Rome’s Best Pizza
Friday, 26th February 2010 | 27 Comments
I fancy myself somewhat of a pizza expert. I studied in New Haven, live in Rome, and spend lots of time in Naples, so I eat an insane number of pies and spend a lot of time thinking, writing, and talking about pizza. Some days l eat it at breakfast, lunch, and dinner and it is not a subject that I take lightly. It is in that spirit that I present to you this roundup:
Thin crust Roman style:
Li Rioni on Via Dei Ss. Quattro Coronati, 24 in the Celio
Da Remo on Piazza Santa Maria Liberatrice, 44 in Testaccio
Honorable mention, open at lunchtime:
La Montecarlo on Vicolo Savelli, 13 near Piazza Navona
Dal Paino on Via di Parione 34 near Piazza Navona.
For the best pizza al taglio, check out 00100 in Testaccio, Zaza’ (Piazza di Sant’Eustachio, 49), Roscioli (both locations), Panificio Monti in Monti, Passi in Testaccio, Pizzarium behind the Cipro metro stop, and Forno Campo de’ Fiori in Campo.
For excellent boutique pizza (high quality ingredients, long rising, carefully honed recipes), check out Sforno (Via Statilio Ottato, 110-116), La Gatta Mangiona (Via F. Ozanam, 30-32), and La Fucina (Via G. Lunati 25-31).
Please avoid Rome’s most overrated pizzerie, both in Trastevere: Dar Poeta and Bir e Fud, serving inedible pizzas with a smile and wonky pizzas with a frown, respectively.
February 26th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Daccordo with almost everything. And Dar Poeta and Bir e Fud do not serve Roman pizza, so I’ll except that, too. But my very very favorite is one that rarely gets mentioned (maybe it is ok that way), always full with a long line in front and till now me and the people with me were the only foreigners who ever got there: Giacomelli. Though I will admit I haven’t been to your first 4 for a while now bcs we are always so happy with Giacomelli, and I think I should get out of the rut and check them out again. May re-order my preferences!
February 26th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
I’ve never been to Giacomelli. Are they open at lunch? That’s when I’m over in Prati most, but I have been known to travel great distances for amazing pizza!
February 26th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
If I come in Italy I always eat pizza!
February 26th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
They are open for lunch though I am not sure if they have pizza then, never been for lunch!
February 26th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
I agree 100%, including the negatives. Bir & Fud should not serve pizza, by law. Since I commented on your previous Dar Poeta post I decided to go back there just to see if what you said was true, and alas it was. Dar Poeta has in the last 6 years gone terribly bad.
Curious about Hande’s Giacomelli…
Ciao
February 26th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
We went to L’Archetto on an earlier recommendation from Katie when we were in Rome in December. The pizza was very good. Nice staff too. One of the owners spoke to us for about 15 minutes about Rome, NYC, food, etc.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
@Eleonora we should draft legislation against Bir & Fud’s right to serve pizza!
@Tom so glad you made it. It is a great place for pizza before or after a visit to the Vatican Museums, though if Giacomelli serves pizza at lunch, it is certainly closer
March 18th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
Katie- have you ever tried Pizzarium near Cipro, via della Meloria?Roberto, who like you is a pizza lover, thinks it’s the best pizza al taglio in Rome and although I haven’t tried them all, I must say it’s amazing (their bread is also delicious). It’s not the cheapest place but it’s sooo good. I’ll try the others I haven’t tried from your list.
March 18th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
Yes I like Pizzarium a lot, though I am usually so spent after a visit to the Museums that I can’t drag myself over there!
March 28th, 2010 at 11:01 am
I think it’s interesting that you went out of your way not to mention Da Baffetto — the Roman institution that all other pizzerie aspire to be (at least when it comes to packed tables and a very long line out the door). And the pizza is great, too — I particularly like mine topped with beans. But I believe you knew it would paint you as a guidebook hack to mention it. So good work avoiding that.
Yes, Bir e Fud doesn’t have very good pizza — but considering it exists solely to serve Italian microbrews (from the tap, no less) they’re exonerated.
Finally, the pizza at Dar Poeta is good. It’s just unfortunate that their cramped seating and toddler-sized chairs lead to back spasms within minutes. Fortunately their Nutella stuffed calzone takes most of the pain away.
Thanks for the tips.
March 29th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
No the reason I left out Baffetto is because I think it belongs in my Rome’s Most Overrated Restaurants post. You’re right about the Nutella calzone but wrong about Bir e Fud existing solely to serve Italian microbrews. That is Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fa’ across the street. Bir e Fud was opened by a pizzaiolo (Gabriele Bonci) and they serve microbrews so it is both an overrated pizzeria and a decent birreria.
