The Ultimate Rome Food Guide

Rome, throughout history, has been home to some of the world’s most important civilizations and is known for its rich culture and delicious cuisine. In this magnificent city, which is considered the heart of Italy, you can find mouthwatering delicacies at every corner. I have been to Rome 4 times and I can say that I came back each time with a few extra pounds. From traditional Italian dishes to the locals’ favorite spots, I will give you a detailed guide on where and what to eat in Rome. Discover the most delicious places and unforgettable flavors this city has to offer. If you are ready, here is the ultimate Rome food guide, enjoy it!

The Best Dishes You Must Eat in Rome

Roman cuisine includes not only Italian dishes but also some tastes unique to this city. Here, I will share the most prominent traditional flavors of Rome. I will also share my likes and dislikes, of course.

Where to stay in Rome?

What to Eat for Breakfast in Rome?

Breakfast in Rome is usually coffee and a sweet pastry. The most famous pastries for breakfast are cornetto, maritozzo and ciambella.

Cornetto: Similar to a croissant but a little softer and sweeter. There are some filled with nutella, cream, etc. They also make salty sandwiches.

Maritozzo: With its sweet lemon-flavored bread topped with a very light cream filling, it was a food that I tried for the first time and loved. It is a Roman specialty that you can eat for breakfast or in the afternoon with coffee. The word means “future wife”.

Ciambella: I can say that this is the Italian version of the donut we know.

Lunch and Dinner Suggestions in Rome

Cacio e Pepe: One of the symbolic dishes of Roman cuisine. It is usually made with Tonnarelli pasta, Pecorino Romano cheese and freshly ground black pepper. Since it is famous in Rome, you can try it while you are here, but even if the place that makes it the best, I think it is an ordinary flavor.

Carciofi alla Giudìa – Fried Artichoke: Artichokes are very common in Roman cuisine. This is a fried artichoke cooked in the Jewish style. To be honest, I didn’t like it at all. Maybe you can try it when you are in Rome, but it is not a flavor I would especially want to eat.

Carciofi alla Romana: This is a softer version of artichoke with olive oil and herbs. I think this is a flavor more suitable for my taste.

Carbonara: A type of pasta made with eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, pancetta or guanciale and black pepper. I think it is a really good pasta when made well.

Roman Style Pizza: Unlike Neapolitan pizza with its chubby edges, Roman pizza has a crispy and thin crust.

Fiori di Zucca: Zucchini flowers stuffed with mozzarella and anchovies, battered and fried. I think it’s very tasty, but it can be a bit salty.

Filetti di Baccala Fritta: Cod fillet fried in batter, one of the most common appetizers in Rome. Fish lovers should definitely try it.

Puntarelle / Cicoria: A popular salad type in Rome made from chicory plant. You can see it on menus as a stand-alone salad or in pizza varieties.

Rome Street Food and Snacks

Pizza Al Taglio: The name given to the slice pizzas you can find on every corner in Rome. These pizzas are prepared with a wide variety of toppings and priced by the kilo.

Suppli: Fried risotto balls stuffed with mozzarella. The classic one is with ragu sauce and I don’t like the taste of meat, so I prefer veggy options.

Trapizzino: A combination of pizza and tramezzino, Trapizzino is a triangular sandwich with a variety of ingredients. The bread is really delicious. Since I like seafood and vegetables more, I really liked the one with anchovies and cream cheese and the one with eggplant.

Focaccia Sandwich: Sandwiches made with Focaccia, Italy’s famous bread, are really delicious. Generally, the meat options are more famous, there are veal options. I preferred the veggy ones, and they put plenty of ingredients, which they say you can eat and sleep with. I can say that I wouldn’t regret spending the whole trip to Rome with these sandwiches.

Apart from the above, there are some meat dishes that are unique to Rome, but to be honest, I didn’t try them because they didn’t interest me much. Nevertheless, I list them below with small explanations in case you want to try them.

Saltimbocca: I can say that this meat dish has one of the most elegant presentations of Roman cuisine. It is prepared by wrapping sage leaves and prosciutto on veal. The name of the dish means “jump in the mouth”. Lightly sautéed and cooked with white wine, this flavor is among the popular meat dishes in Rome, but it’s not one of my favorites.

Coda Alla Vaccinara: Slowly cooked for long hours, veal tail is prepared with tomato sauce, onion, carrot and sometimes celery. Again, not my cup of tea.

Trippa alla Romana: This is a Roman version of tripe. It is prepared with tripe, tomato sauce, Pecorino Romano cheese and sometimes mint. Unfortunately, tripe and I belong to different worlds.

Abbacchio Scottadito: A dish of lamb chops grilled or barbecued and served with fresh herbs. I could actually eat this, but I didn’t come across it or I can say it wasn’t my priority.

Porchetta: Spicy, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, I can describe it as pork cooked over a wood fire, similar to a doner. It is usually served between sandwich breads or on its own.

