Sfizio: Where to Eat in Rome Near Termini (Pasta, Pizza & Much More)

A common complaint shared by both locals and travelers searching for bars, pizzerias, or restaurants near Roma Termini is the lack of quality and variety around the station. Yet, right before a train ride or immediately upon arriving in the Eternal City, having a welcoming place to relax would make all the difference. A spot where you can enjoy a great coffee, a special pasta dish, or a generous slice of excellent pizza.

Now this is finally possible, and in this article I’ll tell you exactly where. Just a few steps from the station platforms, Leonardo Lanza has recently taken over his family’s historic business, present in the area since 1948, the Bar Pasticceria Etna. He modernized it and transformed it into Sfizio. Here’s what awaits you.

A Modern, Welcoming Space with Homemade Products

Located at Via Giovanni Giolitti 77, Sfizio brings authenticity to an area where the food scene is often standardized. From breakfast cornetti and maritozzi to supplì and arancini made with Riso Maestro (perfect to pair with pizza at lunch and dinner), all the way to homemade desserts like tiramisù and cheesecake, everything on the counter is crafted in-house because, as Leonardo explains, “Homemade products are identity”.

The pizza dough is made from carefully selected flours enriched with wholegrain seeds. Buffalo mozzarella comes from Tenuta Pontoni, cheeses from Caseificio Pallotta, and the ‘nduja is produced by a small artisanal maker in Calabria.

The drink menu includes excellent wines and beers from small Italian producers such as Gozzellino, Messori, Rallo, Saragano, and Baladin. At the bar, they serve coffee by Fabrizio Rinaldi, roasted by one of the country’s top artisans. As Lanza puts it, quality “in a neighborhood where everything looks the same is what sets us apart (…) it’s not a luxury but a sign of respect toward those who choose to walk through our door”.

From Breakfast to Aperitivo

Sfizio does something that many restaurants near Roma Termini unfortunately do not: it accompanies travelers and locals throughout the entire day, offering selections designed for every moment:

• handcrafted breakfasts with specialty coffee, flat white, matcha latte, and golden milk;
• panini, piadine, and tramezzini to take away when you’re short on time;
• pizza sold by the slice at €3.50–€7 (two slices are already enough to feel full);
• homemade desserts and artisanal drinks like peach tea or orange soda.
  

For anyone who has long wondered where to eat in Rome near Termini without spending much but still enjoying great flavor and quality, Sfizio might be the answer. The space, carefully curated and contemporary, is today one of the few independent, well-designed places in the station area.

A Bit of History

The story of Sfizio traces back to the Sicilian traditions brought to Rome by Titì, who arrived from the island hoping to share the pastry heritage of her homeland through warm and simple hospitality. In 1998, the business received an award from the City of Rome for its 50 years of activity, highlighting the important role it played in the local community.

Today, the family legacy is carried on by Leonardo, born in 1991, a Roman raised between the countryside, where he produces olive oil and raises hens, and the pastry counter. After training at Gambero Rosso, ANPA, and several professional courses in cooking and pizza making, he gained international experience in London, Sydney, Melbourne, Philadelphia, and Granada. These years allowed him to develop a broad, contemporary vision of cuisine, which he now applies to pizza, treating it as a true dish capable of conveying flavors, memories, and influences gathered over time.

New York–Style Pizza, Made in Italy

In a city traditionally divided between crispy Roman-style pizza and soft Neapolitan, Sfizio introduces a third, less common option: New York–style pizza reinterpreted with Italian ingredients. This 45-cm pizza is served in generous slices, featuring a soft yet sturdy dough and a slightly caramelized bottom that supports rich but balanced toppings.

“This pizza is a balance between heritage and personal identity,” Leonardo says. The recipe dates back to the 1990s, when Leonardo’s grandfather Giuseppe, after working in a pizzeria in New York’s Little Italy, brought back this style of “pizza by the slice.”

“My goal is to offer something authentic and concrete, something that speaks both to Romans and international travelers while honoring Italian tradition,” the owner explains. “In a tourist-heavy area like Termini, I don’t want to offer clichés but something truly good that represents Italy in the most genuine way.”

Examples of Pizza You Should Try

Every pizza recipe starts from a clear idea:

• The “Mediterranean” Marinara enriches the classic tomato sauce with seaweed, evoking the scent of hidden summer coves. After researching spontaneous Mediterranean plants, Leonardo selected sea lettuce and sea beans to give the sauce a naturally briny character.
• The Roma–Seoul is a creative fusion of Roman porchetta and Korean kimchi, a clear homage to Leonardo’s travels and international experiences.
• The Sfungata celebrates the world of mushrooms with five varieties (oyster, champignon, honey mushrooms, cardoncelli, and porcini), each cooked using different techniques and paired with a parsley–garlic sauce that enhances their aroma and texture.
  

“Pizza Sospesa” and Social Commitment

Sfizio is more than just a restaurant, it is an active presence in the neighborhood. Every Sunday, together with the association Mama Termini, the team prepares hot meals for the station’s homeless community.

“This isn’t charity,” Leonardo explains, “but community. Termini is a place of transit, but for us it’s home. And anyone who enters our place should feel that”.

Pizza thus becomes a gesture of solidarity. With the Pizza Sospesa project, anyone can pay in advance for a pizza to be donated to someone in need, following the tradition of Naples’ “caffè sospeso”.

A simple yet deeply meaningful initiative, created to give back some of the warmth that passes through these walls every day. “We believe pizza has always been a symbol of togetherness, and its greatest power is bringing people closer,” Lanza concludes. “That’s why the Pizza Sospesa is not just a charitable project but a concrete commitment to building a network of kindness and mutual care – one small gesture that can truly make a difference”.

Candy Valentino