Food Lover's Guide to Rome
Rome’s cuisine reflects the spirit of the city itself: straightforward yet nuanced, approachable yet elegant, traditional yet cutting-edge. Just a few ingredients are combined to create simple dishes that are served in Michelin-starredristoranti and neighborhoodtrattorie. Here’s how to experience Rome’s proud food culture.
Must-Try Dishes
Pasta reigns supreme in Rome, and the lion’s share of the city’s most classic dishes areprimi, or first courses. You can’t leave the city without sampling at least one of its four fundamental pasta dishes:pasta alla gricia, a short or long pasta tossed withpecorino romano (aged sheep cheese) andguanciale (cured pork cheek);bucatini all’amatriciana, similar to pasta alla gricia, but with tomatoes added to the cheese and pork;spaghetti alla carbonara, long pasta tossed with pecorino romano, guanciale, eggs, and cracked pepper; andcacio e pepe, long or short pasta tossed with pecorino romano and cracked pepper.
If you’re not a fan of pasta, don’t despair. Other options range from Rome’s popular street food treat ofsupplì—fried rice balls mixed with tomato sauce, ground meat, or mozzarella—to rich secondi, second course meat dishes such as vealsaltimbocca(pounded veal, wrapped in prosciutto) andcoda alla vaccinara(oxtail stew). One of Rome’s most historic cuisines is found in the Jewish Ghetto, where restaurants serve upcarciofi alla giudìa(fried artichokes),baccalà all’ebraica(fried codfish), and other traditionally kosher dishes.
Must-Do Experiences
- Browse the stalls piled high with fresh fruit and vegetables, local meat, sheep cheeses, and Mediterranean fish at one of Rome’s neighborhood markets on a guided tour.
- Begin the day with the Roman breakfast of champions: a cappuccino and maritozzo (sweet bun filled with whipped cream) at a bustling corner bar.
- Experience one of Rome’s most unique and historic cuisines on a food tour of the Jewish Ghetto, stopping in at kosher food shops, family-run delis, and landmark Jewish restaurants.
- Learn how to reproduce one of Rome’s classic pasta dishes by joining a pasta cooking class with a local chef.
- Savor the magic of Rome after sundown with a tour of Rome by night paired with dinner, a wine tasting, or a stop for pizza and gelato.
12 Tours and Activities | All Rome Tours
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Small-Group Rome Food Walking Tour: Trastevere, Campo de' Fiori, Jewish Ghetto
Go on the hunt for some of the best food in Rome on this culinary walking tour through the areas of Campo de’ Fiori, Trastevere, and the Jewish Quarter. With a guide, learn the local secrets of the Eternal City and sample traditional Italian favorites like gelato and pasta, as well as local specialties like fried artichokes. Limited to 12 people, this tour offers a more personal sightseeing experience.
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From
$76.16
From
$76.16
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Rome by Night with Pizza and Gelato (max 8 people with driver)
See the Eternal City come to life after dark on a half-day, small-group tour of Rome at night. Kick off your evening over pizza in a classic Roman restaurant, then see the ancient sites and monuments with dramatic illumination. Take in the soaring arches of the Colosseum and the shadowy pillars of the Pantheon, then take a leisurely stroll through Piazza Navona to three picture-perfect fountains. Pause to throw a coin into the Trevi fountain and savor a cup of local gelato before returning to your hotel.
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From
$131.77
From
$131.77
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Small-Group or Private Pasta Making with a Local Chef in Rome
Learn to make pasta by hand with a professional chef-instructor for a truly memorable experience in Rome. Your 3.5-hour cooking class takes place in an airy loft apartment and covers the basics of different styles of pasta. Nibble on light appetizers and a glass of prosecco as you begin to prepare the pasta meal. When you have finished, enjoy your dinner at a table on the rooftop terrace with great views. You can also ask your instructor about Italian cuisine and tips for your time in Rome.
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From
$109.32
From
$109.32
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Rome Street Food Tour with Local Guide
Taste your way through Rome's street food scene on this gourmet walking tour. Sample a variety of street foods, such as zucchini flowers, suppli, pastries, and pizza, while taking in the impressive scenery of historic Rome all around you. This tour is ideal for first-time visitors to Rome and for foodies who want to learn more about Roman cuisine.
