Where to eat in Rome? Traditional dishes of Rome Restaurants in Rome for locals

Are you planning to go to Rome, but have a limited budget? We tell you how and where to eat in Rome to save money but try famous Italian dishes. In this material we have collected food prices in 2019, addresses of inexpensive restaurants and cafes, and nutrition tips.

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What food and drinks are worth trying in Rome?

Italian cuisine is famous all over the world, but the best way is to try dishes with a long history in the very place where they were invented. The food here is nutritious, easy to prepare and varied. The basis of Roman cuisine is meat, vegetables and cheeses, but both vegetarians and lovers of sweets will find delicious dishes.

  • Pizza Roman style(Pizza alla Romana), Neapolitan "Margherita" and others.
  • Pasta carbonara(Pasta alla carbonara) made from spaghetti, pancetta bacon, pecorino and parmesan cheeses and eggs. There are many others - Bolognese pasta (Pasta alla Bolognese), pasta with mushrooms, with seafood, with pesto sauce, Neapolitan spaghetti, with garlic and butter, Cannelloni pasta in the form of tubes.
  • Chicken Roman style(Pollo alla Romana) with sweet peppers, stewed in white wine.
  • (Saltimbocca alla Romana) - veal schnitzels wrapped in prosciutto.
  • Stewed artichokes in water and white wine.
  • Fish and seafood.
  • (Bruschette) with ham, mozzarella or vegetables - toasted bread with garlic, olive oil and tomatoes; a popular antipasto before the main course.
  • Caprese salad with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil.
  • Frittata(Frittata) - an omelette filled with cheese, sausage, vegetables or meat.
  • (Cacciucco) - seafood soup, consists of broth, tomato paste and red wine with the addition of seafood.
  • Gnocchi(Gnocchi) - dumplings made from semolina, cheese and nutmeg, sometimes from potatoes.
  • Supplies(Suppli) - hearty rice balls with mozzarella or parmesan.
  • Dessert: tiramisu, ice cream, "Maritozzi" - these are soft sweet sandwiches with whipped cream, pine nuts, raisins and candied fruits; profiteroles "Bigne di San Giuseppe"; sand baskets with cherries; Sheep's milk ricotta.
  • Alcohol: cocktails Spritz Aperol, Bellini, Hugo.

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Prices for food in cafes and restaurants in Rome - 2019

Food prices in Rome are usually high, but you can save money here too. A budget lunch or dinner costs 15 €, a three-course dinner for two in a mid-price restaurant costs 50 €.

The price of an inexpensive but satisfying breakfast in a local bakery and cafe in Rome is 3-7 €. It’s convenient when breakfast is already included in the price of your hotel stay - you don’t have to look for a cafe for a long time. Lunch in a restaurant away from tourist places costs 5-10 €.

In the menu in English you will find a description of the main ingredients included in the dishes.

Current food prices in Rome for 2019:

  • pizza - from 10€;
  • pasta - from 10€;
  • main course (meat or fish) - from 20 €;
  • McMeal at McDonald's - 8 €;
  • local beer (0.5 l) - 5 €;
  • imported beer (0.33 l) - 4 €;
  • cappuccino - 1.2€;
  • Coca-Cola (0.33 l) - 1.9 €;
  • water (0.33 l) - 1€;
  • Locally produced homemade wine (glass) - 1.5-3 €.

What to try in Rome from street food and how much it costs:

  • roasted chestnuts served with sauces, chocolate or sweet nuts - 1€;
  • Italian creamy ice cream (gelato) - 4 €;
  • porchetta - roll of pig meat, baked with spices - 10 €;
  • pizza - from 3€.

We do not recommend eating only fast food - it can have a negative impact on your health, and you will never be able to try the whole variety of local cuisine. The most convenient option is to alternate food from restaurants and street food, and sometimes cook something yourself.

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Grocery prices in Rome supermarkets in 2019:

  • milk (1 l) - 1.2 €;
  • loaf of white bread (500 g) - 1.1 €;
  • rice (1 kg) - 2€;
  • eggs (12 pcs.) - 2.8 €;
  • local cheese (1 kg) - 10.7 €;
  • chicken breasts (1 kg) - 8.5 €;
  • beef (1 kg) - 13.6 €;
  • apples (1 kg) - 1.8 €;
  • bananas (1 kg) - 1.6 €;
  • oranges (1 kg) - 1.7 €;
  • tomatoes (1 kg) - 2€;
  • potatoes (1 kg) - 1.1 €;
  • salad (1 piece) - 1€;
  • water (1.5 l) - 0.5 €;
  • a bottle of wine in the middle price category - 5 €;
  • local beer (0.5 l) - 1.2 €;
  • imported beer (0.33 l) - 1.4 €;
  • cigarettes (Marlboro) - 5.2 €.

