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    Venus Pie Trap

    3.9 (93 reviews)
    ModerateCafes, Pizza, Bakeries
    Closed 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order Venus Pie Trap Takeout or Delivery

    Venus Pie Trap Photos

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    VENUS PIE TRAP ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Venus Pie Trap

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    Menu
    Mary H.

    Cute little place right by the beach. We walked up from the sand and ordered and then took it back to the sand to eat. We shared a personal pizza and I had a chai tea. The pizza needed a little more flavor but was good. Service was great and we will go back!

    Mexican hot chocolate and key lime pies at Rio Del Mar Beach
    Patti F.

    This is a favorite stop when we go to Rio del Mar. I love how there is a parking lot for the beach, and you can easily get breakfast (bagels, coffee, pastries) or lunch (pizza!). We try to go early to avoid 17 traffic and to get a parking spot. Then we can spend the morning and early afternoon at the beach while enjoying hot, fresh food. My husband loves the Mexican hot chocolate pie and he usually gets an extra slice to bring home.

    Menu Dec 2024
    Ashley H.

    Venus pie trap is a coffee and pastry shop that is open from 7am-4 pm Monday-Thursday and Friday-Sunday from 7am-5pm then it turns into Venus with a dinner menu with drinks. My friends and I showed up around 11 am on a Sunday and had no problems finding outdoor seating. I ordered the Carmel latte which was delicious. 10/10 and I also ordered the avocado toast which was pretty good but it's difficult to justify $10 avocado toast. The bread itself was good but it was so crunchy and slightly painful against the roof of my mouth. I would 100% come back and try their pizza and pies.

    Pizza menu
    Tom L.

    The words "Pie, Coffee, Pizza" on this sparkling white seaside coffee shop & eatery say it all. Venus Pie Trap is precisely what the name hints at, serving up great coffee, excellent pies (the coconut cream is my favorite), and New Haven-style pizzas. They source some fantastic local goods too. Bagels come from Holey Roller and pastries from Manresa, but they also make their own quiches and pies in-house! The pizzas are house-fired and true to the New Haven style, meaning thin crust, rustic, and not overloaded with cheese. If you love local coffee, they serve 11th Hour Coffee (also my favorite - better than Verve and Santa Cruz Roasting Co) and don't use generic syrups. Some syrups, chai, and matcha are made fresh daily. The only minor issue with this, is if you come in the afternoon sometimes a syrup is sold out! If you're a pizza person, try the hot Mootz pizza ($18), lightly topped with mozzarella, provolone, pecorino, romano, and a bright tomato sauce. It was easy to eat and even easier to enjoy. Outside seating is available on black wrought-iron tables, soaked in sunshine and beach views. Watching people grab their coffee and pastries to-go made it clear that Venus Pie Trap is really set up with beachgoers in mind. You'll loved the relaxed outdoor seating but next time we might just head straight to the sand. For dessert, Venus Pie Trap makes all of their pies in-house. My favorite is the coconut cream pie topped with whipped cream. It's a sweet tooth's dream! The whole place is the brainchild of Sean Venus (bonus points for the clever name), who also runs the cocktail bar and kitchen next door (also named "Venus"). He says pies should be enjoyed all day and honestly, I could not agree more. If you find yourself near Rio del Mar, this spot is absolutely worth a stop. P.S.: Parking is free - you don't pass through a state park pay station.

    spinach, mozzarella, parmesan & goat cheese hand pie (apparently lol). Had lots of potato and didn't taste like cheese.
    Kelly G.

    I'm not sure if this was a flop but the spinach, mozzarella, parmesan & goat cheese hand pie tasted nothing like cheese and had a whole lot of potato in it lol (an ingredient not listed for this one). It was bad but not at all what I expected and kinda dry due to the seemingly lack of cheese. The pastry part was really flaked and good tho. The iced coffee is alright - I'm more partial to cold brew (which I knew it wasn't going to be). But pretty good as far as iced coffee goes. Husband got the broccolini quiche. I didn't try but looked good. A little small for $10 a slice but that's how it be in this economy!

