L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele’s second Southern California location opened in Santa Barbara on November 9. In 2019, L’Antica made its Hollywood debut as the first U.S. location for the 152-year-old Naples restaurant. The restaurant’s widespread recognition is due in part to its mention in the bestselling memoir Eat Pray Love, and it was forever immortalized in the film adaptation starring Julia Roberts.
L’Antica moved into Santa Barbara’s historic Ember Mill building, which formerly housed the long-standing Copper Coffee Pot from 1927 to 1982. Owner Francesco Zimone redesigned the space to mirror the Hollywood location by showcasing pizza production through an open kitchen. There’s a smaller indoor seating area, a bar area, and a courtyard that seats 60. Tables also spill onto a busy State Street sidewalk.