In large supermarkets prices are lower than in markets and shops on the main streets of Rome.

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How and where to eat tasty and inexpensive food in Rome

The food in Rome is very tasty, but it costs differently depending on the place. If you don’t want to waste time looking for cheap restaurants, then you can dine in tourist places, but then the check will be impressive.

Want to save money but try as many unusual Italian dishes as possible? Then you should go to inexpensive cafes where you can eat cheaply and tasty - the residents of Rome themselves eat there. To do this, you need to choose a place away from the center, from the usual tourist trails and from hotels, since restaurants and cafes with a high average bill are often located near them.

Another opportunity to save money is to have lunch at a cafe in a shopping center: prices there are lower than in a restaurant. You can order pasta, pizza, coffee, chicken wings, salad and snacks.

An excellent option for saving your budget would be street food - for example, a slice of pizza or a sandwich.

Remember that coperto (table setting) and servizio (service charges) are illegal in Rome and the Lazio region: the former is prohibited, and the latter can be included in the check if it is specified in the menu.

In Rome, you won’t be able to save money by ordering set lunches; they are usually not cheap - from 15 €.

If you save, then in Rome you can spend 14 € per day for two for food, for water - 1.3 €, for alcohol - 6.24 €. Meals in the mid-price category cost 36 € for two per day, water - 2.7 €, alcohol - 15 €.

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Inexpensive cafes in Rome

We have found several inexpensive restaurants and cafes where you can taste local and European cuisine and enjoy a pleasant atmosphere.

  1. Pane and Salame on Via di Santa Maria in Via 19

The average check is 3.4-10.1 €.

A place where you will try local food, including street food. Suitable for vegetarians. Opening hours: daily from 12:00 to 22:00.

  1. Sfiziarte - The Art of Food on Via Leone IV 101

Here you will be offered dishes of Italian, Mediterranean and European cuisine, you can take food with you. The restaurant is suitable for families with children, vegetarians and vegans. Open from 8:30 to 20:00 from Monday to Thursday, on Friday and Saturday - from 8:30 to midnight, Sunday - closed.

  1. Pizza E Mozzarella at 32 Via del Pie" di Marmo

At this pizzeria you can taste Italian and Mediterranean cuisine or take fast food to go. The establishment is suitable for families with children. Open daily from 11:00 to 21:00, on Sunday - until 20:00.

  1. Fuorinorma on Via Dei Serpenti 178

It offers a variety of local cuisine, takeaways and alcoholic drinks. Opening hours are every day from 11:30 to 23:30.

  1. Bread-in in Piazza di Tor Sanguigna 9

The average check is 3.4-10.1 €.

Try local, Mediterranean and European cuisine at this establishment. The food is suitable for children and vegetarians. Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 to 23:00, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 2:00.

  1. on Via Uffici del Vicario 40

A famous place where you will find great gelato in Rome or try Italian cuisine. Ice cream costs 1.7-3.4 €. The restaurant is open every day from 7:00 to 2:00.

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Introductory image source: © heinanlan / pixabay.com.

With her pizzas, pastas and homemade wine. Traditional dishes in Rome are usually simple to prepare but rely on very high quality fresh ingredients. These are mainly local vegetables (fragrant tomatoes, artichokes, peas and beans), meats (lamb and goat) and cheeses (ricotta and pecorino Romano). Popular vegetables include broccoli, artichokes, and chicory. Fish is primarily cod and anchovies.

Pasta is one of the main dishes that can be found in almost any restaurant (unless it is Asian cuisine). Pasta is made in different shapes and most often combines a certain form of pasta with a certain sauce. There is even one in Rome.

Traditional dishes of Rome are, first of all, all kinds of pizza, pasta (spaghetti - Bolognese, tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms in creamy sauce, spaghetti vongole with shells and cherry tomatoes, carbonara - with creamy sauce and bacon), risotto, steaks, bruschetta (bread with chopped tomatoes on top). Risotto and pasta are considered first courses, as is minestrone soup. As an appetizer, you can take carpaccio (thinly sliced ​​raw meat or fish), Parma ham or prosciutto with melon, tartare, caprese salad (tomatoes with mozzarella cheese, best of all - buffalo mozzarella, mozarella-buffala). You can take lamb as the main dish. Meat in Italy is prepared with spices and herbs, aromatic and juicy. The ancient dish coda alla vaccinara (stewed oxtails) is still one of the most popular dishes in the city and is part of most restaurant menus in Rome. For dessert, there will most likely be tender panna cat, tiramisu, profiteroli and Gelato - ice cream, which is considered by many to be the most delicious in the world. And, of course, coffee: Italians know how to make coffee like no other!

