Pala Pizza Romana
The Best Bangkok Pizza Shop
Experience
This is one of those places where if you aren’t paying attention, you could easily walk right past 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.
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 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!
SEE – Photos & Videos
GO – 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.
Do – Activities & Attractions
Coming Soon!
Stay – Accommodation
Coming Soon!
Eat – Restaurants
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!
Time – Seasonality & Schedules
Opening hours: 10am to midnight, 7 days a week.
Safety – Possible risks
Please Note: Travel inherently comes with an element of risk (just like crossing the road does). You are putting yourself in elements that are unfamiliar and foreign to your usual lifestyle and with that, become more susceptible to fall victim those who try to play off those unfamiliar to their local scams. There are also potential dangers in the environments to which you may not be accustomed to.
Please take extra care in travelling, ensure that you have adequate medical insurance (accidents seem to happen when you least expect them), and have let a trusted colleague, family member or friend know your whereabouts and activities.
Where Sidewalks End travel advises you to travel at your own risk, and to be extra aware of your surroundings (without letting it spoiling your time).
Pay – How much does it cost?
Coming Soon!
Responsible Travel – Best Practices
Coming Soon!
Reality Check – Be Aware
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!
JOIN US! WSE Travel Packages
This sounds like quite the adventure, right? We thought so too! Though we realize it can be pretty intimidating to get out there into the world on your own, especially when travelling to some of these off the beaten path locations. We love it when our readers give it a shot and try it for themselves! In fact, please leave us feedback if you do!! If trying something ‘this’ adventurous on your own is just a bit outside of your comfort zone, WSE Travel is here to help!
Follow this link for our ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ Tours – packages that are highly personalized and tailored at your request.
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!
Like This Post? Pin it for later!
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!
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!
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!
Great pizza, had a slice of the 5 cheeses today. Not for everyone though as it is a Roman pizza, some people won’t like the crustiness of the base but I love it. One of my favourite pizza places in bkk
ooooh! 5 Cheeses! Nice choice, man! I agree… everyone’s got their own tastes, but I personally love the Roman style 🙂
I have eaten twice there in the past week – both times had their Spelt-crust margherita.
For Bangkok it is very very good – and
perhaps for a slice place
about as good as it gets.
They are liberal with the sauce which is
hard to find in BKK.
It is very easier to see – so not sure
why the guy keeps missing it.
For regular BKK chains – I prefer
Scoozis – and they delivery.
There are other good sit-down Italian
restaurants especially on the soi-s
of Suhkumvit road that have excellet
pizza and pasta – some run by actual
Italians. Luiggi’s is one – there are
others.
Eating there twice in the past week is a great testament, mate! Glad to hear you’ve had a good experience there – and thanks for the tips on some of the other good spots too! 🙂
Going back to BKK for about 15 days next month.
I will try to remember to write in about any new places for pizza or related.
Cheers!
” 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!”
I think the place she is speaking of is in Lampang. There is a really good pizza shop there that tosses the dough.
Hey Kelly, interesting – I actually (shamefully) haven’t been to Lampang yet, and keep meaning to go! I’ll be sure to look for that place when I get there 🙂 Thanks for the tip!
Ive have been eating here for over 3 years now. I was fortunate that my job and old residence required me to pass by this shop often. I remember it use to be much smaller. Anyway I have been proclaiming Palas as one of the best pizza and Italian places in BKK as well. Im glad that you have made my assumption more valid.
They also have a great authentic italian grocery deli inside.
Thanks for the comment, Russ! I’ve been eating there about the same amount of time now 🙂 it’s really the closest you can get to Italian pizza outside of Italy. Love the Deli inside too… thanks for bringing that up!
Ive lived in Bangkok for a year and i have yet to find a real italian style pizza, until now. There is a handful of places that have the regular, “i expected it tasting like this” pizza and I’m not impressed. I recently came across a new place called “Gallery Pizza” and it was absolutely amazing. Best pizza in Bangkok, hands down. I read on the website that the head chef went to Italy for 3 months and studied how to make pizza, i now do not doubt that one bit. The cool thing about it, it is also a Art Gallery. Really good experience overall.