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Are you planning a visit to Rome and want to know the best dishes to try in Rome? You have come to the right place! Dishes mentioned in this guide are special to the region of Lazio and therefore things like gelato are not mentioned. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have gelato in Rome. You really should! Almost one every day! You can see my food recommendations on a daily basis in The Perfect Itinerary for 4 days in Rome, Italy and here I have listed the best restaurants in Rome (including gelato).

But when you are in a specific region, my opinion is that you should eat the dishes that are from that area as you can’t find them better anywhere else. Maybe you should therefore consider skipping the lasagna and risotto while in Rome? It gives you a reason to come back to Italy again! Many of the famous Italian dishes are actually invented in Rome, so don’t doubt it to be good food there just cause you skip a few dishes. Read on to find out what regional dishes you should try in Rome.

17 must-try foods in Rome

1. Supplì

This little fried rice ball is considered one of Rome’s best street foods. If you have heard about the Sicilian arancini, the supplì is quite similar. It is a deep-fried rice ball that is traditionally filled with mozzarella, and the rice is pre-simmered in a tomato-based meat sauce. Some people call it supplì al telefono as the long string of cheese can resemble telephone wires. The best places to get this popular street food are Supplì and Supplizio.

2. Trapizzino

Trapizzino is a popular street food item consisting of a pocket of pizza Bianca that is typically filled with a meat or vegetable stew that is impossible to eat on the go otherwise. It was invented by Stefano Callegari in 2008 and is the perfect combination between a soft inside and a crunchy outside. There is only one place in Rome that serves this treat and conveniently the name of the place is Trapizzino.

3. Filetto di Baccalà

This is the oldest street food in Rome, dating back to ancient Rome. It is basically a cod filet that is deep-fried in batter. You get it in a typical paper cone so it is eaten on the go. This is one of the most traditional dishes to try in Rome. Seek out Dar Filettaro a Santa Barbara to find the best Filetto di Baccalà in Rome.

4. Pizza Romana 

In comparison with the soft dough of Neapolitan pizza, the Roman pizza has a thin and very crunchy crust as the dough is much harder. As you know pizzas can have several different toppings, but the most traditional combination includes mozzarella, anchovies, capers, chopped basil, and pecorino so try to find it. Two of the best places to get this iconic pizza in Rome are Ai Marmi and Emma Pizzeria.

5. Pizza al taglio

This is a type of pizza that is baked in trays and sold in squares, often based on their weight. The dough is much thicker than the Pizza Romana, as it rises and ferments for a longer period of time. This now famous street food was first served in the late 1950s and was then very basic with only olive oil and tomato sauce as toppings. Nowadays you can find all kinds of toppings on these eat-on-the-go pizzas. The most famous place to eat this pizza is at Pizzarium Bonci, where the owner is the one that invented this style of pizza. You can also find some good ones at Antico Forno Roscioli.

6. Carciofi alla Romana

This classic dish of braised artichokes is the king of vegetable-based antipasti in Rome and all over Italy. The artichoke is boiled whole in an aromatic white wine bath and flavored with olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, and mentuccia Romana, which is a type of calamint that grows wild throughout the Lazio region. It is delicious, juicy and so tender! Try this at Ristorante da Enzo al 29 in Trastevere.

7. Carciofi alla Giudía

These crunchy, deep-fried artichokes originated from Rome’s Jewish ghetto which is the oldest Jewish community in all of Europe. The tradition is that they are marinated for a few hours in lemon water, seasoned with salt and pepper and then fried in olive oil until crispy. You can also find this type of artichoke at Ristorante da Enzo al 29.

8. Cacio e pepe

This is also a really easy and famous dish from Rome. There are only four ingredients in this very satisfying dish that is so easy to make. It is made out of parmesan cheese, pecorino cheese, black pepper, and spaghetti. It is considered a part of the “holy trinity of Roman pasta”, together with Amatriciana and Carbonara.  Find this delicious pasta at Ristorante da Enzo al 29. You can also find a good one at Flavio al Velavevodetto.

9. Carbonara

Carbonara must be the most famous Italian pasta dish throughout the world but it is also the Romans’ and many Italians’ big favorite. The recipe can be disputed but the real Italian recipe consists of spaghetti, guanciale (cured pork jowl), egg yolks, and Pecorino Romano cheese. Ristorante da Enzo al 29 also makes a tasty carbonara but there is one Italian chef that is known as the king of Carbonara – Luciano Monosilio. The restaurant of Luciano is therefore a must-visit if you want to try a really good carbonara. If you are walking around the Testaccio Market, you can also get a good carbonara at Le mani in Pasta.

