Writing about only 10 foods to try in Rome for your first visit… Is that even possible?
Rome is such a rich culinary, filled-to-the-brim with delicious pasta, its own pizza, street food and sweet treats. You know what they say about Roman food… a lifetime isn’t enough!
But, if it’s your first visit, you won’t have time to try all of Rome’s typical foods.
Let’s take a look at my top 10, not-to-miss foods you must try on your first visit to Rome.
Ready? Let’s get eating!
Eating in Italy Basics: If you are curious to know more about navigating dining in Italy, you may be interested in
How To Order Food In Italian
Tipping In Italy – When & How Much From A Local
What Is A Coperto? All About Italy’s Cover Charge
A Visitor’s Guide To Eating In Italy
How To Order Food In Italian
Italian Meal Structure
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1. Carbonara
Where To Try It: Roscioli Salumeria or at the most popular places in Rome for carbonara
Carbonara is perhaps the most iconic of Rome’s pasta dishes and an absolute must-try for first-time visitors. This rich, velvety pasta sauce is made without cream but instead, relies on a silky emulsion of Pecorino Romano cheese, black pepper, egg yolks, and guanciale (cured pork jowl) tossed with al dente spaghetti or mezze maniche and plenty of starchy water.
Good To Know: The secret to making a great carbonara is cooking the pasta correctly and using plenty of starchy water.
2. Cacio e Pepe
Where To Try It: Trattoria Da Enzo al 29 (Trastevere)
Simple yet sophisticated, cacio e pepe, meaning “cheese and pepper,” is a typical Roman food featuring just three ingredients: Pecorino Romano cheese, black pepper, and pasta (typically tonnarelli) or other long pasta. When made perfectly, the result is a creamy sauce that clings to every strand of pasta with a sharp, peppery flavor. A dish born from rustic simplicity, it’s a testament to the concept of la cucina povera or the poor man’s way of cooking.
3. Amatriciana
Where To Try It: La Amatriciana Restaurant (Termini Station)
The third of Rome’s holy trinity of pasta dishes, amatriciana originated in the town of Amatrice, a town about 2 hours northeast of Rome. It’s a heartier pasta made with tomato sauce flavored with guanciale and a pinch of red pepper flakes and finished with plenty of Pecorino Romano cheese. Traditionally paired with bucatini (a thick spaghetti-like pasta with a hole running through the center), you might also find it served with other long pasta shapes such as a simple spaghetti.
4. Coda alla Vaccinara (Ox-Tail Stew)
Where To Try It: Osteria Nuvolari (close to Vatican City)
Oxtail stew is another masterpiece of Roman cuisine made by slowly braising the meat with tomatoes, red wine, soffritto and sometimes, raisins and pine nuts until it becomes fall-off-the-bone tender. The dish’s rich and hearty flavors teach us that you don’t need fancy ingredients to create wonders in the kitchen. And be sure to soak up all the extra sauce on your plate with a crust of bread.
5. Cicoria Ripassata (Sautéed Chicory)
Where To Try It: Romanè (close to Vatican City)
Romans (and Italians in general) have a deep appreciation for seasonal greens, and cicoria ripassata is one of their favorite vegetable dishes to make in the winter. Chicory, a bitter leafy green from the dandelion family, is boiled and then sautéed with garlic, chili flakes, and olive oil. The result is a flavorful side that perfectly balances the richness of typical Roman specialties.
Tip: If you prefer a lighter version, keep an eye out for cicoria all’agro, which is simply boiled and dressed with lemon juice and olive oil.
6. Carciofi alla Romana & Carciofi alla Giudia (Roman and Jewish-Style Artichokes)
Where To Try It: Al Pompiere or at any restaurant in the Jewish Quarter
Artichokes are a Roman obsession, and during the end up winter and into early spring, they become hard to even avoid. They are used in so many ways but the two most popular ways to try them are:
- Carciofi alla Romana – steamed artichokes with mint, garlic, and parsley in a mixture of olive oil, white wine, and water until tender.
- Carciofi alla Giudia – flattened and deep fried artichokes. The outer leaves become crunchy while the heart remains tender.