Things to try in Rome:

Snacks in Rome (Antipasti)

Bruschetta

Bruschetta is a popular pre-meal antipasto to "work up the appetite" in Central Italy (pictured below). In the Roman dialect, this word means bread that has been slightly burnt. Bruschetta is prepared simply: lightly toasted bread is usually lightly rubbed with garlic and covered with chopped tomatoes, onions and herbs, sometimes olives are added.

Caprese

Caprese salad is a classic of Italian cuisine. Prepare the salad, cut the mozzarella cheese and tomatoes into slices. All this is seasoned with salt, pepper, spices, sprinkled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and garnished with fresh basil leaves. Sometimes there are options with pesto sauce.

The most delicious version of caprese salad is with buffalo mozzarella (mozarella buffala). It is much softer than regular mozzarella and simply melts in your mouth. It costs more than regular mozzarella, but is considered healthier.

A version of caprese salad can also be found in the form of mini-kebabs made with cherry tomatoes and mini mozzarella balls.

Supplì

Supplies are fried rice croquettes stuffed with beef ragout and mozzarella.

Panini

Panini are bitter sandwiches made from bread cut in half (most often in Italy this bread will be ciabbata), which is topped with various meats/vegetables and lightly grilled. Literally from Italian, panini translates as “small bun”. This is an option for an inexpensive snack in Italy if restaurants are too expensive. These paninis cost about 3 - 6 euros, depending on the filling.

Such paninis can be found in many cities in Italy.

Pizza in Rome

Pizza in Rome, unlike the Neapolitan version, is very, very thin and crispy. My favorite gourmet version is with Parma ham and arugula. This pizza usually costs from 6 to 10 euros, depending on the toppings and the price category of the restaurant.

In Rome you can also find an unusual version of pizza - Pizza Bianca (“White Pizza”). It's basically an empty pizza, just drizzled with olive oil and salt. It can be quite thin and quite plump, more reminiscent of Italian bread focaccia. Pizza Bianca can be found in every bakery and takeaway pizzeria in Rome.

Best pizza in Rome:

  • Ivo a Trastevere (Trastevere)
  • Nuovo Mondo (Testaccio)
  • Ai Marmi (Tratevere)
  • Pizzarium (Prati)

Traditional pasta in Rome

Pasta and risotto in Italy are served as first courses (Primi), that is, they are eaten before the main course. Among the different types of pasta, spaghetti is the most common. Although flat, wide tagliatelle is more often prepared with creamy sauce and mushrooms.

Bolognese- This is a sauce based on minced meat stewed in tomato paste. There are many recipes for bolognese sauce, with the addition of various vegetables, a little wine and even cream. Classic Italian cuisine.

Vongole- spaghetti vongole is prepared with shells and cherry tomatoes, with finely chopped parsley. And all this beauty is sprinkled with grated Parmesan on top. This is one of the most dietary pasta options.

Fettuccine Alfredo- long pasta dish with butter and parmesan cheese. This version of pasta was invented by the chef of the Alfredo alla Scrofa restaurant.

Bucatini with Amatriciana sauce(Bucatini all’Amatriciana) - a pasta dish with a sauce of tomatoes, guanciale and grated pecorino Romano. Bucatini is a thicker spaghetti version of pasta. The sauce was named after the northern town of Amatrice. The base of the sauce is guanciale (pork cheek) and dense plum tomatoes. A very filling and high-calorie dish!

Carbonara(Spaghetti alla Carbonara) is a very rich sauce based on cream and eggs, flavored with small cubes of bacon. The dish is served with grated Pecorino Romano cheese.

Rigatoni con la payata(Rigatoni con la Pajata) - pasta dish with veal intestine sauce and pecorino cheese.

Cacho e pepe(Cacio e pepe) - literally translated from Italian as “cheese and pepper.” This is pasta with sheep cheese and a lot of coarse black pepper. There is a lot of pepper - about 2 teaspoons per 200 g of pasta. So be careful - the paste is very spicy!

Risotto

Risotto is a special round rice cooked in a special way in a small amount of water. Such a thick, slightly sticky mass, thanks to the cheese added to the risotto. Risotto, like pasta, is considered the first course, although at times it can be taken as the main course.

There are many variations of risotto, characteristic of a particular region of Italy. For example, in Milan they make risotto with saffron, which gives it its characteristic yellow color.

In Rome there is no such directly characteristic one recipe for risotto. There may be an option with artichokes - the king of Roman cuisine. They can make risotto with chicken and champignons, or with ham and champignons. Most often it will be risotto with champignons. And in winter you can find seasonal risottos with truffles - the most expensive and delicious option.