Gricia – Amatriciana – Pajata Pasta: I didn’t want to try these pasta varieties that stand out in Rome since I usually like filled pastas such as tortellini and ravioli more, but let me share their ingredients. Gricia is the eggless version of carbonara. Amatriciana is the version of grician made with tomatoes and white wine. Pajata is a pasta with calf or lamb intestines, tomato sauce and Pecorino Romano.

The Most Famous Desserts in Rome

Tiramisu: Italy’s most famous dessert consisting of biscuits soaked in cream and coffee. In addition to the classic one, you can try different varieties such as pistachio, lemon, strawberry, etc.

Gelato: The name given to Italian ice cream. Unlike normal ice cream, it contains more milk, less cream and has a denser structure. Gelato also has a lower fat content and is kept at a warmer temperature.

What to Drink in Rome?

Here are some traditional Italian drinks to try while in Rome.

Coffee: Coffee is more than just a drink for Italians, it’s a way of life. I would like to give you some information about Italian coffee culture. If you are going to drink latte, don’t order it as latte or they will only give you milk. Coffee with milk such as cappuccino and latte are drunk at breakfast, it is considered strange to drink them after 11 am. Italian coffee shops usually have a bar and a seating area and Italians usually drink their coffee quickly standing up. If you prefer to sit down, the price is usually a bit higher.

Prosecco: A type of sparkling white wine named after the village of Prosecco near Trieste.

Limoncello: A strong liqueur from the Amalfi and Sorrento coasts of southern Italy, made by soaking lemon peels in alcohol and then mixing with sugar water.

Negroni: A classic Italian cocktail made with equal parts gin, red vermouth and Campari. Served with orange.

Grappa: A type of Italian raki produced by distilling grape pulp. Usually consumed after a meal.

Aperol Spritz: A light cocktail that is very popular in Italy, especially in summer. It is prepared with Aperol liqueur, Prosecco and soda.

In addition to these, don’t forget to try Roman wines.

The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Rome

After my previous visits to Rome and my last visit last week, I will write about the places I liked based on my experiences. Although some people say that it is exaggerated, I was satisfied with the places I shared.

First of all, I would like to give a warning about the places in Rome. Some places open after 7pm, others open at noon, close after a few hours and reopen in the evening. So when you are planning, you should definitely check the opening hours of the restaurant you are going to visit.

Where to eat and drink in Rome?

I am categorizing them so that you can decide where to eat more easily.

Best Breakfast Spots in Rome

Since I had breakfast like Romans in Rome, I give recommendations accordingly.

Cafe Barberini, Pasticceria Linari, Regoli Pasticceria

Rome’s Best Coffee Houses

Caffe Faro, Antico Caffe Greco, Tazza D’Oro

Rome Restaurant Recommendations

Il Duca, Da Enzo Al 29, Roma Sparita, Tonnarello

Where to Eat the Best Pasta in Rome?

Osteria da Fortunata, Alfredo alla Scrofa, al42 by Pasta Chef rione Monti, Borghiciana Pastificio Artigianale

Where to Eat the Best Pizza in Rome?

What I have written here are the places that make Neapolitan style pizza. You can find places where you can eat Roman style pizza in the section below where I share local restaurants.

Piccolo Buco, Seu Pizza Illuminati

The Best Local Restaurants in Rome

These are a bit like small trattorias, mostly Italians visit these places rather than tourists.

Pizzeria da Remo, Pizzeria Ai Marmi, Hostaria Da Corrado

Where to Eat Street Food in Rome?

Vineria di Roma Trapizzino, Antico Forno Roscioli, All’Antico Vinaio, Suppli

Where to Eat Tiramisu in Rome?

My favorite dessert is tiramisu and I can say that I like it everywhere I eat in Rome. Still, if I were to rank them starting from the best, I think it would be like this.

Two Sizes, Mr. 100 Tiramisu, Tiramisu Merisu, Pompi

The Best Gelato in Rome

To be honest, the gelato in Rome is not the most memorable I’ve had in Italy, but it’s still good.

Frigidarium, Fiordiluna, Giolitti, Gelateria La Romana

Rome Nightlife

Let me share some places where you can have cocktails and aperitivo in the evening.

The Best Bars in Rome

First I list the terrace bars with beautiful views, then the speakeasy bars with hidden entrances.

Oro Bistro, Terrazza Borromini, RoyaL Art Cafe

Jerry Thomas Speakeasy, The Barber Shop

The Best Aperitivo Spots in Rome

Il Goccetto, Blackmarket Hall, Freni e Frizioni

Of course, there are many more restaurants that I haven’t experienced. If you discover any others, please share them in the comments.

I hope my Rome Food Guide is helpful and that you have a wonderful trip trying delicious flavors in Rome. There might be things I’ve missed, so if you have any questions, please leave a comment. If you have any additional suggestions, please share them in the comments as well. Have a great holiday!

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