Have you been wondering about what are the best Italian pizzas? I’ve got you covered!
Italian pizza is much loved around the world for its unique flavor and appearance – and with good reason!
On three different occasions, we visited Italy and savored the flavors of pizza from many different regions.
During our last trip, we traveled around Italy with our three kids for over 3 months, tasting pizzas from all the different regions.
So rest assured we have eaten a lot of Italian pizza and want to share what we learned about Italian pizzas.
We have carefully selected 15 of the best Italian pizzas that we have tasted in all the various regions of Italy that you should definitely try at least once in your life.
Keep reading to find out where and how to get these delicious delights for your next holiday in Italy!
15 of The Best Italian Pizzas
No doubt when you are in Italy you will want to try a traditional pizza!
With so many types of Italian pizza, some you may have never heard of we thought we would put together a guide to help you choose when deciding to eat this most loved food!
1. Margherita
The pizza Margherita is a true classic Italian pizza. It is simple yet made with the finest ingredients, and is not only a delicious dish but also a symbol of Italian culture.
Made with fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves, and finished with extra virgin olive oil, it has become one of the most popular dishes in Italy.
Even though it’s considered a basic type of pizza, it’s savored by locals and tourists alike for its distinct flavor and comforting taste and is a true traditional Italian pizza.
2. Marinara
The pizza Marinara in Italy is a classic Neopolitan-style pizza with tomato sauce as the main ingredient! It’s made with simple ingredients like tomatoes, oregano, garlic, and olive oil.
But the real secret to its deliciousness is that it’s traditionally cooked in a wood-burning oven. This method of cooking gives it a unique flavor and texture that will satisfy even the most discerning palates.
Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make at home so you can enjoy a taste of Italy without ever leaving your house!
3. Pizza alla Bufala
Pizza alla Bufala is one of the most popular pizzas in Italy! Made with fresh, creamy buffalo mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and a doughy base, it’s a classic Italian dish that’s been around for centuries.
It’s beloved by locals and visitors alike as an indulgent treat — the perfect combination of salty and sweet.
It’s no wonder that it’s become such a crowd favorite in recent years!
4. Prosciutto e funghi
Prosciutto e funghi pizza is the quintessential Italian pizza, originating from Naples. It’s a combination of salty-sweet prosciutto ham with earthy mushrooms, all topped off with creamy mozzarella cheese and fragrant herbs like oregano.
The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity – no more than a few ingredients come together to create one of the most beloved pizzas in Italy.
With every bite producing an explosion of flavor, Prosciutto e funghi pizza is a true Italian classic!
5. Quattro Stagioni
In Italy, the Quattro Stagioni pizza is a truly unique culinary experience.
Combining four distinct flavors in one perfect circle of pizza dough and cheesy goodness.
The all-in-one meal, known as pizza in Italian cuisine, is a delightful creation. It is prepared in four distinct sections, each capturing the essence of a different season with a medley of ingredients.
This culinary masterpiece is a true celebration of flavors. Fresh tomatoes, creamy mushrooms, salty olives, and zesty artichokes are expertly blended together to create a dish that’s memorable both in flavor and presentation.
Quattro Stagioni stands out from the crowd as an exceptional choice for anyone who wants to sample all the flavors Italian cuisine has to offer.
6. Capricciosa
The Capricciosa pizza is a beloved Italian classic, renowned for its unique combination of ingredients.
Toppings often include mushrooms, artichokes, prosciutto ham, olives, and sometimes even a generous helping of mozzarella cheese.
It’s these flavors that have become synonymous with the pizzeria experience in Italy, providing a taste of Italian culture to anyone lucky enough to try it.
7. Quattro Formaggi
The Quattro Formaggi is an Italian pizza that translates to “Four Cheese Pizza” in English.
The combination of the four cheeses (mozzarella, Fontina, Gorgonzola, and Grana Padano or Parmiggiano-Reggiano) are melted together to create an incredibly harmonious blend of flavors and delicious pizza that is loved by many Italians!
Not only is this pizza popular in Italy, but it’s also becoming increasingly popular worldwide thanks to its unique flavor profile. In Italy, it’s not unusual to see a traditional Quattro Formaggi pizza on the menu of many Italian restaurants.
8. Ortolana/Vegetariana
The Ortolana or Vegetariana pizza in Italy is a unique combination of fresh seasonal vegetables that are placed over a bed of tomato sauce and a layer of cheese.
Depending on the season the mixture of fresh roasted vegetables can range from peppers, aubergines, courgette/zucchini, potatoes, rosemary, or asparagus that are cut into strips or thin slices.
This type of pizza showcases the best of Italian cuisine, ensuring only the freshest ingredients are used.
The end result creates an earthy yet vibrant flavor that is both unique and unforgettable. Whether you’re a vegetarian or not, this pizza is sure to tantalize your taste buds with its delicious mix of flavors!
9. Diavola
The pizza Diavola is a classic Italian dish, rooted in the country’s gastronomic tradition. It has been a popular choice in pizzerias across Italy for generations.
The recipe for the Diavola starts with a thin and crispy base which is topped with spicy salami, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese, giving it an intense yet balanced flavor.
The result is an incredibly flavorful pizza that keeps you wanting more!
10. Boscaiola
The Boscaiola pizza is a unique and popular Italian dish. It was created in the heart of Naples in the 1950s, but it has since become a staple across Italy.
The pizza has a thick, crispy crust that’s topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms (usually porcini or champignon), and sliced Italian sausage.
This combination of local ingredients gives the pizza an unforgettable flavor that appeals to locals and tourists alike.
Plus, because of its traditional roots, it often comes with an extra helping of nostalgia for diners.
So if you’re looking for an authentic Italian experience while on vacation in Italy – don’t forget to sample some Boscaiola pizza!
11. Frutti di Mare
The Frutti di Mare pizza is an Italian delicacy unlike any other. It’s a seafood-based pizza, topped with an array of seafood like calamari, mussels, prawns, and more!
The seafood is placed on top of the dough and tomato sauce and is served without any cheese topping. The combination of these fresh ingredients creates a unique flavor that you won’t find in any other cuisine.
This pizza is perfect for those looking to experience something new and exciting with their next meal. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just because this pizza doesn’t disappoint!
12. Pizza con Patate
The Pizza con Patate is a simple pizza filled with thinly sliced potatoes and an abundance of olive oil placed on top of a thin crust.
Its salty and savory flavor makes it one of the most beloved pizzas in Italy!
Although this pizza traditionally leaves off the cheese and any other toppings, some restaurants will top off their Pizza con Patate with generous amounts of bacon or sausage slices and mozzarella cheese.
13. Prosciutto e Rucola
The Prosciutto e Rucola pizza is an Italian classic that’s beloved by locals and tourists alike.
The toppings include fresh mozzarella, prosciutto di Parma, extra virgin olive oil, and mushrooms topped with fresh arugula, shaved Parmesan cheese, and white truffle oil.
The combination of the salty prosciutto, bitter arugula, and sweet tomato sauce creates a unique flavor profile that pairs well with other dishes.
In Italy, the Prosciutto e Rucola pizza is considered one of the highlights of traditional Italian cuisine – it’s something you must try when in Italy!
14. Calzone
The calzone pizza in Italy is a delicious and unique experience. Made with fresh Italian dough, the pizza is stuffed with ingredients of your choosing and often includes ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, cured meats, vegetables, and herbs.
It’s then folded up like a turnover and cooked until golden brown on the outside. The result is an incredibly flavorful contrast of crunchy crust and melty, cheesy filling that will keep you coming back for more!
With its unique form and taste, it’s no wonder the calzone has become a popular Italian favorite.
15. Carrettiera
The Carrettiera pizza, hailing from the Italian city of Naples, is a classic dish consisting of smoky, charred edges and light, fluffy dough and is one of the most traditional Neapolitan pizzas you can find!
Featuring two quintessential ingredients of Neapolitan cuisine sausage and broccoli, this dish is elevated with a delectable addition of provolone or parmesan flakes on top.
A mouthwatering choice for culinary enthusiasts, it captivates with its superb taste and irresistible appeal.
How Do Italians Eat Pizza?
Now that you have an idea of the types of Italian pizza you will know what you are ordering when looking at a menu. But you may also want to know just how the locals enjoy and eat this delicious and popular food!
- Order your own pizza. Real Italian pizza comes in one size and is meant to be consumed by one person. You won’t see small, medium, or large options on most menus.
