Italy is the synonym of good food. The Italian cuisine is simple, tasty, mainly based on local products and oozing off a unique temperament, like its people. The dishes are tasty, friendly to the stomach and most of them have something in common…Parmesan! Parmesan is everywhere…In the crust, the filling, the base, it is used as garnish or as a main ingredient for a dish!

In Rome, food is a ritual, as people there enjoy their every meal. Inside the city, there are hundreds of choices for fast food, as the paninis (Italian sandwiches) are highly honored. Furthermore, the restaurants, trattorias and osterias will leave no-one complaining. The cost of an all-inclusive meal accompanied by wine is around 30-40€/person. Notice, although choices may be many, only a handful of them offer quality food, with proper ingredients. Avoid the second-rate tourist shops. With our help, pick the right place and enjoy an original Italian meal! Do not miss out on trying some of the most well-known dishes, such as the carbonara with egg, pizza margarita, lasagna, chicken parmigiana, pasta in all kinds of variations, tiramisus, gelatos and drink the original espresso.

The Italian neighborhood tavern is located on the city’s south-west, pretty far from the city center. The Osteria Bonelli is a hangout place for dozens of locals, who visit it daily in order to enjoy authentic, home-made pasta. With flavors and quality stealing the show, low prices play a secondary role. The only downside is that the menu is written in Italian and only a few staff members speak English well enough to attend to you. In order to ensure that you do not go all the way over there in vain, make sure you book a table.Highly Recommended (H)

We recommend you to try: the hand-made Raviolis of the day.

Our order: 1 Pasta with white sauce and crispy bacon, 1 Raviolis of the day with red sauce, 1 fresh Burrata cheese with anchovies, 2 Glasses of red wine. Total cost: 30€.

Total score: 8.8
Product quantity: 9
Product quality: 9.5
Taste: 9
Cost: 9.5
Environment: 8
Service: 8.5
Product appearance: 8

Having received a lot of awards for the quality of its dishes, Da Enzo is one of the most famous restaurants in Rome! It is open for limited hours every day (except Sunday) and it is housed in a small space, with only a few outdoor tables. To a full contradiction with its dishes and tastes comes the service, which is cold with a sprinkle of arrogance. Do not miss out on tasting the INCREDIBLE tiramisu, which can be enough of a reason on its own to return to the Eternal City! The procedure you must follow in order to enjoy a meal at Da Enzo is not at all simple…on the contrary! See HERE how you can do it. Recommended (R)

We recommend you to try: hands down, the majestic Tiramisu!

Our order: 1 Carbonara, 1 Serving of meatballs, 1 Serving of courgette flowers, ½ liter of wine, 1 Tiramisu, 1 Mascarpone cream with forest fruits. Total cost: 43€.

Total score: 8.2
Product quantity: 9
Product quantity: 8.5
Product quality: 9
Taste: 9
Cost: 8
Environment: 8
Service: 7
Product appearance: 8

If you are in the mood for some pizza without the birds and whistles, we have the perfect place for you. With taste as its only weapon, Farine Pizza offers authentic Italian pizza on the baking paper, without cutlery and luxuries. The dough as much as the fresh ingredients make it extremely popular, while the small one of the 3 sizes, provides the opportunity to try a lot of options. For two persons, the recommended quantity is two medium-sized pizzas or five small-sized. And do not worry about the cost. Due to the low prices, you will not have to put your hand deep in your pocket. Highly Recommended (H)

We recommend you to try: the delicious Mediterranean pizza.

Our order: 3 Medium sized pizzas: 1 Napoli, 1 Mediterranean, 1 Margarita & ½ liter of wine. Total cost: only 23€.

Total score: 8.9
Product quantity: 9.5
Product quality: 9
Taste: 9
Cost: 10
Environment: 8.5
Service: 9
Product appearance: 8.5

It may be a mainly tourist shop, but it is nonetheless a good choice for food. Luzzi’s Trattoria is located behind the Colosseum and offers quality dishes, in very affordable prices, while it is widely popular with people, who wait in line (especially on Fridays and weekends) for a meal. The shop has a vast variety of delicious Italian viands that are served by the polite, but hurried staff. If you happen to be hungry and in the area, do not pass it by…Sit at its interior or exterior space and enjoy a meal under the shadow of the imposing monument. Recommended (R)

We recommend you to try: the unique taste of prosciutto with melon.

Our order: 1 Fettuccine Bolognese, 1 Rigatoni with bacon and red sauce, 1 Prosciutto with melon, 2 Draft beers & 1 Tartufo ice-cream. Total cost: only 28,5€.

Total score: 8.1
Product quantity: 8.5
Product quality: 7.5
Taste: 7.5
Cost: 9.5
Environment: 7.5
Service: 8
Product appearance: 8

The Master of pizza Gabriele Bonci has formed his restaurant into a pizza-tasting location! In the charming hangout of the “ghosts”, pizzas lure the visitors with their colors and smells. The only thing you have to do is choose among the variety of flavors and enjoy. It is worth mentioning that they charge by the kilo and not by the slice. So, with prices ranging between 19 and 30€/kg, it is not the most affordable choice in town, especially when it comes to fast food. Nevertheless, the variety, quality and taste make it an appealing and decent choice. Recommended (R)

We recommend you to try: the pizza Farcita.

