Rome food tour

  1. Authentic roman trattorias
  2. Pizza & street food
  3. Foodie wine bars
  4. Veggie and vegan spots

If you want to eat “Roman style”, do as the Romans do, focus on the pillars of Lazio cuisine, aside from fettuccine Alfredo*.

Appetizers

  • Supplì al Telefono: A rice croquette with meat sauce and a melted mozzarella center. It is called “al telefono” (on the phone) because when you cut it in half, the mozzarella creates a string like old landline phones.
  • Fiore di Zucca: Zucchini Flower fried and stuffed with mozzarella and anchovies.
  • Carciofo alla Giudia: A specialty of Roman Jewish cuisine. The artichoke (Mammola variety) is fried whole until the leaves become crispy like chips.

Main courses

  • Cacio e Pepe: Pasta, black pepper and Pecorino Romano.
  • Gricia: Pasta, Guanciale, black pepper and Pecorino Romano.
  • Amatriciana: Pasta, Guanciale, Tomato sauce, red chili pepper and Pecorino Romano.
  • Carbonara: Pasta, Guanciale, egg yolks, black pepper and Pecorino Romano.

Second courses

  • Saltimbocca alla Romana: Slices of veal with raw ham and sage, sautéed in butter and white wine.
  • Coda alla Vaccinara: Oxtail stewed for hours with celery, tomato, pine nuts and a pinch of bitter cocoa.
  • Abbacchio a Scottadito: Grilled lamb chops, eaten strictly with your hands (hence the name, because you burn your fingers).
  • Trippa alla Romana: Tripe in sauce, with plenty of pecorino cheese and fresh mint.

Vegetable side dishes

  • Puntarelle: Crispy chicory sprouts, seasoned with garlic, oil, and anchovies (typical of winter/spring).
  • Cicoria ripassata: Wild chicory boiled and then “revised” in a pan with garlic, oil, and chili pepper.

(*) Il Vero Alfredo is a Rome’s historic restaurant, located in Piazza Augusto Imperatore 30 (originally in Piazza Rosa, now Galleria Alberto Sordi), where the authentic recipe for fettuccine Alfredo was created in 1908.

Authentic Roman Trattorias

For anyone who wants to avoid the “tourist traps”, menus with photos or waiters trying to catch you from the street.

 

Da Tonino

Via del Governo Vecchio, 18

  • Pasta alla Gricia: guanciale, pecorino and black pepper
  • Polpette al sugo: meatballs in tomato sauce

Trattoria Lilli

Via Tor di Nona, 23

  • Coda alla Vaccinara: tender oxtail stew
  • Pajata: sauce made with veal intestine

La Campana

Vicolo della Campana, 18

  • Carciofi alla Giudia: Jewish-style fried artichokes
  • Abbacchio al forno: roasted lamb

Pizza & Street Food

La Montecarlo

Vicolo Savelli, 13

  • Roman-style pizza: thin and crunchy
  • Rigatoni alla Carbonara: creamy and peppery pasta

Emma Pizzeria

Via del Monte della Farina, 28

  • Pizza: high quality and artisanal ingredients

Foodie Wine Bars

Cul de Sac

Piazza di Pasquino, 73

  • Trippa alla romana: tripe with tomato sauce and mint
  • Homemade pâtés and terrines

Hosteria Grappolo d’Oro

Piazza della Cancelleria, 80

  • Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe: simple pasta with top-tier Pecorino Romano

Veggie and Vegan Spots

Many traditional Roma dishes are already vegetarian:

  • Classics: Cacio e Pepe, Pasta alla Norma (eggplant), Fiori di Zucca (fried zucchini flowers – may contain anchovies), Carciofi alla Giudia (Jewish-style fried artichokes);
  • Vegan Staples: Bruschetta al pomodoro (garlic, oil, tomato), Pasta all’Arrabbiata (spicy tomato), Cicoria Ripassata (sauteed chicory)

Quick Tips

  • Many trattorias will adapt pastas for vegetarians: for instance, cacio e pepe or amatriciana alla vegetariana without guanciale — just ask.
  • Street food and pizza al taglio places may have vegetarian snacks; supplì are usually vegetarian (but always check for cheese/filling).

For the Vegan

  • “Senza Formaggio”: When ordering pizza, ask for a Marinara and add veggies. Specify “senza formaggio” (without cheese).
  • Gelato: “Frutta” (fruit) flavors are almost always water-based (sorbet).
  • Granita: just water, fruit juice, and sugar.
  • The Bread: bread (like pane sciapo) is usually vegan, made only with flour, water, and yeast. But it is not always vegan or even vegetarian, other ingredients of animal origin such as lard, honey, butter, or milk may be added.

Mater Terrae

Largo Febo, 2

  • Gourmet tasting menus

Buddy Veggy Restaurant Cafè

Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 107/A

  • Vegan Carbonara or Amatriciana
  • Vegan burgers
  • “meat-free” platters

Origano Campo de’ Fiori

Largo dei Chiavari, 84

  • Vegan Pizza
  • Vegan Tiramisu

Il Margutta

Via Margutta, 118

  • Vegetarian brunch buffet
  • Refined à la carte dinner

Rifugio Romano

Via Volturno, 39/41

  • 100% Vegan
  • Vegan Cacio e Pepe
  • Vegan Lamb (Abbacchio)
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