Last updated on February 24th, 2025
Rome is home to some of Italy’s most beloved and popular street food including fried foods, pizza, sweet treats and modern takes on the classics.
If you’re on a budget in Rome, have a jam-packed itinerary already planned or love to experience the local culinary scene through street food then read on.
Let’s look at Rome street food from top to bottom – including the most popular items to try in Rome and where to try them. I’ve also included a map.
Check out all of my Italy street food guides!
The Best Cheap Eats in Tuscany – Exploring Tuscan Street Food
Street Food in Rome
Street Food To Try in Venice
Jump to Section
Map of the Best Rome Street Food to Try
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
Porchetta
Porchetta is a traditional street food you will find across all 20 regions but here in Rome it’s from Ariccia. The belly and loin are de-boned, rolled in herbs, and slow-roasted until fork tender. The result is juicy, savory meat with perfectly crispy skin.
Order it in a sandwich or just get the meat to go (price by weight) and bring it on a picnic with you in Rome.
Where to Try Porchetta in Rome
- Panificio Bonci (Via Trionfale, 36): most famous for their pizza but they sometimes have porchetta as well (not daily)
- Er Buchetto (Via del Viminale, 2f): great porchetta sandwiches to eat near Termini
- Mordi e Vai (Box #15, Testaccio Market): The best spot for porchetta at the testaccio market.
Pizza al Taglio / Pizza alla pala / Pizza in Teglia
Pizza “by the slice”, sometimes called pizza alla pala or pizza a taglio is a Roman staple, perfect for a quick snack and one of Rome’s most beloved street foods. Rectangular slices are sold by weight, with toppings ranging from classic margherita to gourmet combinations with figs and prosciutto.
Pizza in teglia is pizza baked in a pan and cut into squares, sold either by the piece or by weight. The most popular and cheapest is pizza rossa made with pizza sauce.
Where to Try Street Food Pizza in Rome
- Pizzarium (Via della Meloria, 43): Known for creative toppings and artisan crust by Bonci. Avoid the lunch rush from 12:30 to 2 p.m when it’s extremely busy.
- Antico Forno Roscioli (Via dei Chiavari, 34): A historic spot offering delicious pizza in teglia, specifically pizza rossa.
- Panificio Bonci (Via Trionfale, 36): Opened by Bonci, this bakery in Rome serves some of the best pizza in the city
Supplì
Supplì is one of Rome’s most popular street foods made from fried rice balls stuffed with mozzarella with a crisp golden crust. These Roman croquettes are traditionally filled with meat sauce or cheese but modern versions offer creative variations such as cacio e pepe supplì.
Where to Try Supplì in Rome
- Supplizio (Via dei Banchi Vecchi, 143): A cozy spot specializing in traditional supplì.
- Supplì Roma (Via di S. Francesco a Ripa): Some of the best in all of Rome located in Trastevere
- Trapizzino (Via Giovanni Branca, 88): Famed for their trapizzino but their supplì are equally good. Various locations in city center
- Pizzarium (Via della Meloria, 43): Supplì are freshly fried around 12:30 p.m, just when the lunch crowd hits.
Maritozzi
Maritozzi are a soft, sweet bun sliced open and filled with whipped cream, making it the best street food to try in Rome if you have a sweet tooth. It’s also a very traditional Roman breakfast.
Where to Try Maritozzi in Rome
- Pasticceria Regoli (Via dello Statuto, 60): An iconic bakery with traditional maritozzi, including Lenten variations.
- Il Maritozzaro (Near Trastevere Station): Famous for their generously filled maritozzi and creative twists like chocolate-drizzled buns.
For my other favorite locations, be sure to read Where to Find the Best Maritozzi in Rome.
Trapizzino
Trapizzino, a relatively new invention to the culinary scene (introduced in 2009) combines soft yet crunchy pizza dough with the triangular shape of a sandwich, filled with classic Roman dishes like oxtail stew or white chicken cacciatore. It’s a filling and affordable option for on-the-go dining in Rome.
Where to Try It
- Trapizzino (Via Giovanni Branca, 88): The original location for this Roman street food innovation but there are several locations throughout the city including at the Termini station.
Polpette di Bollito
Made from simmered and shredded beef, these breaded and fried meatballs are a traditional way to use leftover meat in Rome.
Where to Try Polpette di Bollito in Rome
- Box #15 Mordi e Vai, Testaccio Market: The best polpette di bollito in Rome (also sandwiches)
Pizza Bianca con Mortadella
Pizza bianca, a soft, olive oil-crusted flatbread similar to focaccia is a popular street food for locals in Rome when filled with mortadella, Italy’s version of bologna.
Where to Try Pizza Bianca in Rome
- Antico Forno Roscioli (Via dei Chiavari, 34): Order pizza bianca and have it filled at their bread counter.
Gelato
Rome’s gelato is a refreshing treat, with artisanal shops offering high-quality options at reasonable prices. Seasonal and unique flavors abound.
Where to Try Gelato in Rome
- Otaleg (Via di S. Cosimato, 14a): Known for experimenting with flavors and seasonal fruit sorbets
- Neve di Latte (Several locations in Rome): Organic gelato made with biodynamic ingredients
- Fatamorgana (Various Locations): Best for travelers with dietary restrictions, perfect for vegan, dairy-free or gluten-free travelers.
Read all about Rome’s best in Where to Find the Best Gelato in Rome.
Panini
Simple yet delicious, Roman sandwiches can range from classic combinations like prosciutto and mozzarella to adventurous offal fillings for the more adventurous foodie. Panini are usually quite large so they can serve as a whole meal for busy travelers who don’t have time to sit down.
Where to Try Panini in Rome
- Mordi e Vai (Box #15, Testaccio Market): Specializes in Roman sandwiches including a very good sandwiches of all kinds
- Il Panino Ingegnoso (P.za di Pietra, 35): Probably the best classic sandwich centrally located in Rome
- Panino Divino (Via dei Gracchi, 11a): Literally right outside of the Vatican City
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
