When in Rome…EAT!
Did you guys know that Rome has a pretty incredible food scene? I know. Groundbreaking.
But each time I visit, I find it is easy to eat ‘good’ food, but to get to those ‘WOW’ eateries, the ones with a greater concentration of locals rather than tourists, you need to dig a little deeper, wait in queues a little longer, and trek out a little further.
As a long-time food blogger and eager trier of pretty much anything at this point in the pursuit of bold flavours and a broader understanding of every country I visit, here are some of my top-rated Roman spots in the city!
Piccolo Buco
For: The best pizza in the city
This discovery came about simply by doing as the British do—joining a queue! We noticed that this tiny eatery had a queue forming well before its opening hours, so we decided to join the party and see what the fuss was about. We later discovered that they don’t take reservations, hence the intensive queuing system!
Here, you will find outrageously good and authentic pizzas. Think fluffy crusts, creamy melted mozzarella, and rich tomato sauces. Their minimalist approach to beautifully crafted pizzas makes this a crowd-pleaser—even for the fussiest of eaters.
Supplì Roma
For: Traditional Roman street food on the go
For a true taste of traditional Italian street food, you need to visit Supplì Roma. It’s a bit of a walk outside the city centre, but so worth it!
The star of the show—and the deli’s namesake—are the spectacular supplì, which are best described as deep-fried rice croquettes, similar to arancini (which originated in Sicily and are a different shape and size).
They also serve a wide variety of other snacks to take away, including pizza slices and pasta dishes. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious, and this is definitely more of a local spot, so be prepared to practise your Italian!
Gelateria del Viale
For: Creamy and indulgent locally-made gelato
What could be a more quintessentially Italian culinary experience than a scoop or two of gelato?
This fresh gelato is made on-site using fresh ingredients sourced from Italy, with an array of flavours, from tiramisu, cheesecake, and pistachio, to name but a few. Delicious, affordable, and served with really friendly service. This is an easy recommendation.
Two Sizes
For: Tiny and tasty tiramisu cups to take away
When they say they offer ‘the best tiramisu in town,’ they were not wrong.
Two Sizes has a pretty much permanent queue outside its little hole-in-the-wall exterior. It—perhaps unsurprisingly—offers two serving sizes of its homemade tiramisu, served in cute little plastic cup containers.
Flavours include original, strawberry, pistachio, peanut butter, and caramel. My personal favourite is the peanut butter, but at just €2.50 for a small and €3.50 for a large, do as we did and try them all.
Ai Tre Scalini
For: Cozy and classic Italian cuisine
When you picture an authentic, rustic, and no-frills Italian eatery with outstanding local food that you probably won’t find in your typical Italian restaurant in the UK, Ai Tre Scalini is that place.
With a simple menu championing fresh, local ingredients and small plates that are practically begging to be shared so that you can try as many as possible, we kept coming back here. Their meatballs and caprese salad? Chef’s kiss.
The staff are both efficient and more than happy for you to chill, hang out, and take your time dining (something that was a hard pattern to break for me!).
And if you need a good drink recommendation, be sure to try out Poli Marconi 46 Gin—named after its potent 46% alcohol strength.
Ristorante La Villetta dal 1940
For: Hearty and traditional fare from a family-run osteria
Now, granted, I only ate here as part of a wedding celebration, so the menu was altered to accommodate the event. However, if the quality of the catering they provided for hundreds of wedding guests is anything to go by, eating here on a normal day will be mind-blowing.
From its walls adorned with celebrity clientele and its owner sweeping through, schmoozing guests, down to the laid-back atmosphere and fantastic wine pairings (this is coming from someone who doesn’t really drink wine!), food is not the only reason to visit. The whole place epitomises Italian vitality, vibrancy, and energy.
Limon’è
For: A refreshing pit-stop while exploring the city in the summer
Tourist hotspot? Sure.
But delicious basil-flavoured sorbet? Yes, please!
Look, sometimes, when you’re wandering through the city in 30+ degree heat, you just want something refreshing. And a delightfully light and zesty sorbet infused with the delicate floral notes of basil hits the spot.
Bonus Instagram aesthetic points for it being served inside a lemon.
Buon Appetito!
If you have any recommendations for spots to try that you think could be added to this list, drop me a comment. I am always on the lookout for an excuse to visit the Eternal City!
Until next time,
Lica xoxo
