Pizzeria Bembino is a Neapolitan-style pizza restaurant in the Kamiya-cho area of Naka Ward, offering a reliable Italian option for visitors or local residents seeking a break from Japanese cuisine. The restaurant uses a wood-fired pizza oven producing the characteristic leopard-spotted char and slightly chewy, airy cornicione (crust edge) associated with Neapolitan technique. The menu is compact — a dozen or so pizzas, a few Italian starters, pasta, and dessert. The signature offerings include a classic Margherita with San Marzano-style tomato and imported mozzarella, and a Hiroshima lemon pizza that incorporates thin lemon slices and ricotta as a local adaptation. Tiramisu is the kitchen's preferred dessert. The dining room is informal: wooden furniture, warm lighting, Italian posters, and a convivial noise level typical of a busy neighbourhood restaurant rather than a formal establishment. Pricing is accessible — a full pizza with a salad and drink runs ¥2,000–¥2,500, well within normal Hiroshima dining budgets. Bembino is particularly useful for multi-day Hiroshima stays when a change from Japanese food is desired, or for groups with mixed dietary preferences (pizza being broadly accommodating for vegetarians). Open daily from 11:30 AM through 10 PM. Walk-in is the standard approach; the restaurant accommodates larger groups with some notice.
Signature dishes
- Margherita
- Hiroshima lemon pizza
- Tiramisu
Good to know
- Known for
- Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizza popular with locals — a good option for non-Japanese-food evenings
- Hours
- 11:30AM–10:00PM; open daily
- Reservations
- Walk-in
Location
1-7-20 Kamiya-cho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, 730-0031
34.3937, 132.4590 View on map
Highlights
- Neapolitan wood-fired pizza in central Hiroshima — a reliable Italian option for multi-day stays
- Hiroshima lemon pizza with ricotta — a local adaptation of classic Neapolitan technique
- Wood-fired oven producing authentic charred crust with airy cornicione
- Full meal under ¥2,500 — accessible pricing for a central Naka Ward location
- Vegetarian-friendly menu with multiple pizza options containing no meat
Tips for visiting
- The Margherita is the cleanest way to evaluate the oven quality — order it first if comparing pizza across visits.
- The Hiroshima lemon pizza uses actual lemon slices which can be sharp — ask for less lemon if sensitive to acidity.
- Open daily including weekdays when many Japanese specialist restaurants take their closure day.
- Suitable for groups with varied Japanese-food tolerance; the menu accommodates multiple dietary preferences.
- A carafe of house Italian red pairs simply with both the lemon and the Margherita.
Accessibility
The restaurant is at street level with a standard entrance. Interior seating uses chairs at standard-height tables. The layout is generally navigable for wheelchair users, though the space can become crowded at peak dinner hours. Staff are accommodating for accessible seating requests.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Is Bembino a genuine Neapolitan pizzeria?
Bembino uses wood-fired cooking and the visual hallmarks of Neapolitan technique (char, soft crust, simple toppings). It is not officially certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana but produces a result consistent with the style and is regarded as the best pizza option in central Hiroshima by local residents.
Is the restaurant suitable for celiacs or gluten-free diets?
The standard pizza dough contains wheat. A gluten-free crust option is not a guaranteed offering — visitors with celiac requirements should confirm current availability when booking or ordering.
Is Bembino a good choice for groups including people who don't want Japanese food?
Yes. The Italian menu is broadly familiar to most international visitors, and pizza accommodates a wider range of dietary preferences than many Japanese restaurant formats. The relaxed walk-in policy also suits larger, informally organised groups.
What are the opening hours?
Bembino is open daily from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM with continuous service. This makes it convenient for an early dinner before evening activities in Nagarekawa or Hatchobori.