Da Baffetto in Rome: Best Pizza on the Planet?

If I was given the choice of being served any pizza in the world, I would immediately order the namesake Da Baffetto from the small cozy restaurant in Rome just blocks from [amazon_textlink asin=’B013KSN8MA’ text=’Piazza Navona’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’a58edb0f-24c5-11e8-9832-593ff15b19f9′]. With only ten indoor tables and a few more outside, this place fills up fast. If you want to be one of the lucky few that get to dine on a wonderful slice of heaven, you’ll want to get there early.

Location: Da Baffetto is located at Via del Governo Vecchio 114, 00186 [amazon_textlink asin=’1631216643′ text=’Rome’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’b787af0d-24c5-11e8-bada-57d647a48f3c’]. It is just a few blocks from the southwest corner of delightful Piazza Navona. Right in the center of Rome, it is just a five to ten-minute walk to two other popular piazzas, the Pantheon and Campo de’ Fiori.

Menu: You can’t go wrong with Pizza Baffetto, the delicious signature pizza that carries the restaurant’s name. Piled on a thin crust are tomato, mozzarella, mushrooms, egg, sausage, green pepper, onion, and artichokes.

Or choose from the two dozen varieties of pizza offered, including Pizza Margherita (tomato, mozzarella), Pizza alla Napoletana (tomato mozzarella, anchovies), Pizza Capricciosa (tomato, mozzarella, mushrooms, egg, sausage, artichokes), Pizza with Zucchini Flowers (tomato, mozzarella, zucchini flowers), Plain Pizza with Nutella, or any pizza with your choice of toppings.

If you don’t want pizza, try a Calzoni (mozzarella, egg, mushrooms, ham) or a salad. Salads include a Burina Salad with tomatoes, mozzarella, beans, and olives. Or try one with Rucola (arugula) and Parmesan, or the traditional Caprese Salad.

Don’t forget dessert. Top off your meal with Da Baffetto’s sweet specialties, including Grandmother’s Cake, Ricotta Cheese Cake, Cream Pudding, Crème Caramel or Tiramisu.

Thoughts:  An incredibly delicious large pizza for $12 Euros at Da Baffetto just may be the best food bargain on the planet. The large thin crust pizza, offered with a variety of toppings, can easily feed two hungry people.

This place is immensely popular. It’s definitely not fancy or pretentious – just great pizza and wine in a friendly atmosphere. Opening times can change, so check before you go. Plan on getting there at least 30 minutes early to improve your chances of getting one of the ten tables in the small restaurant.

Judging by the happy faces eating, drinking and laughing, it is obvious that Da Baffetto is a great dining choice. My wife and I tried the namesake “Da Baffetto” large pizza with tomato, mozzarella, mushrooms, egg, sausage, green pepper, onion, and artichokes. Our son had the same but with an optional fried egg on top.

Service was prompt but not rushed. Our server was friendly, but also very efficient and professional. The pizza was served hot and fresh out the oven, the savory aromas wafting through the small room. We shared a carafe of red wine, which was plenty for the three of us.

Da Baffetto is only a five-minute walk from Piazza Navona. However, it is off the beaten path, and tourists are unlikely to pass it on their way to any of the popular Roman landmarks. There are many interesting shops, cafes, and street entertainment in the area. We heard a musician strumming his guitar and singing Billy Joel’s Piano Man in Italian, found an Irish Pub, and browsed through several souvenir shops in the area.

Da Baffetto is one of those places that make traveling so rewarding. A small family run restaurant, convenient but away from the busy areas overwhelmed with tourists, with the best food and service and a real taste of home.

I made a point to eat there on my last two visits to Rome. And I can assure you – on my next trip to Rome, I will again make it a point to return to Da Baffetto in the Eternal City for the best pizza on the planet.

Prices: Prices are very reasonable. Plan on around 12 Euros for a large Pizza and very fair prices for wine and other beverages.