With all the food options you are going to be surrounded by while in Rome, I believe you don’t need 10 or more sandwich shop suggestions. What you really need is to know which one is the best, so you can save your time and money, and head straight there.
PS: Don’t worry, though! If you plan to eat a sandwich a day, maybe for a late breakfast or lunch, I will suggest more panini options towards the end. But first, let me tell you which is the best (in my opinion, and a thousand other people).
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How I Chose The Best Sandwich Shop In Rome
In this article, I am comparing the two most popular sandwich shops in Rome, with the aim to determine which one makes the best sandwich.
Out of fairness and authenticity, I will taste test the same sandwich in both shops, the most iconic one in the city. I am referring to the focaccia bianca with mortadella, or as the Romans call it “a pizza e mortazza”.
Pizza refers to a focaccia style pizza, called pizza bianca, because it is served without tomato sauce. It’s very popular for making sandwiches, both simple ones and others stuffed to the brim.
The most popular Roman sandwiches are:
- Pizza e Mortazza (Mortadella Sandwich) – the white focaccia pizza bread stuffed with high-quality local mortadella, just that. It’s delicious!
- Porchetta sandwich – the same kind of focaccia bread but stuffed with fresh local porchetta ham rather than mortadella.
The two most popular shops selling these white pizza sandwiches are Antica Salumeria al Pantheon and Godo dal 1661.
To compare them I tested the same identical sandwich in each shop and analyzed every aspect – including the bread, the filling, the price, the service, and the location. You can read my honest opinions below.
Antica Salumeria Al Pantheon (Close To Piazza Navona)
Address: Piazza della Rotonda, 4, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
It’s mind blowing thinking that this shop has been in business since 1700. I mean can you believe it??
I found a post on Facebook sharing a picture of the shop in 1860; you can see it here.
Apparently, the shop has always been in that same location near the Pantheon. I think the location is perfect, especially if you are going to be stuck waiting 2 hrs in line to get a ticket and then to have it scanned and get in.
Should that happen to you, one of you can stay in line and the other can go get the sandwich. It shouldn’t take you that long, as each time I went the line was very short, most likely because it was after 1 pm.
I went on a Sunday, at 14:40 pm to be exact. We had our Pantheon booking at Noon, waited to enter till 12.20 (make sure to book your ticket online, print it, and go wait in line at least 20 minutes before your booked time slot), then spent 20 minutes inside, and walked about an hour around the Pantheon to explore the surrounding streets and piazzas.
After all that walking and a small breakfast, we were hungry, and the Antica Salumeria was on our agenda (I like to plan everything, including the food spots. That way, I can find and try the best spots to suggest to you). It was also just a few minutes away.
When we entered the sandwich shop there were around 5 other people in line before us, and a few more after us. The service was fast and efficient. You order your sandwich, are given a note with what you had, wait to have it made, and then go pay. You can take it and eat it outside, or you can do what we did, and enjoy it inside.
There are two tables right at the beginning of the shop in the middle of all the cheeses and hams (amazing!). And there are a few bar stools in the middle of the shop, next to the stairs. I didn’t check, but I think there’s more seating below. Finally, there are 6 more tables at the back of the shop, so you should find somewhere to sit.
The first time we went to Antica Salumeria al Pantheon, we ordered one mortadella sandwich and sat on the bar stools next to the packed salami and cheeses. I loved every minute :).
First impressions:
The mortadella looked fresh, had a lovely color, and the pistachio scent was divine. The pizza bianca or focaccia felt soft and fresh and had a lovely fragrance. The mortadella sandwich was nicely wrapped in what seemed like branded wax paper, the same one used in Italian supermarkets to wrap hams and cheeses.
The bread:
Upon tasting, the bread felt very fresh, warm, and slightly crispy. It also seemed to have been brushed with some olive oil, which made it even more delicious.
The portion seemed very big and never ending, even though we shared it between the two. By the end of it, we were full and very satisfied.
