Rome-Style Pizza: Visit Reports on Two Popular Restaurants (Da Baffetto & Pinsere)

For you, I’m sharing two personal favorites for pizza in Rome: visit reports for Pizzeria Da Baffetto and Pinsere, based on my experience living in Italy.

Roman vs. Neapolitan vs. Pinsa

Italy’s two headline pizza styles are Roman and Neapolitan. In Rome, you can also try pinsa, a Roman cousin with a unique dough.

Here’s the quick cheat sheet:

Below are one classic Roman pizza institution and one superb pinsa counter worth crossing town for.

Pizzeria Da Baffetto — Visit Report

Basics

Pizzeria Da Baffetto serves classic Roman-style pies and holds solid ratings on Google Maps (8,000+ reviews, ★4.1 as of Dec 2023).

It’s an easy walk from major sights like the Pantheon and Piazza Navona—hence the steady mix of tourists and locals.

Essential info:

Getting a Table

1. We arrived without a reservation around 14:00; roughly 15 people were waiting.
2. No waitlist system—just queue up and hold your spot.
3. Turnover is fairly quick; we were seated in about 30 minutes.

What We Ordered (for 2)

• Capricciosa (large) — €14
• Tuna & onion (Tonno e cipolla) — €12
• Beer (PERONI) — €5
• Water 1.5 L — €3
  → Total: €34

Da Baffetto — Impressions

What I liked

• Ultra-thin, crackly base—textbook Roman pizza.
• Portions are manageable; even a solo diner can finish a pie.
• No service charge, yet friendly service and easy English.
• Open Sundays.

What to consider

• Prices are touristy for pizza.
• If you’re hungry, get a large—these pies are very thin.
• If you’re used to Neapolitan style (common in Japan), think of this as a different category.

Note

• Despite some online complaints about service, I had no issues on my visit.

Personally, I prefer Neapolitan to Roman, so I probably won’t rush back—but Da Baffetto is great if you want to experience the Roman style once.

Pinsere — Visit Report

Basics

Pinsere is a casual counter rather than a sit-down restaurant—and it’s beloved for excellent pinsa.

It sits north of Termini, convenient for the Borghese Gallery and Porta Pia area.

Essential info:

How to Order

1. We arrived around 14:00 without a reservation; a few outdoor tables were occupied.
2. Choose your pinsa from the display case (they show it pre-bake).
   (If taking away, you usually pay at this point.)
3. They bake it to order; wait at an outdoor table.
4. For dining in, pay at the counter after you eat.

What We Ordered (for 2)

• Prosciutto pinsa — €5
• Onion & chili pinsa — €5
  → Total: €10

We also grabbed beer, water, and an arancino (rice croquette)—sorry, didn’t note the prices—but even by Italian standards, it’s very affordable.

Pinsere — Impressions

What I loved

• The rice/soy flour blend yields a light, shattery crust—addictively crisp.
• Right-sized portions; a single pinsa is perfect for one.
• You choose by sight from the case—no unpleasant surprises.
• Superb value (some options from €3).

What to consider

• Closed on weekends.
• A bit removed from the main sights; if your hotel is nearby, go—no question.

Extra

• Staff are super cheerful—very “Roman” energy.

Pinsere loses points for location and weekend closures, but flavor and value are stellar—highly recommended. With a Lime scooter, it’s still a quick hop from central Rome.

Related article
>Why Lime E-Scooters Are the Smartest Way to Get Around Rome

Wrap-Up

Here’s the quick summary from this pizza run:

Hope this helps you plan a delicious pizza crawl in Rome!

Hungry for more? Don’t miss these guides:

Related article

• Why Lime E-Scooters Are the Smartest Way to Get Around Rome
• 10 Must-Eat Roman Specialties for Your Trip to Rome
• 10 Best Souvenirs to Buy in Rome