Buon Appetito! Top Foods in Rome that Every Traveler Must Sample

If you’ve ever had an honest-to-goodness Italian meal, then you know why Italy has a reputation for having some of the most mouthwatering food in the world. And no trip would be complete without a proper introduction to the best foods in Rome! 

While styles of cooking and traditions vary from region to region (just like they do in the US), there’s a general pattern to the courses, and each course has at least one famous representative. 

Here, I’m going to take you through a full meal — so when you arrive, you’ll know which foods in Rome you should be ready to order. Buon appetito!

Antipasto

Literally meaning “before the meal,” antipasti are the appetizers or hors d’oeuvres.

Carciofi alla Giudia are artichokes, deep fried in olive oil. This style of preparation originated in the Jewish neighborhoods of Rome. 

If you arrive in Rome in the Spring, don’t miss Carciofi alla Romana. This preparation uses  romanesco variety of artichokes, harvested from February to April. The artichokes are stuffed with a mixture of parsley, calamint, and garlic, with salt and pepper to taste, and then braised in a deep pan with olive oil. 

Taken from the French word for “surprise,” Roman supplì are balls of rice (usually risotto) mixed with tomato, stuffed with mozzarella, then dipped in egg, rolled in breadcrumbs, and deep fried. Similar to the Sicilian arancini, which are larger, eaten as a meal, and often add tomato sauce, peas, and meat.

Fiori di Zucca might seem exotic to visitors from the US, but it’s one of the foods in Rome that should not be missed! These are zucchini or squash blossoms, fried in a simple batter of sparkling water, salt and pepper, and flour. They’re sometimes stuffed with mozzarella cheese or anchovies. The flowers themselves have a delicate flavor, with the earthy, slight sweetness of squash. 

For the real deal: Try Nonna Betta, an authentic (and kosher) Roman-Jewish restaurant that’s been around for generations and is well-known for its artichokes and fiori di zucca. 

Nearby: This tasty stop is a 10-minute walk from Capitoline Hill and the Roman Forum.  

Primo

This is the first main course, usually served hot — soups, pastas, and rice dishes. Here are what’s commonly known as the “4 pastas of Rome”:

Carbonara is most often spaghetti made with hard cheese, cured pork, black pepper, and stirred in with a freshly beaten egg that lends a creaminess. 

Similar to carbonara, pasta alla gricia is served with hard cheese and pepper, but it contains no egg and is more meat-forward, with chunks of savory pork, often served with rigatoni. 

A simple, comforting dish, Cacio e Pepe is grated Pecorino Romano cheese (a salty, hard cheese you’ll find in many Roman dishes) and black pepper, together with spaghetti. Traditionally it was made with tonnarelli, a square-shaped egg pasta.

Pasta all’Amatriciana is that famous, spicy, rich mix of tomatoes, guanciale (cured pork cheek), pecorino romano cheese, red pepper flakes, and sometimes onions. (The vegetarian version of this sauce is arrabiata.) It’s most commonly served with bucatini pasta, which is like thick spaghetti that has a hole running down the center. 

For the real deal: These simple dishes make a great quick lunch at a trattoria, and are famous foods in Rome that are essential to try. Trattoria Vecchia Roma has been around since 1916 and serves up some of the best traditional pasta dishes from the Lazio region. 

Nearby: The gorgeous Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore, with its 5th-century mosaics and gilded ceiling, is a 6-minute stroll away. 

Secondo 

This is the second course and usually the “star of the show” in Italian food — the main meat or fish plate. 

Saltimbocca alla Romana is prosciutto-wrapped veal with sage that has been marinated in wine, oil, or saltwater.

Considered one of Italy’s important traditional foods, porchetta is boneless pork that is slow-roasted over a fire for at least 8 hours. It’s salty, fatty, moist, and completely delicious. 

Coda alla vaccinara is likely not something you’ve tried before, but it is historically a traditional cuisine of workaday Romans: oxtail, slowly cooked in a stew with celery, carrots, and herbs.

If fish is more your style, try the filetti di Baccalà. This is essentially the Roman version of fish and chips, though the batter is lighter and less greasy. It’s usually served with a vegetable, not fries. 

