Located just off of 30A on Laura Hamilton Blvd in Santa Rosa Beach, Pizza By The Sea is ideally located in a bustling shopping area, just across from a public access point to Ed Walline Beach. Hungry shoppers can stop in for a bite, while beachgoers can get a pie to go and enjoy it on the beach – this is especially nice if you’re there around sunset.
Pizza By The Sea gives off very casual vibes in the very best way. The restaurant is open air, meaning the dining area is covered, but is outside on a second-floor screened-in deck area. The restaurant walls and counter are painted a vibrant orange, with decorated and painted pizza trays lining the walls. Metal tables with colorful tops fill the dining area, and fans hang from the ceiling.
The menu here is extensive. We’re confident we could come here a dozen times and still not be able to try every item offered – and as far as we’re concerned, that’s a great problem to have!
Starters include traditional pizzeria fare, like breadsticks, cheesy bread, pepperoni rolls, and one very unique offering – chipotle bread, which is a pizza crust slathered with chipotle, Romano ranch sauce, two types of cheese, bacon, and jalapeños.
They also offer an assortment of salads, a robust sandwich selection, calzones, strombolis, and pasta entrées. Yum bowls, touted as “pizza toppings in a bowl” are ideal for those who are gluten-free or seeking lower-carb options. These creative entrees include selections like No-Noodle Meatball “Lasagna,” a Buffalo Chicken Bowl, and several other flavor combinations.
They also offer a fairly comprehensive kids’ menu, wine, beer, retro sodas, and freshly baked desserts.
The real draw here, though, is the pizza. The combination of a delicate, thin crust, daring flavor combinations, and a perfect char makes these the pizzas to beat in the area.
Here are a few of our favorite menu items at Pizza by the Sea:
Pepperoni Pizza
We don’t mean to be basic, but a pepperoni pizza is the menu item by which we like to judge all pizzerias, and the pepperoni here at Pizza By The Sea definitely passes the test. A generous serving of pepperoni blends perfectly with melty mozzarella, a delicious red sauce, and a thin crust, creating, in our opinion, the perfect pizza bite.
Cha Cha Chipotle
This pizza is unlike anything we’ve ever had before, and we loved it. It has a base of garlic butter, topped with mozzarella, bacon, chicken, jalapeño, and onions, and then is finished with a delectable drizzle of chipotle Romano ranch sauce. The flavor profile was an unexpectedly delicious mix of savory, spicy, and salty, and we couldn’t get enough.
White Veggie
Vegetarians and vegetable lovers, this one is for you. There’s something about a white (aka sauceless pizza) that just hits the spot sometimes, and this was no exception. Garlic butter and olive oil stand in for tomato sauce and are topped with spinach, feta cheese, Roma tomatoes, and mushrooms. This was light, tasty, and just the sort of thing that’s perfect after a long day at the beach.
Next time you’re in Santa Rosa Beach, be sure to stop in for lunch or dinner. And then, let us know what menu items you loved best!
Insider Tips:
-This place can be a little tricky to find, as it’s on the second floor, and lacks significant signage. If you’re having trouble locating it, just pop into a nearby store. The shop owners can direct you to exactly where you need to go.
-Because there is no indoor dining space, it can get very hot here in the summer, especially in the middle of the day. If you or your party are sensitive to the heat, we recommend ordering takeout, or visiting in the evening once the sun has gone down.
-Good news for those who are gluten-sensitive or looking for lower-carb options! The pizzas here can be made on a gluten-free or cauliflower crust. Plus, the Yum Bowls offer the option of having the pizza toppings, minus the crust.