Rome changes in August. The center of the city is still swollen with tourists, eager to get in a trip before summer ends. But step out into the residential neighborhoods and you’ll see scores of empty parking spots and shuttered businesses. Why? Because Rome is mercilessly hot and humid in August, and many Romans escape […]
The 6 Best Places for Coffee in Rome + Essential Coffee Vocab
Everyone knows the wonders of the world are best explored caffeinated. The good news is, you’re in Rome. The possibly not-as-great news is, you may be suffering at the hands of that beast known as jet lag. Luckily, we have the solution, because you’re in the land of un buon caffè (a good coffee). Below […]
Rome Then & Now: Cafes
When you think of Italy, we bet you think of pizza, pasta and coffee. But let’s focus on the third thing for now. There’s a good reason why Italy is synonymous with charming sidewalk cafes and flavorful coffee—in fact, it would practically be a sin to come here and not indulge in an espresso, cappuccino […]
Pizza alla Romana: Everything You Need to Know
Pizza is the stuff of legends, literally. Many trace its origins back to Roman times due to an episode in the ancient poem the Aeneid, written by the poet Virgil in the 1st century BC, which seems to describe the dish. It’s certain that people in Italy and indeed the whole of the Mediterranean have […]
Behind the Bite: Artichokes in Rome
When it comes to eating artichokes in Italy, all roads, as ever, lead to Rome. Artichokes, carciofi in Italian, are omnipresent in Rome. You see them bundled up in restaurant windows, piled high in shops, and floating face up in buckets of water in Rome’s many vegetable markets. They have a long history in the […]
What We Would Eat in Rome If We Had Only One Day
There’s a lifetime’s worth of meals to be eaten in Rome. But sometimes you’ve only got one day. Rome is Italy’s capital and biggest city, with literally thousands of great restaurants, bars, pizzerias, gelato shops and bakeries that we could recommend if you’re hungry. The good thing, though, is that Rome is still a relatively […]
Hidden Rome: Inside Rome’s Ponte Milvio Neighborhood
Take a break from Rome’s touristic areas and explore a hidden gem only the Romans know about. Do a quick Google search and let us know if it doesn’t seem like the only attractive areas in Rome are the historic center, Testaccio, Monti and Trastevere. Sure, they’re the beating heart of the city, but there […]
A Love Letter to Rome: Its Food & People
This post is part of our Love Letter series: first-person accounts of what we love about Rome. Rome is a city that lives and breathes its food culture. When you visit, you can’t help but fall in love with espresso, handmade pasta, bitter greens… and if you stay long enough, you might even develop a […]
Ordering In Italy: Navigating the Menu, Tipping & More
A meal in Italy is a little ritual, one that every restaurant tweaks to make its own. We all know Italians love food, and love to go out to eat. Otherwise, why would we travel to Italy? To get the most out of every restaurant experience, follow these tips for ordering in Italy! So, at […]
8 Must-Visit Wineries Near Rome for Wine Lovers & Novices Alike
If you know anything about Italy, you might be aware that we’re pretty big on wine here. And while Tuscany and Piedmont may get all the credit as far as rolling green vineyards go, Rome’s home region of Lazio is sure to delight even the most die-hard enophile. And even if you’re not quite at […]
What to Drink in Rome & When to Blend in with the Locals
When staying in Rome, it’s important to know your Campari from your Crodino—and that’s where our guide to what to drink in Rome comes in! In Rome, drinks are an important and integral part of our food culture. Just as we don’t have a meal without drinking, we rarely drink without eating. For everything, there […]
10 Michelin Star Restaurants in Rome That Are Actually Worth Your Time
Every night in Rome is a night of 23 stars—which is how many restaurants in the greater Rome area have at least one Michelin star. Apart from the Naples area, which has 24 Michelin-starred restaurants, Rome has more than any other Italian city. And the number is always growing. In stark contrast to the city’s […]
6 Tips & Tricks You Need to Beat the Lines in Rome
Rome is one of the most-visited cities in the world. 4.2 million people come every year—4 million of them just to the Colosseum! During the summer, the wait to get inside the most popular sites can last hours. Oh, and don’t forget—there’s no shade. But don’t stress. We’ve got this. Follow our advice with these six […]
Everything You Need to Know About Roman Jewish Food
After thousands of years of habitation and hardship, one thing is certain: the Jews of Rome have a cuisine unlike any other in the world. Rome is home to Europe’s oldest Jewish community. The first Jews arrived in Ancient Rome as slaves from the conquest of Judea. Sephardic Jews arrived from Spain after the expulsion […]
Rome Market Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Rome’s food markets are more than just a great photo-op. You now can weave yourself into this essential part of daily life with our Rome market survival guide. Supermarkets are easy to find in Rome now, but as recently as 10 years ago that was not the case. People did their shopping at local neighborhood […]
How to Navigate an Italian Wine List: 5 Essential Tips
From understanding wine culture in Italy to a little cheat sheet with some of our favorite Italian wineries by region, here’s everything you need to know when faced with an Italian wine list! We’ve all been there… you go to a restaurant, you’re handed the wine list, and you have absolutely no clue on which […]
The Best Cannoli in Rome: Your Go-To Guide for When You Can’t Make it to Sicily
Italians think Sicilian cannoli taste of the sun, and we don’t disagree. But we’ve come up with our list of the best cannoli in Rome, and we have to say they might be just as good as the ones you find in Sicily. Cannoli are the most famous Italian pastries outside of Italy, partly due […]
Hidden Rome: Dining in Centri Sociali
If you’re looking for cheap, local food, served with a side of politics, you’ve got to go to a Roman centro sociale Centri sociali are one of the great, hidden protagonists in Roman cultural life. There are Centri sociali all over Italy, but we’re going to focus on the Roman ones in this blog. Dining in […]
The Survival Guide to Pasta Shapes in Italy: How to Order like You Know What You’re Doing
If you think all pasta is the same, you’ve got it completely wrong! From different shapes to varied widths and lengths, there’s a whole world to discover! The most important thing to understand when it comes to pasta is that each shape is best paired with a certain type of sauce due to its form […]
How to be a Good Tourist: Rome Edition
Call us biased, but we think Rome is one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in the world.We must not be alone: with some 10 million visitors a year, Rome is the single most popular destination for tourists to Italy and the third most-visited destination in Europe. But that tourism has come with downsides. […]