Where to eat supplì in Rome: the best in the nation’s capital

The best supplì in Rome

Surprise. Which is pronounced exactly as it is read, in the French manner: surpris. This is the origin of the term supplì, Rome's favourite street food, a tomato-flavoured rice croquette that hides a heart of stringy mozzarella inside. From the mispronunciation of the name, the one used by French soldiers stationed in Rome in the 19th century to describe the wonder of the product, the Roman word “suprisa” was changed to “supprisa”, “supprì” and finally “supplì”. And even today, the capital's iconic fried food never ceases to amaze, whether in its simplest classic version or in its many modern and original variants. The choice is wide, which is why we have decided to compile a list of the unmissable establishments (we are only talking about street food, so pizzerias are excluded from this list).

Where to eat the best supplì in Rome

Supplizio

If even a high-ranking chef like Arcangelo Dandini has decided to open a restaurant dedicated to the supplì, it means that this fried specialty plays a fundamental role for the Romans. At Supplizio you can choose from many delights: not only the classic, but also the arrabbiata and the butter and anchovy variant. Whichever you choose, the breadcrumbs are thick, deliberately coarse-grained and crispy, the chef's trademark.

Supplizio – via dei Banchi Vecchi, 143 - supplizioroma.it/

I Supplì

A landmark address in the heart of Trastevere and a not-to-be-missed stop for those in search of a quick and tasty meal, with pizza sold by the square and supplì, the real stars of the takeout venue. The traditional ones, with plenty of sauce and a heart of stringy mozzarella to create that “telephone cord” effect that so tempts lovers of the genre, especially tourists. Try the cacio e pepe variant with candied lemon, you won’t regret it! The ideal destination for those who love simple, genuine flavours.

I Supplì – via San Francesco a Ripa, 137 – suppliroma.it/

Trapizzino

Stefano Callegari needs little introduction. Besides having invented a new - now iconic - street food in Rome by putting traditional sauces in a pizza triangle, the artisan also deserves credit for having innovated the very concept of the supplì. The traditional one is unbeatable, but the offerings at Trapizzino change constantly and the many creative variations (asparagus and lemon, aubergine parmigiana and a mouth-watering garlic, olive oil and chilli) are irresistible.

Trapizzino - p.le di Ponte Milvio, 13 – via Giovanni Branca, 88 – Piazza Trilussa, 46 – Roma Termini – trapizzino.it

Panificio Bonci and Pizzarium

Pizzarium is the realm of pizza by the square, the Panificio includes more bakery products, from bread to cakes, but in any case the signature here is that of maestro Gabriele Bonci. He was the first to substitute pasta for the rice in his legendary supplì, creating original fried dishes and once again setting the standard higher. Whatever type you choose, Bonci's supplì have a crispy coating of non-oily breadcrumbs and a delicious, perfectly balanced filling.

Panificio Bonci – via Trionfale, 36 – www.bonci.it

Pizzarium – via della Meloria, 43 – www.bonci.it

La casa del supplì

A historic reference point for patrons in search of a tasty and well-made meal-breaker. First the branch in Trastevere, then the one in Piazza Re di Roma, but the secret of its success remains the same: a crispy pizza by the slice and traditional supplì, made the old-fashioned way, the kind that never holds bad surprises. Also try the cacio e pepe variant.

La casa del supplì – Piazza Re di Roma, 20 - lacasadelsuppli.it/

Lievito Pizza Pane

The place has won everyone over with its pizza by the slice and bread (really worthy), but the young Francesco Arnesano is also a wizard of supplì. Which he also offers at his other location in the Serafico area - Lievito Francesco Arnesano, in many types. There is the carbonara with pasta, the vegetarian supplì, and then many recipes that change according to the inspiration of the artisan, who over the years has played with fettuccine alla boscaiola, tortellini and much more, strengthened by artful breadcrumbs capable of conquering at every bite.

Lievito Pizza Pane - viale Europa, 339 - via Simone Martini, 6 - lievitopizzapane.it/

Food Box

Fried food lovers will find what they’re looking for (i.e., croquettes!): among the many street food stalls at the Testaccio Market, Food Box is the one dedicated to street food: supplì, fried pastry cream, cod fillets and artichokes Jewish style. There are also traditional dishes, but it is the supplì that dominates the scene, declined in several variations.

Food Box – via Beniamino Franklin – 12 – foodboxroma.business.site/

Sancho

A favourite spot for all lovers of pizza by the slice in Fiumicino, the temple of Franco Di Lelio and his sons Emiliano and Andrea also stands out for the quality of its fried food, tasty and with exquisite, crispy and well-fried breadcrumbs. Try the one with salt cod in tomato sauce and taggiasche olives, porchetta in a potato crust and also the traditional one with tomato sauce, in addition to the many seafood options perfect for those who want to savour classic fish dishes in the bite-sized (and fried) version.

Sancho – via della Torre Clementina, 142 – facebook.com

Pizza Chef

Tastes change with every season at Pizza Chef, a pizzeria by the slice in the Tuscolana area that also knows its stuff when it comes to fried food. The classic tomato supplì is well made and tasty, but so is the carbonara supplì, creamy and balanced, as are the vegetarian options with fresh vegetables. A crispy coating that gives satisfaction in every bite.

Pizza Chef  - via Clelia, 63 a - facebook.com