Finding l’Antica Pizzeria da Michele should be a priority on your next vacation in Rome because enjoying delicious pizza in Italy is an amazing experience.

l'antica pizzeria da michele - Pizzaiolo — Master Pizzaiolo

L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele is originally from Naples, but now it also has a few locations in Rome and even more around the world and they all deliver the same high quality pizza as in Naples. In Naples, da Michele offers a very tight menu with only four types of pizzas available to you: Margherita, Marinara, Cosacca (Pecorino instead of Mozzarella) and a Marita, which is half Marinara and half Margherita. In Rome, they have expanded their menu to include antipasti, salads and more varieties of pizza. For me, the best pizza is Margherita, but it is nice to have options.

Why Is Pizza from Naples So Special?

I want to clearly state that I am aware that the origins of pizza in various forms predate the commonly known origin story from Naples. If you abstract out your definition of pizza, it should be obvious that the concept of a flatbread covered in toppings was being consumed all across the Mediterranean for centuries before the Unification of Italy. It continues today with focaccia and its various toppings being enjoyed across Italy with variations in Greece and all around the Mediterranean.

Now that we are clear, I want to focus on the very limited definition of pizza as it is understood around the world. After the unification of Italy in 1861, the King and Queen of Italy were visiting Naples and they wanted to try a local version of pizza. Pizzeria Brandi created one with mozzarella, tomato sauce and basil leaves, which were supposed to represent the white, red and green colors of the Italian flag. The pizza was named Pizza Margherita, as a tribute to the Queen. An interesting side-note is that tomatoes were brought to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century, so without the Americas (North, Central and South), the pizza that we know today might never have come into existence.

l'antica pizzeria da michele - Neapolitan Pizza — Neapolitan Pizza Is The Best!

Who Is The Best Pizza Maker In Italy?

It is difficult to determine the best pizza maker in Italy as there are many skilled and talented pizza makers in the country. The quality of pizza can depend on a variety of factors such as the type of ingredients used, the method of preparation, and the cooking style. It is important to note that the best pizza maker is a matter of personal preference and that there is no definitive answer to this question.

How Was l’Antica Pizzeria da Michele?

Being able to enjoy the riches of such an amazing selection of pizzerias in Rome, the idea of finding “The Best Pizza In Rome” is a little ridiculous, but here we are. L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele originally gained international popularity after it was mentioned in the book and movie: Eat Pray Love starring Julia Roberts, and at the Naples restaurant they even have a picture of Ms. Roberts near the cash register. Don’t let this turn you off from trying it because in this case, there is justification for referencing it.

L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele is very popular, so you might want to consider making a reservation. This is more important if you plan on going to the Via Flaminia location as it is close to popular tourist locations, like Piazza del Popolo. If you look to go to the EUR or Tuscolana locations this probably isn’t as important.

There weren’t very many seats open, so I’m glad we made the reservations. We both tried a Pizza Margherita and this is what we noticed:

The Type Of Pizza – I had written about the various types of pizza In Italy, and this falls squarely under the Pizza Napolitano variety. It comes in individual whole pies, unsliced and with a knife and fork.
The Dough – This is one of the greatest differentiators because the Neapolitan pizza dough is amazingly soft, much more than Roman pizza. I love it!
The Service – They have their process down really well in Rome, which is similar to our experiences in Naples. Service was fast and accurate, but we were given all the time we wanted to remain at the table.
The Range Of Toppings – I mentioned above that the Rome locations differ from the Naples location in that there are more options for toppings. These include: salami, zucchini, sausage and mushrooms, but for us, Margherita was the way to go.
The Presentation – Our order was simple and it was presented simply. One plate for each of the pizzas, a couple of beers, a couple bottles of water and a fork and knife. It is important to know that proper pizza is browned, but not really burned. People online like to say the black, carbonized dough is delicious and proper, but that isn’t true. Check out the pictures to understand what I’m referring to.

I will give our overall impressions of L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele a little further down this article, but let’s discuss pizza a little bit more!

l'antica pizzeria da michele - One Serving — One Serving Of Pizza

Which City In Italy Has The Best Pizza?

It is widely believed that the birthplace of pizza is Naples, Italy. It is therefore often said that the best pizza can be found in Naples, and I heartily agree. Pizzerias in Naples follow traditional recipes, using simple and fresh ingredients such as San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and olive oil. Additionally, pizzas in Naples are usually cooked in high temperature wood-fired ovens, giving them a unique taste and texture.

For me, L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele is the best Neapolitan pizza in the world. I had a couple opportunities to enjoy this in Naples and it was a transcendent experience. I also enjoyed the pizzeria in Rome and the food was of the same high quality, but eating in Naples was truly an unforgettable experience.

What Is The Most Famous Pizza In Italy?

Without a doubt, the most famous pizza in Italy is the Margherita pizza. This classic pizza originated in Naples and is considered a symbol of traditional Italian cuisine. The Margherita pizza is made with simple ingredients, including tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, basil, and olive oil, and it is said to represent the colors of the Italian flag (red, white, and green). You can find Pizza Margherita pretty much everywhere in Rome and of course da Michele is no exception.

l'antica pizzeria da michele - Pizza Margherita — Pizza Margherita

My Opinions On L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele And The Best Pizza In Rome.

I was so happy that the quality of the da Michele pizza in Rome is just as amazing as the Neapolitan pizza in Naples. Eating at da Michele in Rome wasn’t as transcendent of an experience as the first couple of times I enjoyed this in Naples, but I found this pizza delicious, perfectly made and a couple steps above the Pizza Napolitano that you can find at other pizzerias all over Rome. I would strongly recommend L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele both in Rome and in Naples.

For me, it is a pretty high bar to be called the Best Pizza in Rome and something that needs to be almost life affirming, and this is it. This was easily the best pizza I’ve eaten in Rome and Naples. I would definitely travel across the city for it, and in fact I have done just that a couple of times. While I would prefer to enjoy this pizza in Naples, this is just as great!

Here Are Some More Links About Eating Pizza In Rome

Coming to Italy has quite a few requirements if you want to feel like you got an authentic experience, and eating delicious pizza is one of them. If you enjoyed this review of l’Antica Pizzeria da Michele and want to learn about how pizza is an important part of Italian food culture and day-to-day life in Italy, check out some of these other posts: