FOOD

Let’s celebrate love with some great food

It’s hard not to fall in love with food in Italy. In fact, once you are in Rome you must experience the best culinary before you leave. As we all know, Rome is full of restaurants that make the food in the tastiest and authentic way. I’m not here to talk about the hotspots where to go and eat the best carbonara but I’d love to share some personal tips on what to eat and not to miss when in Rome.

Don’t forget to print it out so when you get to Rome you have all in one.


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‘Er maritozzo’ con panna

It’s so Roman and even though, you won’t find it in all bars. This soft and sweet bun is cut, open and filled with whipped cream. So delicious! Start your day with the excellent combination of maritozzo and cappuccino at ‘Regoli since 1916‘. This pastry caffè bar is located just next to its original and one of the oldest pastry shops in the Esquilino neighborhood. Once you are done with your breakfast, stop at the ‘Regoli pasticceria’, order some other tasty pastries (tortine alle fragole, bavaresi, crostate) to take away and enjoy them for your snack.

Closing day: Tuesday
Address: via dello Statuto, 60 – Rome      

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Sant’Eustachio il caffè

If you are desperately looking for the best espresso to try in Rome then I’ll tell you it’s Sant’Eustachio without hesitation. And what is it that makes this shot so magical? Creamy, sweet foam on top of the caffè. There are people trying to find out what exactly is in that foam but no one at Sant’Eustachio will reveal this secret. Remember the caffè comes already sugared so if you wish your espresso bitter just ask before. You may either enjoy your caffè at the bar counter or sit at the tables outside but it’s more expensive due to the cover charge. Another good reason why to stop here is it’s location. It’s in a lovely, quiet piazza just a few meters from the touristy Pantheon. And don’t forget to buy some delicious Sant’Eustachio coffee beans dipped in black chocolate or coffee truffles.

Closed: 25 December, 15 August
Address: Piazza Sant’Eustachio, 82 – Rome

Street food in Rome

Perfect if you are on the run, great if you have low daily budget and ideal if you don’t want a long lunch in the restaurant – uncover the best street food in Rome. There is lots of deliciousness – fresh, genuine and unique, to be tasted and here are some of my favorite places:

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Supplizio

Supplizio is undoubtedly the best place in Rome for supplì (a fried rice ball with tomato sauce and mozzarella). Choose from the menu, sit down and order a glass of wine or have some beer while your supplì is about to be fried and served in the egg holder. This popular and common snack is possible to taste in a cozy, vintage corner shop located not far from Piazza Navona. It’s been opened recently by the chef Arcangelo Dandini. I really invite you to try this speciality. You won’t regret!

Closed: Sunday
Address: via dei Banchi Vecchi, 143 – Rome

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Trapizzino

Trapizzino is another great choice on my street food list. It’s a triangular-shaped crispy pizza bread filled with numerous Roman classics such as lingua in salsa verde, trippa alla romana, polpetta al sugo, … and served in a fantastic paper pocket. Also here you may sit down and enjoy this invention created by Stefano Callegari, the pizza chef. There is a good selection of Italian craft beers to choose from. Well, if you think you couldn’t live without it, then find it in Testaccio neighborhood or Ponte Milvio.

Closed: Monday
Address: via Giovanni Branca, 88 – Rome (Testaccio)
or
Address: Piazzale Ponte Milvio, 13 – Rome (Ponte Milvio)

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Mordi e vai

Street food has become a serious business in Rome and Sergio Esposito is definitely number one in making his unparalleled panini in Testaccio market. Mordi e vai (bite and go) is offering amazing fillings such as allesso di carne (boiled meat), trippa alla romana, picchiapò, amatriciana and many others, mostly of Roman tradition in a very short time. And don’t miss the fried meatballs! Opening hours are as follows: Mon-Sat 8:00am – 2:30pm.

Closed: Sunday
Address: via B. Franklin, 12E (Box N°15) – Rome

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Pizza con la ‘mortazza’

White pizza stuffed with mortadella is a typical Roman snack and a good alternative to a sandwich. You may find it in bakeries or in any city bars. If you want to follow my suggestions, then go to Antico Forno Roscioli. Here you can enjoy this speciality or explore other culinary delights such as different kinds of pizza by the slice, bread or other delicious pastries and goodies. Antico Forno Roscioli is one of my favorite bakeries in Rome and there’s much more. Reserve a table at the Salumeria Roscioli to experience more from the menu where the high quality products are the key words. This bakery is located close to the beautiful Campo dei Fiori and not far from the Jewish neighborhood.

Address: via dei Chiavari, 34 – Rome 

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Carciofo alla giudia

The best place to eat the famous carciofo alla giudia is definitely the Jewish Ghetto. I have to admit, it’s hard for me to say which restaurant is my favorite in this quarter. They all are pretty good. However, if you just want to grab it and eat while exploring the neighborhood, then go to Sora Margherita and ask for carciofo ‘da asporto’ (takeaway). Deep-fried artichokes are prepared in a special way so that they are soft inside and crispy outside. Yummy!

Address: Piazza delle Cinque Scole, 30 – Rome

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Dar Filettaro a Santa Barbara

You will love this Roman trattoria for two things: filetto di baccalà (fried cod fillets) and pane, burro, alici (bread, butter, anchovies). Do not expect a fancy restaurant. It’s a very simple trattoria with limited choice of drinks, simple menu and you eat on paper tablecloths. As it’s impossible to book a table in advance, once you get there and don’t want to queue, just get inside, order the fried cod to take away. Still worth it! This place is set in lovely piazza in the heart of Rome, a few steps from famous Campo dei Fiori.

Closed: Sunday
Address: Largo dei Librari, 88 – Rome

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Can’t miss ‘la scarpetta’

Have you ever found yourself at the end of your meal with an irresistible saucy goodness on your plate and considered licking the plate? I believe, you have! Were you desperately looking for the solution to clean the plate? Well, Italians solve such problem with ‘scarpetta’ (little shoe). It’s an elegant way of cleaning the plate with a piece of bread and mopping up the sauce. Go for it!


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     Boccione

Boccione is an authentic, tiny Jewish bakery located on a corner of Portico d’Ottavia. This fantastic place is specialized in ricotta cake with chocolate or cherries and pizza ebraica (nothing like traditional pizza). The women running this activity are very nice, even if you may find them being rude. If you don’t feel like eating the whole cake, just ask for a piece of it and the lovely ladies will cut it for you. The best time to go there is in the morning, otherwise you may risk you won’t find any of these sweet treats.

Closed: Saturday
Address: via del Portico d’Ottavia, 1 – Rome
 

Enjoy!

 
 
 
 
 
 

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