Pasta tossed with Pecorino Romano and black pepper into a glossy sauce using nothing but starchy cooking water.
- Iconic
- Vegetarian
€10–€16 approx.
0votes — sign in to voteWhat to eat in Rome
Italy
Rome eats simply and stubbornly: five-ingredient pastas, crisp pizza by the slice, artichokes in spring and gelato at midnight. The city rewards travellers who eat where the queue is local.
Start a Food Mission here26 dishes found
Pasta with guanciale, egg yolk, Pecorino and pepper. No cream, ever.
- Iconic
€11–€18 approx.
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Whole artichokes flattened and deep-fried until the leaves crisp like petals.
- Iconic
- Vegan
€6–€12 approx.
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Dense, low-air Italian ice cream, best from shops that keep it in covered metal tins.
- Iconic
- Street food
- Vegetarian
- Sweet
€2.50–€6 approx.
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A soft sweet bun split and overfilled with barely sweetened whipped cream.
- Iconic
- Vegetarian
- Sweet
€2–€4.50 approx.
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Rectangular pizza baked in trays and sold by weight, cut with scissors and folded into paper.
- Iconic
- Street food
- Vegetarian
€3–€7 approx.
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Herb-stuffed, slow-roasted pork with crackling, sliced thin into a crusty roll.
- Iconic
- Street food
€4–€8 approx.
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Fried rice croquette with a molten mozzarella centre, usually bound with tomato ragù.
- Iconic
- Street food
€1.50–€3 approx.
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This classic Roman pasta dish features rigatoni or spaghetti tossed with crispy guanciale and sharp Pecorino Romano cheese. It is widely considered the historical precursor to the Amatriciana, omitting the tomato sauce.
- Iconic
€9–€15 approx.
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This rich pasta dish combines thick, hollow bucatini with a savory sauce of cured pork jowl, tomatoes, and pecorino cheese. It balances the acidity of the tomatoes with the rich, salty depth of the cured meat.
- Iconic
- Spicy
€9–€16 approx.
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This slowly simmered oxtail stew is cooked with celery, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs until the meat is incredibly tender. Often enriched with a touch of unsweetened cocoa powder, it represents the heart of Roman offal cuisine.
- Iconic
€14–€24 approx.
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This classic dish features tender strips of tripe simmered in a rich tomato sauce infused with fresh mint and Pecorino Romano. The addition of wild pennyroyal mint gives it a uniquely refreshing and aromatic finish.
- Iconic
€12–€18 approx.
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These whole artichokes are stuffed with garlic, mint, and black pepper before being slowly braised in olive oil and water. The result is an incredibly tender artichoke that melts in your mouth, stalk included.
- Iconic
- Vegan
€5–€9 approx.
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These grilled lamb chops are marinated in olive oil, rosemary, and garlic before being cooked quickly over hot coals. Traditionally served piping hot, they are meant to be eaten immediately, risking burnt fingers.
- Iconic
€16–€26 approx.
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This round, ultra-thin pizza features a crispy, almost cracker-like crust with virtually no raised edge. It is baked in wood-fired ovens and can be topped with simple ingredients like tomato, mozzarella, anchovies, or local vegetables.
- Iconic
- Vegetarian
€7–€14 approx.
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This traditional Roman-Jewish tart features a sweet pastry crust filled with fresh ricotta cheese and sour cherries. The combination of rich, creamy cheese and tart fruit creates a perfectly balanced dessert.
- Iconic
- Vegetarian
- Sweet
€4–€8 approx.
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This vibrant spring stew brings together the season's finest green vegetables cooked slowly with cured pork. It showcases a harmonious blend of sweet peas, tender fava beans, Roman artichokes, and crisp lettuce.
- Iconic
€10–€16 approx.
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These delicate zucchini flowers are stuffed with creamy mozzarella and a touch of savory anchovy before being battered and fried to a crisp. They offer a delightful contrast of textures, from the light, crunchy exterior to the warm, melted cheese inside.
- Iconic
- Street food
- Seafood
€3–€6 approx.
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These tender fillets of salted cod are dipped in a thick, bubbly yeast batter and deep-fried to a golden crisp. It is a beloved Roman street food and antipasto that delivers a perfect balance of salty fish and airy, crunchy crust.
- Iconic
- Street food
- Seafood
€4–€8 approx.
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Unlike potato-based variations, these Roman-style gnocchi are made from semolina flour cooked with milk and egg yolks to form soft disks. They are arranged in a baking dish, generously topped with butter and Pecorino Romano, and baked until a golden, bubbling crust forms.
- Iconic
- Vegetarian
€9–€14 approx.
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This comforting rustic dish features chicken pieces slowly braised with sweet bell peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and white wine. The long cooking process allows the chicken to become incredibly tender while absorbing the sweet and savory flavors of the rich sauce.
- Iconic
€12–€18 approx.
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This deeply traditional Roman pasta dish features a rich tomato sauce cooked with the intestines of milk-fed calves. The heat of cooking curdles the mother's milk inside the intestines, creating a creamy, cheese-like sauce with a unique, savory flavor.
- Iconic
€11–€17 approx.
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This crisp, refreshing salad features curled strips of chicory shoots dressed in a pungent mixture of garlic, anchovies, white wine vinegar, and olive oil. It is celebrated for its pleasingly bitter taste and satisfying crunch, making it an excellent palate cleanser.
- Iconic
- Seafood
€6–€10 approx.
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These simple, ring-shaped cookies are made with local white or red wine, sugar, olive oil, and flour, often scented with anise seeds. They are baked until dry and crunchy, designed specifically for dipping into a glass of sweet dessert wine.
- Iconic
- Vegan
- Sweet
€3–€6 approx.
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Veal escalope layered with prosciutto and sage, pan-cooked in butter and white wine.
€14–€22 approx.
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A triangular pocket of pizza dough filled with Roman braises such as chicken cacciatora or oxtail.
- Street food
€4–€7 approx.
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Prices are approximate and editorial. Always check locally before ordering.