The filling:
The mortadella was amazing; it was fresh, flavourful, and had large pistachio pieces scattered throughout. There was also plenty of it packed in one sandwich, not so much to feel overwhelming but enough to really savor every bite. It was so fresh I ate it all without removing the edges, which I normally do.
The price:
The price shocked us a little, at least initially. It was €9, but thinking about it makes it feel worth it, considering how good and big it was, the quality and the location.
Plus, you also get free seating (you don’t need to order a drink or pay extra), and you can enjoy the free samples scattered throughout the shops – usually salami, porchetta, and different cheeses.
The service:
The service was perfect. The queue was short and quick, paying was also very easy, and so was finding a seat.
While you enjoy your sandwich you also get the chance to look at hams and cheeses, listen to the salesperson explain their products, taste some samples, and soak in the scent of fresh goodness.
The location:
Given that there are so many hams and cheeses, plus other fillings you can try, if you like it you could make this your everyday sandwich shop, it’s so central.
Distance from main attractions:
8 mins from Trevi Fountain
15 mins from Piazza di Spagna
15 mins from Castel Sant’Angelo
25 minutes from the Colosseum
40 mins from the Vatican
PS: Because this was actually my first mortadella sandwich in years (I have been avoiding eating meat, other than the mince for my ragu), I went twice and tried the exact same sandwich again.
The only difference was that this time I ate it all by myself as a light dinner, and I can confirm it was as delicious as the first time, except I had double the portion (oh yesss).
Other sandwiches to try:
From the pictures I took these are the other common sandwich options you’ll find ready to be bought:
- Porchetta sandwich – just porchetta
- Prosciutto crudo (the darker cured ham) with grilled eggplant
- Salami Milano, greens and mozzarella
- Roman salami, iceberg lettuce, and mozzarella
You can also order a platter of hams and cheeses, and enjoy it with some good local wine. Or you can make up your own sandwich.
And you can finish it off with some biscuits and pastries; they have a large selection, and they all look delicious.
Godo Dal 1661
Address: Piazza di Pietra, 36, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
From its name, we can immediately understand that this sandwich shop is older than the other, even if just slightly. While I appreciate and tend to prefer order shops, as they must be really good to have lasted that long, that’s not enough to judge the food.
This one is located just 4 minutes away on foot from Antica Salumeria al Pantheon, the one I just reviewed. That means that if you want to try both at the same time you definitely can. You can buy one sandwich from each shop and share it if you are 2 or 3.
I tried this one on a Monday while doing some window shopping, just after having visited the Rinascente in Via del Tritone (9 minute walk between the two).
I must say that as I approached the shop I was a little surprised. The shop looked bigger and nicer online. Also, it didn’t come across as a sandwich shop from the outside. In fact, it had a sign saying aperitivo, and most people were just sitting on stools enjoying a spritz.
Once we went inside, we saw the counter with hams, cheeses, and a few fillings. The selection was much smaller and the sandwich was prepared right then and there, which usually is a great thing.
To be honest, so far my expectations were not met, but I was eager to try the sandwich and judge the taste separately.
First impressions:
The sandwich came nicely packed; it was even divided into 4 parts to be easily enjoyed, and it was put into a beautiful pink branded bag with a few napkins.
There wasn’t a very strong scent coming out of the packaging, which usually means the food is not as flavourful, but we need to taste it first before confirming that.
The bread:
As soon as I took the first bite I immediately noticed the difference. The bread was not as fresh, it was warmer and crispier but didn’t taste as good as the other sandwich.
The filling:
The mortadella was also not as fresh and didn’t seem as high quality. I am being honest here, but I was quite disappointed, especially considering the small portion and the not so great service.
The price:
This was priced at €6 versus the €9 of the previous sandwich shop. I remind you that we had the same sandwich bread and filling. The only difference, other than the quality, was that this one was smaller. To me, it felt like a waste of money. I’d rather pay double and get something tasty and good sized.
