A Butcher’s Cut and a Baker’s Craft: Royalbeef x Splendori Pizza Redefines Ostia’s Dining Scene
In Ostia, where the scent of the sea fills the air and seafood reigns supreme, Royalbeef has boldly flipped the script, proving that meat deserves its own spotlight on the coast. Founded by Giuseppe Domenico Larosa, whose Sicilian heritage is deeply woven into the restaurant’s philosophy, Royalbeef has become a destination for meat enthusiasts, sourcing top-quality cuts from sustainable farms in Campania and Puglia, as well as the family’s Nebrodinero estate, where 140 hectares of land are dedicated to raising prized black pigs in a semi-wild state. This agricultural project produces pancetta, guanciale, and ham aged for 72 months, reflecting a deep commitment to ethical and high-quality farming.
Ostia is located southwest of Rome, along the Tyrrhenian coast. It is part of the municipality of Rome and serves as one of the city's primary seaside district. It is about 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the city center and is well known for its beaches, seafood restaurants, and archaeological site, Ostia Antica, which was once the ancient port of Rome.
With 60 seats: 20 outdoors and 40 indoors, Royalbeef offers a versatile dining experience featuring an open kitchen and pizzeria. Glass displays of premium meats and cured cuts evoke the atmosphere of a modern butcher’s shop, while the space adapts effortlessly to everything from casual aperitifs to indulgent tasting menus. The addition of a pizza pop-up has further expanded the restaurant’s culinary vision, blending steakhouse excellence with artisanal pizza-making in a one-of-a-kind concept.
A Bold Collaboration of Meat and Pizza
In 2022, Royalbeef took an unexpected turn, forging a partnership with Alessandro Splendori, a pizza chef whose inventive approach aligned perfectly with the restaurant’s rebellious spirit. This collaboration wasn’t just about adding pizza to the menu, it was about challenging expectations, blending fire and dough, and creating something truly unique in Ostia.
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Giuseppe Domenico Larosa (Top) / Alessandro Splendori (Bottom) |
“When we opened Ostia, it was a purely tourist place, and this name also served to impress the sign of that clear detachment that our brand represented,” says Giuseppe Domenico Larosa, who grew up on the Roman coast but remains deeply tied to his Sicilian roots. From the beginning, Royalbeef was designed to break away from convention. Together with his sister and another family member, he launched a steakhouse in a town where seafood reigned, a concept that immediately went against the grain. Over time, the focus sharpened, sourcing exceptional meats, refining culinary techniques, and elevating ingredient quality became the restaurant’s defining principles. This dedication extended to the family’s Nebrodi estate, where 140 hectares of land nurture black pigs raised in a semi-wild state, producing capocollo, pancetta, guanciale, and ham aged for 72 months.
It was this same commitment to craftsmanship that made Alessandro Splendori the perfect partner. A former flight attendant and competitive skier, Splendori unexpectedly fell in love with pizza-making in 2017 and immersed himself in the craft. Under the guidance of Pino Arletto, Jacopo Mercuro, and Pier Daniele Seu, he honed his skills in some of Rome’s most esteemed pizzerias, including Seu Pizza Illuminati, Pro Loco Trastevere, Tac, and Qvinto. His ability to honor tradition while pushing boundaries made him the ideal collaborator to expand Royalbeef’s vision beyond steak.
The partnership officially materialized in May 2023, with the launch of Royalbeef x Splendori Pizza, a seamless fusion of two crafts, expertly aged meats and artisanal pizza-making. More than just an evolution of the menu, this collaboration reinvents what a steakhouse can be, proving that when passion and craftsmanship collide, the results are nothing short of extraordinary.
A Menu That Pushes Boundaries
Both the à la carte and tasting menus open with a selection of five tapas, each showcasing a different cut and preparation of meat. Highlights include hand-chopped fillet tartare, simply dressed with olive oil, salt, and pepper, Roman-style gyoza filled with oxtail stew and pecorino sauce, and gyros with black pork belly, blending rich flavors with inventive techniques. These lead into fresh pasta dishes, followed by grilled meats, such as ribeye for sharing, paired with charred seasonal vegetables.
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| Tasting of Nebrodi Cured Meats (Top) / Beef Magnum (Bottom) |
Pizza takes center stage in Royalbeef’s evolution, bringing an unexpected twist to the steakhouse experience. Using a pre-fermented biga dough made with Molino Mariani type 0 and 1 flours, enriched with oil for extra elasticity, Alessandro Splendori crafts a version of Roman-style round pizza that boasts a crisp, airy texture. His signature creations include the Capocollo with lemon gel and crusco pepper chips, the Capricciosa featuring 72-month-aged prosciutto, and daring reinventions such as Potatoes and Porchetta, a tribute to the Sancho family from nearby Fiumicino, Ragù de Nonna with blood orange gel and pecorino, and the Sunday Roast, layered with buttered potato cream, roast beef, meat stock, and fried rosemary.
The menu offers a dynamic range of options to suit every craving. Classic and Le Royal (gourmet) pizzas are priced between €7 and €16, blending tradition with bold flavors. For those looking to explore the chef’s creativity, the tasting menu of appetizers for two features five courses at the chef’s discretion for €40. Individual appetizers range from €6 to €20, while fresh pasta dishes are priced around €15. Meat lovers can indulge in premium grilled selections for €65, featuring German Simmental, Italian Impera, Polish Karolina del Mazury, and Austrian Manzarda cuts. For the ultimate experience, the Royal Tasting Menu at €60 showcases the best of the kitchen’s craftsmanship, delivering a carefully curated journey of flavors.
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| Crudo e Rucola: Nebrodi cured ham / rocket / Parmigiano Reggiano (photo from Royalbeef) |
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| Broccoletti e Salsiccia: Sautéed broccoletti cream / Cinta Senese sausage / smoked provola fondue (photo from Royalbeef) |
To complement the menu, Royalbeef’s beverage selection is thoughtfully curated, featuring 100 red wines, 50 whites, sparkling rosés, and natural wines. The list highlights native and rediscovered grapes, including Nero Buono and Bellone from Lazio and Perricone from Sicily, offering a deep connection to Italy’s diverse terroirs. The beer selection ranges from draft pours to microbrews, spanning classic lagers to bright, tart ales, ensuring a perfect pairing for every dish.
By merging butcher-quality meats, boundary-pushing pizza craftsmanship, and an expertly curated drink selection, Royalbeef x Splendori Pizza redefines the balance between tradition and innovation, cementing its place as a one-of-a-kind dining destination in Ostia.
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| Tasting Menu of Appetizers (photo from Royalbeef) |
Royalbeef x Splendori Pizza
Address: Via Rutilio Namaziano 16/18, 00121 Ostia Lido (RM), Italy
Tel: +39 328 9617581
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/royalbeef.ostia
Opening Hours: Open for dinner except Tuesdays. Also open for lunch on Sundays
