15 Traditional Rome Foods To Try in 2025

Published on August 19, 2024 | 0 Comments
Rome food

There are many enticing reasons to visit Italy's capital city, not least of which are the delectable Rome foods. The enticing and alluring city draws visitors from far and wide with its historical landmarks and flavorful cuisine — the latter being true because, contrary to popular belief, you’ll find there is more to Rome food than pasta.

What are the most popular Rome foods to try? Are there traditional Rome dishes that should not be missed? As you browse the trattoria menus, you might find many Rome dishes you are unfamiliar with. Don’t let that concern you. When strolling the streets of this ancient city, your eyes and nose are all you need to find the best Rome foods. To point your nose in the right direction, we've listed the 15 most popular cuisine choices in this detailed guide.

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Get a Taste of Traditional Rome Food

Rome is one of the best foodie cities in Italy, possibly even the world. You may be thinking it’s all spaghetti and tortellini, but many of the best foods don’t involve pasta. Rome foods are simple and seasonal, often featuring meat or local vegetables.

You’re going to be doing a lot of walking in Rome, so why not get your steps in and learn about Rome foods at the same time? If you need some help demystifying the culinary language here and getting acquainted with the most iconic Rome dishes, food tours in Rome are the way to go. Thanks to foodie and restaurant experts, you’ll quickly find many Rome foods to try that go beyond pizza and pasta.

Woman eating a meal at a restaurant on the streets of Rome
via Canva

15 Most Traditional Rome Dishes To Try

1. Carbonara

Pasta carbonara is one of the most traditional Rome dishes. Making this pasta dish requires skill because it involves using uncooked egg yolks to create the sauce, but they must be added carefully so they cook without scrambling. 

This simple but decadent Rome food is made using only fresh pasta, eggs, cheese and guanciale (cured pork, similar to bacon). If you’ve had a bad version of this Rome food in the United States, give it another chance in its hometown.

Carbonara on a plate next to a knife and fork
via Canva

2. Coda Alla Vaccinara

Traditional Rome dishes are often made with "fifth quarter" cuts of meat — this refers to the parts of an animal that are typically discarded, like tail meat, tongue, stomach or brains. In ancient times, only the wealthy could afford prime cuts of meat or fish. Working-class households learned to cook with the parts that were left behind. 

Coda alla vaccinara is one of the best ways to explore these lesser-known cuts of meat. It’s a stew made with oxtail that has been slow-braised in a tomato sauce for hours. You’ll find this classic Rome food on menus throughout the city.

Coda Alla Vaccinara on a plate next to a knife, fork and napkin
via Canva

3. Suppli

You’ve probably tried arancini — an Italian appetizer made of deep-fried rice balls stuffed with meat. Suppli is arancini’s Roman cousin. This Rome food is typically filled with tomatoes and mozzarella instead of meat and is a popular snack on street vendor carts. 

A delicious Rome food called suppli, broken in half
via Canva

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4. Roman-Style Pizza

Pizza is an absolutely essential Rome food to try. The styles of pizza vary throughout Italy, from the crispy crusts of Naples to the stuffed pizzolo of Sicily. Roman-style pizza is made with thick focaccia bread rich with olive oil and simple toppings, and is always served in squares.

Roman-Style Pizza cut into eight square pieces, a popular Rome food
via Canva

5. Mortadella

If you grew up a lover of the bologna sandwich, you’ll want to try the Rome food equivalent — mortadella. This Italian cold cut is made from pork and is studded with slivered pistachios and black peppercorns. This Rome food is as good served hot on a pizza as it is cold on a sandwich. It is also common to see mortadella served in cubes as part of a breakfast spread.

Mortadella sandwich with tomato and a white sauce
via Canva

6. Cacio e Pepe

As much as Alfredo might be your go-to, instead, twirl your fork into some cacio e pepe. This classic Rome food translates to “cheese and pepper” and is usually served as pasta. You’ll also see cacio e pepe in Rome dishes where the term simply refers to a peppery cream sauce.