Tortellini and Ravioli

Tortellini and Ravioli are a type of Italian dumplings, only there is less filling in relation to the dough, and the dough itself is similar to pasta (it’s like pasta with filling). The fillings in tortellini are different and vary depending on the region of the country. The most classic version is with spinach and ricotta cheese, with cream sauce, sprinkled with grated Parmesan. There are tortellini with porcini mushrooms or with prosciutto (Italian ham).

The difference between tortellini and ravioli is the shape. Tortellini are more similar in shape to dumplings, and ravioli are usually not rolled, but simply flat squares with filling.

The sauce for ravioli and tortellini is different. It can be a tomato-vegetable version, or creamy, or simply sprinkled with olive oil and sprinkled with cheese.

Main dishes in Rome (Secondi)

Meat dishes

Near Testaccio, the Roman area of ​​markets and slaughterhouses, you can still find and buy products traditional for Roman cuisine. This area is often called the "belly" or "slaughterhouse" of Rome, where butchers lived and still live, or vaccinari. Popular foods in the kitchen include pig feet, brains, genitals of various animals, which are always carefully prepared and richly supplemented with various snacks, spices and herbs.

Saltimbocca alla Romana- a typical Roman dish with ham (prosciutto) and sage. Saltimbocca literally means jump into your mouth. This is the most tender veal escalope, topped with a piece of bacon and a sage leaf. Served with white wine sauce.

Scaloppine alla romana- veal fried with fresh artichoke shoots

Coda alla vaccinara- braised veal tail with tomato sauce, celery, cloves and dark chocolate. Traditional dish of Roman slaughterers. It was prepared from the leftovers from cutting up the carcass, which they got for free. The tails are stewed in tomato sauce for 4 hours. For depth of flavor, cocoa and pine nuts are now added to the sauce.

Trippa- tripe cooked with tomato sauce and wild mint, and flavored with pecorino cheese, has been known since ancient Rome.

Lamb

Lamb is one of the most popular types of meat, and Italians are, of course, excellent at cooking it. Fresh, excellent meat is cooked with aromatic herbs, acquiring an incomparable aroma.

Coratella d'Abbacchio con i carciofi- lamb offal with artichokes

Abbacchio alla cacciatora- aromatic lamb chops fried in oil and vinegar on the grill, seasoned with garlic, anchovies and rosemary.

Fish dishes (Pesce)

Filetti di baccalà fritti- deep-fried cod fillet - juicy and crispy.

Vegetarian dishes in Rome

The most popular vegetable in Italy is undoubtedly the artichoke.

Carciofi alla romana- whole artichokes stuffed with garlic and parsley and cooked in olive oil. One of the most popular dishes in Rome.

Carciofi alla giudia (Artichokes in Hebrew - Carciofi alla giudia)- artichokes, deep-fried, always in olive oil, and seasoned with chili pepper (pictured below). This is a traditional dish of the Jewish community of Rome. They have been preparing for Yom Kippur (next October 11-12, 2016) for centuries. When fried in olive oil, artichokes look like golden chrysanthemums. The best place to try their carciofi is in restaurants on the territory of the former Roman ghetto.

Fiori di Zucca- zucchini flowers filled with mozzarella cheese and anchovies, fried in batter.

Gnocchi alla romana- dumplings made from potato dough, baked with bechamel sauce and cheese. According to tradition, Thursday is gnocchi day in Rome; this delicacy is always present on the menu of most restaurants once a week.

Desserts in Rome (Dolci)

Crostata di ricotta- Crostata with ricotta - a cheesecake made from ricotta cheese in dough, flavored with lemon (or orange) and Marsala wine (pictured below).

Gelato- Gelato - ice cream

Tiramisu- a popular dessert made from mascarpone cheese.

Profiteroli- small balls, like round eclairs, filled with whipped cream and chocolate sauce.

Panna Cotta- the most delicate dessert with strawberry jam.

One thing about Rome that you never have to worry about is that you can always find a place to eat well without spending crazy amounts of money. Family trattorias and pizzerias, quirky hip restaurants, eateries and coffee shops, ice cream parlors... Rome knows how to satisfy the hunger and taste preferences of visitors from afar and locals.

The cuisine of Rome is rich but simple. It's generous and filled with lots of mouth-watering recipes. Classic Roman food is characterized by antiquity and its old cooking traditions are reflected in most of its current recipes. Fresh vegetables (royalty, artichoke, zucchini, etc.) are mostly deep-fried with olive oil, garlic and mint; meat and offal are stewed in herbs and warming chili peppers; fish and Pecorino cheese are a striking combination of flavors - all of these products are important components of many Roman recipes.

Where is the best place to eat in Rome and how much does it cost?

