or delivery, or reach out now to book your catering.