Our Tasty Guide to the Best Pizzerias in Rome

By Megan Hills
pizza in Rome

Forget the pasta for a second, here's some of the best pizzerias in Rome!

While Rome may be renowned for being the birthplace of carbonara, it's worth trying one of Italy's greatest imports - pizza. From classic margaritas to adventurous gourmet toppings, grab a slice at some of the most popular pizzerias in Rome below.

Sforno For a Neapolitan-style pizza, head to Sforno where creativity abounds and both locals and tourist crave their offerings. As one of Rome's most popular pizzerias, it's best to book in advance but it's all worth it. Their Cacio e Pepe pizza is world famous, bringing the classic pasta staple to pizza bases with a healthy dusting of peppery Pecorino cheese. It's also worth venturing into their appetiser selection for some fritti, their fried zucchini flowers are finger licking good.

La Gatta Mangiona This restaurant translates to 'the greedy cat' in English and we totally understand why. You'll have finished one of their delicious pizzas before you know it and taste the quality with every bite. This restaurant prioritises seasonal ingredients, premium dough and goes to town with their flavour combinations (plus there's a long list of craft beers if that's more your speed).

Pizzeria da Remo If you like your pizzas thin-crusted and packed with flavour, Pizzeria da Remo is the place to be. Everybody else in Rome is clued into it as well so get there early for dinner, otherwise risk missing out on their simple yet mouthwatering wood-fired pizzas. Located out in the trendy Testaccio neighbourhood, it's always bustling with energy and every table is laden with their signature margherita pizza.

Snacking-on-the-go, done right in Rome 🍕

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Pizzarium Bonci If you're not up for a massive meal, Pizzarium serves up thick gourmet pizzas by the slice. Run by Gabriele Bonci, a renowned Roman pizza maker, its little storefront may be humble but the food is nothing if not fancy. Using seasonal ingredients and a complex dough-making process, you'll find creative combinations like mascarpone and anchovies, steak and blue cheese as well as the classics.

Ai Marmi There's no bells and whistles here - Ai Marmi's all about the pie and nothing else. Named after its long marble tables, it's great value for money with fantastic pizza for a fraction of the price. Their suppli and fried zucchini flowers are popular favourites as well (in fact, the latter are occasionally used as toppings) and nobody leaves with an empty stomach. Located out in Trastevere, it's also open late if you're looking for something to fill the midnight hours.

La Pratolina If you're out near the Vatican City, La Pratolina is a great place to stop off for a meal. It's closer to traditional Roman pizza and comes in an oblong shape, all with a thin yet slightly raised crust crust. Prosciutto's the name of the game here, with pizza dough made from a mixture of flours for a rich unique taste.

Emma Located in the heart of Rome, Emma is undoubtedly one of the fancier options on the list and an ideal date night option. While it's less pizzeria and more of a proper sit-down restaurant, there's no debating the quality of these pizzas - especially as it's associated with the Roscioli Group who have some of the bakeries and delis across the capital. Think top of the line mozzarella, olive oil and dough baked with generations of experience.

Megan Hills
Rome Travel Expert

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Fifteen phrases anyone coming to Rome should know

