What to Eat in Rome

There are probably few travelers who don’t love the idea of eating their way through Rome. And any foodie adventure through this delicious European city should include a sampling of street food, the perfect way to enjoy a tasty al fresco meal or snack break.

Of course, you can never go wrong with pizza in Rome. Stop in at a pizzerie a taglio, or pizza slice shop, to explore more varieties of this food favorite than you ever knew existed. There’s alla pala, a long rectangular pizza; in teglia, cooked in a tray with choice of toppings; and bakery pizzas, offered with a touch of tomato and oil or treated like a sandwich with delicious fillings.

At a rosticceria, or rotisserie, options include fried Italian croquettes filled with rice and mozzarella, called suppli, or a calzone, which travelers may already be familiar with. The calzone is a folded pizza that is either baked or fried and, in Rome, is most commonly filled with mozzarella and prosciutto.

For an unexpected taste of local culture, be sure to try a Roman Jewish dish. Filetti di baccalà are fried salt cod fillets, while fiori di zucchina are courgette flowers that are stuffed with mozzarella and anchovies and fried.

Finally, satisfy your sweet tooth with a stop at a street kiosk for a grattachecca. This specialty dessert is made from hand-scraped ice shards mixed with your choice of sweetly flavored syrups. The dessert is usually offered only during the summer months, so be sure to take advantage of it when you can.

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