This blog post was originally posted on September 27, 2019 and was updated on January 29, 2021. Fettuccine Alfredo—the real thing, anyway—is served at just two restaurants in Italy, but its popularity has exploded abroad. Everyone has heard of fettuccine Alfredo, sometimes called “Alfredo pasta” abroad. It’s so popular outside Italy that when I lived […]
Behind the Bite: Roman Pasta
This blog post was originally posted on March 18, 2019 and was updated on January 26, 2021. There’s something comforting about the dependable, the quotidian, the downright normal. Roman pasta is just that. Amatriciana, carbonara, gricia and cacio e pepe are the main pastas of Rome, and most restaurants have at least two of them on the […]
Our Favorite Rome Restaurants by Neighborhood: Where to Eat in Trastevere
This blog post was originally posted on February 6, 2019 and was updated on October 28, 2020. Trastevere is Rome’s most charming neighborhood, and that’s saying a lot. A bit overrun with tourists and students, yes—but no one who’s walked its winding streets can deny there’s something magical about it. The word Trastevere literally means […]
Perfect Italian Tiramisu Recipe
Quite appropriately, “tiramisu” translates to something along the lines of “pick me up.” And that’s exactly what it is—a sweet pick-me-up that’s well worth saving space for, no matter how much carbonara or cacio e pepe you may have already eaten. Coffee-dipped ladyfinger cookies and sweet, fluffy mascarpone come together in a beautiful symphony of […]
Best Pizza Bianca Recipe (From One of Rome’s Best Pizzerias)
Pizza bianca is pizza at its simplest. There’s no bright red tomato sauce, no cheese, and no fancy toppings. Pizza bianca (which translates to “white pizza”) is as simple as it gets: fresh-baked focaccia topped with nothing more than olive oil, salt, and sesame seeds or rosemary if you’re feeling adventurous. But don’t let the […]
Best-Ever Traditional Roman Carbonara Recipe
Forget everything you think you know about carbonara. Outside of Italy, carbonara pastas are often unrecognizable. Drenched in a thick cream sauce and studded with peas and bacon, these international adaptations are a far cry from the traditional carbonara recipe used in Rome. But here in the Eternal City, real carbonara is one of the […]
The 10 Best Pasta Dishes to Eat in Rome Before You Die
This blog post was originally posted on March 28, 2019 and was updated on September 29, 2020. Pasta is the gorgeous yellow ribbon that binds Italian cuisine together, and no trip to Rome would be complete without it. Every region of Italy has at least one traditional pasta dish to its name. And with a […]
5 Best Places for Aperitivo in Rome (And How to Enjoy It like a Roman)
This blog post was originally posted on April 2, 2019 and was updated on September 29, 2020. Like so many things in Rome, happy hour is a bit slower—and a touch more stylish—than what you might find in other countries. Another important distinction is it’s all about the food—but not in the way you might […]
7 Unknown Restaurants Where the Locals Eat in Rome
This blog post was originally posted on March 4, 2019 and was updated on September 23, 2020. As famous as its sights and museums are, Rome is a city of millions of ordinary people, most of whom have a favorite local restaurant “Eating like a local” is a phrase thrown around a lot in travel […]
You Heard Right—Rome Does Brunch and These Are the 6 Best Spots for It
This blog post was originally posted on February 17, 2019 and was updated on September 23, 2020. A lot of restaurants in Rome use the word “brunch.” It doesn’t always mean what you think it means. Instead of eggs Benedict and pancakes, you might find buffet tables filled with pasta salads and trays of cheeses […]
We’ve Got Your Mornings Covered with the 6 Best Breakfasts in Rome
This blog post was originally posted on April 2, 2019 and was updated on September 17, 2020. We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Honestly, when you’re in Italy, every meal is pretty important. But to make sure your day gets off to the right start, we’re happy to […]
The Top 5 Spots for Cacio e Pepe in Rome You Need to Try ASAP
This blog post was originally posted on February 2, 2019 and was updated on September 8, 2020. Cacio e pepe is the classic flavor of Rome, and one of its best and most beloved dishes. Cacio is Roman dialect for “cheese”—in this case, assertive sheep’s-milk pecorino romano—and pepe is black pepper. Put it all together, […]
How to Read an Italian Menu (And Order Like a Local)
One of the best parts of traveling is experiencing the culture through food, and in many cases, eating out can be the highlight of your trip. But how are you supposed to eat like a local if you don’t understand how to order off the menu? While understanding how to read an Italian menu can […]
Classic Roman Cacio e Pepe Recipe
Forget bolognese, and cast carbonara aside. When you’re in Rome, the first pasta you need to try is cacio e pepe. This is Roman cooking at its best. Just take a handful of ingredients, cook them with love, and you get one delicious dish. Cacio e pepe means “cheese and pepper” in Italian, and that’s […]
Rome in a Day – The Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Rome
If you’ve only got one free day to explore, we’ve got you covered. This self-guided walking tour of Rome will help you hit all the main monuments and areas in just a few hours. Rome is a city with thousands of years of history, all layered together and visible in its stunning monuments, buildings and […]
8 Reasons Why You Should Take a Food Tour in Rome for Kids
Ready to take a break from monument hopping and experience Rome like a local? Join a food tour in Testaccio for a day your family will never forget. You probably already have plans to visit the Colosseum or Vatican Museums with your family. But for a whole new way to see—and taste—the city, we suggest […]
How to Use Rome’s Public Transportation System
Your complete guide to how to use and buy tickets for the metro, buses and trams in Rome. Between strikes, buses breaking down, and the never-ending project of building the third metro line, Rome’s public transportation system is not the most user friendly. And with its concentrated historic center and a monument around every corner, […]
A Primer on Tap Water in Rome
We’re not kidding—water is a cultural object in Rome, and there’s a whole etiquette on how to drink it. When one drives into Rome from the surrounding countryside, one is greeted by a series of still-standing aqueducts. Their iconic shape—linked, multi-level arches—serves as a reminder of how important they were, and still are, to the […]
All About Natural Wine in Rome: What It Is & Where to Drink It
If you’ve never tried natural wine before, you couldn’t possibly know what all the fuss is about. While there isn’t an official definition of what natural wine is, what we can tell you is that it’s wine that’s been produced with almost no intervention in the vineyard and cellar. Translation? It means the grapes are […]
5 Rules for Solo Travelers in Rome for an Unforgettable Trip
In Italy, we say meglio solo che male accompagnato—“better to be alone than in bad company.” And while we’re sure your friends are nice, solo travel in Rome is something you shouldn’t shy away from. A lot of people, especially when it comes to foreign vacations, seem to have a fear of traveling alone. Which […]