The Best Street Food Showdown (Naples Vs. Rome Edition)

Street food in Italy is an absolute treat. No matter where you go, there’s something scrumptious (and often fried) waiting around the corner. In this special episode, two iconic cities go head-to-head in a street food showdown: Naples vs. Rome.

Both cities are known for their unique flavors, local favorites, and serious food culture, but which one takes the crown when it comes to street food? I picked five must-try dishes from each city, reviewed them one by one, and scored them too.

Have you tried any of these?

Watch Best Street Food Naples Vs Rome

Challenge 1: Street Food Pizza

Nothing says street food like a slice of delicious, cheesy pizza, but in Italy, pizza isn’t just pizza and when it comes to street food, Naples and Rome do it very differently.

Pizza al Portafoglio – Naples

In Naples, the go-to street food pizza is Pizza al Portafoglio. It’s a smaller, folded version of a Margherita pizza, served piping hot with oozing mozzarella and rich tomato sauce. What makes it perfect for the street is that it’s folded in half so you can eat it on the go without making a mess — ideal for strolling through the old city.

Historically, these were made with leftover dough from the day before, which meant they were super affordable. Simple, cheap, but full of flavor, that’s the charm of Pizza al Portafoglio.

Pizza al Taglio – Rome

Now let’s talk about Rome’s version: Pizza al Taglio, or pizza by the slice. I visited a spot on Via Flavia called Pomo, and their pizza was outstanding. It’s made like an open-faced sandwich, with a light and airy crust that’s crunchy on the bottom and fluffy on the inside. They slice it up into rectangular pieces, and you can mix and match different toppings. My suggestion is to grab a slice, pair it with a cold beer or a glass of wine and enjoy it right on the sidewalk, people watching – Rome at its finest.

Final Score:
Pizza al Portafoglio: 10/10
Pizza al Taglio: 10/10

Both are must-tries, but if I absolutely had to choose a winner… Pizza al Portafoglio may win, but just by a small margin!

Challenge 2: Stuffed Panino

A panino might seem like a simple sandwich, but in Italy, it’s so much more especially when it’s stuffed. What started as a clever way to bring stale bread back to life with a bit of ragù has turned into something delicious and creative. This style of panino can be filled with eggplant parmigiana, meatballs, porchetta… basically anything delicious and Italian.

Naples: Eggplant Parmigiana Panino

In Naples, I had a freshly made half loaf of bread stuffed with eggplant parmigiana. It was pleasantly warm and every bite had me wondering why I hadn’t created this myself. My love for two things merged so well, it’s a hard one to beat, and to resist!

Rome: Panino alla Porchetta

Now, if you’re in Rome, panino alla porchetta is a must. This sandwich is filled with juicy Italian pork roast, usually cooked with garlic, herbs, and crackling skin. I went to a porchetta shop called La Rinascita, and just hearing the crackling as they sliced it was mouthwatering.

The bread had a crisp crust, pillowy inside, and loaded with thick, tender slices of porchetta. They warm it up just before serving, so everything melts together beautifully. This is very close to home for me as we enjoy it a lot in Abruzzo, but what you get on the street may not always be as delicious as what you create at home… choose your street food vendors wisely!

Final Score:
Eggplant Parmigiana Panino: 10/10
Porchetta Panino: 8/10

As much as I love porchetta (and trust me, I really do), the version I had this time wasn’t the best I’ve tried. A better porchetta might easily score a 10. But the stuffed panino in Naples blew my mind. It was something new, unique, and a true street food gem.

Challenge 3: Fried Street Food

No food showdown is complete without something crispy and golden from the fryer. Both Naples and Rome deliver, but in very different ways.

Frittatina Napoletana – Naples

Forget everything you think you know about fritters. In Naples, I tried frittatina at a place called Di Matteo on Via dei Tribunali, and it completely surprised me. This little pasta patty is stuffed with béchamel, peas, ham, meat, and cheese, then coated and fried until golden. Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside and sooo satisfying, it felt like happiness wrapped in a crispy shell.

Trapizzino – Rome

In Rome, I visited Mercato Centrale at the main train station, where they serve the best Trapizzino. Imagine the corner of a fluffy focaccia, cut into a pocket and stuffed with your choice of filling. It’s a cross between a pizza and a sandwich, and the options are endless.

