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When you think of Rome, what comes to mind? Is it The Sistine Chapel with Michaelangelo’s stunning frescoes? The Colosseum, with its Roman architecture and brutal history? Or maybe it’s The Trevi Fountain, one of the most famous and beautiful fountains in the world.
Admittedly, Rome’s landmarks are absolutely spectacular, but for us when we think of Rome, we think of pizza!
Pizza is a big part of life in Rome, and there are over 15,000 pizzerias in the Italian capital. There are two types of traditional pizza: the Roman style, which has a thin and crispy crust, and the Neapolitan style, which has a thicker and bubbly crust.
Pizza al taglio is Rome’s most popular street food and simply means pizza by the cut or slice. In Rome, the pizza bianca (meaning white pizza) is popular, which, as the name suggests, has no tomato sauce.
From prosciutto to pecorino, the topping choices are endless. But the big question is, where are the best places to find authentic pizza in Rome? Well, here are just a few of our favorites.
Pizza’s Tasty Origins
The origins of pizza date back thousands of years, from as early as the 6th century BC, when Persian soldiers baked flatbreads with cheese and dates on top. In ancient Greece, they ate a flatbread called plakous, flavored with herbs, onion, cheese, and garlic.
The Grecian Influence
Later on, the Greeks ate flatbreads laden with olive oil, similar to today’s focaccia. In fact, there are references to different pizza-type flatbreads all across the Mediterranean, many of which are still eaten today.
The Original Neapolitan Street Food
In the early 1800s, pizza was popular with Neapolitan people, who needed cheap food that could be eaten quickly. The poor people of Naples were known as lazzaroni, and there were many street vendors and restaurants set up to cater to them.
Later on in the 1800s, the first pizzerias began to emerge. Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba opened in 1830 and is widely believed to be the world’s first pizzeria.
Legend has it that Queen Margherita visited Naples in 1889 and ordered a Neapolitan pizza from Pizzeria Brandi. The chef created a masterpiece resembling the Italian flag, with tomato (red), mozzarella (white), and basil (green). And so the Margherita pizza was born.
Italian Immigrants Spread the Word
Italian immigrants soon spread the word, and pizzerias popped up all over Europe and the United States. But pizza didn’t become really popular until the 20th century, after World War II, when returning soldiers sought out the food they had always loved.
Today, its versatility and relatively low production costs make pizza one of the most popular foods in the world. Traditional wood-burning ovens have been replaced by electric models in many pizzerias, but the end product is still just as delicious.
Now that we’ve built up an appetite with a quick history lesson, here are the best places to try authentic pizza in Rome.
Pinsere
- Price Point: $
- Location: Via Flavia, 98, 00187, Rome
- Neighborhoods: Sallustiano, Termini, Barberini
- Hours: Open Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm.
- Website: Pinsere
Pinsere serves traditionally prepared, oblong, or oval-shaped Roman pinsa, with delicious toppings of seasonal vegetables and locally cured meat.
The kitchen is open, so you can see the pizzaiolos at work, and the counter displays some of the day’s specialties. Soak up the atmosphere and eat your pinsa at the counter inside, or order it to take away and find a quiet spot in the local area to perch and people-watch.
Pinsere is truly one of the best places in Rome for the pinsa. It is light, delicious, and made with high-quality ingredients. More of a street food destination than a restaurant, Pinsere is perfect for a quick bite to refuel before continuing with all that sightseeing!
Pizzeria Magnifica
- Price Point: $$-$$$
- Location: Via Ugo De Carolis 72D, 00136, Roma
- Neighborhood: Balduina
- Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday, 7.30 pm to 11.30 pm.
- Website: pizzeriamagnifica.com
Stylish Pizzeria Magnifica holds around 60 covers and is located in the Balduina neighborhood, only a 15-minute bus ride from the Vatican.
Having previously been a takeaway-only place, the minimalist-designed restaurant now serves up all the classics you would expect: Margherita, capriccioso, marinara, and many more. For something a little bit special, try one of their more unusual toppings, like baccalĂ (black cod with olives, capers, and crunchy purple potatoes) or salmone Scozzese (Scottish salmon with burrata fresh cheese).
Pizzeria Magnifica has developed its own style, which they say is neither Neapolitan nor Roman. Whatever the style, their pizzas are fresh, seasonal, and of fantastic quality. Definitely head here if you are in the Balduina area.
Trapizzino
- Price Point: $
- Location: Via Giovanni Giolitti 36 Inside the Central Market Rome, 00185, Rome
- Neighborhoods: Testaccio, Trastevere, Ponte Milvio, and Mercato Centrale in Termini Station
- Hours: Open every day from 11 am to 11 pm and 11 am to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Website: trapizzino.it
Trapizzino serves up one-of-a-kind tramezzino-style sandwiches — slowly-leavened pizza dough filled with traditional Roman fillings like coda alla vaccinara (oxtail simmered in tomato sauce) and fava bean purée with sauteed chicory.
