When In Rome, Eat Everything!

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Over themany times that I have been to Rome, I’ve fallen in love with this city. There’s so much to love! But what I love most is eating my way around Rome.

Rome and Italy is full of great food. Italians really respect their ingredients and it shows in the simple but yummy flavours of the food.

Here is a list of my favourite eateries and/or foods (and drinks) in Rome!

Alice Pizza

This place has a couple of locations, but I always go to the one right by the Vatican.

It’s a ‘pay by weight’ pizza place where you choose from all of the large rectangle pizzas and you get a slice of this and a slice of that.  The bases of the pizzas is what I die for – and the interesting yet simple toppings make this my favourite pizza in Italy!

At rush hour there can be quite a long line, but they work fast and you will be so glad you waited in that line. The pizza from here permanently has a small piece of my heart.

Location: Via delle Grazie, 7/9, 00193 Roma, Italië

Old Bridge Gelateria

Important to note – Old Bridge is not open on Sunday’s. This place, even when it has broken my heart not being open, is by far the best gelato I’ve ever had!

The staff are so fun and friendly and they serve you so much ice cream in a cone that they also need to give you a spoon! The ice cream tastes out of this world. DO NOT MISS OUT.

Location: Viale dei Bastioni Di Michelangelo, 500192 Roma, Italië

Giolitti

This ice team shop is popular. It’s the oldest Gelateria in Rome – so you just have got to come here. It will be busy though but go through the ‘hassle’ for a taste of history.

The staff are hilarious here also. They try to get customers to bang their hand on the glass surrounding the gelato. I’ve warned you, but unfortunately you will probably still fall for their sneaky games! (I did!)

Location: Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40, 00186 Roma, Italië

Pizzarium, recommended by Anthony Bordain

I was walking aimlessly, as I often do in Rome, and decided I needed pizza. I googled what was near and this place came up with notes that Anthony Bordain has been there on his television show!

As I have seen his foodie shows quite a lot I decided it had to be tasted. Anthony Bordain, you deserve a pat on the back because my tastebuds had happy times.

Their pizza is more ‘think outside the box’; putting pieces of blood orange with broccoli on a pizza for instance. One thing is for sure, go here and you will always remember that bizarre pizza you once had in a little street in Rome.

Location: Via della Meloria, 43, 00136 Roma, Italië

Melon wrapped in prosciutto

This is a meal you can get as a starter in many restaurants around Rome. Simple and absolutely delicious! It’s a combination I thought was completely bizarre when I first read it on the menu, but it’s fresh tasting and these two things go perfectly together! Though, if I’m being honest, I would eat haggis if it was wrapped in prosciutto..

Limoncello

Limoncello is as Italian as it gets. When out to dinner, it is the Italian way to have a shot of Limoncello after dinner, which is fine by me! I love the taste and I love the culture surrounding it. It brings everyone together in drunken smiles!

Pompi Tiramisu

Pompi makes the airiest, lightest, most delicious tiramisu I’ve ever had. It’s located centrally, right near the Spanish Steps so you don’t need to go out of your way to snap up this divine ‘any-time’ dessert!

Location: Via della Croce, 82, 00187 Roma, Italië

La Viletta

I have to give my favourite restaurant a plug. This place has a vibe that can’t be beaten! It’s owner is the best friend of the famous Italian soccer player Francesco Totti, and has photos of himself with celebrities lining the walls. He himself is a hoot. The later the night and more wine he drinks, the more buttons of his shirt he undoes.

The wait staff are top notch too. Anything you want, they deliver. Every time I come to LaViletta I leave extremely drunk and with a sore face from laughing so much.

Location: Viale della Piramide Cestia, 53, 00153 Roma, Italië

Now, not to forget, but the food is delicious. It’s a family run place and so this is shown in the dishes with your big pasta dishes, and sharing platters of cheeses and meats, and a homely space.

This restaurant is down by Rome’s Pyramid so before dinner go and see this. It’s nothing like Egypt but it’s Rome’s version!

Iced Coffee at Caffe Tazza d’Oro

Right by the Pantheon is this historic cafe which will more than likely be crowded with locals and tourists alike. It was both times I’ve been here.

Why should you go? The famous frozen iced coffee, the staff, the aroma. I love this place. Oh, and they even have a coffee vending machine which featured an actual coffee making pot – wild!

Location: Via degli Orfani, 84, 00186 Roma, Italië

Chocolate Shots in Trastevere

There is a wonderful little bar down a cobbled Trastevere street called Rivendita Libri Cioccalata e Vino, where you can take shots of liqueur from shot glasses made of chocolate! The staff are so joyful and enjoy having a laugh with clientèle, while they instruct you to “take your 69 from behind!”

All of the chocolate liqueur shots have sexual names, for example Orgasm, Quickie, G Spot, One Night Stand. You then must place the chocolate shot into your mouth ‘chocolate first, liqueur second’ to avoid embarrassing squirts of liqueur back out of your mouth, and onto the staff.

It’s a LOT of fun, and the more chocolate shots you have, the more of them you’ll want! A definite favourite place of my time in Rome.

Location: Vicolo de’ Cinque, 11A, 00153 Roma, Italië

Coffee

I couldn’t make a food post about Rome and not mention the coffee. The coffee is epic. I’ve never felt so hooked on coffee than I have after having a small latte in a shop no bigger than my bathroom in a nothing street in Rome. It was one of those walk up, order, drink it standing, and leave type places which I’ve now realised are everywhere in Rome. But my first time, boy oh boy did I love it.

The aromas, the strong flavour, the way the Italians drink it… Wonderful.

Having a cocktail in a Piazza

Does it get more Italian than this? It is surely a sin to go to Rome and not stop to enjoy life by resting those weary tourist feet and sipping on something delicious!

It is also the law to serve some kind of food to patrons who purchase alcohol so while you sip on your aperol spritz, you’ll also get a light snack – now that’s a win.

Some great piazzas for people watching are Piazza Campo de Fiori and Piazza Navona.

I don’t care what diet you are on. If you venture to Rome, you aren’t really experiencing Rome unless you sample the food. And sample some more.

What is your favourite food or eatery in Rome?

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About Lesley

Australian expat, married to a Dutch guy, living in Amsterdam. Previously lived in London for 3 years, too! Lover of travel, coffee, brunch, beaches, fresh flowers, and family. Now a new mum, navigating life with a baby!