How to Eat Pizza in Italy (A Must Read Guide Before Visiting)
Italian cuisine has long been romanticized, idolized, and recreated in every country. Among the top Italian dishes that can be found in nearly every corner of the earth is pizza. It’s no stranger and likely a close friend to all of us, regardless of where in the world you’re from. Whether you’re about to visit Italy for the first time or simply curious about what pizza is actually like in Italy, keep on reading for the juicy details.
After multiple visits to Italy and now currently residing in Italy as expats, we’ve learned a few things about pizza culture from inside of the holy grail. Find out how to eat pizza in Italy, what to expect and where to find the best slices in this guide that you didn’t know you needed.
🍝 Read More: A Guide on Cheap Eats in Italy
The Essentials: How to Eat Pizza in Italy
👍 If you’re a true foodie, booking a pizza tour is the way to go. You’ll find the most pizza tours located in Naples, but they also exist in any big city in Italy!
👩🏻🍳There are a handful of different kinds of pizza in Italy, ranging from various shapes, different doughs, and methods of preparation.
😋 Yes, Italians eat pizza with their hands but eating pizza with a fork is also normal. Keep reading to find out more!
🔪 If you’re looking for pizza by the slice instead of a whole pizza, look for the term pizza al taglio.
🇮🇹 To find authentic pizza that isn’t overpriced for tourists, never eat at a restaurant in Italy that posts photos of the food or has a menu written in any language other than Italian.
Why This Guide on How to Eat Pizza in Italy Exists
The term connoisseur used to be reserved for enthusiasts of high-end wine and caviar, but it seems like recently, connoisseurs surround every subject matter, including the humble pizza. In fact, this is where self-proclaimed pizza connoisseurs get it all wrong from the very beginning – pizza is not a luxury; it’s a traditional commodity.
“What is pizza really like in Italy?” or “What are the pizza rules in Italy?” are just a couple of the questions we receive from people who know we must have an opinion or two now that we live in Italy. And they’re right! Naturally, our thoughts and feelings about what we thought we once knew about pizza have changed since we’ve spent time living in the holy land of ‘za.
However, the goal of this is not to shame anyone for improperly handling how they eat pizza in Italy. Instead, it’s meant to share insight from within and perhaps expose that there are little to no “pizza rules” in Italy. All in all, if it’s your first time in Italy, this guide is helpful to read before you attempt to order a Hawaiian pizza, Pepperoni pizza or a Chicago style deep dish.
What Is Pizza Like in Italy?
It should come as no surprise that pizza in Italy is fantastic, but it could be a little different than what you’re used to. Pizza in Italy is also not a “one size fits all” situation. Meaning, there are a handful of variations of pizza depending on the style of preparation, region of Italy, and even occasion.
If you are visiting Italy from the U.S., you should not expect to find pizza that resembles anything you’d find in a Pizza Hut (or similar chain restaurant) box. The dough and crust of pizza in Italy are very different from the takeout pizza you’d find in the U.S. Furthermore, wildly unprecedented pizza toppings (like pineapple) are also absent in Italy.
Overall, the quality of pizza in Italy is much higher and is similar to the food you’d receive at a “brick oven,” “wood-fired,” or Neapolitan-style pizza restaurant in your own hometown. The only difference is it won’t cost you an arm and a leg to eat out.
Above all, pizza in Italy is made with fresh ingredients and often times appropriate to the season, which make the biggest differences in taste.
Everything to Know About Eating Pizza in Italy on Your Next Trip
The Various Types of Pizza in Italy
You will not find just one type of pizza in Italy. The most distinct differences among pizza in Italy can be seen in the shape. Pizza is not always a round circle and isn’t always pre-cut into triangles when served. You’ll find pizza sold in squares, long ovals, rectangles and even miniature circles. Furthermore, despite inaccurate claims of authenticity, not all pizza in Italy is thin crust.
These are a few popular varieties of pizza you’ll easily stumble upon in Italy:
Pizza al Taglio
One of the most important types of pizza to be aware of when visiting Italy is pizza al taglio, which simply translates to cut pizza. If you’re looking for ready-to-eat and pre-sliced pizza, you must stop at a place which serves pizza al taglio and not a pizza restaurant. A pizzeria will only serve pizza which is made to order and is often a sit-down establishment, which naturally takes longer to order and eat.
Places which serve pizza al taglio will usually sell square pieces of pizza that are cooked in large rectangular trays. While people who are in Italy for the first time may expect to see triangle slices, this really isn’t what you’ll commonly find.
Pizza Napoletana
Neapolitan pizza is arguably the most desired type of pizza in Italy and has the largest cult following. Replicated all over the world, pizza Napoletana is distinct in many features including shape, freshness of topping ingredients and most importantly, the leavening time.
True aficionados will know that Neapolitan pizza is all about quality over anything else and that it must be eaten hot.
Pizza Fritta
Known as a classic street food, pizza fritta is a fried pizza pocket. The dough is stuffed with simple ingredients such as red sauce, mozzarella, and perhaps chunks of prosciutto before it’s entirely deep-fried. Pizza fritta was born out of creativity during a time of poverty and war. Today, it’s a first-class version of pizza you must experience at least once while in Italy.
Pizza Siciliana
As the name implies, Sicilian pizza originated in Sicily, but it is realistically sold all over Italy as the most “everyday” version of pizza. Pizza Siciliana has a thicker crust with a bouncy consistency, often lined by a crunchy bottom and chewy middle. It is served in rectangular slices and sometimes consists of focaccia as the dough. Among the most common toppings for a slice of Siciliana are anchovies and a red sauce.
