Rome’s Best Food & Drink: Top 5 Unforgettable Experiences

Okay, so, you’re off to Rome! Very exciting, and honestly, one of the best cities on earth. I mean, the history is just incredible, but, too, let’s be real, the food? That’s honestly what steals the show. Forget your diet – you’re going to want to indulge. This is Italy, as a matter of fact. Let’s jump into what you absolutely have to eat and drink while you are there. That is, the experiences that’ll make your trip amazing.

1. Pizza al Taglio: The Perfect Roman Street Food

Arguably, when someone says “pizza,” you might think of Naples. But, as a matter of fact, Rome has its own thing going on and honestly, I think its equally delightful! It’s called pizza al taglio, which very loosely translated, means “pizza by the cut.” Picture, you know, long rectangular trays of pizza with all sorts of tasty toppings, displayed practically, it looks almost art. So, instead of ordering a whole pie, you tell them how big of a slice you want. Then they cut it and weigh it to determine the cost. Perfect for a snack or a full meal, and you get to try several different styles.

Now, a fantastic place to try this out would probably be Bonci Pizzarium, it’s located near the Vatican. Gabriele Bonci is, very loosely translated, a pizza wizard. This isn’t your normal slice, actually. He sources top-notch ingredients. As I was saying, from special flours to incredible toppings. Very likely, try the potato pizza if they’ve got it. Seriously, it’s strangely awesome. Another suggestion could be, try some smaller local places. These are all over the city. Basically, don’t be shy about trying whatever looks interesting.

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2. Cacio e Pepe: A Roman Pasta Masterpiece

Arguably, there’s no way you are going to Rome and don’t try cacio e pepe. A truly fantastic Roman pasta dish, it is unbelievably simple but requires some knowledge of how to make it properly. Cacio e pepe practically translates to “cheese and pepper,” and it’s literally just that. Pecorino Romano cheese, black pepper, and pasta water. Sounds easy, right? That, in effect, is wrong! Actually, the magic is, in some respects, getting the sauce silky smooth and clingy to the pasta. Get it wrong, that could be, it could get clumpy. Seriously, a crime against gastronomy.

Now, where should you go? So, Romans practically always have differing opinions, that being the case, I would possibly steer you to a few favorites. Roscioli is a classic choice and always a great option. They use great ingredients, arguably, their cacio e pepe is close to perfect. Also, try Armando al Pantheon and Da Felice a Testaccio, both serving up outstanding versions of this pasta. Try and go, honestly you will not regret it.

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3. Gelato: An Italian Frozen Dream

Alright, now let’s get into dessert. A visit, too it’s almost mandatory, that you try Italian gelato. So, many assume that it’s the same as ice cream. Gelato generally has less fat and is churned slower. Seriously, it makes it more dense and flavorful. Too it’s almost always made with fresh ingredients, it is genuinely so good!

Now, so, I do have recommendations for you to try. Giolitti is pretty much the oldest gelateria in Rome, they are arguably something of an institution. Quite a bit of flavors, and close to tourist locations. Another excellent stop would probably be Fatamorgana. In contrast, it’s more of a modern place with weird flavor options, such as basil and walnut, I mean things you never would have dreamed of!

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4. Aperitivo: The Roman Happy Hour

So, after you get done walking all over Rome, you deserve a drink! Then that probably leads us to one of Italy’s greatest contributions to civilization: the aperitivo. Basically, this translates to happy hour, that is when you get a drink and lots of snacks, mostly free. This is generally the custom that happens from about 6 pm to 8 pm. Actually, the idea is to open your appetite before dinner. The selection often includes things like olives, cheeses, small sandwiches, and pasta salads. Pay for your drink, eat from the buffet. What a sweet deal!

A suggestion is, Salotto 42 near the Pantheon is actually a cool choice. Seriously, cool, the snacks are actually plentiful, they are really good. Freni e Frizioni in Trastevere, very popular with locals, honestly the cocktails are expertly crafted. You just show up, in that case grab a drink, and eat! In fact, enjoy watching people go by.

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5. Supplì: Fried Rice Balls of Deliciousness

Basically, there’s one last thing, because these things, for example are so great, a popular Roman street food is supplì. Too it’s almost a fried rice ball and usually filled with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. So, similar to arancini from Sicily, these arguably, are smaller and usually oval-shaped. After you bite into one, you want that mozzarella to stretch, or in carrozza (“in a carriage”). Really yummy.

Now, try Supplizio, actually, it specializes in supplì. So, you can bet they get them so right. Perfect spot to sample different varieties. Another place, is practically all pizzerias in Rome, typically will offer supplì. Easy, that could be, you can just grab and go!

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