7. Maritozzi (Cream-Filled Buns)
Where To Try It: Pasticceria Regoli (Esquilino)
Maritozzi, a true Roman treat, are fluffy leavened buns filled to the brim with fresh whipped cream. Traditionally enjoyed for breakfast with a coffee, you will see these buns in every bakery and bar window in Rome. I highly suggest you check out where to eat the best maritozzi in Rome because they can be bad, believe it or not.
8. Supplì (Stuffed Rice Balls)
Where To Try It: Supplì Roma (Trastevere)
Roman supplì are rice balls stuffed with gooey mozzarella or a rich ragù, then coated in breadcrumbs and fried to golden perfection The best supplì have a crispy exterior that gives way to creamy risotto-like rice inside, with strings of melted mozzarella stretching with every bite.
Supplì is the ultimate street food snack to try in Rome although you will also see them at many pizzerie in Rome served as appetizers before your pie comes.
9. Puntarelle con Acciughe (Chicory with Anchovies)
Where To Try It: Trattoria da Augusto (Trastevere)
This beloved winter Roman salad is made with puntarelle, the curly shoots of Catalonian chicory, dressed in an anchovy and lemon vinaigrette. The bitterness of the puntarelle perfectly complements the salty, briny punch of the anchovies. It’s a refreshing contrast to the city’s richer dishes and a staple on Roman tables during winter and early spring when chicory is in season.
The reason I picked this to try for first time travelers to Rome is because I have never seen this vegetable outside of Italy and you know what they say, “When in Rome!”
10. Pizza alla Pala (Pizza by the Slice)
Where To Try It: Panificio Bonci and Pizzarium (close to Vatican City) or learn more in the best pizza in Rome
Pizza alla pala is Rome’s take on pizza that you can’t miss as a first time traveler. It’s baked in a large rectangular oval and sold by the weight, making it a fun way to order small squares of different kinds to sample various pizza toppings.
The crust is crispy yet airy, and the toppings vary by the season. It’s the ideal grab-and-go meal or snack when you’re exploring Rome.
Fact: Pala means stone slab, referring to the large stone tool used to bake this pizza.
Other Typical Roman Foods To Try
Like I said, it’s hard to choose just 10 so if you happen to have a lot of time in Rome or just want a good excuse to spend more time eating, consider these other typical Roman foods to try on your trip to the Eternal City:
- Porchetta di Ariccia – roasted pork (sandwich or sold by weight)
- Fiori di zucca fritti – fried zucchini flowers
- Gnocchi alla romana – large polenta cakes
- Pasta alla gricia – pasta with pecorino and guanciale
- Rigatoni con pajata – pasta with veal intestines
- Saltimbocca – veal cooked with prosciutto crudo and sage
- Trippa alla Romana – tripe cooked until tender in tomato sauce
- White chicken cacciatore (also called Roman Chicken cacciatore
- Polpette romane – meatballs cooked in tomato sauce
- Trapizzino – panino style stuffed pizza
- Vignarola – vegetable stew with fresh artichokes, broad beans and peas cooked in white wine and lemon juice (available only in the spring for a couple of weeks)
Visiting Rome? Don’t Miss
Roman Pasta Dishes + Where to Eat Them
Best Pizza in Rome
Best Gelato in Rome
Rome’s Best Desserts
Where to Eat Carbonara in Rome
Where to Get Coffee in Rome
Aperitivo in Rome
Roman Wine Bars
Where to Eat & Drink in Trastevere
Where to Eat Near the Colosseum
Where to Eat Near the Vatican
Where to Eat Near the Termini Train Station
Where to Eat in the Jewish Quarter
Where to Eat in the Historic Center
Rome Street Food to Try
Where to Get Breakfast in Rome
Bakeries in Rome
Where to Eat Maritozzi in Rome
Where to Eat Pinsa Romana
Where Locals Eat in Rome
Typical Roman Foods
Foods to Try on Your First Visit to Rome
Where to Eat with Kids in Rome
Eating Gluten-Free in Rome
Eating in Rome While Pregnant
Eating Vegan in Rome
My Favorite Gelaterie for Dairy-Free Gelato in Rome
A Roman Picnic
Food Markets in Rome
After-Dinner Drinks in Rome
Food Souvenirs from Rome
Traditional Food of Lazio