Our order: 250gr of pizza Rossa, 250gr of pizza Farcita, 250gr of pizza Imbottita. Total cost: 19€.

Total score: 8
Product quantity: 8
Product quality: 8
Taste: 8.5
Cost: 7
Environment: 8
Service: 8.5
Product appearance: 8

In the bustling neighborhood of Trastevere and more specifically in Piazza del Drago, you will find the Trattoria Papa Re. It is not some exceptional choice, as the menu is mediocre both in taste and quality. The factors that will make you opt for it are the reasonable prices (which is rare for the area) in combination with the polite service. Choose to sit at a table in its exterior space, so you enjoy the lively street. Good Choice (G)

We recommend you to try: the Courgette flower with anchovies.

Our order: 1 Carbonara, 1 Serving of beef with vegetables, 1 Serving of courgette flower with anchovies, ½ Liter of wine, 1 Tiramisu & 1 Chocolate mousse. Total cost: 40€.

Total score: 7.8
Product quantity: 8
Product quality: 7
Taste: 6.5
Cost: 9
Environment: 8
Service: 9
Product appearance: 7

Breakfast

The next suggestion is innovatory as well as expensive! It is an American breakfast in the gardens of the Vatican, that apart from your stomach, it will also fill you with a beautiful life experience. In a group of just 16-20 people you get the chance to taste amazing sweet and salty flavors, such as pancakes with honey, croissants, cereal, sausages, eggs, cappuccinos, fresh juices, fruit and many more. After you have finished your breakfast, you enter into the Cappella Sistina and the museums, 2 hours before their official opening! You can book tickets for the breakfast HERE. Highly Recommended (H)

We recommend you to try: the freshly baked pancakes.

Our order: 2 Morning entrance tickets (2 hours prior to the official opening) + American breakfast buffet. Total cost: 130€.

Total score: 9.2
Product quantity: 10
Product quality: 9.5
Taste: 9.5
Cost: 7
Environment: 10
Service: 9.5
Product appearance: 9

Within a mere 250-meter distance from the Colosseum, you will find the perfect shop to try the famous paninis (Italian sandwiches). The kind owner will make you feel comfortable, while the sandwiches will fill you up for many hours. As far as taste is concerned, it is rich, enjoyable and based on tasty, Italian products. It is also worth mentioning that you can have them in the restaurant or take them to go, hence ensuring your snack for the rest of the day, with little money. Recommended (R)

We recommend you to try: the filling Panini special with porchetta.

Our order: 1 Panini Giulio Cesare (prosciutto/pecorino), 1 Panini special porchetta & 2 bottles of water. Total cost: 16€.

Total score: 8.3
Product quantity: 8.5
Product quality: 8
Taste: 8
Cost: 9
Environment: 7.5
Service: 9
Product appearance: 8

On the city’s south side, in the Testaccio area, you will find a tasty choice to start your day. At first glance, Pasticceria Linari looks like a tourist shop, with dozens of options for breakfast and lunch. But there is more than meets the eye, as flavors and prices alike, make it a well-reputed choice among the locals, who visit it daily. The selection is plenty and the staff are polite and always willing to attend, speaking English proficiently. Go for whatever is fresh out of the kitchen. Recommended (R)

We recommend you to try: the freshest champagne cornets.

Our order: 2 Small croissants with cream, 5 Cornettos with champagne filling, 1 Chicken panini, 1 Salmon panini, 1 Tart with forest fruits (jam), 1 Cappuccino & 1 Espresso. Total cost: 16€.

Total score: 8.3
Product quantity: 8
Product quality: 8
Taste: 8.5
Cost: 9.5
Environment: 7
Service: 9
Product appearance: 8

Panino Divino could also be in the food category, as many people prefer it for their brunch, afternoon or evening snack. It is located very close to the Vatican and has a wide variety of Italian sandwiches. Its strongest weapons are the fine, high-quality ingredients, while what steal the show are the Panini and the amazingly delicious porchetta. Apart from the small interior space, you can also enjoy the paninis in the exterior space or take them to go. Recommended (R)

We recommend you to try: the delicious Amarone with Porchetta.

Our order:1 Panini Ciro with chili jam & 1 Panini Amarone with Porchetta. Total cost: 12€.

Total score: 8.3
Product quantity: 8
Product quantity: 8
Product quality: 8
Taste: 8.5
Cost: 9.5
Environment: 7
Service: 9
Product appearance: 8

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The texts depict objectively and honestly everything that we saw and encountered during our stay, at the specific time period that we visited them. Travelen holds no responsibility for any possible changes regarding prices, decorations, service, change of management or anything else that you might find different during your visit. It is also worth mentioning that our review/opinion pertains ONLY to shops that we have visited.