Rome\u2019s food markets are more than just a great photo-op.<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

You now can weave yourself into this essential part of daily life with our Rome market survival guide.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Supermarkets are easy to find in Rome now, but as recently as 10 years ago that was not the case. People did their shopping at local neighborhood markets, mercato rione, <\/em>on an almost daily basis. This tradition remains with a few modern additions like stands selling things like sandwiches and fresh juice to visitors. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Almost every neighborhood has a daily market. Some are in covered buildings built specifically to house the different vendors, and some are outside with only umbrellas as cover for winter rains and summer sun. Most markets in Rome are now a mix of fruit and vegetable stands, meat and cheese stands and other odds-and-ends stalls.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Insider\u2019s Tip:<\/strong> Even if you\u2019re not planning on cooking, it is worth a spin through a market to see what\u2019s in season. That way, you\u2019ll know what to look for on restaurant menus. If you see piles and piles of artichokes at the market, you can be sure the artichokes on your plate are fresh!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

With the exception of the Mercato Circo Massimo, almost all markets are open Monday through Saturday from early morning until mid-afternoon. Some of the larger ones have at least one day with evening hours.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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Photo Credit: <\/em>Miwok<\/em><\/a>, Text Overlay: <\/em>Devour Rome Food Tours<\/em><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A few tips to remember for your Rome market visit:<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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• Go early. The selection is best then, and the vendors will have more time (and patience) to help you.<\/li>\r\n
• Bring a bag. Plastic bags are available, but we know you have a reusable shopper with you, right?<\/li>\r\n
• Ask if you can touch the fresh produce first. You probably can\u2019t, plus that\u2019s part of the fun! Trust that the stall vendor knows which products are best for you.<\/li>\r\n
• Do your math. Everything is sold in grams and kilos. The prices you see are usually per kilo. One kilo is about 2.2 pounds<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

  Insider\u2019s Tip: <\/strong>You may hear people ordering un etto di prosciutto. <\/em>An etto is 100 grams.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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