Situated on Chelsea’s Fulham Road, Marta is a tiny Italian restaurant putting Roman pizza on the map. Traditional romana pizza is beloved across Italy and yet in London, it remains in the shadow of its popular counterpart, the Neapolitan. But with Marta consistently busy, maybe Roman pizza is coming for Neapolitan’s throne.
The restaurant seats just thirty covers including a handful of bar stools facing an open wood oven. The majority of tables are found within a sixties-style, wood-panelled room. Given its popularity, the team at Marta are wizards at turning tables, creating a buzzy atmosphere amongst a constant flow of guests. The staff are friendly and the ambience is welcoming, creating the perfect environment for tucking into a gigantic pizza.
Roman style is the most commonly found type of pizza across Italy. Originating in Rome, the style differs from region to region but Marta follows an authentic recipe. Hand-rolled using a Mattarello rolling pin, the base is stretched thin as a sheet and baked in a wood oven. In comparison to Neapolitan, the handmade dough is made with olive oil and cooked slightly longer at a lower temperature. The result is a richer, crunchier base which is slightly burnt at the edges. Marta’s concise menu features simple pizza toppings including margarita and bufala to let the fresh ingredients sing. Antipasti options include arancini with mozzarella, hand-sliced salami and anchovy-stuffed courgette flowers. There’s also a handful of crowd-pleaser desserts, comprising tiramisu, lemon sorbet and pistachio ice cream.
Since its opening in late 2024, Marta has grown in popularity as guests from within the neighbourhood and beyond come to try their crispy pizza. If you’ve not tried Roman style before, make a reservation at Marta’s via their Instagram to see what all the fuss is about.