A delectable journey through time, blending rich traditions with the freshest local ingredients to create unforgettable flavors in every bite.
Eating out in Rome is a culinary adventure that unveils the city’s rich gastronomic tapestry. Wander through cobbled streets to discover quaint trattorias and bustling pizzerias, each offering a tantalizing array of traditional Roman dishes. Start with Roman artichokes or supplì (rice balls) as appetizers, then savor classics like Cacio e Pepe and Amatriciana pasta. Indulge in thin-crust Pizza Romana or try the renowned porchetta at a local rosticceria. Save room for desserts like Tiramisu or Maritozzo, and perhaps venture into the Jewish Ghetto to relish Roman Jewish cuisine. From street food to fine dining, Rome’s diverse culinary landscape promises an unforgettable gastronomic experience. Here’s a list of must-try foods in Rome and suggestions on where to find them:
- Carbonara
- Carbonara is a classic Italian pasta dish characterized by a creamy sauce made with eggs, cheese (Pecorino Romano), pancetta, and black pepper.
- Where to Find: Da Danilo, Roscioli, Trattoria Da Enzo
- Cacio e Pepe
- Cacio e Pepe is a traditional Italian pasta dish featuring simple yet flavorful ingredients, consisting of spaghetti or other pasta varieties tossed with Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper.
- Where to Find: Roma Sparita, Felice a Testaccio, Flavio al Velavevodetto
- Amatriciana
- Amatriciana is an Italian pasta sauce originating from the town of Amatrice, typically made with tomatoes, cured pork cheek (guanciale), Pecorino Romano cheese, and red pepper flakes.
- Where to Find: Matricianella, Roscioli, Armando al Pantheon
- Supplì
- Supplì is a Roman street food delicacy, consisting of deep-fried rice balls filled with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and often ground meat, creating a crispy exterior and a gooey, flavorful center.
- Where to Find: Trapizzino, Bonci Pizzarium, Supplizio
- Pizza Romana
- Pizza Romana is a traditional Roman-style pizza characterized by a thin, crispy crust, usually topped with simple ingredients such as tomato sauce, olive oil, fresh herbs, and occasionally mozzarella or other toppings.
- Where to Find: Da Remo, Bonci Pizzarium
- Saltimbocca alla Romana
- Saltimbocca alla Romana is a classic Roman dish featuring thin slices of veal, prosciutto, and fresh sage, typically pan-fried and then simmered in white wine, creating a flavorful and tender delicacy.
- Where to Find: Checco er Carettiere, La Campana, Da Augusto
- Roman Artichokes (Carciofi alla Romana)
- Roman Artichokes, or Carciofi alla Romana, are a traditional Roman dish where artichokes are seasoned with garlic, mint, and parsley, then braised until tender, resulting in a flavorful and tender delicacy.
- Where to Find: Giggetto al Portico d’Ottavia, Da Romolo alla Mole Adriana, Trattoria Da Teo
- Tiramisu
- Tiramisu is a luscious Italian dessert comprising layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and a mascarpone cheese mixture, dusted with cocoa powder, creating a rich and indulgent treat.
- Where to Find: Two Sizes, Pompi, Flavio al Velavevodetto
- Gelato
- Gelato is a creamy Italian frozen dessert, similar to ice cream but denser and with less air, crafted with high-quality ingredients and featuring a variety of flavors such as fruit, chocolate, and nut-based options.
- What is gelato
- Where to Find: Giolitti, Fatamorgana, Gelateria del Teatro
- Roman Jewish Cuisine
- Roman Jewish cuisine, or “Cucina Ebraica Romana,” is a unique culinary tradition blending Jewish dietary laws with the flavors of Rome, notable for dishes like Carciofi alla Giudia (Jewish-style artichokes) and highlights a rich history of diverse influences.
- Roman Jewish Cuisine
- Where to Find: Piperno, Nonna Betta, Ba’Ghetto
- Roman Street Food
- Roman street food reflects the city’s culinary diversity, offering an array of delicious options such as supplì (rice balls), pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice), and trapizzino (filled triangular pizza pockets), providing locals and visitors with quick and flavorful bites.
- Street Food in Rome
- Where to Find: Bonci Pizzarium, Supplizio, Trapizzino
- Maritozzo
- Maritozzo is a traditional Roman sweet roll, enriched with butter and often filled with whipped cream, creating a delightful and indulgent pastry enjoyed as a breakfast or dessert treat.
- Where to Find: Roscioli, Pasticceria De Bellis, La Renella
- Rigatoni alla Pajata
- Rigatoni alla Pajata is a Roman pasta dish featuring rigatoni pasta served with a savory sauce made from the intestines of milk-fed veal, cooked in a tomato-based preparation, resulting in a rich and unique flavor.
- Where to Find: Flavio al Velavevodetto, Armando al Pantheon, Cesare al Casaletto
- Porchetta
- Porchetta is a traditional Italian roast, typically made from whole deboned and seasoned pork, rolled and slow-roasted to perfection, resulting in a flavorful and crispy skin encasing tender, herbed meat.
- Where to Find: Er Buchetto, I Porchettoni
- Fiori di Zucca
- Fiori di Zucca, or zucchini flowers in Italian cuisine, are delicate and edible blossoms often stuffed with a mixture of ricotta and herbs, then lightly battered and fried to create a delicious and fragrant dish.
- Where to Find: Il Goccetto, Il Bacaro, La Montecarlo
When in Rome, part of the joy is exploring local trattorias, osterias, and street food vendors. These recommendations offer a mix of traditional and innovative spots to indulge in Rome’s diverse culinary scene. I also threw in recipe links in case you want to try your hand at bringing the experience to you at home. Enjoy!