From a young age, Ian was always a wanderer. He’s since travelled to all 7 continents, and has spent the majority of his life pursuing this passion. Follow him in his off-the-beaten-path adventures and discoveries!
Pala Pizza Romana
The Best Bangkok Pizza Shop
This is one of those places where if you aren’t paying attention, you could easily walk right passed it. It’s located in a fairly busy area, just outside of one of Bangkok’s most prominent malls, Terminal 21. It also happens to be right at one of the junctions between the underground subway (MRT) and the overground sky train (BTS) stations named “Asok”. Because of the busy overpassing walkways and sky train bridges, this tightly nestled, and fairly hidden pizzeria gets a fair amount of passing foot-traffic. However, it seldom gets found for the gastronomical delights that await inside if you give yourself enough time for a proper sit down meal. It seems like there’s those who know about it and visit frequently, and then there’s everyone else who just passes by. I reckon this is the best Bangkok Pizza shop I’ve found so far.
The outdoors take-away counter most people will see
Pizza in Bangkok? Why?
I know I know – why would you travel all the way to Thailand just to find yourself at a pizza shop? The true culinary masterpieces are found on every street corner at night. Instant Thai stir fries cooked to perfection, and with a price that is unbeatably low! Though if you are here for a long duration, you start to get cravings for some of those familiar comfort foods. There’s only so many stir-fries you can eat consecutively, before you just want to have a slice of pizza pie, even if you have to pay a little more to get it.
The Open Kitchen
The problem with this, however, is most of the Bangkok pizza shops are one of two major chains: Pizza Hut and The Pizza Company (with the occasional Dominos Pizza in the mix). This is fine, if you’re just after something really quick and familiar… but I figure – “Heck, I AM travelling. If I am going to eat a pizza – let’s see how authentically Italian I can get… without breaking the bank completely”. This takes a bit more time and research (and has hopefully lead to you finding this post). After reading several reviews, including some who claimed to be from Italian chefs who raved about the authenticity, we knew we had to determine if Pizza Romana was indeed the best Bangkok Pizza!
A small entrance – if you blink, you might miss it!
Service with a smile
The small restaurant interior
Meats, Cheeses and Olives Deli – it’s like I’ve died and gone to Italy Heaven.
The Eats
The menu consisted of a variety of italian toppings rarely found in the typical Bangkok pizza shops – already this was promising. They also had some delicious varieties of pasta sauces, and you get to choose the noodles to accompany them. Go on… Salads and antipastos. Perfetto. And of course, who could forget, the desert menu!! My mouth was watering. I wanted to try everything!! The small restaurant has limited seating, and fairly average wait times for food. While you wait, however, they have a great deli section full of cheeses, meats and olives rarely seen in Thailand (let alone a little Bangkok pizza joint). They also had a wall of oils and vinegars, ranging from olive oil to precious truffle oil! Wow! By the time I had gone through and looked at everything, the food was all ready! Words probably won’t do justice to the explosions of flavour my mouth experienced that evening! It was perfect! I will certainly be going back to try many more of their pizza, pasta and dessert selections! Delizioso!
Take a look at the menu here!
The main event! A slice of Capricciosa and Boscaiola!
Semifreddo – Half Frozen Cake
Meringata: Meringue and Whipped Cream Pie
A perfect Calbrese Penne pasta
Getting there
Probably one of the easiest ‘off-the-beaten-path’ spots I’ve written about in terms of finding it. This Bangkok Pizza shop is located right at the Terminal 21 mall’s exit from the Asok MRT (subway). If you arrive by BTS (Sky train), the stop is Asok and you just have to use exit 3 heading towards Terminal 21, and then bring yourself down the escalator to street level (without entering the mall itself). Arriving by taxi or bus, you’ll be coming along Sukhomvit Street. It’s near Soi 21 (hence the name of the mall Terminal 21). Again, you just have to look for the entrance to the MRT and it’s right next to that. Keep in mind, it’s not a huge shop, and signage is somewhat hidden, so if you blink… you just might miss it.
Opening hours: 10am to midnight
View Where Sidewalks End in a larger map
Selection of oils and vinegars
Cheesy Goodness! Yum!
Reality Check
This certainly is the best Bangkok Pizza shop I’ve tried, and it seems to have a fairly long standing reputation. Of course, tastes are different for everyone and you may think that Pizza hut is the best Bangkok Pizza in town? If you’re looking for an authentic Italian flare, however, Pala Pizza Romana is the place to be. Due to many of it’s rare toppings, prices will be on the mid-higher range! It’s about the same price as a sit down italian restaurant in a western country, when it comes to price – so don’t expect Thai prices. Keep in mind, however, that you’re getting what you’re paying for. A quality pizza in Bangkok, and perhaps a rare treat to yourself.
Bon Appetito!
Have you ever had a craving for food that was familiar while on the road? Was it because you didn’t like the local food, or was it simply just to have a taste of some comfort foods? Where were you and what did you get?
Please feel free to share your stories and feedback in the comment section below!
I have been craving pizza for the past couple months now… I’m always so wary about trying places though because I hate paying more money and just ending up being disappointed with what I get instead of sticking to 30B street stalls… Although, I have just heard of a place right outside of Chiang Mai that even TOSSES the pizza dough, so I think I need to make a little trip soon…I feel like that should be the real deal!
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Wow – a legit pizza joint that tosses their dough, outside of the city??? Crazy world… this might call for an off-the-beaten-path guest post (if you’re up for it)
I at least will need a follow up comment to know how it is!!
I definitely get those cravings on the road, and just want a taste of home! (When I was living in Italy, I managed to get sick of Italian food, if you can believe it!) Sounds like you found a gem–I’ll definitely keep this in mind if I find myself in Bangkok with a craving for some legit Capricciosa!
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Heya Sara – what was your fall back when living in Italy??? I can believe it. I’m just as much a fan of Thai food, yet I still get foreign cravings from time to time.
Seriously I’ve been here a thousand times and haven’t seen it. Now I’m determined to look for it!
Really! It’s crazy how it just blends in to the background!! I think it caught my eye when I was passing by on a bus once. I searched for it online and only found a couple Trip Advisor reviews… and then finally their website. It is always worth trying things other than “The Pizza Company”, which is just awful!! This one was a definite score
Dude, I used to eat there all the time! How funny. Bangkok has a lot of seriously outstanding cuisine from all over the globe if you know where to look.
Hey Danny! That’s great that you found this spot!! Bangkok certainly has defined itself as an International City, in a round about kind of way. If you found any other hidden gems, definitely let us know!!
I tried it once. Don’t think it’s the best pizza in the city.
Hey Ming – that’s too bad you had a bad experience there. I’d love to know what Pizza joint you might prefer in Bangkok! Please share your recommendations!