You’re getting all excited about coming to Rome, swatting up on the top attractions you want to visit, learning about the best places to go for a pizza and where to go for your historical fix... Don’t forget to brush up on your Italian. While it’s common place to be able to gesticulate your way around (the Italians love a bit of hand movements) it’s always better to come prepared with some key phrases to help you get by. The Romans are friendly people, but they’ll be even friendlier if you show some effort at meeting them half way by learning their language. To make it easier for you, we thought of fifteen key phrases you should learn before you come and to keep to hand when you explore the city. From introducing yourself, to asking for a glass of wine, we hope it’ll get you by – even as a starter! 1) Ciao / Buonasera – Hello / Good evening 2) Si / No – Yes / No 3) Perfavore – Please 4) Mi chiamo... – My name is... 5) Parli inglese? – Do you speak English? 6) Parlo un po italiano – I speak a little Italian 7) Non capisco – I don’t understand 8) Può parlare più lentamente? – Can you please speak slowly? 9) Come si dice ____ in italiano? – How do you say ____ in French? 10) Dov'è il bagno? – Where is the toilet? 11) Si può prendere la mia foto per favour? – Would you take my picture, please? 12) Si accetta carte di credito straniere? – Do you take foreign credit cards? 13) Quanto costa? – How much is this? 14) Dov'è il Colosseo / il Vaticano / Roman Forum? – Where is the Coliseum / the Vatican / Foro Romano? 15) Un bicchiere di vino per favore – Please may I have a glass of wine? Combine your phrases with the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card and you’re guaranteed to have a holiday of a lifetime. See the sights of Rome with the Roma Pass and make some great savings along the way – it couldn’t be easier. Learn more, here.
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Things to Do: Easter in Rome

Witness the beating, spiritual heart of the Italian capital with these fantastic things to do this Easter in Rome! As a deeply Catholic city, it's no surprise that Easter is kind of a big deal in Rome. The city is transformed by blue skies, vibrant florals, religious processions and some of the most moving masses of the year, which makes it one of the best yet busiest times of the year to visit the Italian capital. Whether you're Catholic or not, the city welcomes all people to join in the festivities and here's a few things to do this Easter in Rome! April, 14, Good Friday Via Crucis at the Colosseum As one of the most memorable ceremonies of the Catholic holiday, Via Crucis honours Jesus Christ's struggle to carry his own crucifix to his eventual crucifixion through a procession re-enactment. Beginning at the Colosseum at 9:15pm, Pope Francis will start the tradition with an unforgettable mass open to the public before a crucifix is carried to thirteen different locations named the Stations of the Cross. As one of the most moving and sombre rituals of the holiday, it's a great insight into Catholicism for those unfamiliar with its rituals. Visitors hoping to visit the Colosseum for sightseeing purposes may be disappointed however, as the Colosseum's regular tourism services are limited. Palm Sunday - Easter Sunday Easter Mass at St Peter’s Basilica Throughout Easter, St Peter's Basilica runs regular masses open to the public and besides Christmas, they're the most subscribed events of the year. Visitors hoping to sit in on its masses are advised to book their free tickets a few months in advance if they want to sit in the cathedral, however people are welcome to sit in St Peter's Square to watch the live broadcast. Key Easter masses led by the Pope include the Celebration of Penitential Rites on March 17 to herald the start of Easter, a Good Friday mass at 5pm on April 14, a vigil on Easter Saturday (April 15) at 8:30pm to welcome new Catholics to the church and finally the grand Easter Sunday mass at 10:15am April 17, Easter MondayPasquetta This Easter Monday celebration is one where families come together and leave the bustling city behind for the seaside, countryside or find themselves a tranquil spot in Borghese Park for a picnic. If you're keen on joining in the tradition, Rome's most popular beach Ostia Lido is just a short distance from Piramide - the area's also a fantastic place to explore once you've finished with your feast with the stunning Ostia Antica ruins towering over the area. April 17, Easter Monday Pasquetta Fireworks If you're planning on staying in the main Roman drag, it's worth securing a spot on the banks of the River Tiber to catch the breathtaking fireworks display over Castel Sant'Angelo. While the exact time of the show is hard to pin down, it's worth asking tourist information or your hotel concierge for an idea of when the fireworks will start. With Castel Sant'Angelo's statue of Archangel Michael set against a sky of rainbow lights, this picturesque event is one worth breaking out your camera for. Flowers Rome embraces spring and all its blooms during spring, with hundreds of thousands of flowers and a flood of greenery bringing the capital to life. (Last year, over 30,000 tulips, hyacinths and daffodils were used in just one Easter Sunday display.) Even if you don't intend to join the Easter celebrations, the city is still at its most beautiful around this time with the Spanish Steps lined with lilies and rhododendrons and Aventine Hill's Rose Garden in full bloom.
Megan Hills
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Caesar: the first leader of Rome

