When people think of pizza, Naples often comes to mind. It’s the birthplace of the iconic Pizza Margherita, after all. However, if you’re visiting Rome and don’t have time to visit Naples to try their world-renowned pizza, don’t despair! Rome is certainly no slouch when it comes to making fantastic pizza, with many of the country’s highest ranking pizzerias found in the capital. There are plenty of places offering the Neapolitan style (with a soft, fluffy, chewy crust, and sloppy centre) or Roman style (thin base and crispy crust). My advice? Try them both and see which kind you prefer!
In this blog post, I highlight some of the best pizzerias in Rome. Some of these are very traditional, with rustic, old school charm, whereas others are contemporary, offering experimental flavour combinations in stylish and modern settings. Buon appetito!
Seu Pizza Illuminati (Trastevere neighbourhood)
Opening in early 2018, Seu Pizza Illuminati is a relative newcomer to the Rome pizza scene, yet it is consistently ranked among the top 10 pizzerias in Italy, owing to its incredibly high quality dough and ingredients. Located in a quiet area of Trastevere in the Porta Portese neighbourhood, Seu illuminati is known for its fun and creative toppings. You might find spicy raspberry gel, cherry mayonnaise, almond crumble or black olive powder on your pizza. Sounds bizarre, but trust the process because their flavour combinations are brilliant! If those toppings sounds too wacky for you, don’t worry! Seu Pizza Illuminati also serves up classics like marinara, margherita, and the very tasty amatriciana (a pizza version of a traditional Roman pasta dish with tomato, pig cheek, and pecorino cheese).
When your pizza arrives at your table, you might think that the dough looks heavy and dense, but due to the two-day fermentation period, the crust is beautifully light, airy, and chewy. The starters here are also delicious, with modern twists on classic Roman antipasti such as supplì (deep-fried rice balls) and crocchette (croquettes). Wash your meal down with one of the carefully-selected craft beers or wines on offer.
Website. Pizza price range: ∼ €8 to €20. Accepts reservations online or by phone.
Via Angelo Bargoni, 10 – 18, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Pizzeria Ostiense (Ostiense neighbourhood)
When I lived in Rome, Pizzeria Ostiense was my local go-to and it remains one of my absolute favourites. This lively and casual eatery specialises in thin and crispy pizza Romana. You can find all the classics like margherita di bufala and capricciosa, along with some seasonal dishes you can only find in Rome. One of my favourites is their margherita topped with puntarelle alla Romana; a traditional Roman dish of chicory shoots, garlic, anchovies, and vinegar. It is seasonal (typically November to April) so look out for it if you’re visiting during those months. Pizzeria Ostiense also has traditional fritti (fried food) to start with, including filetti di baccalà (deep fried salt cod) and fiore di zucca (deep fried zucchini flowers).
Pizza price range: ∼ €6 to €12. No reservations.
Via Ostiense, 56, 00154 Roma RM, Italy
L’Elementare (Trastevere, and multiple neighbourhoods)
If you have a sudden craving for some Pizza Romana while exploring beautiful Trastevere, make your way to L’Elementare. Opened in 2020, and now with multiple branches throughout the city, L’Elemetare produces its dough with a 60 percent hydration and lets it mature for between 24 and 36 hours, giving their pizzas the wonderful crunch. You can choose from all manner of exciting and mouth-watering creations, including the delicious Datte Foco, which comes with spicy ‘nduja sausage from Calabria. Also on the menu are a selection of enticing supplì, such as their cacio e pepe, carbonara, and lasagne offerings. There are also some excellent Italian craft beers on tap to suit every taste.
Website. Pizza price range: ∼ €7 to €15. Accepts reservations online or by phone.
