What to eat in Rome? A list of 10 dishes

What to eat in Rome? A list of 10 dishes

Once you are in Rome you really become eager to try its cuisine. 

The roman cuisine has its roots in history and its recipes are the result of centuries of different traditions.
The ingredients are fresh and seasonal, directly coming from the countryside “Roman campagna” which surrounds the city. 

History of Roman Cuisine

Ancient Roman cuisine was influenced by Ancient Greek culture but, at a later time, when the empire expanded, absorbed the influence of others cuisines which mixed with the roman

During the Italian Renaissance, the best chefs were coming to Rome to cook for the popes.
Bartolomeo Scappi achieved fame with his book of recipes “Opera dell’arte del cucinare” published in 1570. 

Rome’s traditional trade and slaughter area is situated in Testaccio Rione where still nowadays Rome’s most original and traditional food can be found. 

Another influence in the roman cuisine was given by the jewish, as many jewish lived in the city. 

Rome: between pasta and tradition

Roman cuisine has four main pasta dishes, among which: 

  • Bucatini all’amatriciana is a pasta sauce based on guanciale, pecorino cheese from Amatrice, tomato and sometimes onion. 

  • Carbonara is made with eggs, hard cheese, guanciale and black pepper. 
  • Pasta alla gricia, which is considered all’amatriciana and carbonara ancestor, has 3 ingredients: guanciale, pecorino romano and black pepper. 

  • Cacio e Pepe is made with cacio cheese and black pepper. 

Rome also has its own style of pizza called “Pizza Romana”. There are two different styles of pizza in Rome: 

  • Pizza al taglio, which is  pizza sold in slices. 

  • Pizza with a thin base.
The difference between this Pizza and the neapolitan is to search in the dough. 


As vegetables, from the jewish influence we have: 

  • Carciofi alla giudia”: deep fried artichokes. It took its name from the roman word “giudio”, roman dialect term for jew. 

As a quick option when walking in Rome: 

  • Supplì alla romana: sold and eaten as street food. It consists of rice balls with ragu sauce and mozzarella. The word comes from the french word surprise, referring to the surprise that we will find inside. 

Types of Meat: 

  • Coda alla Vaccinara: an oxtail stew including various vegetables especially.  

  • Porchetta, savory fatty and boneless pork roast, stuffed with liver fennel.  

As dessert you can taste a really good gelato in one of the artisan gelaterias. 

Amalfi Luxury Tour offers a tour which lasts 10 hours. We will take you by car to discover Rome’s history and flavours. Contact us to discover more in regard to Rome’s cuisine. 


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