The service:
The staff was nice and friendly. However, I didn’t appreciate the fact that the person preparing the sandwich was touching other things with the same gloves. He even removed something from his colleague’s apron; I mean that’s gross, even if what he removed was food.
The location:
Located in Piazza di Pietra, close to Adrian’s Temple and Venchi Chocolate shop, the shop can be found in a nice square with outdoor seating. However, I am sure you have to order a drink to sit down, plus the few tables were all occupied. There’s no seating inside.
Distance from the main attractions:
4 mins from Trevi Fountain
13 mins from Piazza di Spagna
18 mins from Castel Sant’Angelo
23 minutes from Colosseum
40 mins from the Vatican
As you can see, the location is as good as the Antica Salumeria, minus the fact that the other one is right to the Pantheon, which is nice if you want to eat it outside with that view.
Other Sandwiches to Try:
They have a full menu above the counter with over 28 sandwich options, 2 salads, 4 sweet sandwich options, and the possibility to choose your fillings.
Considering they are going to use the same bread, if the bread is not as fresh, the sandwich will not be the tastiest you will eat in Rome.
Who Wins? Get The Best Sandwich In Rome Here
Antica Salumeria al Pantheon is definitely the winner. The sandwich is high quality and is fairly priced, considering the size and location in comparison to the other, the service is better, and the vibes inside the shops are much nicer, with more seating options.
Of course, you can try both and be the judge. However, if you only have time to have one, the Antica Salumeria al Pantheon is the one to try, and it happens to be conveniently located near the Pantheon, which you’ll likely be visiting anyway.
Other Great Spots For A Panino In Rome
Mini sandwiches at Forno Monteforte – I tried a small bread roll with mortadella and it was delicious. You can read about our breakfast experience at Forno Monteforte here.
Focaccia style sandwiches at Pizza alla Pala by Eataly inside Fiumicino Airport Departures. This is located on the first floor next to all the other food options. We had one before our flight back home. It was fresh and tasty, although not as good as Antica Salumeria al Pantheon. The only complaint, but it’s more a personal preference, is that the pistachio was not inside the mortadella but crumbled on the top.
Con Mollica e Senza – also in Piazza di Pietra, near Godo dal 1661. This one sells panini with different fillings. The fillings look very tasty but the baguette-style white bread seems a little boring, at least compared to the focaccia. However, I haven’t tried it so I can’t fully say. It’s a chain located also in Milan and Naples.
Castroni in Via Cola di Rienzo – the sandwiches look nice and so does the breakfast. They also have a grocery where you can shop for food souvenirs to take back home. They have other ones throughout Rome, including the one I visited in Via di Frattina but those others don’t have a coffee shop.
Pane e Salame – this is another one I wished I had time to try and it’s just 7 minutes away from the Pantheon. Their salami, eggplant, and cheese sandwich looks divine. This spot also looks like the perfect casual aperitivo spot in the center. They use a rustic sandwich bread that looks very tasty, although it’s not the famous pizza bianca.
Trapizzino in Trastevere. This is not one I would choose because it seems very trendy rather than authentic. It does offer fillings with local flavors, but they are all rich and not likely to be appreciated by everyone, especially if you appreciate simple and classic flavors.
For example, pollo alla cacciatora, Trippa alla Romana and lingua in salsa verde are not flavors I would personally opt for. They don’t have any simpler alternatives on their menu. However, if one of you wants to try it, the other can enjoy a supplì or two (the fried rice balls).
All’Antico Vinaio. This is not a Roman sandwich shop but really a Florentine one. In fact, you can find at least 4 locations scattered throughout Florence.
Because it’s not local, I think you should only try it after you try the authentic Roman pizza e mortazza sandwich, if you have never tried it in Florence or if you really really love it.
If you do decide to try it, be prepared for the very long queue. And if you’d like to know my thoughts on this spot, read my Florence Breakfast Article.
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Best Supplì in Rome (coming soon)
