Modena balsamic vinegar is such a kitchen staple today that it’s hard to imagine that it was almost unheard of outside Italy until relatively recently. It’s only been about 40 years that the term became widely recognized in the United States, let alone recognized enough to be as ubiquitous, as it now is on grocery […]
All About Sardinian Food: 10 Must-Try Dishes and Drinks
Sardinian food is a world apart from that of its closest Italian neighbors on mainland Italy. It offers a huge variety to the travelling gastronome. It might have something to do with the fact that, in centuries past, the island of Sardinia was fought over by the Catalans, the French, and the Italians (and others […]
Where to Find the Best Seafood Restaurants in Rome
With so many amazing sights to see in the center of the city such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Vatican, and endless array of glorious fountains, it’s easy to forget that Rome is about 15 miles from the Tyrrhenian Sea. This proximity means that there are some spectacular seafood restaurants in Rome. And while […]
La Dolce Vita: Where to Find The 8 Best Bakeries in Rome
There’s a reason why bakeries are so buonissimo in Italy, in general, and Rome, in particular: pastries are a regular part of the Italian breakfast experience. Cornetti (aka croissants) are an edible institution here. Rome happens to be sprinkled with bakeries, some passable and others impeccable in their deliciousness. But don’t worry, our list of […]
Craft Beer in Italy: A Comprehensive Overview
Craft beer in Italy might not be the initial beverage that dances through people’s thoughts when they think about their upcoming visit to Italy. What come to mind is probably a delicious Chianti wine or a refreshing Aperol Spritz. But Italy has a thriving craft beer scene, and it’s growing all the time. Over the […]
Our 5 Top Spots for the Best Maritozzo in Rome
While enjoying your trip to bella Roma, you’ll taste some of the best bites ever – carbonara, suppli, fried artichokes… but there’s one little snack you definitely shouldn’t skip: the maritozzo! The pastry is truly a symbol of Rome, you can enjoy it all day long, though more commonly it’s eaten with a quick caffè […]
Apericena, Italy’s Favorite Tradition (and How It’s Different From Aperitivo)
When the day starts coming to an end, and you finally decide to sit down for a break from all that site-seeing, it’s the perfect moment to enjoy the Italian tradition of aperitivo. Aperitivo, or Apericena – however you might hear it called – is an essential moment of the Italian experience. A time to […]
Rome Then & Now: The Truth about Fettuccine Alfredo
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 […]
Everything You Need to Know About Roman Pasta
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 menu at any given time. They are, by and large, the things Romans love about their food. […]
Our 6 Favorite Restaurants In Trastevere
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. But you can still find great restaurants in Trastevere – if you know where to look! 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 […]
Ultimate Guide to the Best Pasta in Rome
Pasta is the gorgeous yellow ribbon that binds Italian cuisine together, and no trip to Rome would be complete without it. But where can you find the best pasta in Rome? It’s hard to beat seasonable, handmade pasta. Photo credit: Maria Bortolotto Every region of Italy has at least one traditional pasta dish to its […]
5 Best Places for Aperitivo in Rome (And How to Enjoy It like a Roman)
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 think! The word aperitivo itself comes from the Latin verb aperire, which means to open your appetite. […]
7 Under-the-Radar Spot Where the Locals Eat in Rome
“Where the locals eat in Rome” is a phrase thrown around a lot in travel guides. But let’s be honest: after a week in Rome, you’re not going to feel like a local. And there is something to be said for going to the famous places—a coffee at Sant’Eustachio, a panino at Mordi e Vai—because […]
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: 6 Best Breakfasts in Rome
We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But 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 share our picks for the best breakfast in Rome. The best breakfast in Rome—like a local […]
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 […]