If you are here you likely know what a supplì is and how delicious it tastes. In case you want to refresh your memory, scroll down to the bottom, where I will be answering that question, comparing it to arancini, and sharing a bit about the supplì origins.
However, since you’re looking for the best supplì spots in Rome, that’s exactly what I am going to start with. Let’s do it.
PS: If you are currently in Rome, I am jealous, as you can walk to one of these spots or even order delivery, and I can’t. I am too far to do that (sad face).
Table of Contents
My Favorite Supplì In Rome: Pizza e Bolle Sant’Isidoro (Prati)
This was the first supplì I tasted during my last visit in Rome. We were supposed to have it on the first night, but the restaurant was fully booked even for takeout. So we went the next day, at opening time (7 pm sharp), to make sure we could try the supplì and the pizza.
You see I actually found this spot when researching for the best pizza in Rome, but the starters on the menu looked so delicious that I made a note on my itinerary to try them too.
We ordered 1 supplì with blue cheese and pear, plus one potato croquette with provola cheese. If you’d like to know what pizza we had and how we liked it, here’s an article all about the different Rome Pizza Styles we tried.
We had them as takeaway as we were very tired from walking all day. Plus, it was a little too early to dine in the restaurant, it was literally empty. But no worries, as soon as it gets past 8pm the restaurant is filled with locals sitting inside and outside. And when that happens you know you’ve stumbled onto a hidden jem.
Why are their Supplì so good?
Of all the supplì I have tasted in Rome, these were the crunchiest, even though we ordered them as takeaway and walked about 10 minutes to get to our accommodation, took a lift to the 6th floor, washed our hands, and set the table.
Not only was the texture amazing, but they were also packed beautifully and were still super warm.
The best part was how tasty they were. You see, I love blue cheese, and Italians love pears, so the combination is a match made in heaven, especially since it was beautifully balanced with the right amount and texture of the rice.
They were flavourful but neither too salty from the cheese nor too sweet from the pears. They were 10 out of 10, no complaints, which doesn’t happen often with me, as I am a thorough critic when it comes to food (everything, really).
The same holds for the fried potato croquette with the provolone cheese. It was cheesy but not sickly so, and it had the right balance of cheese and potato, with a thick crispy exterior. This must be the best croquette I have ever had, which says a lot since I had plenty.
Location & Vibes
One thing to note is that this restaurant is located at the edge of the center of Rome, in the Della Vittoria neighborhood, close to Prati. These are both very calm and elegant neighborhoods, mainly residential and workplaces, but are also full of great restaurants and cafes that locals love and frequent.
PS: Should you wish to walk to this spot and take a bus or taxi back, it takes roughly 40 minutes from the Pantheon or 25 minutes by bus.
They also have a second location, named San Martino Pizza e Bolle, in the Portuense neighborhood. This one is further from the Pantheon (I am using the Pantheon as a reference since it happens to be a very central spot in Rome), but closer if you are staying in Trastevere or further south.
If you plan to dine in the restaurant, you’ll see that the interiors are gorgeous, and outside it has a very romantic atmosphere with the twinkling lights and the covered seated area.
Also, since this one can get very busy, I suggest you either book in advance, on their website, or head there before 7.30 pm. If it’s a weekday you should find a spot more easily than on the weekend.
Price
The price is on the higher end, especially for the starters, but when you consider how high quality and tasty they are, they are worth every cent. Plus, they are also a good size.
The blue cheese supplì is priced at €4.5 and the provola croquette at €3. Really, it’s just the supplì that’s on the pricier side. It’s fine if you are ordering one or two, but it can get pricey if you order 4 like I wish I did (no joking, they were that good!).
The Best Classic Supplì In Rome: Ivo A Trastevere
This was my husband’s favorite supplì. My husband loves classic flavors, especially anything that includes tomato and stringy mozzarella. After having tried 3 different classic supplì in Rome, this was his favorite.
He said that the tomato sauce and mozzarella tasted really fresh and homemade, and it was filled very generously.
Just for context, the other classic fried rice balls we tried were at L’Elementare in Trastevere and at Forno Monteforte, which is a cafe in the center of Rome.
What about the potato croquette?
I am classifying the potato croquette with the supplì since it has the same shape, size, exterior, and overall it’s enjoyed in the same way. They are both popular fried food choices in Rome.
The croquette was a little bland, as it had no melted cheese. If you want a really good one, try the one at Pizza & Bolle (the first spot in this list) or the one I am sharing next.
Street Food Vibes & Location
This is among the most authentic restaurants we ate in. The staff was very Roman (in the accent and manners) and so was the decor, with the quintessential vibrant yellow walls and a mix of wood and brick. It also had many football elements on the walls.