For the real deal: For mouthwatering Saltimbocca (and other traditional Roman dishes), try Saltimbocca Ristorante — a charming restaurant/bar with a lovely terrace, perfect for a romantic close to a day. 

Nearby: If you’re up for a golden-hour passeggiata, this place is one minute from the Piazza Navona, 10 from the Pantheon, and 15 from Trevi Fountain. 

Dolce

If you’ve got room, or you feel like a sweet treat after an afternoon of walking the city, Rome offers an array of tasty desserts. 

Maritozzi is a light, sweet bread that’s made with olive oil, sugar, pine nuts, raisins, and candied orange peel (yes, as good as it sounds), and served with a very generous helping of cream in the center. It pairs perfectly with a rich espresso. 

You’ll recognize it as biscotti, but tozzetti is the Roman term for these amazing elongated cookies baked with almonds and hazelnuts. We often dip them in coffee, but the Romans order them at the end of a meal and dip them in a sweet dessert wine such as passito.  

Crostata Ricotta e Visciole is a traditional Roman-Jewish cheese cake made of a pastry around layers of light, sweetened ricotta and a sharp, sour cherry jam.

And of course, you all know how much I love gelato! This is how Italians do ice cream, and they do it so, so well.  

For the real deal: In addition to my gelateria suggestions in this blog post, for a shop that is as much a visual as a culinary treat, don’t miss Pasticceria Regoli, which has been in business since 1916 and still uses ancient recipes for Italian desserts, cakes, and pastries. (Note that it closes for a time during the late summer holidays, so be sure to check hours!)

Nearby: The Colosseum is only a 15-minute walk away, and it’s also fairly close to the Termini Station, so it can be a great place to start your day (with a pastry and coffee) before heading out to see the sights. 

Caffé

And we can’t talk about food in Rome without also talking about the coffee!

Throughout Italy, coffee – and I mean great coffee – is on every street corner, available in every bar and café. Here are a few of the most typical coffee drinks you can order (there are many more).

Italian espresso is unique for its strength, aroma, and creamy texture. The one-shot drink is served in a small ceramic cup and is usually consumed in one or two sips (order a doppio espresso for a double-shot). It has a rich, bold flavor, and minimal crema on top. In Italy, espresso is typically consumed at the bar, quickly and efficiently, standing up rather than sitting down. So, if you want to truly experience Italy’s coffee culture, be sure to try an authentic Italian espresso.

The Caffè Macchiato – my personal favorite – is very similar to an espresso but with a touch of milk. Macchiato, meaning “stained” in Italian, indicates that the milk “stains” the coffee. It is served in a small cup, with a single espresso shot, and just a touch of steamed milk or milk foam to add a slight sweetness and creaminess to the bitter espresso. It’s quick to drink, like espresso, and perfect for coffee lovers who prefer a little milk without sacrificing the espresso’s boldness.

Cappuccino is another staple of Italian coffee culture, distinctive in taste and presentation. When served in Rome, a cappuccino is equal parts coffee and steamed milk along with a thick layer of foam on top. The foam is usually dusted with cocoa power or ground cinnamon. Cappuccino is usually consumed in the morning and drinking it in the middle of the day is considered somewhat of a taboo. 

Explore Your Own Favorite Foods In Rome

It’s hard to go wrong with Italian food — there are so many options, and there is so much richness, beauty, tradition, and care put into each meal. 

When you choose a custom-designed itinerary, I can suggest (and make reservations at) the best eateries near your hotel, or close to sights you want to visit, and that meet the needs of you and your travel companions. Very fine restaurants abound, and with a little help, you can have a great meal every time! 

Cassie Tetro
Itinerary Designer
& Certified Travel Expert
(Paris, London & Rome)

WHO AM I?

I’m Cassie Tetro, an Itinerary Designer and Certified Travel Expert for Paris, London, and Rome — my three favorite cities! 

I help independent travelers like you save time and eliminate confusion with customized point-to-point itineraries crafted to your interests, preferences, travel pace, and style. 

I take care of every aspect of your trip before you walk out your front door — tickets, reservations, tours, maps, transportation — so you can relax, soak in the magic, and enjoy a frustration-free vacation with a travel plan that’s as unique as you are.

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