    Beachfront views

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    3 years ago

    Excellent pizza! Thin crust and fresh toppings...hot from the oven in minutes! Try it you won't be disappointed:)

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    4 years ago

    Love this place! They have my favorite bagels. Also they have my favorite pastries from Manresa bread! And great coffee!!

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    Sean V.

    Thanks Liz. Glad you have been enjoying the pie trap!

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    Sean V.

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    Sean V.

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    Page 3 of 3

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    Buzzo’s Wood Fired Pizza

    4.6
    (171 reviews)
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    A Little Gem That Takes Pizza Seriously--and Apparently Dessert Even More!…read more Let me tell you, this little gem of an eating establishment is the real deal! Sometimes you walk into a restaurant not knowing exactly what to expect, and then a few minutes later you're thinking, "Why haven't we been coming here all along?" That was our experience here. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was welcoming, upbeat, and full of positive energy. Our server was absolutely delightful--friendly, attentive, and genuinely pleasant without hovering over us. That kind of service can make a great meal even better, and she definitely added to the experience. The ambiance was another highlight. There's a comfortable, relaxed feel to the place that makes you want to sit back, enjoy your food, and take your time. We especially enjoyed the cozy outdoor seating. It was welcoming, comfortable, and a great place to enjoy a meal while taking in the surroundings. Now let's talk about the food... because that's where this place really shines! The salads were fantastic. Fresh, flavorful, and definitely more than an afterthought. You know a restaurant is doing something right when the salad gets people talking before the pizza even arrives! And then came the sausage pizza. WOW. The sausage was flavorful, the pizza was delicious, and every bite made it increasingly difficult to remember that we were supposed to be sharing. This is the kind of pizza that makes you slow down for approximately three seconds before realizing you're already reaching for another slice. But then came dessert. Now, I should probably confess something. We are all proud members of "SWeetes Anonymous." We tried to convince ourselves that we didn't need dessert. We had a good meal. We were satisfied. We were mature adults making responsible decisions. Then someone mentioned the homemade chocolate brownie with homemade vanilla bean ice cream. Meeting adjourned. Dessert ordered. And YES... it was incredible! That warm, rich chocolate brownie paired with creamy homemade vanilla bean ice cream was the perfect way to finish the evening. The homemade quality really came through, and this was definitely not one of those desserts you order just because it's there. This was a dessert that deserves its own spotlight! The only real challenge was parking. Depending on when you arrive, finding a spot can require a little patience and perhaps a short prayer. But honestly, don't let the parking situation discourage you. Once you get inside--or settle into the outdoor seating--you'll realize it was worth the effort. Overall, this is exactly the kind of restaurant I love discovering: great food, welcoming people, a positive atmosphere, comfortable seating, and those little touches that turn dinner into an experience. If you're in the area, I highly recommend making your way here. Come hungry, bring some friends, order the pizza, enjoy the salad, and whatever you do... Do NOT tell the people at SWeetes Anonymous that I sent you. This little restaurant is a keeper, and we'll definitely be making our way back! #YelpElite #YelpEliteReview #LocalGem #HiddenGem #PizzaLovers #SausagePizza #HomemadeDessert #ChocolateBrownie #VanillaBeanIceCream #GreatFood #GreatService #OutdoorDining #FoodieFind #SupportLocalRestaurants #DiningOut #FoodMemories #SweetTooth #SWeetesAnonymous

    Buzzos is an absolute staple. If you haven't eaten here…read morePLEASE DO. My husband and I eat here weekly. Appetizers are a must! I say with my whole chest that their Caesar is the best I've ever had. EVER. Cauliflower AMAZING and potato pizza... idk what they put in that but we crave it everyday. Best pizza in Santa Cruz- best restaurant in town!!

    Photos
    Buzzo’s Wood Fired Pizza
    Potato Pizza with added pepperoni
    Potato Pizza with added pepperoni
    The Potato pizza (wifey liked it) and The Roger, if I remember correctly.

