Beloved Rimini pizzeria serving exceptionally thin, crispy pizzas with fresh Adriatic toppings. A local institution open late in summer—always packed with locals.
Pizzeria Altero at Via Covignano 12 in Rimini, Emilia-Romagna, is a neighbourhood pizzeria that has earned a devoted local following through consistent, unpretentious pizza and a refusal to adapt its product to tourist expectations. The kitchen produces a thin, round Rimini-style pizza with a charred, crisp base and carefully chosen toppings—a style distinct from the thick Neapolitan and entirely different from the Roman teglia. The Pizza Marinara (tomato, garlic, oregano, no cheese) is the benchmark order for assessing any pizzeria's dough and oven temperature, and at Altero it is excellent. The seafood pizza—Pizza ai frutti di mare—draws on the Adriatic proximity that shapes all of Rimini's food culture, topped with clams, mussels, and shrimp sourced locally. The prosciutto e rucola combination, with a handful of wild rocket applied fresh after baking, is the most popular order among regular customers. The dining room is casual and functional: plastic tablecloths, a wood-fired oven visible from the dining room, and the noise level of a room that is always well-occupied. Pizzeria Altero is open for dinner only (Tuesday through Sunday), typically from 7 PM until midnight, making it a natural choice after a day on Rimini's beaches or an evening in the city's historic centre. No reservations are taken; arrival before 7:30 PM usually secures a table without a wait.
Signature dishes
- Pizza Marinara — €7
- Pizza ai frutti di mare — €13
- Pizza prosciutto e rucola — €11
Good to know
- Known for
- Best local pizza in Rimini
- Hours
- Tue-Sun 7PM-midnight; closed Mon
Location
Via Covignano 12, 47921 Rimini
44.0681, 12.5602 View on map
Highlights
- Thin, crisp Rimini-style pizza from a wood-fired oven—a local standard far removed from tourist-trap versions
- Pizza ai frutti di mare with locally sourced Adriatic clams, mussels, and shrimp—the seafood coastal influence at work
- Benchmark Pizza Marinara—tomato, garlic, oregano, no cheese—as a test of dough quality and oven management
- Open until midnight seven months a year, making it a reliable late dinner option in the Rimini season
- No-reservations local institution: arrive early (before 7:30 PM) for a table without waiting
Tips for visiting
- Arrive by 7:15 PM—the pizzeria fills within 30 minutes of opening and does not take reservations
- Order the Pizza Marinara first to assess the dough; if it is excellent, the seafood pizza will follow naturally
- Rimini-style pizza is thinner and crispier than Neapolitan; if the charred base is unexpected, it is correct, not burnt
- The restaurant is dinner-only and closed on Mondays; plan accordingly when organising a Rimini evening
- House white wine by the carafe is inexpensive and perfectly matched to the pizza; the local Trebbiano is the natural choice
Accessibility
Pizzeria Altero is a ground-floor restaurant on Via Covignano with a street-level entrance. The casual dining room has a standard layout. Basic wheelchair access is feasible; the space is functional and no steps are reported at the entrance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Rimini-style pizza and Neapolitan pizza?
Rimini-style pizza is thinner and crisper, with a more charred base and less puffed cornicione than Neapolitan. It is closer in style to the Roman scrocchiarella than the pillowy Neapolitan crust, and is typically smaller in diameter.
Does Pizzeria Altero take reservations?
No. The pizzeria operates on a walk-in, first-come basis. Arriving at or shortly after the 7 PM opening is the reliable strategy to secure a table without waiting.
Is Pizzeria Altero open year-round?
The pizzeria is open year-round Tuesday through Sunday for dinner. Summer hours extend and the restaurant may occasionally open six or seven nights per week during the peak beach season.
How far is Pizzeria Altero from Rimini's centre?
The address on Via Covignano is in the Covignano hill area slightly west of Rimini's historic centre. It is approximately 3 kilometres from the Tempio Malatestiano and best reached by car or scooter.