5 x Best Sandwiches in Rome
During one of my first weeks at Sapienza University, my Roman friend introduced me to the best panino I had ever eaten in my life. (Spoiler alert: it's on this list.) After this religious experience, I realized the world of sandwiches needed more exploration. I made it my mission to discover the best places in Rome to grab a sandwich or panino.
While Rome is world-famous for its pizza and pasta, there’s a hidden gem of Italian cuisine that deserves more attention: the humble sandwich. Packed with cold-cut meats, local cheeses, fresh veggies, and a touch of Roman tradition, these sandwiches have the potential to be the highlight of your trip. Plus, for my vegan and vegetarian readers, don’t worry, each spot on this list offers an option to suit your dietary needs!
One of the best things about my list of favourites is that all these spots are spread across different neighbourhoods in Rome. So no matter where you are, there’s always a great sandwich just around the corner. Whether you’re exploring Trastevere, Testaccio, or the historic centre, you’ll never be far from an incredible panino.
If you're ready to dive into the savory, crunchy, and delicious world of Roman panini, here are my five favourite places to get a sandwich in Rome.
All’Antico Vinaio
Vegan panino from All’Antico Vinaio
Originally founded in Florence in 1989, All'Antico Vinaio is a famous and beloved sandwich shop that has earned a reputation for its delicious Tuscan-style panini made with schiacciata, a traditional flatbread. The concept behind All'Antico Vinaio is rooted in simplicity and quality. What started as a small, family-owned shop specializing in traditional Tuscan sandwiches, crafted with freshly baked bread, local cold cuts, cheeses, and seasonal vegetables, has grown into a famous brand. Due to its immense popularity, the shop has expanded from Florence to several locations, including three in Rome: near Piazza del Popolo, the Pantheon, and Termini station.
I don’t have TikTok (it’s part of my grandma image) but when I saw an enormous line in front of the shop close to the Pantheon I just knew this was some sort of TikTok hype place. At first, this made me a bit wary, but eventually, I caved and me and my family went here to grab lunch. We all fell in love with this sandwich!
The concept is simple, but the taste is anything but. The bread is absolutely delicious, and the meats are packed with so much flavour. Plus, I was happy to find that they offer vegan and vegetarian options, so there’s something for everyone. I tried the vegan option, and I can honestly say it was just as amazing as the meat-filled sandwiches. For me, the bread is the real star of the show, crispy, airy, and the perfect base for whatever you choose to fill it with.
The only downside to All'Antico Vinaio is the price, sandwiches range from €9 to €12. While that is a lot of money, keep in mind that the sandwiches are huge. You’ll definitely be stuffed after eating one, so it’s a good value for the portion size. In my opinion, it’s totally worth it!
If you happen to see a line (which is almost guaranteed), don’t be discouraged. In my experience, the line moves quickly, and the wait is well worth it.
10 out of 10, highly recommend!
JiaMo Lab
JiaMo Lab was recommended to me through Instagram, and I’m so glad I listened! Just a 20-minute walk from Termini, JiaMo Lab is where Asian street food meets Italian panini.
A JiaMo is a crunchy, fried, Chinese bun originating from the Shaanxi province in northern China. Sometimes called roujiamo, with "rou" meaning "meat," and "jia" and "mo" meaning "sandwich" (where "mo" refers to the bun and "jia" means to stuff it), this dish is unique and definitely a must-try if you’re looking to try something new!
JiaMo Lab offers several versions of the JiaMo, including pork (the original flavor), beef, chicken, and a vegetarian option. I personally tried the original with pork, and I’m obsessed.
The place itself is quite small, there are only about two tables inside, so takeout is probably the better option. To order, you write your choice down on a piece of paper, along with your name. When your order is ready, they’ll call your name, you pay, and grab your food. Since I went on a Saturday during peak lunchtime, I had to wait 45 minutes for my JiaMo. I know, that’s a long wait, but honestly, it was worth it. You might want to keep the wait time in mind when you visit, though!
Prices for a JiaMo range from €5.50 to €7, which is great value considering how much food you get. Besides JiaMo, you can also order other Chinese dishes like noodles.
I loved the JiaMo! The crispy bun paired with tender, flavourful meat was life-changing. I highly recommend this place. Next time, though, I might go at a different time to avoid the long wait.
Mordi & Vai
I am aware that the picture of this sandwich looks like a hot mess, but hear me out, it’s my favourite on this list! The panino on the picture is the Polpette della Nonna al sugo from Mordi & Vai. To fulfill the spoiler from the introduction, this is the sandwich shop that made me fall in love with Roman panini.
Located in Testaccio, a neighbourhood known for its amazing food, Mordi & Vai is a beloved spot that creates panini inspired by traditional Roman dishes. It’s located at stall 15 of the Testaccio Market, one of my favourite places in Rome. Here, you can grab sandwiches filled with classic Roman recipes like Vitello Cacio e Pepe, Carbonara, and Amatriciana. The one I referred to in the intro, the Amatriciana panino, is still my absolute favourite in all of Rome.
It’s worth noting that they also offer a vegetarian option, so everyone can enjoy a delicious panino here. Prices for a sandwich are €7, which is fair considering the generous portion size. Oh, and did I mention it’s delicious?
After ordering your panino, you can either eat it directly at Stall 15 (they have a few seating options) or take it to the nearby Piazza Testaccio, a great spot to enjoy your food outside.
Important Tip: Mordi & Vai has the least extensive opening hours of the places on this list, so make sure to check their hours before you go if you're planning to visit.
Mordi Sandwichouse
Very close to the Vatican, you'll find the small (so small, I almost walked past it) but amazing Mordi Sandwichouse. This spot is definitely the most ‘classic’ on this list, serving traditional Roman panini like mortadella and Roman pork.
At Mordi Sandwichouse, you can choose between a classic panino or a Roman-style pizza panino (like the one in the picture). Prices range from €5 to €10, which, considering the location, size, and the taste, is definitely worth it in my opinion.
For my Roman pizza-style panino, the kind staff even heated it up for me, and it was absolutely amazing! It came with pork, delicious vegetables, and a little chili oil, very simple but delicious.
If you're curious to see how their panini truly look, I highly recommend checking out their Google reviews. While I don't want to discredit my own photography skills, the other photos posted there really showcase just how amazing these panini are!
Donkey Punch
Last but not least, I want to talk about Donkey Punch. Located in Trastevere, this sandwich shop has become one of my new favourites, and I can’t wait to try more of their food in the future. Donkey Punch has a really cool concept, it's a sandwich shop and brewery decorated in a rock 'n' roll style. The sandwiches here are named after legendary artists who made history in music. A David Bowie panino anyone?
Aside from choosing a famous artist’s panino, you also have the option to create your own sandwich, making it vegetarian or even vegan if you prefer.
The opening hours at Donkey Punch are super extensive, from 11 AM to 4 AM, which makes it perfect for the lively nightlife in Trastevere. So, if you're out late and need a post-party snack, this is the place to go!
Prices range from €6 to €12 for a panino, and you get a big sandwich that will keep you full for hours. I had the Guns N’ Roses panino, and my friend ordered one of their burgers, both were amazing! I also recommend checking out their Google reviews for more pictures, because everything looks absolutely mouthwatering!
Exploring Rome as a food lover is just so much fun, and I loved to share these finds with you. I never thought I would write 1500 words about sandwiches but well, here we are! What do you think? Have you tried any of these panini, or do you have a hidden gem I missed? I’d love to hear your recommendations! For more foodie discoveries and daily inspiration, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram. Kisses!