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    Mountain Mike's Pizza

    Mountain Mike's Pizza

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    I was here a few days ago, and I'm just getting a chance to write a review. This review is mostly…read morefor the food ( very good ) and the service ( they were really trying hard ). First, the food. We got the vegetarian pizza, and it was overflowing with toppings ( in a good way). It was just me and my wife, and we got a large; there were plenty of leftovers ( which we ate over the next few days after our visit). In terms of the staff, it became clear pretty quickly that they were understaffed the evening we went in for dinner. We decided to eat there, since it wasn't crowded, but there were a lot of people coming in to get take out orders and such. We overheard a few other customers who were complaining about online orders not being ready when they came to pick them up, but the staff on hand just kept at it. They seemed to be doing the best they could under the circumstances. I would certainly go back when I'm in the area. If the slow service was a regular thing, then I might have to reconsider. As it was, the staff was friendly and the food was filling. Thanks, Mountain Mike's!

    I ordered one pizza online. Showed up 30 minutes later and they said it's going to take an…read moreadditional 10 minutes. 20 minutes pass and they said they accidentally gave our pizza away to someone else. Meanwhile, our food from another restaurant had been ready even though I ordered it at a later time. People here work slo-mo like they have all the time in the world.

    Photos
    Mountain Mike's Pizza
    Mountain Mike's Pizza
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    Churchill & Beers

    Churchill & Beers

    4.6
    (100 reviews)
    1.7 mi
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    My girlfriend and I stopped in to grab some food to go on the way out camping, and I couldn't…read morerecommend this spot more. The moment we walked in the door, we were greeted by one of the friendliest bartender's I've encountered in a while. The restaurant and bar were both incredibly clean and the atmosphere inside was absolutely spectacular. After we gave the bartender our to-go order, only a few minutes later a super friendly waitress who hadn't seen us place our to-go order approached and offered to serve us. I got the Caesar salad and my gf got the Reuben. Both of which were absolutely phenomenal! Highly recommend this convenient, clean, and tasty place.

    We went to Churchill & Beers on a Saturday night with a party of 7. They were able to make us a…read moretable in the back. The restaurant is kind of a like a combination diner and sports bar. There were TVs everywhere and they were showing hockey, baseball, and basketball. For the food, I really enjoyed the Ahi Tuna Salad. It was nicely seared on the outside while still being raw on the inside. The greens with sliced ginger and dressing bring it all together. Mozzarella Sticks come with 4 large pieces. If you eat them while they're hot, you can get a pretty awesome cheese pull. These were served with marinara sauce and the appetizer was tasty. My son ordered a Chicken Pesto pizza that I was able to issue a dad tax on. I thought the pizza was solid, not spectacular. A nice chill place to hang out and watch a game.

    Photos
    Main dining area
    Main dining area
    Chicken Pesto Pizza - large
    Chicken Pesto Pizza - large
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    Mangiamo Pizza

    Mangiamo Pizza

    3.3
    (158 reviews)
    1.0 mi
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    We went to Mangiamo and they were closed for business. We're…read moreso excited that Fawn Pizza just opened in Aptos (above Deluxe Foods, in the former Mangiamo space)! The food is absolutely amazing. The pizza had a wonderfully light, airy crust -- the kind you'd find in Italy -- perfectly crisp yet soft inside. We also had the most delicious salad made with fresh arugula, shaved fennel, toasted hazelnuts, and a bright citrus dressing that tied everything together beautifully. My husband loved the stuffed mushrooms, and I really enjoyed a lovely Pinot Noir. He really liked Humble Sea German lager, which he said was fantastic. The vibe is just as great as the food. They had a DJ playing fun retro '90s favorites (some of my old favorites!) you had me at a tribe called quest. We met the new owner, Carlos -- who we had the pleasure of meeting -- told us they'll have DJs on Fridays and Saturdays. Such a fun touch! The space has an awesome collection of old books, vintage photos, and vinyl from Carlos's personal DJ collection. It gives the whole place a warm, creative, welcoming feel. We truly enjoyed the entire experience. What a great addition to our Aptos community -- this is definitely going to be our new hangout!

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    Photos
    Live Music at Mangiamo Pizza & Wine Bar. Pictured: David Paul Campbell / Wednesday Nights.
    Live Music at Mangiamo Pizza & Wine Bar. Pictured: David Paul Campbell / Wednesday Nights.
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    Chicken spinach pizza

    Venus Pie Trap - cafes - Updated August 2026

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