These can be filled with your choice of meatballs, chicken cacciatore, coda alla vaccinara, or even zighini, a spicy Ethiopian stew. If you’re after something less hearty, you can also go for one filled with burrata or stracciatella. I tried one with anchovies layered between cheese cream, and another with eggplant parmigiana drizzled in olive oil, basil, and topped with grated Grana Padano cheese. The bread was light; the ingredients were T-O-P quality.

Final Score:
Fritatina Napoletana: 10/10
Trapizzino: 10/10

Both were amazing, and both deserve the top score. But if I had to pick, Frittatina Napoletana wins it for me. It’s one of those street foods you could eat again and again and never get tired of…heavy but also, heavenly. If you see it on a menu, try it.

Challenge 4: Cheesy Treats

You all know cheese is my weakness, and something I could simply never live without. It’s an important ingredient in countless Italian recipes and both Naples and Rome bring something seriously delicious to the table.

Buffalo Mozzarella – Naples

In a tiny old-school grocery store tucked away in Naples, I had one of the most unforgettable bites of cheese I’ve ever tasted. This place has been around for over 50 years, small but packed with top-quality ingredients.

We tried handmade buffalo mozzarella, made with 80% buffalo milk from Campania. It didn’t look overly creamy, but instead had that slightly firm texture that tells you it’s the real deal. Served alongside burrata, olive oil, cracked black pepper, and warm bread. Simple ingredients, perfect balance. Pure heaven. Not traditionally “street food” but undoubtedly unmissable Italian.

Supplì – Rome

In Rome, it’s all about supplì. These crispy, deep-fried morsels come with different fillings, and I had two of the best: Cacio e Pepe and Carbonara (obviously).

The Cacio e Pepe version was like biting into the pasta dish itself. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with that sharp taste of pecorino and black pepper. Golden on the outside with a gooey center, it was spot on. Then there was the Carbonara one, filled with egg, guanciale, and cheese. You could see the bits of pork and taste the peppery richness in every morsel. Rome knows how to do crunchy comfort food.

Final Score:
Buffalo Mozzarella: 10/10
Supplì: 10/10

They’re both outstanding, but for me, the winner is supplì. It’s the kind of street food that’s crunchy, cheesy, and totally addictive. If you love cheese, you’ve got to try this when you’re in Rome.

Challenge 5: Desserts

No street food journey would be complete without dessert so for the final challenge, two Italian favourites are head to head: Sfogliatella from Naples and Tiramisu from Rome.

Sfogliatella – Naples

In Naples, we tried the classic sfogliatella— a crunchy, shell-shaped pastry filled with sweet ricotta and candied fruit. The layers shattered with every bite, crisp, buttery, and beautifully textured. A delicious way to start your morning or finish a day of exploring and never take for granted the work that goes into these treats.

Tiramisu – Rome

Although tiramisu is originally from the northern city of Treviso, Rome has embraced it like one of its own. You’ll find kiosks and cafes all over the city offering tiramisu to go, perfect for a quick pick-me-up between sightseeing stops!

I tried a classic tiramisu from a little stand near Piazza Navona called Two Sizes. It was made the traditional way with mascarpone, eggs, savoiardi biscuits, and a dusting of cocoa powder on top. It was creamy yet firm, rich but not overly sweet. Honestly, it was better than any caffeine hit and just one spoonful had me smiling from ear to ear.

Final Score:

Sfogliatella: 10/10
Tiramisu: 10/10

Sfogliatella is one of the most difficult desserts to make. The technique, the layers, the patience, it takes true craftsmanship, and I have so much respect for the people who create it. But tiramisu has always been my favorite dessert in the world. It’s comforting, indulgent, and never fails to make me happy. So, for this round, my personal winner is tiramisu.

Conclusion: Which City Has the Best Street Food?

After five delicious rounds, the current score is:
Naples 3 – Rome 2

But here’s the twist… you get to decide the final winner.
In the comments, tell me: Do you prefer pizza or pasta?
If you choose pizza, Naples gets one more point and takes the win.
If you choose pasta, Rome ties it up with a 3–3 score.

So, what’s your pick? What’s your favorite Italian street food? And is there a street food I missed that must be included next time? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear your thoughts or visit your favourite street food gem when I’m in Italy next.