Emily just left Paris and went to Rome, I think it’s because of the food. Here’s what to eat in Rome for an epic trip.
When one hears the name Rome the images that usually come to mind are those of Roman architecture and of Renaissance art. However, hidden among the city’s historical treasures lies another equally captivating aspect of Roman culture: its cuisine.
Pasta, pizza, and gelato are among the three most popular foods in the world that originated in Italy and the bustling city of Rome has all of this and much more in parentheses.
My first trip to Rome was to see the historical sights but my best memories after the trip were actually of the things I ate. Believe it or not, I went back to Rome within just 2 months and all I had on my mind was food.
As an Indian living in Europe who’s married to an Italian, I often shrug nonchalantly when people talk about Italian cuisine because I assume it is overrated. That is until I went to Rome.
Roman gastronomy is the result of tradition and innovation combined, representing many cultures over centuries. Pasta dishes form the heart of Roman cuisine, with tales to narrate.
Be it spaghetti alla carbonara, the marriage of creamy egg and pancetta sauce with al dente pasta, or cacio e pepe, simple yet sublime with just pecorino cheese and black pepper, the city is vital in preserving traditional flavors.
For travelers to Rome, the pleasures of its table start with so much more than a fork and knife; they begin with a ticket into history.
Now it is very likely that you will visit places like the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and Vatican City. My quick tip is to reserve your slots for paid attractions and get your Colosseum tickets and skip-the-line entry tickets to the Vatican Museums beforehand to avoid long queues.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to what to eat in Rome, highlighting traditional dishes, iconic Roman pastas, and the best places to enjoy them.
1. Cacio e Pepe: The Quintessential Roman Pasta
One of the most iconic Roman pasta dishes is Cacio e Pepe, made with just three ingredients: pecorino romano cheese, black pepper, and pasta. This simple yet flavorful dish highlights the genius of Roman cuisine, relying on high-quality ingredients like sharp pecorino and freshly ground pepper.
I had an insanely good experience at Roma Sparita in Trastevere, Anthony Bourdain’s favorite spot in Rome. They served Cacio e Pepe in a bowl made of crispy cheese.
- Where to Try It: For the best Cacio e Pepe in Rome, head to Trattoria Da Enzo al 29, located in Trastevere, Roma Sparita in Trastevere, or Armando al Pantheon, which serves traditional Roman dishes near the historic Pantheon.
2. Amatriciana: A Rich Tomato Sauce Pasta
For my first ever meal in Rome, I asked the server to bring me their most popular dish and surprise me. They served me Pasta all’Amatriciana which was my most delicious meal in Rome.
Pasta all’Amatriciana is a staple of la cucina romana. It is made with tomato sauce, pecorino romano, and guanciale (pork cheek). The pork jowl is fried to perfection, giving the dish a smoky flavor that complements the tangy tomato sauce.
- Best Places: Osteria da Zi Umberto in Trastevere near Piazza Trilussa, Tonnarello Scala in Trastevere, La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali, or Trattoria Da Teo in Trastevere are top spots to indulge in this Roman classic.
3. Carbonara: The Iconic Roman Pasta with Egg Yolk
Often imitated but never duplicated, Spaghetti alla Carbonara is made with egg yolk, pecorino romano, and guanciale. No cream is used in the authentic recipe, and the result is a creamy, savory sauce that clings to the pasta.
However, if you eat Pasta in Carbonara sauce outside Italy, most likely it will include heavy cream, and as a result, even a small portion feels like overeating.
When I first ate Spaghetti alla Carbonara in Rome, I was pleasantly surprised at how light and yet satisfying my meal was.
- Where to Eat: Try the best Carbonara at Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina, Cantina e Cucina in Campo de’ Fiori, Magus Bistro at Campo de Fiori, or Tonnarello, all famous for perfecting this dish.
4. Polpette: The Legendary Italian Meatballs
One of the most popular Italian pasta dishes in the world is Spaghetti with Meatballs but eating this in Rome was an amazing experience.
On my mission to find the best Roman food, my friend took me to Cantina e Cucina in Campo de’ Fiori where I asked for their specialty and they mentioned Polpette. These weren’t normal-sized polpette but giant ones.
You can eat polpette with pasta, or just with tomato sauce, sauteed chicory, and topped with cheese and pepper. I personally decided to order Tonnarello Casereccio con le Polpette, which is Homemade Tonnarello pasta with Meatballs.
- Where to Eat: Try the best Polpette at Cantina e Cucina in Campo de’ Fiori, or Er Polpetta at Piazza Navona.
5. Maritozzi: Classic Roman Breakfast of Sweet Pastry
If you like sweet treats then you will love every single breakfast in Rome because that’s what they eat.
Seriously, I like my breakfast salty but wherever I went, I saw Maritozzi. I finally got to try it on my last day and I felt like I died and went to heaven. Ok, I’m exaggerating but it was insanely tasty.
Maritozzo is a traditional Roman sweet pastry, topped with whipped cream. Simple yet mindblowing! Maritozzaro is singular but Maritozzi is plural. You will find them in many pasticcerias all over Rome. A pasticceria is a shop selling pastries and cakes.
- Where to Eat: Literally everywhere and every single pasticceria or bar. But still, if you’d like to note names, try Regoli Pasticceria in Esquilino, Casa Manfredi Aventino near Ripa, or Il Maritozzaro in Trastevere.
My tip is to not look for the best place to eat Maritozzo but to try them wherever you see. I tried at Rome airport and I was so happy with the experience.
6. Carciofi alla Romana and Carciofi alla Giudia: Roman Artichokes (Vegan Friendly)
Roman artichokes are a beloved part of the local diet. Carciofi alla Romana are braised with olive oil, garlic, and mint, while Carciofi alla Giudia are deep-fried to crispy perfection, a hallmark of Rome’s Jewish Ghetto cuisine.
Apart from pasta in tomato sauce without cheese, Rome doesn’t have many vegan-friendly food options but this is one of the rare ones.
My husband is half Italian so we often eat Artichokes during family meals. We ordered it as our anti-pasti (starter) in Tonnarello Scala (a top-rated restaurant in Trastevere) and loved it.
- Best Places: For Carciofi alla Giudia, visit Tonnarello Scala in Trastevere, or Nonna Betta. Carciofi alla Romana are also very good at Da Enzo al 29.
7. Supplì al Telefono: Rome’s Best Street Food
One of the most popular forms of street food in Rome is supplì, fried rice balls stuffed with mozzarella cheese, often referred to as “al telefono” because of the string of cheese that stretches when you bite into it.
Supplì reminded me of Arancini. If you have read my post about Puglia, you would have seen photos of Arancini already, they are both different kinds of fried riceballs.
- Where to Find It: You can find delicious supplì at Mordi e Vai in Testaccio Market or Panificio Bonci.
8. Pizza al Taglio and Pizza alla Romana
There are two kinds of people – those who like crusty pizzas and others who only enjoy thin crust. If you belong to the second group, you will love eating Pizzas in Rome.
Roman pizza comes in different forms. Pizza al taglio is sold by the slice and often topped with a variety of ingredients, while Pizza alla Romana is thin and crispy.
We had the best pizzas of our lives at Pizzeria Nuovo Mondo, a super simple Pizzeria where we saw just locals and only one table apart from ours had English-speaking tourists.
We also enjoyed our Pizza with Stracciatella cheese, lemon, and basil at La Pizza di Sophia Loren, which is the Sophia Loren Restaurant at Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport. Stracciatella is a yummy fresh cheese from Puglia.
- Where to Get It: Pizzeria Nuovo Mondo in Ripa neighborhood, Casa Manco in Testaccio Market, and Pizzarium Bonci are renowned for their unique toppings and high-quality dough.
9. Trippa alla Romana and Coda alla Vaccinara
For a taste of Roman offal dishes, try Trippa alla Romana, made with tripe in a red sauce of tomatoes, mint, and pecorino romano. Another Roman classic is Coda alla Vaccinara, a hearty oxtail stew simmered with pine nuts, tomatoes, and red wine.
- Best Restaurants: Armando al Pantheon and La Tavernaccia are well known for these hearty Roman classics.
10. Allesso di Bollito and Rigatoni con la Pajata
Another example of typical Roman dishes includes Allesso di Bollito, a dish of boiled beef served with a flavorful sauce, and Rigatoni con la Pajata, pasta made with lamb intestines for the more adventurous eaters.
- Where to Eat: Checchino dal 1887 in Testaccio specializes in traditional offal dishes.
11. Pasta alla Gricia: The Predecessor of Amatriciana
If you’re a fan of Roman pastas, don’t miss Rigatoni alla Gricia, a dish made with guanciale, pecorino romano, and black pepper, considered the ancestor of Amatriciana, but without the tomato sauce.
- Best Place to Try: La Pergola offers a more refined version, while Trattoria Perilli keeps things traditional.
12. Risotto alla Milanese and Risotto alla Pescatora: Italian Rice Dishes
Since of Pasta already? Then try Risotto.
The most famous risotto of Rome is Risotto alla Milanese, which is saffron risotto. My personal favourite however is Risotto alla Pescatora, which is a fisherman’s risotto because I love seafood. It is sometimes also called risotto ai frutti di mare when it has shellfish.
Il Convivio Troiani is a Michelin-starred restaurant near Piazza Navona that’s famous for risottos and it is high-end. Another fine-dining Michelin-star restaurant famous for risotto is La Pergola.
- Where to go: Cybo near Piazza Navonna, Pipero Roma in the historic center, Il Convivio Troiani near Piazza Navona, La Pergola at Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria Hotel, or Antico Arco at Gianicolo for Risotto with artichokes and pecorino romano. The famous Janiculum Hill which I have mentioned in Rome’s best viewpoints post is right here too.
13. Italian Gelato: The Best Ice Cream in the World
No food tour of Rome is complete without dessert. Rome offers some of the best gelato in Italy.
Don’t go to touristy gelato shops with “fake gelato” that’s displayed without a steel cover. The shops that display gelato like that are mostly to attract tourists. Locals don’t go to these shops. A local told me that traditional gelato is always covered to maintain the texture.
So, look for good gelato made with natural ingredients and avoid overly bright colors. Some of the most iconic gelato flavors that you can try in Rome are pistachio, Limone (lemon), Menta (mint), Fragola (strawberry), and Stracciatella.
- Where to Go: For the best gelato, we visited Gelateria Cremilla near Castel Sant’Angelo every single night.
14. Tiramisu & Other Sweet Treats
Tiramisu is my favorite dessert ever. You can’t go wrong with coffee, mascarpone cheese, and amaretto (coffee liquor). So of course I ordered Tiramisu almost everywhere I ate a meal.
Apart from Tiramisu, there are so many other kinds of sweet treats to try in Rome. Try Torts com Ricotta e visciole (Pie filled with ricotta cheese and cherries) at Pasticceria Boccione in the Jewish Ghetto, a kosher bakery serving Jewish-Roman-style traditional desserts. If you like Mozzarella, you will love ricotta cheese too. So ricotta pie at Pasticceria Boccione isn’t just a traditional Jewish dessert but also Roman.
Some of the most popular desserts in Rome contain pistachio. Try a slice of pistachio cake from Gelateria Cremilla. I also saw some pastry shops selling pistachio tiramisu but I didn’t want to try.
Also, make sure to try cornetto – the Italian version of croissants, and some of the best ones have a nice creamy filling.
- Where to Go: Pasticceria Boccione for their Ricotta Pie, Gelateria Cremilla for Tiramisu and Pistachio cakes, Two Sizes near Piazza Navona for Tiramisu, and Pasticceria Regoli for literally everything.
15. Roman Spritz: Italian Aperitivo which is a Cocktail
Imagine a world where you order an aperitif (appetizer) and you get a cocktail. Yes, this world exists in Italy and now the rest of Europe thanks to the famous Italian summer trends.
Unless you’ve been sleeping in a cave, you would have definitely heard of Aperol Spritz. It’s bitter, tangy, sweet, and bubbly. It is mixed with Prosecco with Aperol. Prosecco is Italian bubby wine.
Now there are all sorts of Spritzes in Rome but my favorite one is Limoncello Spritz, which is made with lemon liquor from Amalfi. My least favorite kind of Spritz is Campari Spritz.
- Where to Go: I drank Spritzes with almost every single meal in Rome and I didn’t find even a single place that made it wrong. Try Cybo near Piazza Navona which is famous for its Spritzes, Trevi Rooftop for epic views and overpriced cocktails, or Bar San Calisto in Trastevere for famous cocktails.
Food Tours, Markets, and the Best Restaurants in Rome
Exploring Rome’s food scene is a great way to discover the city. No food tour of Rome is complete without an overview of its many diverse markets.
Of particular note is the Campo de Fiori, a square so alive with fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and pungent spices that in itself it constitutes a whirlwind of colors and smells. I have mentioned Campo de Fiori many times because of the restaurants but it is completely different during the day.
Here, visitors can taste regional cheeses and artisan meats, tasting the real flavors of the area. Whether drinking a leisurely cup of coffee amid the bustling market or just basking in the warm Mediterranean sun, Campo de Fiori is a feast for the eyes, capturing the culinary soul of Rome.
If you decide to do a food tour in Rome, it will most likely take you through iconic spots like Piazza Navona, Trastevere, the Jewish Ghetto, and landmarks like the Colosseum and Vatican City. Below are some of the top food tours in Rome:
Don’t just stop at food tours but consider a Vespa tour also, it was really the best thing that I ever did in Rome.
Some of the best restaurants for experiencing Italian cuisine include:
- Da Enzo al 29: Known for its traditional Roman dishes, particularly Cacio e Pepe and Carciofi alla Romana.
- Roma Sparita: Featured on Anthony Bourdain’s show and serves legendary Cacio e Pepe, and carciofi alla Giudia.
- Tonnarello Scala: Famous for Amatriciana, Cacio e Pepe and Carbonara.
- Mordi e Vai: Famous for its Roman street food at Testaccio Market.
- Armando al Pantheon: A must-visit for those wanting classic Roman fare near the Pantheon.
- La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali: Family-run, offering some of the best Roman pastas.
- Panificio Bonci: Perfect for pizza lovers craving pizza al taglio.
Where to Stay in Rome?
The best neighborhood to book a place to stay is Trastevere. If you don’t find anything here, then try the nearby areas like Monteverde and Portuense. Below are the places where I have personally stayed:
What to Eat in Rome: Closing Thoughts
Rome’s culinary offerings are as special as its rich history. I like how Italians don’t overcomplicate their cooking and let simple recipes and ingredients shine.
A simple tip: The food in Rome is special in many restaurants so please don’t run after what influencers post on Instagram or other famous restaurants. Sometimes places that are famous on Instagram are so just because of how pretty the food looks.
If there’s a long line, it doesn’t mean that a simple restaurant next to a more famous one isn’t good enough. This is how you find hidden gems!
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