Food and Drink in Rome

Rome has a lot to offer. Between the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, and a host of philosophers and artists, this Italian city has left an indelible mark on world history. But in your exploration of the Pantheon or coin-tossing at Trevi Fountain, don’t forget about Rome’s culinary history. With a fondness for simplicity and fresh ingredients, Roman cuisine is sure to impress foodies just as much as the average Joe. Here are ten of Rome’s best food and drink offerings.

Pizza Romana at Da Remo

Naples is the original home of pizza, but Rome made its own offering. Pizza Romana is lighter and crisper, opting for simplicity. Roman pizza is usually thinner, but still incredibly flavorful. Try it out at Da Remo in Testaccio, where a traditional atmosphere is complemented perfectly by Da Remo’s mastery of pizza romana.

Fritti at Trastevere Fish Market

Romans love their fried foods, or fritti, and there are a plethora of options. Meats, veggies, seafood, you name it—they’ll fry it. If you want to sample a wide variety of fritti, head to the Trastevere Fish Market. Salt cod (or baccala) here is especially good, but so are the suppli’, fried rice balls.

Pizza Bianca at Forno Campo de’ Fiori

A classic found in all Roman bakeries, pizza bianca is a light, fluffy foccacia-style pizza bread. Literally translated ‘white pizza’, pizza bianca comes with no sauce. This doesn’t mean it lacks flavor, however. It’s salty and crispy, often topped with olive oil and rosemary. Some restaurants will top with cheese, tomatoes, or other extras, but be sure to try the most basic option, devoid of those extras. Head over to Forno Campo de’ Fiori, a local favorite producing ‘white pizza’ of the highest quality.

Coda Alla Vaccinara at Flavio al Velavevodetto

Rome is home to many dishes that were originally considered poor man’s food, and many of the most popular varieties are quinto quarto, or ‘fifth quarter’. This refers to the extra bits of offal given to workers by the Testaccio slaughterhouse, and the term can cover everything from tripe to tongue to intestine. One of the most popular, however, is coda alla vaccinara, slow-cooked oxtail stewed with tomato sauce. The stew is very rich, often incorporating vegetables and a little bit of red wine, and Testaccio’s Flavio al Velavevodetto prepares it perfectly.

Fiori di Zucca at Emma Pizzeria Con Cucina

Fiori di Zucca is battered, fried zucchini flowers, stuffed full of cheese and anchovies. It’s a dish bursting with flavor, prime fritti that Romans love. At Emma Pizzeria Con Cucina, gooey ricotta cheese mixes perfectly with the breading and anchovies. Emma is known for their delicious fritti, so you can’t go wrong. They even provide fiori di zucca without anchovies for those not interested in the fishier side of things.

Carciofo Alla Giudia at Nonna Betta

Nonna Betta is a Roman Jewish restaurant specializing in dishes that emerged from the 300-year period where Roman Jews were confined to a ghetto. One of the best offerings is carciofi alla giudia, deep-fried artichokes. Roman artichokes have been given protected-origin status, so if you come in season (February through May) you can expect the carciofi alla guidia to blow your mind. Nonna Betta offers some of the best in all of Rome, so don’t miss the chance to stop in for dinner.

Carbonara at Salumeria Roscioli

If pasta is your thing, or even if it isn’t, visiting Rome requires a carbonara dinner. An egg-based sauce is complemented perfectly by black pepper and delicious pieces of guanciale, cured pork jowl. Salumeria Roscioli is a triple threat, blending deli, wine bar, and restaurant, but their carbonara is outstanding. You’d be hard-pressed to find carbonara with such perfect guanciale anywhere else in Rome.

Trapizzino at Testaccio Trapizzino

The trapizzino is a recent invention, created in Testaccio in 2009. It caught on fast, however, with Trapezzino restaurants opening in Tokyo and New York as well as at four other locations in Rome. The trapizzino is basically a triangular pizza pocket. It’s modeled after the triangular tramezzino sandwich, but the trapizzino’s doughy shell is filled with Roman pizza toppings. Once you try this delicious creation once, you’ll be hooked.

Maritozzo at Pasticceria Regoli

There are all kinds of pastries in Rome, both for breakfast, snacks, and treats. Pasticceria Regoli is a family business opened in 1916, and over time it has become one of the city’s favorite pastry shops. Maritozzo is a Roman favorite, and Pasticceria Regoli is a great place to try it. Maritozzo are sweet bread rolls cut open and filled with panna, fresh whipped cream. They’re the perfect sweet treat, regardless of the time of day.

Wine at Il Goccetto

You can’t go to Rome without exploring their wine offerings. There are of course a number of vineyards to visit, but if you’re looking for a wine bar, Il Goccetto is a fantastic choice. With a cellar of over 800 labels, and up to 30 wines-by-the-glass, owners Sergio and Anna Ceccarelli have created the perfect place for your post-meal wine exploration.

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