Rome is, in a sense, the god of cooking. Its streets are crowded with attractive and other public catering establishments, where every traveler can afford to eat inexpensively. In addition, here you will never have to sacrifice the quality of the food that is served to you, and here no one will force you to empty your wallet, unless, of course, you yourself want to. So, where to eat inexpensively and tasty in Rome?

Restaurant Almando al Pantheon
This is exactly the place that is worth visiting to satisfy your hunger and aesthetic needs. It was founded in 1961. They serve delicious pizzas and pasta in huge portions. For spaghetti you will have to pay maximum 11 euros, and for a pizza with thin dough and a lot of filling - no more 15 euros. You should book a table in advance, unless, of course, you really want to come here.

Location: Salita dè Crescenzi, 31.
Tel: +39 06 6880 3034.
Working hours: every day from 12:30 to 15:00 and from 19:00 to 23:00.
Nearest landmark: .

Bakery Antico Forno Roscioli
One of Rome's most popular bakeries, offering a huge variety of traditional Italian breads and pastries. This is a place where locals visit regularly, and tourists dream of getting there and enjoying the local delicacies. They will also offer pizza with tomatoes and sweet, tender mozzarella. Pasta is also on the menu (6-7 euros), as well as fettuccine with mushrooms in cheese sauce, and risotto, and ravioli with ricotta and pesto sauce.

Location: Via dei Chiavari, 34.
Tel: +39 06 686 4045.
Working hours: every day from 07:00 to 20:00.
Nearest landmark: Campo de' Fiori.

Barnum Cafe
Once in this heavenly place, you will feel comfort and a special atmosphere, you will be able to eat delicious food and listen to interesting music at night, drink wine or cocktails. The cafe menu offers a huge selection of Italian meat dishes, as well as cheese delicacies and salads. Daily lunch will cost approx. 4-8 euros(It definitely includes a quiche, a hamburger and a pasta dish). The establishment offers free Wi-Fi.

Location: Via del Pellegrino, 87.
Tel: +39 06 6476 0483.
Working hours: every day from 09:00 to 1:30.
Nearest landmark: Campo de' Fiori.

Restaurant Dar Filettaro
If you are a lover of fish and seafood and like to eat soup made from them, you simply need to visit a restaurant whose kitchen specializes in preparing fried cod fillets (5 euros) - main course

On the menu. You can also order an assortment of aromatic, spicy snacks (5 euros), for example: fried zucchini, mushrooms, salami. This is exactly the place in Rome where you can eat inexpensively.

Location: Largo dei Librari, 88.
Tel: +39 06 686 4018.
Working hours: every day from 12:00 to 15:00 and from 17:00 to 22:00.
Nearest landmark: Campo de' Fiori.

The best cheap pizzerias in Rome


Located two steps from. Ready to pamper you with hearty appetizers, pasta, main courses and pizza from hot ovens (30 options). Here, according to many tourists and, of course, local residents, the most delicious pizza in Rome is served, but, as they say, “there are no friends for taste.”

Location: Via S. Quattro, 24.
Tel: +39 06 7045 0605.


Pizzarium
Pizza, or rather the dough for it, is prepared here from special organic flour of the highest quality. The filling includes classic tomatoes with mozzarella, as well as zucchini, zucchini, ricotta and other non-standard products with a rich aroma and rich taste. They also serve hot soups with crusty bread, sweet butter and cheese that melts in your hands. Cost of the cheapest pizza 3 euros.

Location: Via Della Melori 43, 00136.
Tel: +39 06 3974 5416.


Here the chefs will offer you to taste thin pizzas with an abundance of toppings (a variety of vegetables, meat, seafood, cheeses, spices and even fruits), wine, beer, and soft drinks. Everyone dreams of visiting this place, so be sure to stop by and enjoy the pizza. The question “how much does pizza cost here?” shouldn't worry you much - no more 7 euros.

Location: Piazza Santa Maria Liberatrice 44, 00153.
Tel: +39 06 574 6270.

Cheap trattorias in Rome

When wondering where to eat cheaply in Rome, it is worth remembering trattorias - family restaurants with home-cooked food.


If you are in search

This is a real Roman trattoria, this is the place that meets all the standards of this type of establishment. Grilled vegetables, salami, carbonara, omelettes, pizzas, cheeses, wines - a huge abundance of goodies, accompanied by music and pleasant dim lighting. You can eat here for just 10 euros(much cheaper than in the center of Rome).

Location: Via del Boccaccio, 1.



It specializes in preparing salads, pasta, risotto, pizza - everything is very tasty, satisfying, and served in large portions. You can eat from your belly in 9 euros. A very popular place, so it is better to book a table in advance. Located a short walk from Vittorio Emanuel metro station.