April 20th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
Katie, can you elaborate on your thoughts on Baffetto? After a lot of research, I decided to just go for it and see what the fuss was about. I also liked that its open on Sunday evenings when almost no restaurants on my list are open. I think Remo appealed most, but it was closed that night. I must have spend 8 hours on the net researching pizza in Rome! Going in circles! But I love your blog
April 20th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
Oops I should mention I haven’t gone to any yet, trip is is July
May 7th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Remo is where it’s at. Just came from dinner there, where after baccala, fiore di zucca and a pizza I seriously considered eating a second pizza.
May 7th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
I’d like to know if these pizzerias open on Sunday. I know that many restaurants are not open on Sundays…so kinda worried.
May 9th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Sunday is a BIG pizza night in Rome so dont worry! you’ll find plenty of them open (most are closed lunch and either Mon or Tues)
May 11th, 2010 at 3:02 am
Thanks so much for the reply! Your restaurant reviews are always great help.
June 4th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
and what about pino arletto? he’s situated nearby vatican, my personal experience is very good, but has anyone else tried the spot?
June 18th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
[...] A: For a list of my favorite places, check out this post. [...]
November 2nd, 2010 at 12:37 pm
This has to be most accurate round-up of Rome’s best Pizzerie that I’ve come across anywhere. Couldn’t agree more about Da Poeta being completely overrated either. Why can’t they make pizza as good as Forno Campo de’ Fiori and 00100 in England?
November 3rd, 2010 at 10:29 pm
We make the trip to Rome annually, and have always enjoyed the food at both Da Baffetto & La Montecarlo. These pizzeria’s are about a block away from each other.
Why are you calling Da Baffetto’s overrated? Since the owner is a nut?
Most the complaints I read online are from people that either find the owner/staff rude, or have never had authentic roman pizza before.
You would be surprised with how many people compare roman pizza to dominos. Plus they are clueless on why the pizza is thin, moist in the middle and slightly charred on the bottom.
DUHH Try cooking a pizza with a fire, and you will find out. Far as the pizza being light, that is the point of roman pizza. Most italians eat a whole pizza as an appetizer. Most people do not realize that the pizza sauce is nothing but tomato’s & water. It’s definitely not Pizza Hut or Chicago Deep Dish.
I have not heard of the other places you mentioned, but will check them out on our next visit.
But as long as you have a sense of humor, I find the owner to be entertaining, and like a pizza that is light on the stomach, you will 100% love both of these pizzerias. Plus the prices at both establishment are cheap for italy.
November 16th, 2010 at 2:46 am
[...] Some Helpful Links A Guide To Rome’s Boutique Pizzerias Rome’s Best Pizza [...]
March 22nd, 2011 at 2:53 pm
Hey Katie,
Thanks for your earlier reply about my birthday dinner in Rome. We arrive on a Sunday so we are going to head for pizza that night, but we want to stay IN Trastevere. (I know you had mentioned a place a bit farther, but we have my grandfather who needs to rest after traveling). Since this post was written over a year ago, I was just wondering what your latest assessment was: Da Ivo or Ai Marmi? If they are equal in your opinion, which has a better atmosphere or better outdoor seating? Also, can we make reservations at these places? Thanks so much!
March 29th, 2011 at 11:31 pm
Katie: Who is writing these pizza reviews? Someone who doesn’t know anything about pizza. Da Poeta has great pizza. Sorry it’s not the wimpy thin crust Roman stuff – but the crust flavour, consistency and mouthfeel is excellent, great dark red sauce and toppings. The calzones are wonderful also. Nick and Tony’s (via di San Francisco a Rippa, 21) has the best lunch pizza al taglio – bar none. Roscioli is #2.
March 29th, 2011 at 11:38 pm
i love rhetorical questions! Dar Poeta (note spelling) has terrible pizzas. Im not comparing it to the Roman crust, which is a completely different style. The crust is bland and lacks flavor so I prefer the fragrant crusts at Sforno and La Gatta. As for pizza by the slice, Pizzarium and 00100 are worth a stop. Roscioli is #1 for bianca, but they others I could live without.
December 14th, 2011 at 12:45 am
Where is the best pizza near the Spanish steps for dinner?
December 14th, 2011 at 8:06 am
The neighborhood is best avoided for dining, especially pizza. however, there is a good pizza by the slice called fior fiore on via della croce. here’s my list of the best places in town: http://www.parlafood.com/a-guide-to-romes-boutique-pizzerias/
and here’s my list from the guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2011/jul/13/top-10-pizza-places-rome