Along with pasta, pizza is indisputably one of the most iconic Italian foods, and Rome is where I’ve found some of the best on the planet. Roman-style pizza, which has been around for over a century, is a must-try, but I’ve had some sensational Sicilian and Neapolitan pizzas here, too.
There’s no denying the Romans have a knack for incredible pizza, as you’ll be highly aware of if you’ve partaken in any of my Rome food tours. Even so, having so many choices can make finding the best pizza places tougher than you might imagine, but that’s where I come in!
These are my go-to spots for the best pizza in Rome, featuring a mix of beloved pizzerias and lesser-known haunts.
Casa Manco
Photo credit: Casa Manco
Casa Manco in Testaccio is possibly the most underrated spot on this list. They have some of the best pizzas in Rome, and from the moment I arrived, I could tell how much passion and care went into each slice.
It’s among the most popular street food stalls in the Testaccio Market, and I love the charming, rustic decor almost as much as I enjoy the pizza! The twinkling fairy lights and cream-colored wooden features set it apart from the many stalls surrounding it.
Pinsa-style pizza is what it’s all about here, which results from a traditional Roman technique for pushing the dough by hand. Like any pizza al taglio spot, they’ve got a whole host of flavors to choose from, but my favorite was the mozzarella, salami, and basil-topped slice.
On the bottom was fresh, crispy dough and a helping of fragrant tomato sauce, but the toppings took this pizza to another level. Their milky mozzarella was so gooey and stringy, and the spicy salami and peppery basil gave the pizza’s flavors some punch.
Casa Manco – Via Aldo Manuzio 66C Nuovo Mercato di Testaccio Box, 22, 00153 Roma RM, Italy – Open every Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Pizza Zizza
Photo credit: Pizza Zizza
Pizza Zizza is situated a little out of the city, sitting just a quick stroll from the main entrance to the Vatican City.
Although many people swing by to pick up some pizza on the go, there’s a lovely outdoor area and a handful of tables in this cozy, brick-clad interior. I was in desperate need of some downtime after spending the day at the Vatican museums, so I was very grateful to find an empty seat outside.
On the menu, I noticed there was an option to sample six different types of pizza, which spared me the struggle of deciding which toppings to try. Of the six slices I tried, the prosciutto was the stand-out.
Everything about this pizza was top-notch, from the thin crust and grassy mozzarella to the sweet and salty prosciutto. After my experience, I think Pizza Zizza could easily be a contender for the best pizza in Rome!
Pizza Zizza – Via delle Fornaci, 11, 00165 Roma RM, Italy – Open every Monday and from Wednesday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm, closed every Tuesday.
Emma Restaurant
Photo credit: Emma Restaurant
When I first moved to Rome, I didn’t expect the Neapolitan pizza on offer to be as tasty as the Roman alternative. However, my perception changed entirely when I found Emma Restaurant in Campo de Fiori.
The setting alone is worth checking out. It combines old and new styles by teaming chic furniture and a glass-covered roof with stone walls and wooden ceiling beams.
Their menu here had several dozen varieties to choose from, including classic marinaras, white pizzas, and everything in between. I spotted a margherita with buffalo mozzarella, meaning my mind was made up in no time.
This pizza arrived looking like it’d come straight from the streets of Napoli, with soft, chewy dough and minimal toppings. While the tomato sauce was bright and zesty, it was softened by the mild cheese that had a subtle tang to it.
Emma Restaurant – Via del Monte della Farina, 28, 00186 Roma RM, Italy – Open every Monday to Friday from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm and from 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm and every Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm and from 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm.
Piccolo Buco
Photo credit: Piccolo Buco
The pizza at Piccolo Buco is some of the finest in the entire Lazio region and could easily rival some of the best restaurants in Rome in terms of popularity and quality.
Piccolo Buco is located close to the Trevi Fountain, and I was told to expect queues. While there was an extensive line in front of me, it didn’t take me too long to make it inside this bright, contemporary haunt. From my seat, I was even lucky enough to see the pizza maker, or pizzaioli, at work!
I often find myself ordering the same type of toppings whenever I order a pizza, so this time, I branched out a little and went for the nduja and cacioricotta option.
This Neapolitan pizza had the fluffiest, most tender dough and was the perfect base for the oh-so-flavorful toppings. My favorite element was the fiery nduja, which went down a treat with the creamy, salty cacioricotta and fruity olive oil.
Piccolo Buco – Via del Lavatore, 91, 00187 Roma RM, Italy – Closed every Monday, open every Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
Pizza Florida
Pizza Florida in Campo de Fiori is a casual joint where I’ve found some of the tastiest pizza al taglio in the city.
It’s a lowkey little spot with the friendliest staff and a wide selection of Roman-style pizza. When I got there, it was super busy, but if you arrive at a quieter time, you might be fortunate enough to snag a spot on the bench outside overlooking the nearby ruins.
I decided to go for a Roman favorite and chose two slices topped with sweet eggplant, savory buffalo mozzarella, tart arugula, and acidic cherry tomatoes.
Each topping brought something different to the flavor profile, yet the thick, crunchy base was what I loved the most.
Pizza Florida – 00186, Via Florida, 25, 00186 Roma RM, Italy – Open every Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm, closed every Sunday.
Pizza e Mozzarella
I initially assumed Pizza e Mozzarella was a tourist trap, as it’s situated close to the Pantheon, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
In fact, it’s one of the most laid back, modest pizzerias I’ve found in the city. Not only do they whip some of the best pizza in Rome, but they’ve got a team of welcoming, super helpful staff, too.
They have a ton of toppings to pick from for their Roman pizza, but I can’t recommend the mushroom and salsiccia option enough.
The salsiccia, a type of pork sausage, had robust, garlicky flavors, which were countered by the woodsy notes from the mushrooms. Though the toppings stole the show for me, I have to mention the crust, as it was so moist and springy.
Pizza e Mozzarella – Via del Piè di Marmo, 32, 00186 Roma RM, Italy – Open every Monday to Saturday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, closed every Sunday
Conclusion
Classics like carbonara and cacio e pepe often get all the glory when people talk about Rome’s culinary offerings, but pizza is something that Romans have also mastered. Find out for yourself at any of these spots, all of which, in my humble opinion, serve some of the best pizza in Rome!
Sources
Casa Manco. (n.d.). Casa Manco – Via Aldo Manuzio 66C Nuovo Mercato di Testaccio Box, 22, 00153 Roma RM, Italy. Retrieved from https://casamanco.it/
Pizza Zizza. (n.d.). Pizza Zizza – Via delle Fornaci, 11, 00165 Roma RM, Italy. Retrieved fromhttps://www.pizzazizza.it/contatti/
Emma Restaurant. (n.d.). Emma Restaurant – Via del Monte della Farina, 28, 00186 Roma RM, Italy. Retrieved from https://emmapizzeria.com/en/
Piccolo Buco. (n.d.). Piccolo Buco – Via del Lavatore, 91, 00187 Roma RM, Italy. Retrieved fromhttps://pizzeriapiccolobuco.it/en/
Pizza Florida. (n.d.). Pizza Florida – Via Florida, 25, 00186 Roma RM, Italy. Retrieved from https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d1863797-Reviews-Pizza_Florida-Rome_Lazio.html
Pizza e Mozzarella. (n.d.). Pizza e Mozzarella – Via del Piè di Marmo, 32, 00186 Roma RM, Italy. Retrieved from https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d4437197-Reviews-Pizza_E_Mozzarella-Rome_Lazio.html