Address: Via Ferruccio, 12.
Tel: 06 446 7143.
Working hours: Monday to Saturday from 12:30 to 15:00 and from 19:00 to 23:00.


Don't let the white tablecloths fool you! This historic family-run trattoria has been serving simple local cuisine for centuries. The establishment's target audience is businessmen who don't mind having a bite here during lunch, families who come here for dinner, and even rich people who want to eat oysters and know that the food here can be tasty and inexpensive.

Location: Vicolo della Campana 18.
Tel: +39 06 687 5273.

Where to taste the most delicious ice cream in Rome

Ice cream cafe “Gelato”
He has no equal in Rome. This is an establishment accessible to everyone, which offers the best ice cream for reasonable money. Its cost fluctuates from 2 to 3 euros, and no matter how many servings you eat, no matter how much money you leave here, it won’t all be in vain.

Location: Via le Aventino 59, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 96, Via Silvio Spaventa 24/26.

Ciampini
Small ice cream parlor in Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina. It mainly offers classic tastes and aromas, but the impeccable creamy texture will immediately let you know where to go for ice cream and pay for quality.

Location: Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina, 29.

Gelateria dei Gracchi
After visiting and, try the unmatched taste of organic ice cream and fresh ingredients. Chocolate, rum, vanilla, pistachio, caramel, coffee - dozens of flavors to choose from.

Location: Via dei Gracchi, 272.

In contact with

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One of the most popular questions asked to our guides during:

  • Where to eat deliciously and inexpensively in Rome?
  • Where do Italians go? Recommend non-tourist places.

The important point is that we ourselves go to the same places as tourists or tourists go to the same places as us - it doesn’t matter. The main thing is high-quality, tasty and affordable food.

  • Advice: You can find out more cool and atmospheric places during our author’s individual excursion WITH TASTING.

What is the price

You also need to understand that in the historical part of Rome the average bill for a modest dinner for 2 will start at least 50 euros. Do you have any doubts? Try having dinner, for example, at or around 60-70 euros cheaper and share your experience in the comments. Moreover, it has high cross-country ability, which means that in most cases the owners don’t care whether you return or not. And, of course, you will be charged a good percentage or a fixed fee of 5-8 euros per person for the service.

In Rome, all locals know that the Trastevere district is a gastronomic paradise. For delicious, inexpensive food and a real atmosphere of the old city, this is the place for you.

  • I also recommend reading about:
  1. Pasta e Vino Osteria

    The name of the restaurant Pasta e Vino speaks for itself - only pasta and wine. The pasta is made by hand from eggs right before your eyes. To start, you need to choose one of six types of pasta: fettuccine, gnocchi, ravioli, tagliolini, strozzapreti or spaghettoni. Then you choose a pasta sauce, such as Carbonara or Pomodoro.

    Prices are very reasonable - from 7 to 10 euros. Homemade lasagna costs 9 euros.


    Address: Via della Pelliccia, 12, 00153 Roma RM is a restaurant. There is also a more affordable self-service option near Vicolo de’ Cinque, 40
    Working hours: daily from 11:30 to 23:30, after 17:00 the queue is about 20 minutes. You can reserve a table through TheFork or by calling +39 06 6456 2839.
    What to try: all types of pasta, everything is delicious.
    Cost for 2: 20-30 euros.
    Website: www.pastaevinoroma.it

  2. Impiccetta


    This is where I now take all my friends to try Roman cuisine, unlike Carlo Menta (lower in the ranking), here you can order any dish, not just pasta - everything is very tasty! The downside for mass tourists is that a mandatory reservation for Impichetta is required at least three to five days in advance. Salivate and read mine.
    Address: via dei Fienaroli 7, Trastevere (next to Giacomo)
    Working hours: daily from 19:00 to 23:00, on weekends open for lunch from 12:00 to 14:00
    My favorite dishes: all types of pasta, lamb (Abbaccio), tiramisu
    Cost of lunch for 2: 30-40 euros.
    Book a table or call +39 06 4201 3406

  3. Dar Poeta

    In our ranking, she rightfully ranks first, without options. I recommend starting your acquaintance with the real one here. You can take pizza to go, but it’s better to wait. Yes, imagine, there are queues here, but I advise you to wait 5-20 minutes and sit down to eat inside. They have been baking pizza here at the highest level since 1995. Service again depends on your luck, but the prices and quality of the pizza make up for it.
    Address: Vicolo del Bologna, 45, 00153 Roma
    Working hours: daily from 12 to midnight, after 18:00 the queue is about 20 minutes
    What to try: all types of pizza, but you can't fit so much.
    Cost for 2: 25-30 euros.

