A Culinary Journey Through Rome: Must-Try Delicacies That Define the Eternal City

When in Rome, do as the Romans do – and that includes savoring the city’s rich culinary heritage. Rome’s gastronomic scene is a delightful tapestry of flavors, blending tradition with innovation. From hearty pasta dishes to irresistible desserts, here’s a curated list of must-try foods in Rome that you won’t find anywhere else in Italy.

ANTIPASTI

Porchetta: Slow-roasted, savory, and herby pork, often served in a sandwich or as a main dish. The best ones are in the Castelli Romani area such as Ariccia, but there are some amazing spots in Rome, too. Usually you’ll eat this on a charcuterie board, with other “sott’oli” (delicacies under olive oil) and cheese.
Best Places:

• Er Buchetto in Testaccio
• I Porchettoni in Testaccio
• Antica Norcineria Viola in Trastevere

Supplì: Roman street food at its finest, supplì are deep-fried rice balls with a gooey mozzarella center. Usually you eat these at pizza restaurants as an antipasto, before the pizza. Supplì is part of the “fritti” that you can taste in restaurants, part of the “deep-fried mix” together with Fiori di zucca (see below).
Best Places:

• Trapizzino in Testaccio
• Supplizio near Campo de’ Fiori
• I Supplì in Trastevere

Fiori di Zucca: Zucchini flowers stuffed with mozzarella and anchovies, then deep-fried to crispy perfection. Delicious!
Best Places:

• Il Bacaro in Trastevere
• Roscioli in the historic center
• Antico Forno Roscioli in Trastevere

Baccalà alla Romana: Salted cod prepared with tomatoes, olives, capers, and garlic, creating a flavorful fish dish.
Best Places:

• Da Gino al Parlamento near the Pantheon
• Trattoria da Cesare in Trastevere
• Da Augusto in Trastevere

Roman-style Pizza (Pizza al Taglio): Rectangular slices of pizza, topped with an array of mouthwatering ingredients, perfect for a quick bite and quick lunch.  You can find several types and usually people buy this as takeaway on Fridays if they want to have pizza at home,
Best Places:

• Pizzarium Bonci in Prati
• Forno Campo de’ Fiori near Campo de’ Fiori
• Roscioli in the historic center

PASTA

Cacio e Pepe: A simple yet divine pasta dish made with pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper.
Best Places:

• Da Felice in Testaccio
• Roscioli in the historic center
• Roma Sparita in Trastevere

Bucatini all’Amatriciana: Hollow pasta tubes topped with a savory sauce of tomatoes, guanciale (cured pork cheek), pecorino cheese, and black pepper.
Best Places:

• Matricianella in the historic center
• Armando al Pantheon near the Pantheon
• Da Enzo al 29 in Trastevere

Gricia: A pasta dish similar to carbonara but without the eggs, featuring guanciale, Pecorino Romano, and black pepper.
Best Places:

• Flavio al Velavevodetto in Testaccio
• Roscioli in the historic center
• Da Danilo in Monti

SECOND PLATES

Abbacchio alla Romana: Roast lamb seasoned with rosemary and garlic, a classic Roman meat dish.
Best Places:

• Trattoria Da Oio in Testaccio
• Armando al Pantheon near the Pantheon
• Checchino dal 1887 in Testacci

Coda alla Vaccinara: Oxtail stewed in a rich tomato sauce, showcasing Rome’s nose-to-tail culinary tradition.
Best Places:

• Checchino dal 1887 in Testaccio
• Ristorante il Convivio Troiani in the historic center
• Da Nerone in Trastevere

Saltimbocca alla Romana: Veal escalopes wrapped in prosciutto and sage, often cooked in white wine and butter.
Best Places:

• Da Baffetto in the historic center
• Armando al Pantheon near the Pantheon
• Hostaria da Pietro in Trastevere

Coratella: A traditional Roman dish featuring lamb offal (heart, lungs, and liver) sautéed with artichokes.
Best Places:

• La Piazzetta in Trastevere
• Trattoria Monti in Monti
• Da Francesco in the historic center

Coda alla Vaccinara: A rich oxtail stew, slow-cooked with vegetables and tomatoes, creating a hearty and flavorful dish.
Best Places:

• Felice a Testaccio in Testaccio
• Trattoria Monti in Monti
• Antica Trattoria Tritone in the historic center

SIDE DISH

Puntarelle: A salad made from a type of chicory, typically dressed with an anchovy and garlic vinaigrette.
Best Places:

• Flavio al Velavevodetto in Testaccio
• Da Augusto in Trastevere
• La Tavernaccia in Trastevere

Carciofi alla Romana: Artichokes braised with herbs, garlic, and mint, embodying the essence of Roman cuisine.
Best Places:

• Piperno in the Jewish Ghetto
• Da Gino al Parlamento near the Pantheon
• Nonna Betta in the Jewish Ghetto

DESSERTS

Tiramisù: The classic Italian dessert made with layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cheese, and cocoa.
Best Places:

• Pompi in Testaccio
• Two Sizes in Trastevere
• Il Pompiere in the historic center

Maritozzo con la Panna: A sweet Roman pastry filled with *a lot* whipped cream, perfect for those with a sweet tooth.
Best Places:

• Roscioli in the historic center
• Pasticceria Regoli near Termini Station
• La Renella in Trastevere

Exploring Rome’s culinary scene is like embarking on a delicious adventure through history and tradition. These must-try dishes represent the soul of the Eternal City, and indulging in them is an essential part of any visit to Rome. Buon viaggio e buon appetito!