10. Amatriciana

This pasta sauce is named after its origin town of Amatrice which is located in the province of Rieti surrounded by the Sabine hills. This pasta is iconic as the Amatriciana sauce is often considered a part of the “holy trinity of Roman pasta”, together with carbonara and cacio e pepe. Amatriciana sauce is made with peeled tomatoes, guanciale, chili peppers, and pecorino cheese. The best amatriciana in Rome can be found at Ristorante da Enzo al 29.

11. Pasta alla Gricia

This is another pasta dish from the province of Rieti and more specifically the town of Grisciano. This is sometimes called the white version of amatriciana but pasta alla gricia is alleged to be invented first and amatriciana is a bit more complicated. However, these two dishes are similar in many ways and do come from the same region. Pasta alla gricia is made of guanciale, pecorino cheese and black pepper. Trattoria Vecchia Roma and Armando al Pantheon serve this dish very well.

12. Saltimbocca alla Romana

This meat dish is one of the most traditional of Roman cuisine. The name comes from Salti in Bocca, which means jumps in the mouth which is a very good description of this dish. With the many different flavors of the pan-fried veal cutlet, the prosciutto that it is wrapped in, flavors of sage and white wine as it is sauteed in, it truly is an explosion in your mouth. Trattoria Da Teo has one of the best Saltimbocca alla Romana and Armando al Pantheon is also well recommended.

13. Trippa alla Romana

This is a classic roman dish that has been eaten for ages. Offal is a regular part of the Italian diet and restaurant menu, and one of the most popular varieties is tripe. For this dish, the tripe is stewed in a tomato sauce together with onions, garlic, and fresh herbs. It is usually also topped off with some grated cheese like Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Romano. You can find the simple dish of Trippa alla Romana at Armando al Pantheon and Ristorante da Enzo al 29. If you want to spice it up a bit you can find a sandwich filled with trippa at Mordi e Vai. This might not be everyone’s cup of tea the but I think it is one of the most interesting dishes to try in Rome.

14. Coda alla Vaccinara

This dish was created in the Regola district in the middle of Rome which means you won’t find anything more local. Coda alla vaccinara is an oxtail stew that is so flavorsome, and tender and is the perfect comfort food. The tail is cut into smaller pieces and is slowly simmered with browned prosciutto or lardo, wine, tomato purée, and vegetables such as carrots, celery, and leeks. You can find a really good version of this dish at Osteria da Fortunata.

15. Porchetta di Ariccia

The Porchetta from Ariccia is a culinary icon of the Lazio region. The city is located just half an hour outside of Rome and many foodies visit this city just for this savory, moist, boneless pork roast that is seasoned with fennel, rosemary, and garlic and cooked over fire until the skin is really crispy. If you don’t have time to go to Ariccia to try the Porchetta, look for a sandwich shop in Rome. One that I recommend is Angrypig Birretta e Porchetta near the Vatican.

16. Maritozzo

Maritozzo is a traditional sweet Italian bun that is sliced up and filled with whipped cream. This is a true staple in pastry shops all over Rome. Italians eat this sweet bun for breakfast so immerse yourself in the culture and do the same. The best-reviewed maritozzos can be found at Regoli Pasticceria, Roscioli Caffè Pasticceria, and Il Maritozzo Rosso. I would say this is one of the most important dishes to try in Rome.

17. Grattachecca

Grattachecca is a cold dessert originating from Rome. It is hand-shaved ice flavored with various sweet syrups called sciroppo. This dessert is usually found in kiosks all over the city of Rome. The ones I have found the best are Alla Fonte d’Oro and Grattachecca Sora Lella.

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Yes, those were the top 17 regional dishes to try in Rome. Have you decided to take a food trip to Rome and wonder what else there is to do there except eating? Read my blog posts The Perfect Itinerary For 4 Days In Rome, Italy, and Top 10 Things To Do in Rome. I also have a great neighborhood guide to help you choose the best place to stay in the city!

Lazio is known for a whole lot more dishes that are worth trying. If you find yourself wanting to explore more food from the Lazio region, read my full Lazio Food Guide. I also have the perfect 2 week Lazio road trip itinerary planned if you want to check it out as well.

I have also made a Restaurant Guide to Rome, check it out here.

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