The chef, Stefano Callegari, launched his pizza place in the Testaccio neighborhood in 2013, naming it 00100 after Rome’s zip code. His pizza became famous for being “scarpetta” on the go, which roughly translates as dipping a piece of bread in the leftovers you have been eating.
Callegari’s unique trapizzino version of pizza is perfect-shaped to contain his delicious homemade sauces. Callegari’s Trapizzino restaurant is astonishingly popular and is now a chain with pizzeria locations all across the world.
Seu Pizza Illuminati
- Price Point: $$-$$$
- Location: Via Angelo Bargoni 10 – 18, 00153, Rome
- Neighborhood: Trastevere
- Hours: Open every day from 7 pm until midnight, and lunchtime on Saturday from 12 pm to 3.30 pm.
- Website: Seu Pizza Illuminati
At Seu Pizza Illuminati, chef Pier Daniele Seu double-leavens his dough, resulting in a chewy Neapolitan consistency but with a crunchy Rome-style crust. Seu Pizza Illuminati is a relative newcomer to the pizza scene in Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood, but despite this, it has become extremely popular, and the restaurant is often packed. Booking ahead is highly recommended.
Seu Pizza Illuminati serves up most of the delicious pizza classics you would expect to find but also some gourmet options, including plenty of choices for vegetarians and vegans. The menu changes with the seasons, so you can return again and again to try something new!
Piccolo Buco
- Price Point: $$-$$$
- Location: Via del Lavatore n. 91 Fontana Di Trevi, 00187, Rome
- Neighborhood: Trevi
- Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday, 12 pm to 11 pm.
- Website: pizzeriapiccolobuco.it
Piccolo Buco translates to “little hole” and perfectly describes this tiny pizza place near the Trevi Fountain. Expect to bump elbows with the table next to you – it’s a cozy spot. Piccolo Buco was once an ancient Roman bakery, and owner Luca Issa is keen to keep the old classic pizza traditions alive while combining them with new ideas to create his amazing menu.
Piccolo Buco fills us quickly with tourists and locals alike, all keen to try their delicious gourmet pizzas made from hand-stretched dough that has been leavened for 48 hours. The best seats in the place are at the beer counter, where you can watch the chefs in action in the open-plan kitchen.
Luca’s attention to detail is second-to-none, and his pizzas are regarded as among the best in Rome. Check out the cheese and pear topping for a sweet sensation.
Pinsa e Buoi
- Price Point: $$-$$$
- Location: Via Salaria 217 angolo Liegi, 00178, Rome
- Neighborhoods: San Lorenzo and San Giovanni
- Hours: Open every day, 12 pm then 3.30 pm then 6.30 pm to 11.30 pm.
- Website: pinsaebuoiristorante.com
Pinsa e Buoi is best known for its Rome-style pinsa with its thin crust pizza, but here you can also indulge in other classic Roman dishes, such as carbonara with truffle or fettuccine with clams and porcini mushrooms.
But the true stars of the show are Pinsa e Buoi’s oval-shaped pizzas, with classic toppings available alongside more inventive options, such as the boscaiola with sausage, truffles, and porcini mushrooms, and the contadino with four types of cheese, pear, and walnuts.
There are Pinsa e Buois in San Lorenzo and in San Giovanni. Both are centrally located and easy to reach. We recommend soaking up the atmosphere by taking a seat at one of their comfortable tables instead of ordering a slice to go.
Emma
- Price Point: $$-$$$
- Location: Via del Monte della Farina 28/29, 00186, Rome
- Neighborhood: Campo de’ Fiori
- Hours: Open every day, 12 pm to 3.30 pm, then 6.30 pm to 11.30 pm.
- Website: emmapizzeria.com
Emma is famous for its pizzas with impossibly thin and crunchy crusts, or scrocchiarella, as the Romans like to call it. Emma’s dough mix is made locally with a mix of white spelt and organic flours, concocted by famous Roman baker Pier Luigi Roscioli.
Emma is based in the city center, just a short walk from Largo, Argentina, and Campo de Fiori. There are no shortcuts on toppings here; everything is freshly prepared using high-quality ingredients. Check out the anchovies from Sicily for a simple dish that packs a flavor punch.
Bonci’s Pizzarium
- Price Point: $
- Location: Via della Meloria 43, 00136, Rome
- Neighborhoods: Trionfale and the Vatican
- Hours: Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am to 10 pm, Sundays, 11 am to 3 pm, then 5 pm to 10 pm.
- Website: bonciusa.com
For pizza al taglio, or pizza by the slice, look no further than Bonci’s Pizzarium. Chef Gabriele Bonci opened this shop in 2003 and is now the undisputed star of the pizza al taglio scene. Bonci’s selection of high-quality flours and method of slow dough leavening makes for a crunchy crust and perfect hydration levels.
Toppings range from classic tomato and oregano to cured meat and vegetables — all of which are organic and absolutely delicious.
Bonci’s Pizzarium is located in the Prati area. It’s around a ten-minute walk from the Vatican museums, making it a perfect place to stop. Don’t be put off if there are queues, those people are queueing for a good reason, and it’s totally worth the wait!