Via Benedetta, 23, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Pizzeria Remo A Testaccio (Testaccio neighbourhood)
This Testaccio institution has been around for years, serving up delicious Roman-style pizze rosse and pizze bianche to hungry locals and tourists alike. It’s a bit rough around the edges, cramped and noisy, but that only adds to its charm. It has a good-sized al fresco dining area too, so you can enjoy your pizza and vino outside on a pleasant Rome evening if the crowds are too much. After your meal, take the short stroll to Piazza Testaccio for a spot of people watching with a gelato from nearby Panna & Co, one of the best gelaterias in Rome.
Website. Pizza price range: ∼ €6 to €10. Doesn’t accept reservations.
Piazza di S Maria Liberatrice, 44, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Sant’Isidoro Pizza & Bolle (Prati neighbourhood)
This stylish and upscale pizzeria in the Prati neighbourhood from the Pizze & Bolle (“pizza and bubbles”) Group is all about contemporary Neapolitan pizza and sparkling wine (as the name suggests!). As with most modern pizzerias today, you can find classic options on the menu here with updated twists, as well as innovative new creations in their “eccentric” section. You can find a few Neapolitan starters here, such as montanara (deep-fried pizza dough with a topping) and frittatina di dasta (deep-fried pasta fritters). They are also serious about all things wine, with an extensive list that champions sparkling wines.
The Pizza & Bolle Group have a small branch down the road offering pizza al taglio (Roman-style sheet pizza), as well as a branch in the Lungotevere neighbourhood that specialises in thin and crispy pizza Romana.
Website. Pizza price range: ∼ €8 to €15. Accepts reservations online or by phone.
Via Oslavia, 41, 00195 Roma RM, Italy
I Belcastro (Trieste-Salario neighbourhood)
If you’re looking for a local favourite off the beaten tourist track, make your way to I Belcastro. Nestled in the quiet residential streets of the Trieste-Salario neighbourhood, it’s a lively pizzeria serving up Neapolitan-style pizzas, loaded with fresh ingredients from Calabria. The wine list is extensive (unusual for pizzerias!) and the prices are extremely reasonable for the excellent quality. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, leave room for their nutella dessert pizza, topped with adorable little rum babas.
Price range ∼ €8 to €18. Accepts reservations by phone and Whatsapp.
Via Ajaccio, 47/49,51, 00198 Roma RM, Italy
Emma (Historic centre / Centro)
While it’s always fun going to random neighbourhoods for a meal, sometimes you want something central and convenient. Located just five minutes from the ancient ruins of Largo di Torre Argentina, Emma – a pizzeria/restaurant/deli – is a great choice for those staying in or near the historic centre. Serving up crispy “up market” Roman style pizzas, Emma is a little more expensive than other pizzerias, but that is due to the exceptionally high-quality ingredients they use – the origins of which are proudly displayed on the menu. As well as traditional pizzas, Emma also has a “special pizzas” section which have toppings such as chorizo, aged pata negro jamon, and scallops. You can also find plenty of pasta dishes and mains here in case someone in your group doesn’t fancy a pizza.
Price range: ∼ €9 to €20. Accepts reservations by phone or email.
Via del Monte della Farina, 28, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
La Gatta Mangiona (Monteverde neighbourhood)
This rustic pizzeria in the Monteverde neighbourhood has an old school, whimsical vibe to it, with wooden furniture and checked tablecloths. In keeping with the name, it is also decorated with dozens of framed pictures and paintings of cats. Even the menu has cats on it! As for the pizza, this place has earned its reputation as one of the best pizzerias in Rome. They are light and fluffy, featuring top quality ingredients. While this restaurant isn’t quite as experimental as others mentioned, there are plenty of excellent pizzas to choose from. Be sure to check out the menu of the day too.
Price range: ∼ €9 to €15. Accepts reservations by phone.
Via Federico Ozanam, 30-32, 00152 Roma RM, Italy
I hope this list has given you some ideas about where to find fantastic pizza in Rome. The list is not exhaustive as new pizzerias open in Rome very often. If I haven’t mentioned one of your favourites, please share it in the comments.
Ciao for now
Izzie, the Curious Sparrow