Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria
1 / 3

Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria

,

Artisan pizzeria crafting thin, charred wood-fired pizzas from a three-day fermented dough with unique appetizers and a must-try dessert.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria

Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Artisan pizzeria crafting thin, charred wood-fired pizzas from a three-day fermented dough with unique appetizers and a must-try dessert.

"Eight years later, it’s still a hit. From Marseille, I’ve got high standards when it comes to pizza—and Blue Ribbon did not disappoint."

TIP

Book Ahead Online

Make reservations online for indoor dining to guarantee your spot, especially for weekend evenings.

Don't Miss the Staff Favorite Pizza

Try the Staff Favorite pizza, a delicious combination of house-made tomato sauce, sausage, and heavy cream.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Open·Closes 8:30PM

Cuisine

Pizzeria

Price

$$$

Phone

(760) 634-7671

Address

897 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Artisan Wood-Fired Pizzas

Artisan Wood-Fired Pizzas

Enjoy impossibly thin, beautifully charred pizzas made from dough fermented for three days, baked to a crisp.

Best Pizza in San Diego: Places With the Best Slices & Pies20 Best Restaurants in Encinitas (A Local's Guide)San Diego Food Guide: Best Places to Eat and Drink in the City - American and the Brit
Signature Butterscotch Pudding

Signature Butterscotch Pudding

Indulge in the dreamy, creamy butterscotch salted caramel pudding that guests rave about.

Best Pizza in San Diego: Places With the Best Slices & PiesGoogle Review
Cozy Rustic Atmosphere

Cozy Rustic Atmosphere

Experience a rustic-chic space with options for heated or covered outdoor seating, perfect for any occasion.

The Craftsman New American Tavern Restaurant Encinitas San Diego CA ReviewsGoogle Review
Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Book Ahead Online

Make reservations online for indoor dining to guarantee your spot, especially for weekend evenings.

Don't Miss the Staff Favorite Pizza

Try the Staff Favorite pizza, a delicious combination of house-made tomato sauce, sausage, and heavy cream.

Gluten-Free Options Available

Blue Ribbon offers gluten-free crusts, making their pizzas accessible for those with dietary needs.

Perfect Post-Beach Spot

Visit after a beach walk at sunset for a memorable and relaxing dining experience.

Tips

from all over the internet

Book Ahead Online

Make reservations online for indoor dining to guarantee your spot, especially for weekend evenings.

Don't Miss the Staff Favorite Pizza

Try the Staff Favorite pizza, a delicious combination of house-made tomato sauce, sausage, and heavy cream.

Gluten-Free Options Available

Blue Ribbon offers gluten-free crusts, making their pizzas accessible for those with dietary needs.

Perfect Post-Beach Spot

Visit after a beach walk at sunset for a memorable and relaxing dining experience.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria is celebrated for its delicious, thin-crust wood-fired pizzas and unique appetizers. Diners praise the cozy atmosphere and exceptional butterscotch pudding. However, some find the pizzas pricey for their size, and a few have experienced inconsistent service or undercooked crusts.

"Blue Ribbon Pizza – 8 Years Later and Still a Knockout!

We totally forgot about this gem—until last night, when my brother-in-law took us back after a beautiful sunset beach walk in Encinitas. Eight years later, it’s still a hit. As a French guy from Marseille, I’ve got high standards when it comes to pizza—back home, it’s a legacy. But Blue Ribbon did not disappoint.

We were craving wood-fired pizza, and from the moment we sat down, the vibe was just right. Our waitress, Marie Michelle (French Canadian—sorry, from Quebec!), set the tone with a warm welcome and immediately went to get us her best wine in the house: red cab (sorry forgot the name)

We kicked things off with a burrata to share—absolutely divine. Creamy, dreamy, with delicious olive oil, a touch of balsamic, and that warm, crusty bread to dip in. To die for.

Then came the pizzas, fresh out of the wood fire oven. We went classic with the Margherita and got creative with the Red Oak—added prosciutto, black olives, and mushrooms. Honestly, they should add that combo to the menu. One note for the pizzaiolo: don’t be shy to let it char just a tiny bit more. Nothing better than that little edge of crisp, burnt goodness!

And then... dessert. I’m still dreaming about it: butterscotch salted caramel pudding. Don’t even think about leaving without trying it.

Huge shoutout to Marie Michelle and her husband for such a lovely night—and the cherry on top? The patio is puppy-friendly! My pup didn’t miss a single crust.

We’re definitely coming back. Way sooner than 8 years this time."

franck pedretti

"The pizza was looked nice and was decent. However, I wholeheartedly agree with the cost/value situation of these pizzas. Maybe it’s because I am from the east coast but $24 for a 12” pie with underdone crust is insane. The mozzarella sticks, $14, were absolutely gorgeous, but the ooey gooey stretchy filling was sacrificed for the sake of its beautiful, in-retrospect-slightly-overdone dark golden crust. 3 of them were completely hollow, with only a trace of mozzarella left. However, the staff was very kind, clearly hustling, and I didn’t have to wait too long."

Rose Feldman

"Everything was so good. The deviled eggs were a surprise, and my grandma never made them lime this, despite what the menu says. The filling was whipped and so smooth and it really did melt in your mouth. The pizza was great, although a bit too thin for my personal preference. Still, it was tasty and the hot honey is a great addition to the menu. Service was beyond reproach and so friendly. I'd stop by here every week if I were local."

