What to Eat in Rome + Best Places

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 Rome we highly recommend taking a food tour the first couple days you're there. The guides are happy to recommend the best spots in the city to eat good. We are impressed with Eating Italy Twilight food tour of Trastevere!

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!

Check out the best cities for food in Italy!

How to choose the place to eat in Rome?

When looking for authentic local experiences, try to find small, family-run trattorias or osterias away from major tourist sites. Look for menus written only in Italian and restaurants filled with Italian-speaking guests. You'll find these kind of venues in the following areas: Testaccio, Trastevere, Prati, Monti (near the Colosseum), San Lorenzo, Garbatella and Monteverde.

Remember that locals often eat dinner later than tourists, typically around 8:30 PM or later.

Best places for dining in Rome:

Al Forno della Soffitta (Via Piave 62)

This pizzeria/restaurant is situated near the Piazza Fiume, and not far from Galleria Borghese. This is the place for having a delicious pizza, with perfectly crisp dough on the outside and tender inside, and fresh toppings. Instead of pizza have a super delicious plate of risotto or pasta and finish with tiramisù, that tastes like homemade. You can have fried calamari here. Go here for an authentic Italian dining experience! Prices are affordable! The service is friendly and it's easy to communicate with the staff.

Bonci Pizzarium (Via della Meloria 43)

Ranked as the third-best pizzeria in Rome, Bonci Pizzarium delivers an unforgettable experience with its fresh, authentic Roman-style pizza. While it may be a bit off the beaten path, it’s a journey every true pizza enthusiast should make.

The pizza features a perfectly crispy base with a soft, fluffy dough that is matured over three days to achieve a light, airy texture. Topped with the finest Italian ingredients, each slice is a delicious testament to the artistry of Roman pizza-making.

Pinsa 'mpò - Pinseria Romana

This cute place, close to the Vatican and steps away from Piazza del Risorgimento, offers incredible pinsas. The toppings change daily and they bake pinsa in only 5 minutes, after you choose the one you want. There are only few tables to eat here, but they pack your pinsas for take-away. They also have supplì! Polite, helpful and quick service make this place even better. One pinsa costs between 6 and 8 Euros. You'll find here vegetarian and meat options. You can have a beer or soft drink also with your pinsa.

Alla Rampa dei Gracchi (Via dei Gracchi 90)

If looking for a true Italian meal, visit Alla Rampa dei Gracchi (Via dei Gracchi 90), which is only a short walk from there (the food it amazing; try lasagne, carbonara or steak, tiramisu is top also!).

Hedera Gelateria (Via dei Coronari 141)

When near the Vatican be sure to visit Hedera Gelateria (Via Dei Coronari 141) and taste one of the best Roman artisanal gelato (so delicious!).

Pizza al taglio (pizza by slice)

Pizza con patate

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.

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.

Pizza bianca with mortadella

Pizza bianca with mortadella

Pizza bianca with mortadella is another great street food option in Rome. This is a type of flatbread (like focaccia) that makes super delicious sandwich, when split and filled with various ingredients. The Roman favourite is the one stuffed with aromatic mortadella. So delicious!

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.

Roman pasta (carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana, gricia)

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.

Cacio e pepe is 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.

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

Coda alla vaccinara – Roman oxtail stew

This superb oxtail stew, known as coda alla vaccinara, is an iconic dish of Rome. Oxtail, though very much in vogue today, once fell into Rome's Quinto Quarto – or 'fifth quarter' – of meat cuts and offal, considered at the time to be the lowliest around but thriftily utilised up in a number of stunning dishes.

Artichokes (Carciofi alla Romana and Carciofi alla Giudia)

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).

Pinsa Romana (Roman version of pizza)

You probably didn't know that there is a dish similar to pizza in Rome, called pinsa. This oval-shaped snack is made with a mix of flours (wheat, spelt, oat...) and is also topped with variety of toppings. 

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.

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.

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).

Trapizzino

What’s not to love about a hollowed out slice of toasted pizza bread stuffed with a selection of saucy delicacies? Visit Il Trapizzino venues, in either Trastevere or Testaccio and try this amazing Roman food.

The standard menu consists of trapizzino with doppia panna (double cream), parmigiana, polpetta al sugo (meatballs), pollo alla cacciatora (hunter’s chicken), and lingua in salsa verde (tongue in green sauce), but they offer up plenty of seasonal specialities too. 

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.

Tonnarelli cacio e pepe

Abbacchio al Forno con Patate (Roast Lamb with Potatoes)

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 (near Campo de' Fiori) 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 flavours.

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!

One of the best gelatos in Rome is the one from Verde Pistachio (Via Nazionale 239; a short walk from Termini). Be sure to visit this cute little shop with tons of flavour options and good prices too. Our favourite ones are pistachio, salted caramel and coconut.

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.

Can you eat as a vegetarian in Rome?

If you are vegetarian, be sure you can eat well in Rome, as Roman restaurants has very good vegetarian options. Some of them are vegetarian starters, such as vegetable tarts and assortment of fried things - zucchini flowers studded with mozzarella and anchovies.

There are also a huge choice of vegetarian pizza and not to mention pasta. You can choose from pasta con sugo di pomodoro (tomato sauce pasta), spaghetti aglio, olio e peperoncino (spaghetti with garlic, oil and chilli pepper) or pasta alla norma (pasta with aubergines, tomato and basil).

There are also soup options, such as minestrone - soup with pasta, beans, tomatoes and other veggies. Or opt for Parmigiana di Melanzane - fried aubergines, baked in a dish with tomato sauce, parmigiano and mozzarella cheeses.

Planning Your Travel to Italy

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