- Italians eat their pizza with a knife and fork (sometimes even with scissors). Pizza typically comes unsliced so you can cut it however you want. You can find sliced pizza – more commonly sold at train stations or as street food, but in restaurants go for the fork and knife.
- Pick a pizza from the menu. It’s not as common to design your own pizza from a list of toppings or to add toppings.
- The most common drink to order with a pizza is either beer or sparkling water.
- It’s not common to take your leftover pizza home, so eat as much as you want at the restaurant and leave the rest behind.
FAQs About Authentic Italian Pizzas
Here are some answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the best Italian pizzas.
Pizza is a beloved Italian dish, and it’s no surprise that the most popular pizza in Italy is the classic Margherita. The Margherita pizza is typically topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves.
This combination of ingredients has been enjoyed by Italians for centuries and remains the best Italian pizza to this day. If you’re ever in Italy, be sure to give this classic a try!
Now this answer may come down to personal preference but one Italian pizza is renowned for its delicious flavors. So it is no surprise that many people swear by the classic Margherita pizza.
This style of pizza features a simple combination of tomato, mozzarella cheese, and basil. The result is a simple yet incredibly flavorful pizza that everyone can enjoy.
Italy’s official pizza is the renowned Neapolitan. It features a thin crust, simple ingredients, and two variations: Marinara pizza with a tomato-based garlic-oregano sauce, and Margherita pizza with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil leaves.
It’s believed that this type of pizza originated in Naples in the 18th century, and it has since become an Italian icon.
Rome boasts its renowned Pizza al Taglio, also known as “pizza by the cut.” Baked to perfection in electric ovens and sold by weight, this delectable dish is expertly sliced into tantalizing rectangular servings, often using scissors.
The pizza comes in a variety of flavors and toppings from the classic Margherita to meat and vegetarian options.
Pizza is one of Italy’s most famous dishes and has been enjoyed by locals and tourists for centuries. Each city in Italy offers a unique variety of pizzas, so it really depends on individual tastes.
Naples is the pizza capital of the world. It boasts the oldest pizzeria, Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba, and the renowned L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele. Rome, Bologna, and Verona are also known for their delicious pizzas.
Italians eat pizza with a fork and knife. Italians enjoy pizza piping hot, straight from the oven. Waiting for it to cool down is not an option – it should be savored right away using a knife and fork!
If you buy a slice of pizza from a street vendor then you will see local Italians eating the pizza slice with their hands.
A Sicilian pizza is a large pizza with a thicker crust usually cut into squares or rectangles instead of the traditional round slices.
In Sicily this pizza is called a Sfincione or Focaccia with toppings that are typically tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, artichokes, anchovies, olives, garlic, and oregano. This type of pizza is often served with a side of olive oil for dipping.
Pizza is an iconic Italian dish, and garlic is a staple in Italian cuisine. So yes, Italians do use garlic in pizza! Adding garlic to the mix can really elevate the flavors of this beloved dish.
Italy uses olive oil, pureed tomatoes, garlic, and oregano, giving their pizza a flavorful, herby taste.
Tomatoes are used to make the delicious sauce that you find on many Italian pizzas. There are some pizzas that include tomato as a topping, one of the best pizzas that has tomatoes as a topping is the Pizza alla Bufala.
If you do not fancy tomato sauce on your pizza you can opt for the Blanco which omits the tomato sauce and just has a cheese topping!
In Italy, pizza is usually eaten with a knife and fork, so rolling it up is not common. However, when the pizza has cooled and only a small portion of your slice remains, it’s acceptable to pick it up and eat it without folding it.
Final Thoughts on The Best Traditional Italian Pizzas
Italy is a paradise for pizza lovers who want to explore the traditional recipes. As travelers, we have visited Italy on three different occasions and tried many types of pizza in all the different regions.
The standout authentic Italian pizza that we have discovered are the Pizza alla Bufala, Diavola, Carrettiera. Each of these dishes captures the essence of Italian pizza-making like no other.
We recommend any traveler visiting Italy for the first time to make sure they try at least one of these classic pizzas! You won’t regret it and it’ll be an experience you won’t forget.
It goes without saying that Italian pizza is truly one of life’s greatest pleasures and something that must be experienced to be believed.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s go explore the best traditional Italian pizzas!