La Gatta Mangiona
- Price Point: $$-$$$
- Location: Via F. Ozanam, 30-32, 00151, Rome
- Neighborhood: Monteverde
- Hours: Open every day from 7.30 pm to 11 pm.
- Website: lagattamangiona.com/
La Gatta Mangiona opened in 1999 and has been a safe bet for traditional pizza ever since. Owner Giancarlo Casa prioritizes the quality of ingredients, and it shows in the consistently excellent standard of pizza that his team lovingly creates.
La Gatta Mangiona is located in Monteverde, just above Trastevere, and this unfussy restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a casual dinner after a day of sightseeing. They also have an extensive wine list with over 200 labels, plus a fantastic selection of craft beers.
La Pratolina
- Price Point: $$-$$$
- Location: Via Rialto 16, 00136, Rome
- Neighborhoods: Prati and Trionfale
- Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday, 6.30 pm to 9.45 pm.
- Website: pizzerialapratolina.it
La Pratolina is a simple place that has been serving traditional Roman pinsa since its opening in 2001. It is centrally located in Prati, near the Vatican, and has a wonderfully rustic feel with a stripped-back interior and chequered tablecloths.
The pizza dough is a mixture of locally-sourced flour and sourdough and is slowly leavened to guarantee that all-important crunchy base.
Toppings at La Patrolina include regional specialties, such as speck from Alto Adige, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese from Emilia Romagna, buffalo mozzarella from Campania, and ‘nduja spicy sausage from Calabria. La Pratolina is close to the metro station and super convenient if you are in the Trionfale area. This place is an absolute favorite with the locals, so booking in advance is essential to guarantee a table.
Sbanco
- Price Point: $$-$$$
- Location: Via Siria 1, 00183, Rome
- Neighborhood: Appio Latino Quarter (Appia Antica)
- Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday, 7.30 pm to 11.30 pm.
- Website: Sbanco Roma
Sbanco is another creation by the founder of Trapizzino, Stefano Callegari. Sbanco’s interior is large and comfortable, and you can choose whether to eat at a table or snuggle down in one of their sofas.
The menu here includes the traditional red pizzas, white pizzas, and also some original creations such as Fumo (smoked Provola cheese with Speck from Alto Adige cured meat) and Cacio con le Pere (four types of cheeses and pear).
The pizzas are cooked in a high-heat oven, which ensures a delicious Roman-style crunchy crust. Start your meal with some of Sbanco’s fried antipasti for a real treat.
Pizzeria Ai Marmi
- Price Point: $
- Location: Viale di Trastevere 53 (tra Piazza Sonnino e Piazza Mastai), Rome
- Neighborhood: Trastevere
- Hours: Open daily from 6.30 pm to 2 am, closed on Wednesdays.
- Website: Pizzeria Ai Marmi
If you are looking for authentic Roman pizza, look no further than Ai Marmi. Fantastically located just a few minutes walk from the Garibaldi bridge, this Trastevere institution serves up an excellent pizza to hordes of hungry customers every day.
You might have to wait a few minutes for a table, but it’s well worth it. Plenty of people even call this the best pizza in Rome, but you can be the judge of that. The pizza menu ranges from simple to elaborate, but a favorite is the calzone.
Appetizers at Ai Marmi are also pretty special. Check out the supplì (fried balls of rice with mozzarella cheese in the middle) and the olive ascolane (fried stuffed olives). The potato croquettes are also particularly delicious.
Pizzeria Ostiense
- Price Point: $
- Location: Via Ostiense 56 B/C, 00154, Rome
- Neighborhood: Ostiense
- Hours: Open daily, 6.30 pm to 1 am, closed on Tuesdays.
- Website: pizzeriaostiense.it
Pizzeria Ostiense serves typical Roman-style pizza with fair prices and high-quality, fresh, local ingredients. Many of the toppings are seasonal, so some items (especially the puntarelle and artichokes) may not be available all year.
For a non-traditional pizza, check out the Il polpo, which is divided into sections: a cheese calzone topped with zucchini flowers and eggplant, puntarelle with anchovy, garlic, oil, and vinegar dressing, buffalo mozzarella and tomato sauce, and the Ostiense, which is cheese, mushrooms, peas, and sausage. This amazing option might not always be available, but it’s definitely worth a try when it is.
Experience the intoxicating hustle and bustle of this place from one of their inside tables. Here you will get a true sense of Rome — slightly chaotic but always authentic. Avoid arriving between 8 and 8.30 pm when you will almost certainly join a long line of locals waiting for a table.
It’s Amore with Pizza in Rome
It seems obvious that Rome would be one of the best pizza destinations in the world, and you should have no trouble finding excellent quality pizza for a reasonable price. But for a guaranteed good experience, try one of our hand-picked favorites from this list.
You may notice that the best pizza places often have queues of people but don’t let this put you off; it is a sure sign that you are about to get something delicious to eat. And the beauty of pizza is that it’s quick to make and serve, so the queues soon reduce.
Finally, look out for places where the locals go; they really do know their pizza!