Grey H

What People Like

Authentic wood-fired pizzas
Incredible butterscotch pudding
Cozy, rustic atmosphere

What People Dislike

Price and portion size
Occasional service issues
Inconsistent crust quality

Frequently Asked Questions

The pizzas feature impossibly thin, beautifully charred crusts made from dough fermented for three days.

Best Pizza in San Diego: Places With the Best Slices & Pies20 Best Restaurants in Encinitas (A Local's Guide)

Yes, Blue Ribbon offers gluten-free crusts for all their pizzas.

Best Restaurants in Carlsbad and Encinitas50+ Gluten-Free Restaurants in San Diego North County (Master List)

Yes, making reservations online for indoor dining is recommended to secure your spot.

Best Pizza in San Diego: Places With the Best Slices & PiesGoogle Review

The signature butterscotch salted caramel pudding is highly praised and a must-try for dessert.

Best Pizza in San Diego: Places With the Best Slices & PiesGoogle Review

Yes, the restaurant offers options for heated or covered outdoor seating.

Google Review

Popular appetizers include mozzarella sticks, risotto balls with prosciutto, and fried ravioli.

Google Review

Mentioned in

Featured in these publications

Thrillist

Best Pizza in San Diego: Places With the Best Slices & Pies

For more than 13 years, Wade and Kristi Hageman have been turning out impossibly thin, beautifully charred pizzas, made from dough that’s been fermented for three days and baked a few minutes longer than traditional Neapolitan pizza, giving it a crackling crisp crust and soft crumb. Simple, high-quality embellishments range from the brightly flavored Signature pizza topped with fresh mozzarella, ricotta, lemon zest, red onion, basil, and lemon extra virgin olive oil to the Staff Favorite with house-made tomato sauce, sausage, basil, Parmigiano Reggiano, and a drizzle of heavy cream. If you can, save room for their signature dessert, a creamy, delectable Butterscotch Pudding.How to order: Make reservations for indoor dining online.

Visit Source →
Eater San Diego

The Best Pizza in San Diego, California

Visit Source →
gayot.com

The Craftsman New American Tavern Restaurant Encinitas San Diego CA Reviews

Chef Wade Hageman, who mastered thin-crust pies at Blue Ribbon Pizzeria, and his wife-general manager Kristi’s second eatery in Encinitas delivers compelling comfort food. Reclaimed wood from an old Amish barn sets the nostalgic tavern tone, while modern twists on traditional fare entice, like deviled eggs and Serrano ham, lobster corn dogs, deep-fried Brussels sprouts and duck fat fries with black garlic aïoli. The menu features juicy burgers like the Craftsman, grass-fed-beef with bacon-onion marmalade; and the Speakeasy with smoked bacon, a sunny side up egg, tomato confit and arugula.

Visit Source →
frommers.com

Best Restaurants in Carlsbad and Encinitas

In Encinitas, pizza lovers can't go wrong with Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria, at the Lumberyard shopping center, 897 S. Coast Hwy. 101 (tel. 760/634-7671; www.blueribbonpizzeria), where you can even get a gluten-free crust; or the skillful Japanese food and sushi available at Yu Me Ya Sake House, 1246 N. Coast Hwy. 101 (tel. 760/633-4288).

Visit Source →
Ordinary Traveler

20 Best Restaurants in Encinitas (A Local's Guide)

Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria is a beloved establishment known for serving some of Encinitas’ finest wood-fired pizzas. The wood-fired oven imparts a unique smoky flavor and crispy crust to each pie, elevating the pizza experience to new heights. Whether you prefer classic combinations or inventive creations, Blue Ribbon has it all.

Visit Source →
Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling & More

21 Must-Try Encinitas Restaurants to Try in 2023

Cuisine: PizzeriaAddress: 897 S Coast Highway 101 Ste F102, Encinitas, CA 92024Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria’s Website. Are you on the search for a new pizzeria?. If so, head to Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria where you can find some great pizzas, minestrone, or bruschetta perfect for a night out or takeout dinner.

Visit Source →
Your North County

50+ Gluten-Free Restaurants in San Diego North County (Master List)

Located in the Encinitas Lumberyard, Blue Ribbon Pizza has been a local favorite for years. All of their pizzas can be enjoyed with a gluten-free crust. Unique pizza toppings include fennel sausage, heirloom tomatoes, crimini mushrooms, goat cheese and arugula pesto.

Visit Source →
Inn at Moonlight Beach

You Need to Try These Downtown Encinitas Restaurants!

This rustic pizzeria serves phenomenal wood-fired pies crafted with local, organic ingredients. Here, you’ll also enjoy great craft beers and wines. Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria also offers gluten-free options!

Visit Source →
American and the Brit - Travel Couple

San Diego Food Guide: Best Places to Eat and Drink in the City - American and the Brit

If you are craving authentic wood fire pizza, you have to try Blue Ribbon in Encinitas. The pizzas here are comparable to the ones you can get on the streets of Rome. They are pretty incredible!

Visit Source →
San Diego Beaches and Adventures

San Diego Best Restaurants | Best Restaurants in San Diego

Open since June of 2010, the owners Wade and Kristi Hageman have made this a nightly favorite for foodies!. The pizza is wonderful and they serve up some awesome wine and brew.

Visit Source →

San Diego – The Perfect Itinerary for First-Timers

If you’re in the mood for a pizza dinner, check out Blue Ribbon Pizza or URBN Pizza. Otherwise, The Third Corner is a great wine bar option.

Visit Source →
Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria (2026) – Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Food Guide