As Rome celebrates 2000 years from the death of its first Emperor, Augustus, let's look back at who reigned before and how the Rome looked that he inherited. So who ran Rome before Augustus? Well, none other than his great-greatuncle, Julius Caesar. To what do we owe Julius Caesar? - The introduction of the Julian calendar - William Shakespeare’s play which depicted the Roman dictator’s tragic death and the events that followed - The King of Diamonds in a traditional playing pack of cards is meant to represent Julius Caesar - If you study Latin or classics, it is highly likely you will be tought some of Caesar’s prose - The month of July is named after him: Julius Julius Caesar is a name synonymous with Rome. He is remembered as being the leader and dictator of Rome during its most prosperous reign and Empire. Born in 100 BC, Caesar inherited his name from a prestigious family with ancient pedigree. However, the surname stems from various meanings: some believe it comes from the Latin ‘to cut’; others believe it was due to his predecessor’s thick head of hair, or that he had bright grey eyes; alternatively some say Caesar killed an elephant in battle. Considering Caesar issued coins printed with elephants could mean that he had a soft spot for this large mammal and preferred this definition of his name. Who knows... In his later life Julius was a Roman general, statesman and Consul – not to mention prolific author of Latin prose (bet you didn’t know that!) After losing his inheritance due to a marriage that went wrong - and a battle of alliances that ‘hit the fan’ - he joined the army and became known for his public speeches, animated gesticulations and high-pitched voice. By the age of 31 Caesar had fought in numerous wars and his presence was deep rooted in politics and he was soon to revolutionise the Roman Empire and expand its reach. Taking sides with Pompey, he went onto serve in various military roles across the government, including governor of the Roman province of Spain. A shrewd man, Caesar aligned himself with those he thought could be of benefit; including Crassus – a man who was to bolster Caesar’s financial and political status. Acting as a go-between for Crassus and Pompey, who were bitter rivals, he turned them from enemies into allies and the three of them became known as the powerful First Triumvirate. It was from then Caesar used this alliance as a springboard to take over the world; so to speak. Caesar’s tactics were pretty simple: take all and leave nothing behind. He charged his troops across the Rhine after building a bridge and proceeded to invade Britain, once he had seized Gaul. The Triumvirate in later years lost their alliance and after Crassus’ death Caesar went after Pompey and his territory. Since Pompey was supported by nobility, they saw Caesar as a national threat which meant Civil War was inevitable. Despite nobility being against him, his enemies were no match and Caesar swiftly pushed them out of Italy and into Egypt – where he met Cleopatra and fathered a son by her. Caesar was crowned the ultimate dictator upon his return to Rome and was even hailed Father of his Country. Albeit he used rather forceful tactics, you can’t deny that he didn’t reform his country – he alleviated debt, reformed the Senate and he even monetised coins to bear his face! However he was only to be in rule in Rome for a year before he was assassinated. Although Caesar brought great reform, he was more popular in the middle and lower classes than the Senate itself who thought he was vying for a place to be king – and since Roman’s didn’t desire a monarchic rule, they were suspicious of his behaviour, not to mention put off by his power as dictator to veto the Senate. As absolute dictator he had his fair share of enemies within the Senate – of whom he was meant to be a part. It was two of his former enemies who conspired against him to plot his death on the Ides of March. Cassius and Brutus were the two convicted – and guilty – of his death and they were mobbed by angry supporters of lower and middle class Romans. After his death, the Roman Republic fell and Caesar became a martyr – later on, the Senate even named him The Divine Julius. Because of his great-granduncles popularity and esteem, Gaius Octavian later reclaimed victory over his relative’s death and took power in 27BC, under the name Augustus, and later became the first Roman Emperor. Visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, as well as the Coliseum, for free with the Roma Pass.
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