5 x Must visit food places in Rome
As a lifelong food enthusiast, studying in Rome has been more than just an educational experience; it's been a culinary journey. While the city’s history won me over in the first place, its cuisine made me fall in love with it. The small streets of the city are decorated with pasticcerie, gelaterie and pizza places, all waiting to be discovered. Nothing smells better than walking past a pasticceria in Rome, and the ability to grab a fresh cornetto after a morning class makes the international student life indeed a whole lot easier.
After living in Rome for a year, I've put together a list of my favorite food places. These spots strike the perfect balance between taste and price, making them ideal for solo travelers or students on a budget.
1. La Gelateria Frigidarium - Via del Governo Vecchio, 112
Only a few steps away from the beautiful Piazza Navona, La Gelateria Frigidarium is my favourite place to go for a well-deserved gelato break. Making gelato since 1988, they use whole milk and raw, seasonal ingredients to create an amazing flavour experience.
By using fresh and seasonal ingredients in their gelato Frigidarium provides a lot of variety in flavours and daily specials. Of their classic flavours, dark chocolate is among my favourites. Right now in the summer they also have a fig flavour which I can highly recommend.
The prices at Frigidarium are very affordable with no difference between a cup or a cone. For a small you pay two euros and fifty cents and you can pick two flavours. For one euro more you have a medium and can pick three flavours. After you pick your flavours the kind staff will give you an option of pouring dark chocolate, white chocolate or whipped cream over your gelato. This service is included in the price and will not cost you any extra. Pouring chocolate over your gelato? Always a behaviour I encourage!
Especially in tourist season it can get quite busy at Frigidarium, but in my experience there is no need to get discouraged by a line. You never have to wait very long and you have the best gelato to look forward to. After getting your gelato it is very close to Piazza Navona if you want to experience one of the most characteristic places of Rome while enjoying your sweet treat. The Via del Governo Vecchio is also suited for taking a stroll with its many cute stores.
2. Two Sizes Tiramisu - Via Del Governo Vecchio, 88
Not in the mood for gelato? No worries! In the same street as Frigidarium you can find Two Sizes, my favourite place when it comes to the magic that is tiramisu. Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert famous for its rich, creamy texture and layers of distinct flavours. There are many different Tiramisu spots in Rome, and If you would have asked me two years ago I would have named Pompi as the place to go for Roman tiramisu, but after their decline in quality Pompi does not come close to Two Sizes.
As stated above, the tiramisu spot of Two Sizes is located in the Via Del Governo Vecchio. Two Sizes is small and only serves takeout, which can make it easy to pass by. Usually Two Sizes is characterised by a line that can even go around the corner of the alleyway. No need to be discouraged by this! The service at Two Sizes is very fast, you never have to wait more than a couple minutes.
At this sweet spot they serve 5 different tiramisu flavours that come, of course, in two different sizes. To make your tiramisu dreams come true you can pick between original, pistachio, strawberry, peanut butter and caramel flavour. All of them creamy, velvety and rich in flavour. For a small cup you pay two euros and fifty cents, if you want the bigger size (which I wouldn’t blame you for) you pay one euro more. I can highly recommend trying out multiple flavours of the smaller size, my favourites being the strawberry and the original. Keep in mind that you can only pay with card from five euros onward.
3. Sicily Foodrink - Via Marsala, 68
Ever since a friend took me here on a meetup I have been hooked on the cornetti of Sicily Foodrink. I have tried a lot of different cornetti during my time in Rome, but I always come back to this one. A cornetto is often compared to a French croissant, but it is definitely not the same. A cornetto is less flaky than a croissant and has a slightly sweeter, softer dough. In Rome, grabbing a cornetto and a coffee at a local café is a beloved morning ritual. Sicily Foodrink is located across the street from train station Termini which makes it the perfect spot to get your daily breakfast pastry on your way to university or during your stay in Rome.
Sicily Foodrink has multiple locations in Rome but the one on Via Marsala is the only one I have been to so far. In the morning they have a huge selection of breakfast pastries, and in my opinion they make the best filled cornetti. My favourite is their Cornetto alla Crema. A cornetto filled with a classic Italian custard. Their filled cornetto also comes in a pistachio and chocolate version. Make sure to come with an empty stomach, because they are most generous with their filling.