As for the location this is conveniently located in Trastevere, so whether you are choosing to stay here (read this article before you decide where to stay in Rome) or plan to eat there a lot, which you definitely should, you’ll find it very easy to reach.
You can walk 20 minutes from the Pantheon or 30 minutes from the Trevi Fountain area, or you can take a bus.
Price
The prices at Trastevere were among the cheapest, both when it comes to starters and drinks, as well as the main courses. You can read about our experience and all the food we ate in this neighborhood in my Trastevere Restaurants Guide.
Both the supplì and the potato croquette were just €2 each, although I must say they were much smaller than the other ones I am mentioning in this article. I still think they were very cheap though.
Best Roman Supplì With Local Flavors: L’Elementare (Trastevere)
These were my second favorite supplì in Rome, and my husband loved them too. L’Elementare was also my favorite spot for an aperitivo and light dinner, but you can read more about that in my Trastevere Restaurants article.
The location was very vibrant, and the staff was really nice, but make sure to go at 6.30 pm when they open as it can get full pretty quickly.
The best seats are outside when you can feel the hustle and bustle of this young neighborhood and also enjoy some people watching with your favorite Italian drink in one hand and a fried rice ball in the other, wonderful, don’t you think?
What did we order at L’Elementare?
We went on a Monday after stopping to buy some cookies at this great biscuits shop in the area (more on that in my Rome Breakfast article).
We ordered all of this:
– 2 Aperol spritz
– one classic supplì al telefono (with rice, tomato, mozzarella, basil, and grana cheese)
– one supplì ai Gnocchi alla Romana (with semolina gnocchi filling and carbonara sauce)
– plus a basket of fresh homemade classic potato crisps
They also have these other flavors: cacio e pepe, pink pepper and lime, or paprika).
Let’s start with the tastiest – the carbonara fried rice ball with gnocchi filling. That was divine, and the best part is that they serve 3 small ones rather than just one. They also come with more carbonara cream on top of each ball, delicious.
The second tastiest item was the crisps. They were warm, and crispy and you can feel how fresh and genuine they tasted. We chose classic so that we could fully appreciate all the other flavors.
The spritz was also really good, a little strong but nice.
Awesome Prices & Service
L’Elementare has awesome prices. We paid just €6 for a huge bucket of chips that felt never ending, €2.50 for one classic rice ball, €5 for 3 small carbonara supplì, and €6 for each spritz. That comes at just over €25. What a tasty bargain in the heart of Trastevere!
While this place gets busy, the two servers did an awesome job handling it all, seating everyone well, taking orders, and bringing food timely, without disturbing the other diners in the process. Well done to them for that, especially since they were always so friendly and polite.
They asked us to move tables to accommodate a larger group, but even that was done in the best and least inconvenient way possible, so no complaints. I will definitely be back, thank you.
Supplì FAQ
What is a Roman supplì?
A Roman supplì is a rustic dish typical of Rome, consisting of a cylindrical elongated croquette made with rice, filled with various ingredients, and fried in oil. The name “supplì” is derived from the Italianization of the French word “surprise,” which means surprise.
What is the difference between supplì and arancini?
The difference between supplì and arancini lies primarily in their origins and fillings. Supplì is a Roman dish, while arancini are Sicilian.
While the earliest recipes may have included a meat ragù filling, nowadays, the most famous supplì in Rome are the ones al telefono, which do not contain meat, in contrast to the meaty rich Sicilian arancini.
Additionally, arancini are typically huge and round in shape, resembling oranges (hence the name “arancini”), while supplì are often cylindrical.
PS: Arancini in eastern Sicily are actually pointed on one end to remind the shape of Mount Etna.
How much does supplì cost in Rome?
The cost of supplì in Rome ranges between 2 and 5 euros, although prices may vary in higher-end restaurants.
Who invented supplì?
The supplì is believed to have been invented by Adolfo Giaquinto, uncle of Ada Boni, whose cookbook “La cucina di famiglia” contains two versions of the dish dating back to at least 1901.
However, the first official recipe for supplì was written by Ada Boni in 1929 and published in “La Cucina Romana,” aimed at preserving Rome’s traditional cuisine.
What are the classic supplì flavors?
Classic supplì flavors include the original versions with either just cheese (traditionally provatura, now often replaced with provola) or a classic ragu filling.
However, modern variations include supplì al telefono with tomato, basil, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese, as well as other creative flavors such as blue cheese, cacio e pepe, carbonara, and more.
Read These Others
Other than fried rice balls, you obviously need to have breakfast in Rome too, and also enjoy a few lunches, and dinners. If you found this supplì in Rome article useful, check out these other ones:
And if you want help planning your Rome itinerary, check out these posts: 5 Day In Rome Itinerary and How Many Days in Rome.