  4. Carlo Menta


    The first restaurant I went to in Rome many years ago. Today this is the cheapest place in terms of price/quality ratio where you can have lunch or dinner in Rome and, of course, very popular. I advise you to start getting acquainted with it here. It's ideal to come here for lunch, as Carlo's is open from 12 o'clock. Be sure to try (lasagne fatte in casa), spaghetti alla carbonara, penne Carlo Menta. Leave soups, main courses, and pizzas to others - nothing special. Take a liter of red or white house wine (vino della casa) for 8 euros - Rome will seem even more beautiful to you. Some of the staff speak Russian, although they can sometimes hide it. You shouldn’t expect a particularly individual approach, but in this case that’s not the main thing. You want pasta for 5 euros?
    Address: via della Lungaretta 101, Trastevere
    Working hours: daily from 12:00 to 23:00
    My favorite dishes:(gnocchi) “Carlo Menta”, fatto in casa (homemade tiramisu), con frutti di bosco (panna cotta with wild berries).
    Cost of lunch for 2: 25-40 euros.

  5. La Botticella


    This restaurant is open only after 19:00 and is run by a cheerful Italian family. It's more expensive than average. Very tasty steaks, with mushrooms and everything. If something is left on the plate, they won’t understand! .
    Address: Vicolo del Leopardo, 39a, Trastevere
    What to try:
    cozze (mussels) and whatever fits
    Working hours: after 19:00, table reservation is required
    Cost for 2: 40-70 euros.

  6. Bottega Fienaroli


    First place in our personal ranking, but sixth overall. In essence, this is a small but very cozy self-service bistro. Previously called Take Your Time.
    The owner, Giacomo, is sincerely in love with his business, has been passionate about cooking all his life, and dreamed of opening his own bistro restaurant. And so, having achieved success in another business and becoming a fairly wealthy person (while continuing to do business during the day), he realized his dream. I thank fate that one day, while walking through the narrow streets, we accidentally discovered this unusual place. On the first evening of your stay in the Eternal City, this is the place for you.
    Important: Pasta and pizza are not served here., but you will have a tasting of many types of jamon, cheeses, as well as rare types of beer and wine (a bottle of wine ranges from 18-35 euros, but these are the best wines in this price category), expertly selected and not available in most restaurants. Giacomo and his employees will tell you a story about each dish - where it came from, how it differs, who supplies it to them and other interesting facts. Agree, it’s very nice when the owner of an establishment is often personally present on the spot, is in love with his business, and your stomach and the bill for lunch and dinner indicate that you have enough money to come back here more than once.
    Nice options include free internet (password takeyourtime) and the ability to recharge your phone.
    Address: Via Dei Fienaroli 4 - 00153 Roma Trastevere.
    Phone for reservations:+39 335 533 0628, you can also write to Whats app in English or Italian, in extreme cases in Russian (Giacomo teaches)
    Working hours: daily from 12:00 to 15:00 and from 18:00 to 01:00
    Reservations on Friday, Saturday and Sunday are recommended.
    Facebook page:

After living in Rome for some time, I, of course, had my favorite places. And since I very often receive questions from my friends and acquaintances from the series:

Where to eat deliciously and inexpensively in Rome? Where did Julia Roberts eat pizza in the movie Eat Pray Love? Where is the best coffee in Rome? Where to go for real gelato?

1. L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele

The famous scene from the movie “Eat. Pray. Love,” where Julia Roberts’ character ate pizza so deliciously, was filmed in one of the oldest Neapolitan pizzerias. And for good reason, because Naples is rightfully considered the birthplace of pizza. This is where it was invented. And it was named in honor of Queen Margherita of Savoy. Traditional Neapolitan pizza comes in two types: Marinara and Margherita. It is these two types of pizza that you will be offered at Da Michele. Apparently, after the release of the film, the establishment experienced such a stir that they decided to open a second pizzeria in Rome.

If you plan to try pizza in the evening, it’s better to arrive at 7, that is, right before opening. There are queues at the entrance. By the way, I had a funny incident related to this place. My mother and aunt were leaving Rome and after a successful shopping trip, they both needed to buy a suitcase. In order not to waste time, we drove straight to Da Michele with our suitcases. The waiter who met us asked in all seriousness: “Are you from the airport??” And of course I answered: “yes, exactly!” This is how legends are born. Taking into account Italian psychology, he will tell this incident to all his friends for a long time and be proud of his place of work, so popular among tourists from all over the world.

At the cash desk here hangs the famous autographed portrait of Julia Roberts, which every visitor is sure to take on his phone. Not to mention that everyone takes a photo of the pizza first, and only then starts eating. By the way, the beer here is excellent. And cheaper than wine, which is clearly overpriced.