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From
$54.05
Price varies by group size
From
$54.05
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Rome Food Tour by Sunset around Prati District
Experience Rome with all your senses on this delicious sunset walking and eating tour of Rome's Prati District. See Rome like a local, as you stroll the streets of Prati with your knowledgeable local guide, popping into different gourmet food stores to sample a plethora of foods. Visit some real hidden gems, as you snack on cured meats and cheeses, eat amazing pizza, and meet some of the artisanal food makers who give you recipes and food making tips. Group sizes are limited to 13 people, so book early to secure your spot.
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From
$115.15
From
$115.15
Jewish Ghetto and Navona Food Wine and Sightseeing Tour of Rome
Immerse yourself in the flavors of the ‘Eternal City’ on a half-day tour through Rome’s iconic foods and wine. Visit a series of local restaurants in Campo Marzio and the Jewish Ghetto for tastings that range from fish and meat to pizza, pasta, and desserts served alongside Italian wines. Take in the city’s historic sites as you go, with time to explore classic piazzas, ancient Roman sites, temples, and a synagogue. Finish your tour with inside tips on the best places to eat, drink and explore in Rome.
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From
$109.32
Price varies by group size
From
$109.32
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Semi Private Dinner near the Pantheon, Wine Pairing and Visit to Ancient Cellar
When in Rome, treat yourself to a luxurious Italian dinner at a family-run restaurant near the Pantheon. Hosted by a culinary connoisseur, this evening experience includes local specialties, from pasta to a meat dish to dessert. Each course is accompanied by a glass of regional wine, and the evening starts with a classic Italian aperitivo in the private cellar, where you enjoy a glass of prosecco served with cured meat and cheeses. This small-group dinner is limited to 10 people for a more intimate experience.
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From
$122.83
From
$122.83
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Pasta Class - Fettuccine Making in Rome
Make fresh pasta like a Roman. This is a cooking class that explores traditional recipes with a local chef. Working alongside the chef, prepare pasta dough from scratch, learn classic cuts from tagliolini to tagliatelle, then sit down to a hearty meal of Italian specialties. This private experience includes, along with the cooking class, lunch or dinner, a welcome glass of wine, and it’s the perfect introduction to Italy’s remarkable food traditions.
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From
$60.19
From
$60.19
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Taste of Testaccio Rome Food Tour
Get a taste of Rome’s Testaccio neighborhood, the center of the local food scene, on this half-day tour. With a foodie guide, you’ll enjoy nine tastings of regional cuisine as you walk through the neighborhood to meet vendors and learn about secret Roman recipes. From gelato to cheese to pastries to fresh pasta, you’ll enjoy the best of Italian food. Select a departure time when booking.
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From
$106.20
From
$106.20
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Rome by Night Tour Including Dinner
See the Eternal City lit up at night on this evening tour of Rome with dinner. Begin at a restaurant near the Trevi Fountain for a traditional Italian meal, then take a walk around the area—part of Rome’s historical center—to enjoy the nighttime ambiance. Afterward, a panoramic coach tour takes you to see illuminated attractions, finishing at the Colosseum.
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From
$126.52
From
$126.52
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Small-Group Cooking Lesson in Rome
Experience Rome to the fullest by including an Italian cooking class into your sightseeing itinerary. In a private kitchen in central Rome, you'll learn how to make a 4-course meal under the watchful eye of an instructor. Plus, visit Rome’s Central Market to shop for ingredients and chat with local farmers and other vendors. You'll receive personalized attention while you cook in a group limited to eight people. Then sit down to enjoy your meal with wine.
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From
$138.80
From
$138.80
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Best of Rome Walking Tour and Authentic Italian Cooking Class with Lunch or Dinner
See historic highlights of the Eternal City and learn secrets of Italian cooking on this decadent combo tour in Rome. After working up an appetite on a guided walking tour of landmarks like the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona, head to a local kitchen where you’ll learn to whip up an authentic 3-course meal under the guidance of a professional chef. Begin with bruschetta, make fresh fettuccine from scratch and end on a sweet note with creamy tiramisu. Choose from a lunch or dinner tour.
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From
$86.14
From
$86.14