Cacio e Pepe on a plate with a fork next to it
via Canva

7. Artichokes (Carciofi Alla Romana and Carciofi Alla Giudia)

Rome food has been significantly influenced by its Jewish heritage, and fried artichoke is one of the most celebrated culinary examples. This irresistible appetizer is ubiquitous across trattoria and osteria menus. It also pairs perfectly with a crisp glass of pinot grigio as a light lunch.

Carciofi Alla Romana
via Canva

8. Maritozzi

Consider this traditional Rome food the true breakfast of champions. Maritozzi is a leavened bread bun filled with a sweet cream. It is harder to find these days as the more commercial cornetto has replaced it in most bakeries. Keep an eye out for this tempting Rome food and be sure to grab one (or three) if you find it.

Maritozzi
via Canva

9. Porchetta

A widely favorite Rome food to try is porchetta. It is made by shredding or slicing slow-roasted pig that has been seasoned with salt, pepper and herbs. You’ll see it displayed as a cold cut in delis or sautéed in its juices and piled onto fresh bread at a street vendor. This Rome food is surprisingly versatile and is sometimes seen as a pizza topping.

Slices of porchetta on a serving board next to a jar of sauce
via Canva

10. Fiori di Zucca (Fried Zucchini Blossoms)

If you’ve had fried ravioli as an appetizer you’ll most certainly love fiori di zucca. Delicate zucchini flowers are stuffed with mozzarella and anchovies for a bold but addictive bite. Get your hands on this popular meal for an anytime-of-the-day treat. 

Aerial shot of fiori di zucca on a plate
via Canva

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11. Crostata Ricotta e Visciole

When you reach for the dessert menu in Rome, you’ll find that fluffy-sweet ricotta is a staple choice. Crostata ricotta e visciole is another food that comes from the city's Jewish culinary influences. It is essentially a pie crust filled with layers of ricotta and a wild cherry compote. Delicious, to say the least.

Crostata ricotta e visciole topped with cinnamon sticks
via Canva

12. Pasta Amatriciana

Another classic Rome food worth trying is pasta amatriciana. This simple, yet splendid tomato-based pasta is a combination of sauce, red pepper flakes and guanciale (the same bacon-like meat used in carbonara). It’s the perfect steaming supper for cool Roman evenings.

Pasta Amatriciana in a bowl in between a knife and fork
via Canva

13. Tiramisù

Here’s a dish you’ll most likely recognize. While it’s considered old-fashioned in the U.S., classic Roman tiramisù never goes out of style in Italy. Ever wonder what is in a tiramisù? Delicate ladyfinger cookies are soaked in a combination of coffee and chocolate liquors and then layered with mascarpone cheese and sweet cream. The signature dusting of cocoa powder makes it easy to spot in any pastry case.

Close-up shot of Tiramisù
via Canva

14. Pasta Alla Gricia

Pasta is a sacred Italian food and sometimes the best way to enjoy it is without a heavy sauce. Pasta alla gricia uses the same seasoning base as carbonara (guanciale) and the red pepper flakes from amatriciana. But, instead of using tomato or egg to create the sauce, olive oil and cheese combine to give this traditional Rome dish a lighter, more elegant finish.

Pasta Alla Gricia in a bowl
via Canva

15. Gelato

There is no shortage of sweet treats to try in Rome. If you see an ice cream shop, take a closer look, because it’s most likely selling gelato. Similar to ice cream, gelato comes in a wider variety of colors and flavors. Just be sure to look for gelato that is made with simple ingredients, not oils or artificial ingredients. 

Different flavors of gelato in serving tubs
via Canva

One of the best reasons to visit Italy is to discover the many delicious Rome foods. As with other regions of the country, there are distinctly Roman dishes that are staples of the local culture. Pasta and pizza are almost essential to try, but there are many exciting Rome foods beyond those that are familiar. No matter where your feet take you in the exquisite city of Rome, your senses of taste and smell will most likely be your best guide.

For even more ways to explore Rome and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.