Pasta is the gorgeous yellow ribbon that binds Italian cuisine together, and no trip to Rome would be complete without it. But where can you find the best pasta in Rome? It’s hard to beat seasonable, handmade pasta. Photo credit: Maria Bortolotto Every region of Italy has at least one traditional pasta dish to its […]
5 Best Places for Aperitivo in Rome (And How to Enjoy It like a Roman)
Like so many things in Rome, happy hour is a bit slower—and a touch more stylish—than what you might find in other countries. Another important distinction is it’s all about the food—but not in the way you might think! The word aperitivo itself comes from the Latin verb aperire, which means to open your appetite. […]
7 Under-the-Radar Spot Where the Locals Eat in Rome
“Where the locals eat in Rome” is a phrase thrown around a lot in travel guides. But let’s be honest: after a week in Rome, you’re not going to feel like a local. And there is something to be said for going to the famous places—a coffee at Sant’Eustachio, a panino at Mordi e Vai—because […]
You Heard Right—Rome Does Brunch and These Are the 6 Best Spots for It
This blog post was originally posted on February 17, 2019 and was updated on September 23, 2020. A lot of restaurants in Rome use the word “brunch.” It doesn’t always mean what you think it means. Instead of eggs Benedict and pancakes, you might find buffet tables filled with pasta salads and trays of cheeses […]
We’ve Got Your Mornings Covered: 6 Best Breakfasts in Rome
We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But honestly, when you’re in Italy, every meal is pretty important. But to make sure your day gets off to the right start, we’re happy to share our picks for the best breakfast in Rome. The best breakfast in Rome—like a local […]
The Top 5 Spots for Cacio e Pepe in Rome You Need to Try ASAP
This blog post was originally posted on February 2, 2019 and was updated on September 8, 2020. Cacio e pepe is the classic flavor of Rome, and one of its best and most beloved dishes. Cacio is Roman dialect for “cheese”—in this case, assertive sheep’s-milk pecorino romano—and pepe is black pepper. Put it all together, […]
How to Read an Italian Menu (And Order Like a Local)
One of the best parts of traveling is experiencing the culture through food, and in many cases, eating out can be the highlight of your trip. But how are you supposed to eat like a local if you don’t understand how to order off the menu? While understanding how to read an Italian menu can […]
Cacio e Pepe Like a Pro: Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Pasta
Forget bolognese, and cast carbonara aside. When you’re in Rome, the first pasta you need to try is cacio e pepe. This is Roman cooking at its best. Just take a handful of ingredients, cook them with love, and you get one delicious dish. Cacio e pepe means “cheese and pepper” in Italian, and that’s […]
Rome in a Day: Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Rome
Rome is a city with thousands of years of history, all layered together and visible in its stunning monuments, buildings and neighborhoods. The historic center in particular is full of things to do and see, and luckily they’re all within walking distance of one another. And even if you’ve only got one free day to […]
8 Reasons Why You Should Take a Food Tour in Rome for Kids
Ready to take a break from monument hopping and experience Rome like a local? Join a food tour in Testaccio for a day your family will never forget. You probably already have plans to visit the Colosseum or Vatican Museums with your family. But for a whole new way to see—and taste—the city, we suggest […]
How to Use Rome’s Public Transportation System
Your complete guide to how to use and buy tickets for the metro, buses and trams in Rome. Between strikes, buses breaking down, and the never-ending project of building the third metro line, Rome’s public transportation system is not the most user friendly. And with its concentrated historic center and a monument around every corner, […]
A Primer on Tap Water in Rome
We’re not kidding—water is a cultural object in Rome, and there’s a whole etiquette on how to drink it. When one drives into Rome from the surrounding countryside, one is greeted by a series of still-standing aqueducts. Their iconic shape—linked, multi-level arches—serves as a reminder of how important they were, and still are, to the […]
All About Natural Wine in Rome: What It Is & Where to Drink It
If you’ve never tried natural wine before, you couldn’t possibly know what all the fuss is about. While there isn’t an official definition of what natural wine is, what we can tell you is that it’s wine that’s been produced with almost no intervention in the vineyard and cellar. Translation? It means the grapes are […]
Solo Travel in Rome: 5 Rules for an Unforgettable Trip
In Italy, we say meglio solo che male accompagnato—“better to be alone than in bad company.” And while we’re sure your friends are nice, solo travel in Rome is something you shouldn’t shy away from. A lot of people, especially when it comes to foreign vacations, seem to have a fear of traveling alone. Which […]
How to Budget for Food in Rome: Average Cost of Food Per Day
Any trip to the Eternal City will become a culinary one. Amidst thousand-year-old wonders and cobblestone streets, you’ll find terrific food joints in almost every Roman corner. But how much should you be factoring in for food during your Roman holiday? Rome offers a myriad of eating options, from budget street food fare and trattorias […]
Supplì vs Arancini: Key Differences & Fascinating History
Supplì and arancini: two words that are popping up on menus everywhere. They are both beloved Italian street foods, and are both fried. But what’s the difference between them? Italians love fried food. In Neapolitan pizzerias, there’s the frittatina di pasta (fried pucks of pasta). In Puglia, no Sunday is complete without homemade panzerotti (fried, […]
Places Near the Pantheon That Will Take You from Breakfast Through Aperitivo
The Pantheon is at the metaphorical center of everything in Rome. It’s one of our favorite Roman landmarks, and is sure to cross your path when you’re in the city. Here’s how you can eat your way around it – and of course, end with a gelato in Piazza della Rotonda, perched on the Fontana del […]
The Best 6 Things to Do in Rome on a Rainy Day
While staying in bed and ordering in may sound tempting, think again—there are many great ways to spend a rainy day in Rome. Although Rome is known for its great weather and sunny days, autumn and spring can bring pouring rain. And let’s face it: walking along slippery cobblestone roads on a rainy day isn’t […]
When to Eat in Rome: Breakfast, Lunch, Aperitivo & Dinner Times
Forget your eating schedule back home—it’s time to immerse yourself in Roman culture by embracing local eating times. All European countries have different eating schedules: northern countries tend to dine earlier while southerners grab their meals later. And time is so relative: 6 p.m. is “dinner time” in London yet “aperitivo time” in Rome, which […]
What to Do and Where to Eat on Sundays in Rome
Sundays are the perfect day to embrace the Italian way of “il dolce far niente”—the sweetness of doing nothing—so relax and enjoy the slower pace of this laid-back day. Rain or shine, Sunday is the ultimate day to rest in Rome. Passionate soccer fans head to the Stadio Olimpico to catch a match, families enjoy […]