The 10 best pizzerias in Rome

When you think of Italy, and especially Italian food, there is a good chance the word “pizza” will be the first thing that pops to mind. Why wouldn’t it? It’s delicious and you can get it anywhere from New York City to Tokyo. If you are traveling to Rome and want to get a local experience, you will have to step into a pizzeria, be it for a nice fancy dinner or just a quick on-the-go lunch. But, just like everything when you are visiting a new city, you have to know where to go in order to get the best experience, and not end up in an awful tourist trap. To make sure you get the most of your pizza experience when traveling to Rome, we have asked Paola, a local Roman food expert and experienced chef, to name her 10 best pizzerias in Rome. Here are her recommendations. These restaurants are not ranked, as it all depends on your mood. Magnifica – in the mood for a chic pizzeria Magnifica, which means “magnificent” in Italian, is truly one of the chicest pizzerias in Rome. The quality of service, the designer decor and the friendly and experienced staff all add up to forge this reputation, but this would mean nothing if the pizzas were not as good as they are. The secret is simple: high quality dough, a careful selection of the finest (and freshest) ingredients, a traditional oven, and mouthwatering original creations… If you can get away with a bit of Italian, ask for the Italian menu, as they have a broader choice than on the English menu. Address: Via Ugo de Carolis, 72, Roma, Italy Opening hours: Every day from 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM Reservation recommended Price: €9.50 for a Pizza margherita Moma – in the mood a true local experience Every night, Moma bursts with people having a great time while eating great pizza. Many locals gather here, which makes it a great place to have a real Roman dining experience (the high level of noise being part of the experience, just like any other local, popular restaurant or bar). Light and crispy pie topped with fresh and tasty ingredients such as mozzarella di bufala or Prosciutto ham, your taste buds are in for a real treat. Moma has a wide choice of either classic pizza or original house specials. It is said that the pizza pie is made with a 72 hour rising time, which makes it extra special. Address: Via Calpurnio Fiamma, 40-44, 00175 Roma, Italy Opening hours : Every day from 7 :45PM to 11PM Reservation recommended Price: reasonable Emma – in the mood for healthy products The best part about Emma, besides the delicious pizza, is the location. Unlike many of the pizzerias mentioned in this list, Emma is located in the heart of Rome, just a stone’s throw away from the Pantheon or Piazza Venezia.Pierluigi Roscioli is a 4^th generation baker. In other words, he knows how to get the dough right. He also knows where to get the best toppings. Add to this the fact that Pierluigi and his team are willing to turn pizza into a delicious and healthy product, and you have a true gastronomic heaven for pizza amateurs. Sure, pizza at Emma might be slightly more expensive that the tourist traps of the city center, but you get what you pay for! Dining at Emma is an authentic experience that you will truly enjoy. Address: Via del Monte della Farina, 28, 00186 Roma Opening Hours: Every day from 12:30PM to 3PM and from 7 PM to 11:30 PM Reservation recommended Prices: €8,00 for a classic pizza Margherita  Pizzarium – in the mood for street food If you are on the go and need a quick snack or lunch / dinner, stop at Pizzarium and order a slice of the pizza of your choice. Pizzarium is one of the 2 best “street food pizza” places in Rome. Nicely located just behind the Vatican, the slices here are sold by the weight (al taglio). You can either take a big slice of one pizza, or smaller slices of different pizzas, the second option giving you the opportunity to taste some of their great original creations, such as the cream cheese with fresh salmon pizza, or the chicken with fresh peppers pizza. This hole in the wall restaurant is open nonstop from 11AM to 10PM, which is very convenient. Address: Via della Meloria, 43, 00136 Roma, Italy Opening hours: every day from 11AM to 10PM No reservations possible. Avoid lunch and dinner hours to avoid long queues. Prices: by weight, affordable, but can add up quickly La Pariolina – in the mood for simple pizza Why try to complicate things when simplicity is just as good? That is exactly what La Pariolina has in mind. Nothing overly