State College has been home to a lot of legendary spots, but few have stood the test of time quite like Faccia Luna Pizzeria. 🍕
Since 1991, this beloved local institution on South Atherton Street has been turning out wood-fired and gas-oven pizzas that have made it a fixture in Happy Valley dining.
Bold flavors, hand-tossed dough, and a warm trattoria atmosphere have kept Penn Staters and long-time residents coming back, decade after decade.
How Faccia Luna Won State College’s Hearts
Faccia Luna didn’t just become State College’s favorite pizza spot — it earned that title, one perfectly baked pie at a time. 🏆
Opening its doors in 1991, this family-friendly, locally-owned trattoria made an early commitment to crafting everything from fresh dough and homemade sauces to hand-rolled pasta in a kitchen locals could actually see.
That open-air pizza kitchen became a point of pride — diners watching the dough being hand-tossed and slid into the oven right before their eyes, building trust and excitement with every visit.
Being voted Best Pizza by State College Magazine didn’t hurt either — an accolade that gave the community-wide seal of approval to what regulars had already known for years. 🥇
What really sets Faccia Luna apart in the crowded world of local pizza joints is its dual oven approach — offering both gas-fired thick-crust pies and wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas, so there’s genuinely something for every kind of pizza lover.
Beyond the pizza, Faccia Luna’s extensive menu of fresh pasta, starters, and a well-curated wine and craft beer list transformed it from a simple pizzeria into a full-blown dining destination.
For over three decades, this locally-owned State College pizza gem has proven that when you focus on quality ingredients and genuine hospitality, the community will not only show up — they’ll bring everyone they know.
Food Highlights 🍕
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The Faccia Luna Pizza 🌙: The signature pie — sausage, mushrooms, and roasted red peppers on a wood-fired crust with mozzarella and red sauce.
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The Salamini Pizza 🍕: A Neapolitan-style pizza loaded with cup-and-char pepperoni and thinly sliced Genoa salami over a chunky crushed tomato sauce with generous mozzarella.
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The Margherita Pizza 🍅: Fresh tomato slices, mozzarella, and a clean red sauce baked on a hand-tossed crust.
- The Pollo Pizza 🍗: Grilled chicken, pesto, and red onion on a wood-fired crust — a white-adjacent specialty that swaps red sauce for earthy basil pesto and pairs beautifully with the smoky char of the oven.
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The Roma Pizza ☀️: Sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil over mozzarella — a simple but intensely flavored pie that lets the natural sweetness of the tomatoes shine.
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The Genovese Pizza 🌿: A wood-fired favorite featuring a delicate, herb-forward flavor profile.
- The Ricotta Pizza 🧀: A wood-fired specialty topped with creamy ricotta, Italian sausage, fresh tomato, and fragrant basil.
Atmosphere
Faccia Luna delivers the full urban trattoria experience — warm, lively, and buzzing with energy on any given evening. 🕯️
The open-air pizza kitchen gives the dining room a theatrical, convivial energy that few local pizza spots can match — diners regularly linger over bottles from the Italian estate-bottled wine list and craft drafts long after the plates are cleared.
The vibe has been described as “exciting and happy” — a place that feels equally suited for a casual Tuesday dinner, a date night, or a post-game Penn State celebration.
Outdoor seating, a full bar, and table service round out an atmosphere that’s every bit as satisfying as the food itself. 🌟
Bottom Line
Faccia Luna Pizzeria is a must-visit — over 30 years of local love, award-winning wood-fired pizza, a stunning dual-oven approach, and a warm trattoria atmosphere make it the undisputed heart of State College dining. 🍕🔥
Address:
1229 S Atherton St, State College, PA 16801
📞 (814) 234-9000
🕔 Open Daily: Mon–Sun, 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM