10 x the best pizzas in Rome
When in Rome… of course you spend your entire time eating, because my goodness, please shower us with those typically Roman dishes like fried artichokes, saltimbocca, spaghetti alla Carbonara, and supplì (fried rice and mozzarella balls). And of course PIZZA until we drop!
Below are ten gems where the pizza is genuinely better than at a standard tourist trap. A slice (usually rectangular in Rome), a pizzette, or simply one of those big round beauties—you’ll find the best here:
Pizzeria Ostiense
A characteristic Roman pizzeria, with little fuss, incredibly good fried snacks to start, followed by pizzas with classic toppings such as zucchini flower, mozzarella and anchovies.
Sforno
You’ll find slightly thicker pizzas here, actually leaning toward Neapolitan style, executed brilliantly. Also try the pizza bianca (‘pizza base’ flatbread) with mortadella.
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Ivo a Trastevere
Granted, Trastevere has become a somewhat touristy neighborhood and there are lots of exchange students, but that does bring the area to life. Ivo also features in many travel guides, but those pizzas are genuinely worth the crowds. If you’re smart, go here late in the evening instead; plenty of locals do the same.
Pizzeria da Remo
At Remo, you get large round pizzas, with a chewy crust and wonderfully bubbling cheese straight from the oven. Add an ice-cold beer and you’re all set.
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Trieste
You have to walk briskly past many places in the Monti neighborhood, but Trieste serves delicious pizzette, slightly smaller than pizzas, with toppings they put serious effort into: pure, fresh Italian ingredients whose origins are known. A successful family business with several locations.
Pinsere
A fresh, light takeaway place with elongated pinsa generously topped with both traditional and exciting combinations; ricotta with honey and figs, for example, or ham with pistachio and balsamic vinegar.
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Forno Campo de Fiori
An authentic bakery where, for more than thirty years, the spirit of Rome has oozed from the walls (and from the oven). Pizza rossi, pizza bianchi, all cut into pieces for you so you can calmly try several. And to top it all off, take some wine cookies, raisin bread and cheesecake with you…
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Pizzarium
At Pizzarium, people line up several rows deep at the takeaway counter. Founder Gabriele Bonci has turned this into a Roman institution because he refuses to compromise on quality. Quick snack or not, these slices are out of this world.
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Da Artenio
Nothing more than a market stall on the south side of the Testaccio market, this is a renowned little spot where they apply their expertise to different shapes: al taglio (cut into strips), small round pizzettes, and beautiful rolled lingue (‘tongues’, rolled with filling, in the shape of a sweet breakfast roll’). Chewy and crisp at the same time, as the best pizzas should be.
Sbanco
Sforno’s sleek little sister, where it’s pleasant to sit in a less rustic interior than at many other popular spots. A little more expensive than the takeaway places, for example, but still extremely affordable. Busy, yes, but these pizzaioli certainly know what they’re doing.
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Header image: Sbanco
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