Learn About the History Behind Rome and its Food
Enjoy some traditional foods as you learn about Rome’s rich history. You will be surprised to learn about the story behind some of Rome’s traditional dishes. The most staple Italian foods that everyone loves are pizza and pasta but there is so much more than that. If you are eating these common dishes, be sure to try pizza and pasta that is unique to this city.
Unsure of what to eat? We have curated a list of some of the best dishes you must eat in Rome. Don’t forget to try some of these dishes as something you must do in Rome. These delicious foods are authentic to the city of Rome and will make your trip more enjoyable. Eat more than just your typical Italian cuisine!
Be sure to stay until the end for a little surprise, but first here are 10 Things You Must Eat in Rome:
1. Pizza al Taglio
Pizza by the cut
There are many great places for pizza in Rome but your trip is not complete without trying pizza al taglio. Pizza al taglio is not like the traditional round pizza that we’re all used to seeing. The term literally translates to “pizza by the cut”. The small slice of pizza makes it very convenient to eat on the go.
You can also find this all over the city in restaurants or in bakeries. This type of pizza comes in all sorts of flavors and toppings. The price of each slice is usually measured by its weight. It is typically cheaper than pizza that you can get at restaurants so if you’re on a budget, try pizza al taglio.
2. Jewish Style Artichokes
A dish with so much history
The Jewish Ghetto in Rome is where most traditional dishes originated from. Fried artichokes, or carciofi alla Giudia, is a dish that has been around for centuries. In the past, food and spices were scarce, so many people fried artichokes to maximize their flavor. This became popular and is still a common dish in Rome today.
The outer layers are crispy like potato chips but the inner layers are tender. If you never ate artichoke before then you must try this unique dish. The Jewish style artichoke is often eaten as an appetizer or as a snack.
3. Pasta
There are many varieties of pasta!
Pasta is another popular dish you will find all over Italy but there are many varieties to explore. Fettuccine, cacio e pepe, carbonara are examples of some popular pasta dishes in Rome. Pasta is such a staple to Italian cuisine, you’ll probably find it in every restaurant in Rome.
Cacio e pepe literally means cheese and pepper. Although this is a very simple dish, it is very popular among locals and visitors alike. Carbonara is another pasta dish from Rome that you must try. If you’re interested in learning how to make traditional pasta, then you should try taking a cooking class in Rome.
4. Porchetta
What’s better than crispy and tender pork?
Porchetta is boneless pork that is seasoned and roasted for hours. The skin of the pork is crunchy while the meat is tender. This savory meat is so good you will want more! It is often found in sandwiches and sometimes in pasta.
The best and most common way to eat porchetta is probably in sandwiches. This is also very affordable and delicious. You can find porchetta in restaurants, sandwich stores, or in local markets. You can also get a sample of porchetta from vendors at a farmers’ market.
5. Tiramisu
Indulge in a sweet treat
Tiramisu is a favorite dessert in Italy. Many people eat sweet foods when they are feeling sad. Tiramisu is the perfect sweet treat because it means “cheer me up”. It’s also a great light dessert after a meal. This popular dessert can be found all over the world but it originated in Italy.
Tiramisu is a coffee-soaked cake that is mainly made out of ladyfingers and mascarpone cheese. You can find tiramisu in many restaurants, cafes, and pastry shops all over the city. A popular place for tiramisu is at a bakery called Pompi. You can get the classic tiramisu or a strawberry flavored tiramisu.
Pompi Address: Via Albalonga 7B, 00183 Rome, Italy
6. Suppli
Best street food in Rome
Suppli is a small snack that consists of risotto rice, mozzarella cheese, and tomato sauce. This fried snack is addicting and can be found as appetizers in restaurants or as street foods. Be sure to try this if you find vendors selling it on the street.
Not to mistake this as a croquette, suppli does not contain meat. Since the taste is similar to pizza, you can also find this in many pizza shops. The best place for suppli, and pizza al taglio is at Pizzarium Bonci. There might a line at this pizzeria but it is worth the wait.
Pizzarium Bonci Address: Via della Meloria 43, 00136 Rome, Italy
7. Fried Zucchini Flowers
Who would’ve thought flowers can taste this delicious?
This is a special dish that can only be found at a certain time of the year. It is usually found in the spring or summer when zucchini flowers are in full bloom. This delicate dish consists of deep-fried zucchini flowers that are stuffed with cheese. This traditional dish has been around for generations. Many Italians would say that they remember eating it during their childhood.
Zucchini flower is a unique ingredient that can be found on pizza sometimes. Be sure to try this when you are in Rome during the summer. This might be very difficult to find after the season ends. You can also try making this simple dish if you see markets selling zucchini flowers.
8. Antipasto
A traditional formal dish
Antipasto is an appetizer that typically consists of olives, artichoke, cheese, anchovies, and meat. The ingredients can be different depending on the family recipe or restaurant you go to eat. Antipasto is usually served during parties but can also be found in some restaurants.
This simple appetizer is really easy to make and does not require any cooking at all. All you need to do is include the right kind of ingredients in the dish. Although you do not need any special cooking skills to create this dish, you can still take an Italian cooking class to learn more about it.
9. Trippa alla Romana
Rome’s strange but delicious food
Trippa alla Romana is tripe that has been stewed in tomato sauce. This is a very popular Roman dish but visitors are often hesitant to try it because of the main ingredient. Tripe is the lining of a cow’s stomach and is used in traditional cooking. Romans usually use honeycomb tripe when they are making this dish.
Don’t be afraid to try this interesting dish! Trippa alla Romana is full of flavor because the tripe absorbs all the tomato sauce. The taste and texture might be different depending on the type of tripe that is used for the dish. A trip to Rome is not complete without trying this very popular Roman dish.
10. Maritozzo
A sweet treat for a bride-to-be
Maritozzo is a sweet bun that has been around for centuries. This traditional pastry is usually eaten for breakfast. Maritozzo is bread that has been split in the middle and filled with delicious whipped cream. The history behind this pastry is that the soon-to-be husbands would gift their fiance a maritozzo.
Although this tradition is not carried out anymore, you can still find this in many bakeries and pastry shops. The pastry has evolved throughout the years and is sometimes prepared differently. This staple breakfast item is loved by people of all ages. A popular place to go for maritozzo is at Pasticceria Regoli. This bakery has all sorts of baked goods that will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Pasticceria Regoli Address: Via Dello Statuto 60, 00185 Rome, Italy
Wait, we have a little extra for you!
There are plenty of things to eat in Rome but we hope you found this guide to be helpful. You can actually learn how to make most of these dishes.
If you are interested in taking a cooking class in Rome, use the promo code ROMEFOOD10 to get a 10% discount on www.cookly.me