Address: Via Flaminia, 80/82 (*5 min walk from Piazza del Popolo, next to Via del Corso)
Opening hours: 12:00–17:00, 19:00–00:00
Prices: Marinara/ Margherita - 7.50 €. Doppia mozzarella - 9 €

2. Trattoria Il Ponentino (Trastevere)

Here I am welcomed at home, they shake hands with respect and everyone asks how I am doing. The establishment is quite touristy, but this does not stop it from still serving dishes prepared with love. Fresh bread, homemade wine, pizza, pasta, meat and fish dishes, as well as desserts are not inferior in quality to establishments with a price tag twice as expensive. You can order absolutely everything here. It’s better to take wine not by the glass (a glass of wine €2.50), but in 1/4 or 1/2 liter containers - it will be more profitable. And besides, what does drinking just one glass of wine mean in Italy?




Address: Piazza del Drago, 10
Opening hours: Tue - Sun 11:30 - 16:00, 19:00 - 00:00 / Sun - Sat 12:00 - 00:00
Prices: cheaper than average, 20 - 30 € for two

3. Dar Sor Olimpio al Drago

Prices are higher than in Il Ponentino, but it's worth it. Here, the presentation of dishes and the way wine is poured - everything looks skillful. The ancient masonry and arched vaults of the tiny space are impressive and will not leave you indifferent. Excellent artichokes, desserts, and the whole kitchen is top notch. The place is perfect for a romantic date or some special occasion. Definitely worth a visit.





Address: Piazza del Drago, 2
Opening hours: Lunedì – Sabato: 18.00 – 24.00, Domenica: 12.00 – 24.00
Prices: 35 - 45 € for two

4. La Prosciutteria Trastevere

An excellent establishment, positioned as a Tuscan proshutteria. Over a glass of wine you can enjoy panino with prosciutto for every taste. Here you must try tagliere da pranzo per 2 persone. This dish is a slice of different types of prosciutto, cheeses and more. A similar snack, more like an aperitif, only on a huge wooden board, will cost you 20 euros for two. A glass of house wine - 2.5 euros.




Address: Via della Scala, 71
Opening hours: aperto dal Lunedì alla Domenica 11:00-23:30
Prices: 20 - 25 € for two

5. Vecchia Roma (Termini)

In 2016, the restaurant proudly celebrated its centenary. Everything is wonderful here. First of all, two types of homemade branded pasta. But the establishment, clearly spoiled by the frantic influx of tourists who find it in the top of Tripadviser, can hardly cope with so many people. And, as a result, the service suffers. If you don't speak Italian, don't wave your arms wildly, or can't swear properly in the local language in order to be accepted as one of their own, you will most likely have to stand in the doorway for a long time and wait until you are “seated.” But once you are “imprisoned” and still manage to attract the attention of the mostly tattooed waiters, you are guaranteed delicious food.

Here they cook pasta directly in Parmesan! By the way, to make one head of Parmesan cheese, it takes from 500 to 700 liters of milk, and the ripening time for such a head after preparation is 36 months. The original presentation of pasta in a head of ripened hard cheese, following the example of small, family restaurants in Italy that have their own cheese farms, will certainly please the eye. And Instagram lovers will be able to unwind here :)



*By the way, did you know that in northern Italy there are banks that issue loans secured by Parmesan cheese?! This type of lending began to be used back in the 1950s.

6. Ce Stamo a Pensà Street Food

One of my favorite street food spots in the Cavour area is a stone's throw from the Colosseum. Here you can take a piece of delicious Neapolitan pizza da portare via (that is, to go) for 5 euros or pasta for 4, add local beer to all this for 2.50 and go out into the sunshine. Then walk a little forward, turn left, sit on the steps by the picturesque fountain and think a little about the eternal :)

Well, if you still decide to stay inside this tiny establishment, you will also be satisfied. The incredibly welcoming and friendly staff is sure to make you smile and want to come back again. By the way, very close by (Via Leonina, 46) is the city weekend market Mercato Monti, where you can buy stylish items and unusual handmade souvenirs.


Opening hours: 09:30–00:00
Prices: 5 - 7
€ for pizza (pasta) and beer

*A little observation, and also about tipping in Italy

It is considered good form in Italy to eat every last crumb. If there is sauce left on your plate, and this is the most delicious thing, the waiter may ask with a smile if he could bring you some bread so that you can enjoy the pieces of bread in the sauce in combination with a glass of wine, for example. By the way, not all restaurants in Rome serve bread for free. Therefore, you can sometimes be surprised to find an amount of 2-3 euros for a basket of bread on your receipt. In Italian restaurants, the service charge is shown on the menu and added to the receipt. It is called coperto. If there is coperto on the check, you do not need to leave a tip.

To be continued. This article will be updated and supplemented with new “delicious” establishments in Rome. Follow me:)

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