Rome travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Rome, Lazio, Italy.
Lazio's culinary identity is anchored in Rome's extraordinary cucina romana — a deeply traditional, ingredient-driven cuisine born from poverty and ingenuity. The four canonical Roman pastas (cacio e pepe, carbonara, amatriciana and gricia) rely on minimal, high-quality ingredients. The quinto quarto (offal tradition) reflects the city's working-class roots. Beyond Rome, the Castelli Romani produce excellent white wines (Frascati DOC) and porchetta, coastal towns offer exceptional seafood, northern Lazio serves acquacotta (wild herb soup) and game, and the Ciociaria region is known for fresh pasta and lamb.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Rome.
Cacio e pepe
Pasta with Pecorino Romano, black pepper and pasta water — deceptively simple and sublime
Where to try: Roscioli, Da Enzo al 29, Cesare al Casaletto
Price: €12-16
Carbonara
Guanciale (cured pork cheek), Pecorino, egg yolk and black pepper — NO cream allowed
Where to try: Roscioli, Da Enzo al 29
Price: €12-16
Carciofi alla giudia
Whole artichokes deep-fried until crispy — a Roman-Jewish specialty
Where to try: Nonna Betta, Jewish Ghetto restaurants
Price: €7-10
Supplì al telefono
Fried rice balls with tomato sauce and mozzarella that stretches like a telephone cord
Where to try: Supplì Roma in Trastevere
Price: €2-3
Porchetta di Ariccia
Whole pig roasted with rosemary and garlic, sliced in sandwiches — the Castelli Romani specialty
Where to try: Ariccia town, Frascati markets, Er Buchetto
Price: €4-8
Tiella di Gaeta
A local layered pie from Gaeta filled with octopus or olives — unique to southern Lazio coast
Where to try: Gaeta seafood restaurants
Price: €10-14
Acquacotta
Wild herb and vegetable soup with egg — traditional peasant dish of northern Lazio/Maremma
Where to try: Viterbo trattorias
Price: €8-12
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Roman
Café
Castelli Romani
Italian
Roman Bakery
Food tours & tastings in Rome
Eat your way through Rome with a guide.
Browse food experiences in RomeWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Supplì
Fried rice balls stuffed with tomato, mozzarella and sometimes meat ragu
Find it at: Supplì Roma (Trastevere), various friggitorie
Pizza al taglio
Pizza sold by the cut (per gram) at bakeries throughout Rome
Find it at: Pizzarium Bonci (Prati), Forno Campo de' Fiori
Pizza bianca
Plain white pizza with olive oil and sea salt, eaten like bread
Find it at: Forno Roscioli, all Roman bakeries
Maritozzo
A sweet bun split and filled with whipped cream — Rome's beloved pastry
Find it at: All bars and pasticcerie, especially morning
Porchetta sandwich
Sliced roast pork with rosemary in a crusty roll
Find it at: Er Buchetto (Termini), markets in Castelli Romani
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Campo de' Fiori Market
Rome's most famous outdoor market selling flowers, produce and street food in a beautiful piazza
Hours: Mon-Sat 7AM-2PM
Testaccio Market (Mercato di Testaccio)
Rome's best covered market for authentic local produce, deli goods and excellent street food stalls inside
Hours: Mon-Sat 7AM-3PM
Porta Portese Flea Market
Rome's vast Sunday flea market in Trastevere with clothes, antiques, books and curiosities
Hours: Sun 6AM-2PM
Mercato di Piazza Vittorio
A multicultural covered market near Termini reflecting Rome's diverse population with world food stalls
Hours: Mon-Sat 7AM-3PM
Frascati Wine Market
Regular wine events and markets in Frascati showcasing Castelli Romani DOC whites
Hours: Varies seasonally
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch (pranzo) is typically 12:30-3PM and dinner (cena) 7:30-10:30PM — restaurants close between meals
Sitting down (al tavolo) costs more than standing at the bar (al banco) — order coffee at the bar for local prices
Avoid restaurants with pictures on the menu near major monuments — seek side-street trattorias
A coperto (cover charge) of €1-3 per person is normal and not a scam
Romans eat late — prime dinner time is 8:30-9:30PM; avoid peak hours if you haven't booked
- Vegetarian
- Roman cuisine has many vegetable dishes; artichokes, pasta al pomodoro and pasta e ceci are excellent. Most trattorias accommodate vegetarians.
- Halal
- Limited halal options in traditional Roman restaurants; the Esquilino/Termini area has various international restaurants with halal options
- Gluten free
- Most Italian restaurants are aware of gluten intolerance; look for signs saying 'senza glutine.' Dedicated gluten-free pasta is widely available.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €8-15 per meal | Street food, bakeries, pizza al taglio, trattoria lunch menus |
| Mid-range | €25-50 per meal | Traditional trattoria or osteria with wine included |
| Upscale | €80+ per meal | Fine dining, Michelin restaurants and special occasion dining |