Naperville’s downtown dining scene just added a little taste of Rome.

Bonci Pizza has officially opened at 22 E. Chicago Ave. in Downtown Naperville, marking the celebrated Roman-style pizzeria’s first location in the Chicago suburbs.

But if you're expecting a traditional round pizza sliced into eight pieces, Bonci does things a little differently.

Here, customers choose from large rectangular pizzas displayed behind the counter, decide exactly how much they want, watch as their selection is cut with scissors, and then pay based on weight.

It’s called pizza al taglio — and it's one of the things that helped make Bonci famous.

From Rome to Naperville

Bonci was created by Italian pizzaiolo Gabriele Bonci, who opened his original Pizzarium in Rome and built an international following for his unconventional approach to pizza.

The first Bonci location opened in Rome in 2003. The concept eventually made its way to Chicago, and now Naperville residents no longer have to head into the city to try it.

The new restaurant at 22 E. Chicago Ave. is Bonci's first suburban Chicago location and its fourth U.S. location.

Bonci USA owner Chakib Touhami described the Naperville opening as a way of bringing the Roman experience directly to the suburbs.

So, What Exactly Is Pizza al Taglio?

Instead of ordering a small, medium or large pizza, Bonci lets you build your meal one piece at a time.

Large rectangular pizzas are displayed behind the counter with a rotating selection of toppings.

You point to the pizza you want and indicate how large of a piece you'd like.

The staff cuts your portion with scissors, weighs it, finishes it in the oven and cuts it into smaller pieces for eating and sharing.

That means you don't have to commit to one pizza.

You can grab smaller portions of several different varieties and essentially create your own pizza tasting.

Don't Expect the Same Menu Every Visit

One of the more interesting parts of Bonci is that there isn't really a traditional fixed pizza menu.

The lineup can change throughout the day depending on available seasonal ingredients.

Bonci says customers can typically expect combinations featuring cured meats, cheeses and seasonal produce, along with vegetarian choices.

Some options are relatively familiar.

Others can get considerably more adventurous.

Gabriele Bonci has developed more than 1,500 pizza recipes, and one of the most famous pizzas at his Rome restaurant is topped with potato.

The Dough Is a Big Part of the Story

The toppings may get your attention, but Bonci puts just as much emphasis on what's underneath them.

Its signature dough uses an organic blend of stone-ground Italian flours and undergoes a long fermentation process lasting roughly 48 to 72 hours.

The result is a crust designed to be thick and airy on the inside while remaining crisp on the outside.

The pizzas are also baked using specialty ovens imported from Rome.

It's a much different experience from grabbing a conventional Chicago tavern-style or deep-dish pizza — which is precisely the point.

There's More Than Pizza

Bonci also serves supplì, Roman-inspired fried rice or pasta balls filled with combinations of cheese and meat.

The restaurant offers beverages as well, including natural teas, sodas, juices, craft beer and wine.

But pizza is unquestionably the main attraction.

And because the available varieties can change frequently, two visits could look completely different.

Why Naperville?

Bonci's arrival is another example of nationally and internationally recognized food concepts choosing Downtown Naperville for their first major expansion into Chicago's suburbs.

Naperville has seen a steady stream of new restaurants and retailers opening downtown throughout 2026.

Bonci now joins that growing lineup while bringing something that remains relatively unusual in the suburbs: authentic Roman-style pizza sold by weight.

And unlike some restaurant openings that simply add another location of a concept already common throughout Chicagoland, Bonci's Naperville restaurant represents its first move into the Chicago suburbs.

Downtown Naperville Keeps Adding New Restaurants

Bonci isn't arriving alone.

Downtown Naperville has been experiencing another wave of restaurant and retail openings, with businesses ranging from national brands to concepts making their first suburban appearances.

That continues to strengthen downtown as more than just a shopping destination.

Residents can increasingly make an afternoon or evening out of walking downtown, grabbing dinner, visiting local shops and heading to the Riverwalk — without having to travel into Chicago for concepts that once existed primarily in the city.

Bonci is a particularly interesting addition because its experience is as much about how you order the pizza as the pizza itself.

FAQs

Where is Bonci Pizza in Naperville?

Bonci Pizza is located at 22 E. Chicago Ave. in Downtown Naperville.

Is this Bonci's first suburban Chicago restaurant?

Yes. The Naperville restaurant is Bonci's first Chicago suburban location and its fourth U.S. location.

What kind of pizza does Bonci serve?

Bonci specializes in Roman-style pizza al taglio — large rectangular pizzas that are cut to the customer's desired size and sold by weight.

Why does Bonci cut its pizza with scissors?

Customers choose how much of each pizza they want, so staff use scissors to cut custom-sized portions before weighing them. The pizza is then heated and cut into smaller pieces for serving.

Does Bonci have vegetarian pizza?

Yes. Bonci says vegetarian choices are always available, although individual toppings and pizza varieties can change throughout the day.

Final Thoughts

Naperville has added plenty of new restaurants lately, but Bonci brings something genuinely different to the suburbs.

Instead of picking one pizza from a menu, you can walk along the counter, choose several varieties, decide exactly how much of each you want and watch as they're cut with scissors and weighed in front of you.

It's part restaurant, part tasting experience — and very Roman.

For anyone who's wanted to try Bonci without making the trip into Chicago, that's now a lot easier.

Rome has officially made its way to Downtown Naperville.