Tabelog ratingTRATTORIA-PIZZERIA polipo is one of only two pizzerias in Hiroshima certified by the True Neapolitan Pizza Association, and Tabelog has repeatedly listed it in its Pizza and Italian WEST Tabelog 100 selections. Pizzas bake for about 90 seconds in a mosaic-tiled wood-fired oven. The crust comes out thin and chewy-crisp, topped with imported tomatoes and fior di latte. The other reason to book is the antipasto platter, usually ordered with the reservation, which reviewers keep describing as a meal in itself.
The pizza dominates the praise. The Margherita appears in nearly every review, and the Margherita Extra with buffalo mozzarella in particular. Several Italian visitors call it as good as pizza at home. Diners also single out the Bismarck and seasonal pies, such as one topped with grilled cutlassfish. Hand-made scialatielli with seafood has many fans, as do the bluefin tuna bruschetta, burrata salads, pistachio gelato, brûlée, tiramisu, rum baba and house limoncello. Staff are mostly described as warm, and the room feels convincingly Italian.
The main complaint is pace. When the room is full, pizza can take up to an hour and drinks have taken 20 minutes. After the first order, only pizza can be added, which some guests found off-putting. A few reviewers found the service curt. The pasta divides opinion, with some calling it dry or under-sauced. One regular feels the antipasto platter has shrunk.
Reviewers in 2025–2026 paid around ¥2,090 for the Margherita, ¥2,640 for the Margherita Extra and ¥2,750 for the Asparagi Bismarck. The scialatielli frutti di mare cost about ¥2,420, the antipasto platter roughly ¥2,000 per person and the rum-baba tiramisu ¥660. Expect about ¥3,000–4,000 per person at lunch and ¥6,000–8,000 at dinner. Prices are high for Japan, but portions are large and several reviewers say the platter plus one pizza feeds two people well. That makes it good value if you come for the pizza.
- Getting there: 2 minutes' walk (about 78 m) from Katei-Saibansho-mae tram stop, near Shukkeien garden.
- Booking: recommended, especially at weekends. Queues form before opening, and walk-ins sometimes get in at weekday lunch but are not guaranteed. Phone 082-221-0331 between 14:00–17:30 or 21:00–22:00. Pre-order the antipasto platter when you book.
- Payment: credit cards (JCB, AMEX, Diners), electronic money and QR code payments accepted.
- Seating: 44 seats (4 at the counter, 40 at tables). No private rooms, but the restaurant can be booked for private use.
- Smoking: non-smoking.
- Parking: none; use nearby paid car parks.
- Ordering: the menu is in Japanese only and you order by QR code. Phone translation works, and some staff speak enough English. Order everything in your first round.
- A gelateria two doors down sells takeaway gelato, coffee and panini.