fancy, just wonderful classic pizza. The goal is simple: give pleasure through food. This goal has been reached thanks to the talent and finesse of La Pariolina’s young pizzaiolo. This pizzeria doesn’t attract a lot of tourists (it’s very local), but they do have an English menu. And their veranda is a great place to have dinner during the summer. Address: Viale dei Parioli, 93, 00197 Roma, Italy Opening hours: Every day from 12:30PM to 3PM and from 7 PM to 1 AM Reservation recommended Prices: €7,50 for a pizza margherita Gatta Mangiona – in the mood for cats and pizza If you like cats and pizza, well then, search no more: Gatta Mangiona is the perfect place for you. This cat-themed restaurants serves great pizza and has a very unique decor (cat pictures all over the walls). Although located outside the city center, it is a still highly recommended to have dinner at Gatta Mangiona. They have a fair choice of “red” and “white” classic pizzas, as well as original pizzas with surprising mixtures of fresh ingredients. Another interesting aspect of this popular pizzeria is their wide selection of craft beers. The math is simply: excellent pizza + great beer + quick, friendly and efficient service = a great dinner! Address: Via Federico Ozanam, 30-32, 00152 Roma Opening hours: every day from 7:45 PM to 11:30 PM Reservation recommended Prices: €9,00 for a classic pizza Margherita Sforno – in the mood for imported beer and great pizza Sforno, although also located 30mn away from the touristic city center, is yet another pizzeria that should be on your to-do list. Sure, the classic pizzas are amazing, but it would be a pity not to try their best-selling original pizza. Among these delicious original creations, you will find the Cacio e Pepe (with grated sheep’s milk cheese and ground black pepper), Greenwich (stilton cheese, mozzarella and port wine reduction) and Pizza in Bocca (mozzarella, sage, prosciutto marinated in white wine). Here too, you will find an extensive choice of imported beers, namely from Belgium! Address: Via Statilio Ottato, 110/116, 00175 Roma, Italy Opening hours: Everday from 7 :45PM to 11 :30PM Reservation recommended Prices: Reasonnable La Pratolina – in the mood for a glass of Prosecco The noticeable aspect of La Pratolina is the complimentary glass of Prosecco upon arrival. That’s always a good sign. Then you get a wide choice of delicious pizza: thin and savory pie, fresh topping, and original creations. Add to that a great choice of beer, a lively ambiance and a cozy decor, and you will easily understand why La Pratolina is mentioned in this list! And because the staff is so nice and generous, if you “deserve” it, you will get a complimentary Limoncello at the end! Address: Via degli Scipioni, 248, 00192 Roma, Italy Opening Hours: Every day from 7 :00 PM to midnight Reservation recommended Price: affordable Tonda – in the mood for Napolitan-style pizza It comes as no surprise to see Tonda mentioned in this list of the best pizzerias in Rome. The reasons? Stegano Callegari and Antonio Pratticò, respectively of Sforno and 00100. These 2 extraordinary pizzaiolos have joined forces and combined the best of their respective pizzerias. You will find the Cacio e Pepe and Greenwich pizzas of Sforno as well as 00100’s best sellers, along with other great tasting creations. The pizzas here are Napolitan style, meaning puffy, slightly charred on the outside but nice and soft on the inside. Address: Via Valle Corteno, 31, 00141 Roma, Italy Opening hours: Every day from 7:45 PM to 11:00 PM Reservations recommended Price: Reasonable  La Boccaccia – delicious take away pizza Another great place for a quick snack or fast lunch or dinner is La Boccaccia. Located in the heart of the very lively Trastevere neighborhood, La Boccaccia is the place to be for street food pizza. Here too, the slices are served by the cut (by the weight) which you can eat inside (there are a few seats at the counter) or outside. The staff doesn’t speak English, but that should not stop you from going there, as everyone understands what pizza you want by pointing at it. There are 2 other La Boccaccia outlets in Rome, but the one in Trastevere is probably the most popular one. Address: Via di Santa Dorotea, 2, 00153 Roma, Italy Opening Hours: Every day from 10AM to 12:30AM No reservations possible. Avoid lunch and dinner hours to avoid long queues. Prices: by the weight. Affordable. Magali Déchelette is CEO at Family Twist. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.