Fun Fact: Rome has an entire museum dedicated to pasta. So, what other foods do they love? Rome is one of the most renowned food cities in the world. From authentic Roman cuisine to mouth-watering pizza, this historic European capital knows how to do all things pasta.
Before you travel, though, you may want to know some of the lesser-known Italian eateries you can visit around Rome that most travellers miss. Feel more like a local and less like a tourist by trying these six delicious local Italian dishes that you don't need to wait in a crazy line for.
1 . Supplì
This savoury dish takes after Sicilian arancini. Supplì is risotto, marinara and mozzarella formed into an oval shape. The mixture is then covered in breadcrumbs and deep-fried. You can get this dish at most pizza places but there are also places dedicated to this dish alone as this is one of the favourite street foods among locals.
Our Recommendation : Supplì Roma
2 . Sample the Gelato
On a hot day touring through Rome, you may want a treat to cool off in the sun. This is where gelato comes in. Gelato is ice cream with less air, fewer or no eggs and more milk. While you may be tempted to go to the shops in tourist areas, the naturally flavoured gelatos are where you are going to get the most authentic experience.
Our Recommendation : Gelatoria del Teatro
3 . Trapizzino
If you want an interesting take on pizza, then you should try Trapizzino. It is very common on the go street food dish that harnesses all the Italian flavours people love. It consists of pizza dough stuffed with various toppings including parmesan, baked eggplant, pesto, chicken etc.
Our Recommendation : Trapizzino
4 . Porchetta
Calling all meat lovers! This is a street food sandwich that you will love. A pig is stuffed with garlic, rosemary and fennel and then roasted whole. It is then served on a bun. If you are planning to watch football while you are there, we suggest you grab some porchetta near the stadium.
Our Recommendation: Il Panino Ingegnoso
5. Carciofi alla Giudia
This dish first surfaced in the Jewish ghetto about 500 years ago. It is now a popular dish throughout the city. Artichokes are flattened and then deep-fried. The leaves become crispy and the inner centre stays soft and chewy.
Our Recommendation : FoodBox
6 . Baccala
Fish is an important part of Italian cuisine. The street food scene is no exception to this rule. Baccala is dried codfish. The fish is rounded and eaten out of a cone-like a grab and go snack.
Our Recommendation: Dar Filettaro a Santa Barbara
Don't forget when in Rome, you should eat as the Romans do. Tourists and locals alike have been enjoying all types of options from slices of pizza, brioche pizzas and espressos to street meat and gelato for centuries. Don’t let the fact that these dishes are considered street food fool you. If you go to the right places, you will see that they are created with the best fresh ingredients. Like all Italian food, the ingredients and care with which they are made make the food as delicious as it is. Stop by some of these restaurants on your travels and you won’t be disappointed. Happy Eating !!
Originally Written - Gabrielle Goldson
Edited- Vinita Malik
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