Besides breakfast pastries they also serve a collection of other Italian treats such as cannoli and different types of cake. If you want to grab the best breakfast pastries make sure to be on time! Around ten in the morning they are usually almost sold out already. In the early morning it can be quite busy, don’t get discouraged by the hectic atmosphere and people drinking coffee at the bar. Consider it part of the experience to navigate the lively ambience while placing your order. The prices range from one to two euros per cornetto and it is therefore a highly affordable place to experience your Italian breakfast.
4. Pizzeria La Boccaccia – Via di Santa Dorotea, 2
After all these sweet treats you might be craving something savory. Lucky for you Rome has a lot of delicious pizza places where you can grab a quick and delicious meal. The first thing you should know is that Roman pizza differs significantly from its more famous Neapolitan counterpart. It's thin, crispy crust is almost cracker-like, giving you a satisfying crunch.
Where at a sit-down restaurant you will receive a round pizza in Rome, it is very popular to grab a Pizza al Taglio when you are on the go. Pizza al Taglio is pizza sold by the slice and it is very common in Rome. It’s baked in large rectangular trays and cut into slices based on how much you want. You pay by weight which makes Pizza al Taglio perfect for budget travelling or a student meal.
One of my favourite spots to grab some Pizza al Taglio is Pizzeria La Boccaccia. Located in the beautiful neighbourhood of Trastevere the ambience alone is worth going there. Located on the Via di Santa Dorotea they are hidden in a corner of the street, so finding them can be a bit tricky. Their pizza is definitely worth the hurdle, as it is everything you want from a Roman pizza. All their pizza is made with fresh and seasonal ingredients and they have many options without cheese if you are lactose intolerant. The prices at La Boccaccia are reasonable. I have been there a couple of times and always paid between six and eight euros for a box.
There are not many seats in the pizzeria, so I recommend ordering takeout and find someplace to sit in or around Trastevere. If you are in the mood for watching the neighbourhood and its people, go sit on the steps of the Fontana di Ponte Sisto. It has a view over the Piazza Trilussa where there is often live music being played. If you want to eat your pizza somewhere quiet, I recommend crossing the Ponte Sisto and taking the stairs down to the river. You can eat your pizza while looking out over the Tiber.
5. Cul De Sac – Piazza di Pasquino, 73
In this list of my favourite food spots in Rome, Cul De Sac is the only proper sit-down restaurant. After finding it by accident with my family, it quickly became one of my favourite places to enjoy some classic Italian cuisine. Located on the Piazza di Pasquino, it is very close to Piazza Navona, Frigidarium and Two Sizes.
Cul De Sac is a small restaurant with a few tables on the terrace if you want to eat outside. The interior of Cul De Sac is traditional and cosy, featuring wooden tables and an old-world charm. Since the restaurant is renowned for its extensive wine list, the walls of the restaurant serve the purpose of storing hundreds of wine bottles. Their wine list features a selection of local and regional wines that pair beautifully with their food.
The menu at Cul De Sac focuses on traditional Italian dishes, offering a variety of antipasti, pasta, meat dishes, and desserts. My favourite dish is their homemade lasagna, which is undoubtedly the best I’ve ever had. Their homemade ravioli also comes highly recommended. Using high-quality, seasonal ingredients, their menu changes every few weeks, making it a place you’ll want to visit all year round.
For a sit down restaurant, their prices are fair. Last time I was there I had to pay thirteen euros for a portion of lasagna. Since it is quite a small restaurant and often really busy, especially during the weekend, I can recommend making a reservation.
Exploring Rome’s culinary scene has been one of the highlights of my time here, and these five food spots have truly captured the essence of my first year of food exploration in the city. From the creamy gelato at La Gelateria Frigidarium to the mind-blowing tiramisu at Two Sizes, each place offers a unique taste of Rome that’s both satisfying and budget-friendly. Whether you're craving a sweet breakfast pastry, a savory slice of pizza, or a cozy meal at a traditional restaurant, these recommendations promise delicious experiences that will make your time in Rome even more memorable.
Remember, Rome is a city that celebrates its food culture with passion and tradition, and there’s always something new to discover around every corner. Don’t hesitate to step off the beaten path and find your own favorite spots. I’d love to hear your recommendations as well. Buon appetito!