Pinsa
The pinsa dough is more of a distant forefather to pizza itself, but has increasingly become an option in Italy among traditional pizza. Pinsa dough is softer on the inside and is primarily different from pizza because it consists of rice and soy flour. This results in a lower percentage of yeast and is therefore a favourable alternative for easier digestion and fewer calories. Pinsa is frequently sold in a one-person portion and in the shape of an oval.
How Do Italians Eat Pizza?
An age-old debate surrounding pizza is how to properly eat it. If you’ve ever been critiqued for how you eat pizza, chances are that it was without good reason. We’re here to set the record straight based on our own observations of watching Italians eat pizza.
Many pizza restaurants in Italy will serve you an entire pizza that is not pre-cut. Of course, the restaurant will cut it for you if you ask them to, but the standard is to serve pizza as a whole piece which leaves you to cut the pieces yourself. To eat an entire one-person portion of pizza with a fork and knife is therefore not unusual in Italy. Eating pizza with a fork is especially normal in Italy when eating at a sit-down restaurant or higher-end establishment.
Then, comes the argument of folding a piece of pizza and whether this is taboo. If a sliced piece of pizza is deemed too thin and not rigid enough to lay flat on its own, then yes, measures must be taken. It’s completely common to fold your pizza longways in Italy so you can bring it to your mouth in one piece.
Italians will not dip their pizza in a sauce or pour grated parmesan over the top. The most “crazy” adjustment that an Italian will make to their pizza is add peperoncino (hot pepper flakes).
How Much Does a Pizza Cost in Italy?
The price of pizza fluctuates throughout Italy based on where you are and order from, similar to a café. Naturally, you’ll receive a whole pizza at a sit-down restaurant which on average costs around €10. Purchasing whole pizzas from a kiosk-style restaurant or somewhere that’s meant to be takeout will clearly be cheaper. Even in a major city like Rome, it’s possible to find personal pizzas for this price.
Unfortunately, if you’re not careful then you may end up substantially overpaying for pizza. We’ve read about tourists forking over €20 for a simple pizza Margherita on the beach in Positano. This is a huge no-no.
Sliced pizza is either priced by the piece (and based on the type you select) or by the entire weight of your order. In places that sell pizza slices in many variations, the price is usually based on each type of pizza you select and can range from €1 – €3 per piece. Pizza slices sold at bars as snacks are often priced under €3 per pizza.
If you purchase sliced pizza from a bakery in Italy, you may be charged based on the weight instead. This means, you can select multiple different kinds of pizza but they’ll all be priced the same at €X/kg.
Ordering a “Pepperoni Pizza” in Italy
If you order a pepperoni pizza in Italy, you will receive a pizza with bell peppers on it. Peperoni in Italian is the word for bell pepper and not for the American-style salami that is often seen on pizza all over the world, but has nothing to do with Italy.
For meat lovers, the closest thing to eating a “pepperoni pizza” in Italy would be ordering a pizza con salame milanese.
Italian pizza toppings are comparatively limited because again, it’s about the quality of ingredients and not the glamour of 1,000 different flavours. Restaurants in Italy are not known for steering too far from tradition, particularly if you’re not in a major city. So, the types of pizzas in rotation on restaurant menus are repetitive. These are some of the most common pizza flavours in Italy:
Quattro Formaggi – four cheeses
Diavola – spicy salami
Margherita – mozzarella with red sauce
Quattro Stagioni – prosciutto, olives, mushrooms and perhaps artichokes
Funghi – mushroom
Prosciutto e Rucola- prosciutto ham with arugula
Can You Order Pizza for Takeaway (To Go) in Italy?
Ordering a pizza for takeout or to go (commonly known as “takeaway” in European countries) is very typical in Italy. You’ll receive a pizza in a box, just like you would anywhere else in the world. Every pizza restaurant we’ve ever visited accepts orders to go, which is now more common than ever after a post-pandemic world.
What tends to be less common in Italy is eating a pizza while walking. Unless you are a child, it’s rare to see adults eat anything while physically on the move. The only exception to this observation is in Naples, where nothing ever stops moving.
For those who think folding a pizza lengthwise is a crime, wait until you see the portafoglio pizza in action. Portafoglio literally translates to “wallet” in English. What does that have to do with eating pizza?
Well, what happens if you order an entire pizza and want to eat it while on the go? The answer is – you fold your circle pizza twice into a shape that resembles a wallet. This way, the bottom crust is on the outer sides of the pizza, making it much neater to eat. Pizza a portafoglio is commonly served in Naples and definitely the most creative way to eat a WHOLE pizza while walking.
Where to Eat Pizza in Italy
Another popular myth about eating pizza in Italy is that you must go to Naples for good pizza. While yes, Neapolitan-style pizza is famous for a reason, it’s not the only place in Italy with good pizza. The fact is, phenomenal pizza can be found in every region, big city and rural village of Italy.
Good pizza restaurants exist all over the country, as long as you steer clear of tourist traps in popular destinations like Venice or the Amalfi Coast. So, the key is not choosing where to eat pizza in Italy, but where not to.
To avoid eating mediocre pizza at high price points, do not sit down at a restaurant where the menu has photos of the food or if anything is written in any other language besides Italian. If a pizza restaurant has more than six different kinds of pizza on the menu, it’s less likely to be authentic and more geared towards foreigners. Frankly, the best places to eat in Italy are the local eateries with no menu at all!
Personally, our preferred place to pick up pizza is from a local bakery, which also goes by the terms il panificio, il forno and la panetteria. The prices are typically much lower than a dedicated pizza shop and they’re often times not as busy during peak lunch hours.
Italy Travel Resources
☔️ TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage
✈️ FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Kiwi.com
🚙 CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com
🚊 TRAINS & BUSES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio
🛳 FERRIES: Direct Ferries
🛌 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago
☎️ ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo
📸 TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator
