Must-Try Food in Rome

This webpage contains affiliate links. See more details here.

Looking for the best and most quality food you can enjoy while in Rome? You are on the right place, as we compiled a list of must-try food in Rome.

Throughout the city you'll find numerous restaurants and eateries, offering amazing offer of pizza, pasta, snacks as well as sweets including gelato.

For a deeper dive into Roman cuisine, consider joining a guided food tour. Tour guides will introduce you to hidden gems and provide insights into the history of each dish, ensuring a memorable culinary experience.

For a truly unique experience, join one of hands on cooking classes in Rome and learn how to make fetuccine, ravioli, gnocchi or even pizza!

1. Pizza al taglio (pizza by slice)

pizzarium bonci pizza 10

Roman-style pizza is baked in large rectangular trays and served by the slice. With a crispy exterior and a soft interior, it’s the ideal choice for a quick snack or a satisfying lunch.

The pizza boasts a variety of creative toppings, including fresh mozzarella, mortadella, smoked ham or prosciutto, zucchini flowers, potatoes, sausages, artichokes, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and many more possibilities.

Are you eager to try some of the best Roman pizza? Join this morning food tour in Prati, near the Vatican, and discover where you can indulge in this delicious treat!

Where to try pizza al taglio: Head to Pizzarium Bonci to try one of the best pizza in Rome, topped with quality ingredients. Our favourite is the one with sliced of mortadella and sprinkle of chopped pistachios.

2. Porchetta

A savory, roasted pork dish flavoured with herbs, typically served in a sandwich (with panini or focaccia). Look for vendors at markets for the best taste. For a truly delicious porchetta, visit Panificio Bonci near Vatican and order slices of pork sandwiched between two slices of pizza bianca.

3. Spaghetti Carbonara

This is the most beloved Roman pasta dish is made with guanciale (cured pork cheek), eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, and black pepper. Look for places that prepare it the traditional way, like local trattorias.

Join this food tour of Testaccio, to taste carbonara at local trattoria, where locals usually eat.

4. Cacio e pepe

This simple yet flavorful pasta dish made with Pecorino Romano cheese (salty aged sheep's milk cheese) and black pepper is a Roman classic. Visit traditional trattorias to experience the authentic taste.

5. Amatriciana

Originating from nearby Amatrice, this dish features pasta (often bucatini) with tomato sauce, guanciale, and Pecorino cheese. It's a hearty option that's a must-try.

6. Supplí

Supplí are oval shaped rice balls enriched with ragù containing a mozzarella heart, coated into breadcrumbs. They are deep-fried, resulting in a snack that's crunchy on the outside but gooey on the inside. 

Popular as a starter before pizza or as a satisfying street food snack, supplì are a staple of Roman cuisine. Suppli are served in any tavole calde and pizza places across Rome.

7. Artichokes

Whether it's "Carciofi alla Romana" (Roman-style artichokes) or "Carciofi fritti" (fried artichokes), these dishes highlight the flavours of fresh, local produce.

Carciofi alla giudia, made of crispy double-deep-fried artichokes, comes from Jewish Ghetto of Rome. The classic Roman artichokes preparation, carciofi alla Romana, is slowly cooked with ample garlic and aromatic herbs (learn how to prepare them on this cooking class in Rome!).

Find out where to eat the best "carciofi alla giudia" by joining this night food tour of Jewish Ghetto (you'll be tasting a loads of yummy food on this tour).

8. Pinsa Romana

Pinsa is Roman version of pizza, made with a mix of flours, from standard wheat to spelt, oat and others. It's topped with variety of toppings, mostly seasonal one.

Where to eat pinsa Romana: One of the very best places in Rome is Pinsa Mpò, a small eatery near Vatican (Via dei Gracchi 7) offering a range of delicious pinsa plus other snacks. You'll pay €5 - 6 for one pinsa which is enough for a light meal.

9. Gnocchi alla Romana

Roman gnocchi (Gnocchi alla Romana, lit. Roman style gnocchi) are one of the easiest Rome specialties to replicate at home and of the few meet-free dishes from the capital.

Unlike ‘gnocchi’ as understood in other parts of Italy, Roman style gnocchi are made with semolina, a durum wheat flour, and they are made on the hob and then the oven, to then be served on a large tray, a little more like polenta than a pasta dish (they are very much not pasta!)

They have a delicate yet very pleasant taste that usually the whole family loves and they are made with only a few key ingredients: semolina, milk, butter, eggs, salt and parmesan.

10.  Fiori di zucca ripieni

This is a delicious starter always present on Rome’s menus but only when in season, so from late spring all through the summer. Fiori di zucca are the zucchini flowers, and Romans love them. Fiori di zucca ripieni means that the zucchini flowers are stuffed with anchovies and mozzarella (or ricotta).

11. Maritozzi

Romans love maritozzi, incredibly light, soft buns, cut in the middle and filled with loads of perfectly whipped cream. 

You will find maritozzi in cafés and bakeries, mainly in the morning. If you come after 11am you might miss them. These delicious buns are enjoyed for breakfast with coffee and the price is very reasonable, around €2.

12. Canolli

Cannoli are delightful pastries made of a crispy fried dough shell filled with rich and sweet ricotta cream. While they are a classic Sicilian dessert, you can find them in numerous cafés and pastry shops (pasticcerie) throughout Rome.

If you're in the mood for a delightful treat, visiting I dolci di Nona Vicenza for a cappuccino and a cannoli sounds like a fantastic choice! Their variety of cannoli fillings, from classic ricotta to chocolate, pistachio, lemon, or orange, ensures there's something to satisfy every palate. Enjoying these pastries in a cozy café setting is a wonderful way to experience authentic Italian flavors.

13. Gelato

Italian gelato is famous for its rich flavours and creamy texture. There are many artisanal gelaterias that craft unique and seasonal flavuors as well!

Here are some of the best and most popular gelato flavours to try:

  1. Stracciatella - A creamy milk base with chocolate shavings for a delightful crunch.
  2. Pistacchio - Made with real pistachios, offering a nutty and slightly sweet flavour.
  3. Nocciola - Hazelnut gelato that's rich and subtly sweet, made from roasted hazelnuts.
  4. Tiramisu - Inspired by the classic dessert, this flavor combines coffee, mascarpone, and cocoa.
  5. Limone - A refreshing lemon flavor that's tart and uplifting, perfect for a hot day.
  6. Cioccolato - Rich chocolate gelato made with high-quality cocoa for intense flavour.
  7. Fragola - Strawberry gelato that captures the essence of fresh, ripe strawberries.
  8. Caffè - A robust coffee flavor that's perfect for coffee lovers.
  9. Fior di Latte - A simple yet delicious milk-based flavor, highlighting the purity of the ingredients.
  10. Bacio - A delightful blend of chocolate and hazelnut, inspired by the famous Italian chocolate.

Planning travel to Italy

Cooking Classes in Rome
Best Rome Food Tours
Best Places to Stay in Rome