Taste of Italy: 5 Must Try Foods in Rome

Rome has been named by Trip Advisor as 2023’s best food destination! The best flavors of Rome are often hidden in a traditional trattoria. These are no-frills, authentic restaurants with some of the yummiest cooking in the city. There’s a great street food scene, which is worth a tour. Rome has a lot more international foods these days too.

As in other parts of Europe, dinner is typically eaten later, around 8-10pm or even later and is very much a social event. Dinner is often followed by a coffee to aid digestion. Before dinner, many Italians enjoy aperitivo—a drink and a snack before dinner—usually between 6-8pm. Tipping is not expected, but 10% is acceptable if you would like to acknowledge exceptional service.

Rome attracts a lot of tourists, so you will find restaurants with tourist menus that aren’t very authentic. Avoid these and try to stick to the little gems recommended to you by locals. For example….

Don’t miss these top foods to try while you’re studying abroad in Rome:

1. PASTA. It’s difficult to choose just one, so we’ll lump a few together, but be sure to get your taste buds to the best carbonara, cacio e pepe, gricia, and amatriciana that you can find.

2. TRIPPA ALLA ROMANA. Yes, this is tripe (stomach), and it is a staple food in Rome. In this dish, it is stewed with tomato sauce and fresh herbs, topped with grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

3. PIZZA. When in Italy, you must eat pizza. In Rome, it is thin and crispy. It’s often cut into squares and sold by weight.

4. SUPPLÌ. Popular street food, these are deep-fried balls of mozzarella-stuffed, breadcrumb-covered risotto originally made to recycle old rice. They’re served with tomato sauce.

5. MARITOZZO. This is a sweet baked bread bun, sliced and filled with crazy amounts of whipped cream, a breakfast splurge for a special day.

There are many other delicious, interesting, and unusual foods to try when you study abroad in Rome: coda alla vaccinara (oxtail stew), trapizzini (sauceless pizza wedge stuffed with chicken or meatballs, etc.), saltimbocca (thin veal slices topped with prosciutto and sage), Carciofi alla guidea (deep-fried artichokes), baccala (cod), panettone, and gelato, to name a few.    

Have pics of something you’ve eaten abroad that you can’t easily find at home? Tag us on Instagram at @ASAStudyAbroad or #AwayWithASA. We’d love to see! Bon appetit!