Why Rome Is a Foodie Heaven: Must-Try Roman Dishes
Besides being enthusiastic travellers, we might be the ultimate food enthusiasts on this planet. With that in mind, we anticipated spending the majority of our budget on dining out in Rome. Truthfully, we have no regrets and would gladly do the same on our next visit to Rome! Italian cuisine will always have a special place in our hearts, and we've ranked and listed our favourite dishes from Rome. Rest assured, we've included everything from appetisers to main courses to desserts.
Pasta all'amatriciana
Yes, we had to rank this pasta dish at the top! Even though it is the simplest recipe, it was made to perfection and felt like a warm hug on a cold rainy day.
Amatriciana is a classic dish served in many trattorias in Rome, though it originally comes from Amatrice in the province of Rieti. The traditional sauce is made with just three main ingredients: guanciale, pecorino cheese, and tomato. Tomatoes were likely added to the recipe in the late 1600s. Because the dish developed from peasant cooking and was passed down orally, many variations exist today. Despite these differences, the essence of amatriciana remains the same—a simple, flavourful pasta sauce named after the town where it originated.
Golosa at La Nuova Piazzetta
We came across this delicious Roman pizza absolutely by accident. After walking around the Colosseum and the Roman Forum for almost all morning, we were so starved that we googled the nearest restaurant from our exit point and ended up at La Nuova Piazetta restaurant. Even though there was a bit of a wait for getting seated, we didn't mind since usually that indicates good food. And we were so right to have waited. Hands down, the Golosa here was one of the best pizzas we've had around the world! We also devoured the Spaghetti Carbonara in their menu which is next on the list.
In Rome, “pizza golosa” isn’t a single fixed recipe. The name golosa literally means “indulgent” or “rich”, and many pizzerias use it for a pizza topped with flavourful, often creamy ingredients. The exact toppings vary by restaurant, but the idea is the same: a more decadent pizza with strong contrasts of flavours. This particular pizza (image above) combines buffalo mozzarella, mortadella, pistachio, and burrata, creating a creamy and savoury pizza with a slightly nutty flavour.
Pro tip: If you see “golosa” on a menu in Rome, check the ingredients listed underneath—the toppings can vary widely from one pizzeria to another.
Pasta Carbonara
Although the origins of this pasta are often debated, there's no argument that it could be one of the finest comfort foods globally. When dining in a Roman restaurant, simply close your eyes and choose carbonara. It's that straightforward, and it almost never lets you down. The blend of fresh hand-cut pasta, olive oil, guanciale, pecorino, and eggs is absolutely delightful and very filling.
Roasted (or grilled) Octopus
Picture this: it's your birthday, and your husband surprises you with a visit to a rooftop restaurant famous for its seafood, just as the sun is setting. You leave your worries behind while enjoying grilled octopus, seafood pasta, and plenty of Rosé wine.
Although Rome isn't typically renowned for octopus or seafood, this specific dish left a lasting impression on us, despite the abundance of food we had that evening. This should really fall under a special mention category but I guess we had to put on the top part of this long list.
Tiramisù
And finally, we have a Dolci on the list and what a global phenomenon it is. The name of this dessert comes from the Treviso dialect "tireme su," adopted as tiramisù, meaning "pick me up" or "lift me up," referring to the energy boost from the caffeine and sugar. A simple yet delicious combination of ladyfingers soaked in espresso, layered with mascarpone folded into eggs beaten with sugar, and topped with a dusting of cacao, it shows up on menus all over Italy and the world. No one knows for sure when or where it originated and there are different origin stories.
If you're unsure about which dessert to choose in Rome or anywhere in Italy, simply opt for tiramisu. This will give you a clear idea of the restaurant's quality. Needless to say, tiramisu is our preferred dessert at any Italian restaurant worldwide.
Gelato
Let's begin with the obvious: gelato is not ice cream, and if given the choice, we would always choose gelato. While the origins of frozen desserts and shaved ice date back thousands of years, it was during the Italian Renaissance and through a competition organised by the Medici family that gelato truly gained popularity. A trip to Italy simply wouldn't be complete without tasting gelato!
Pro tip: The best way to know a true gelato from tourist traps is to check the gelato containers in the shop. If the containers are made of steel and remain covered, that's usually a sign of original and natural gelato flavours.
The most famous flavours all around the world are stracciatella, pistachio, caramel and so on. But our favourite gelato throughout our trip in Italy would definitely have to be the unique combinations we tried in Vernazza (Cinque Terre). The best gelato we had was ricotta and fig from Gelateria Vernazza. Follow our journey in Tuscany through our travel story here.
Supplì
This fried dish is absolutely the most famous appetiser in Rome and is often compared to the Sicilian Arancini. The Roman supplì is shaped like an elongated meatball which is deep fried and made with risotto rice, minced meat, tomato sauce, and gooey mozzarella. The name supplì comes from the French word “surprise,” referring to the hidden, stringy mozzarella revealed after the first bite. First sold hot by street vendors at fairs and festivals, these fried rice balls later became common in restaurants and inns across Rome by the early 1800s.
The reason we put this famous antipasto dish a little lower in this list is simply that it's deep fried and very filling. Although it is tasty and delightful, it didn't leave that much of an impression as the other dishes we listed above this one.'
Insalata Caprese
If there was a battle of the classics, we probably would rate a Caprese salad pretty high in that list. The biggest reason everyone loves a good Caprese salad is that it is refreshing and light and a great way to start a full meal. Caprese salad is made with four classic ingredients from the Campania region—tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil.
Despite its name, it isn’t directly tied to traditional cuisine from Capri. One popular story says the salad was created in the 1930s at the Hotel Quisisana for supporters of the avant-garde Futurism, which rejected traditional dishes like pasta. Another explanation links its red, white, and green ingredients to the colors of the Italian flag. The dish gained significant fame in the 1950s after it was served to King Farouk of Egypt during his vacation in Capri.
Panna Cotta
If you have never heard of or have never tried this wonderful dessert, then this would be a perfect introduction to it: "Panna Cotta is that wonderful Italian milk custard, quivering and wobbly with the promise of melting into a flood of creamy goodness in your mouth." -- RecipeTinEats
Although panna cotta is known for its sophistication, the name straightforwardly means “cooked cream” in Italian. Panna cotta may appear quite elegant, yet it is basically cream, sugar, and gelatin that are gently heated and then chilled until firm enough to maintain its form while still having a slight wobble. You might question why this simple dessert made our list instead of cannolis, and the reason is straightforward: we discovered our favourite cannoli in the Cinque Terre region, not in Rome.
Carciofi alla Guida
Last but definitely not the least, we would like to mention another famous Roman snack, the Carciofi alla Giudia (crispy fried artichokes). This dish originated in the Jewish community of Rome and can be traced back to Sephardic Jews who brought artichokes north after being expelled from the Iberian Peninsula during the Spanish Inquisition. In Rome, local frying traditions transformed the vegetable into deep-fried whole artichokes, creating a dish that became famous in the Roman Ghetto and across the city.
Although we wouldn't claim it's among the top Roman snacks, we do believe that your exploration of Roman cuisine wouldn't be complete without trying this dish. The artfully fried artichokes resemble floral shapes, enhancing its visual appeal and making it even more appetising.
Disclaimer: This list represents our personal food preferences and is not intended to diminish any dishes. We are huge foodies and simply love geeking out about dishes from all over the world.
A few dishes worth mentioning that did not make the list but would have if we made a top 15, are the following:
Cacio e pepe
Saltimbocca alla Romana
Maritozzo
Crostata di Ricotta
Gricia ("white amatriciana")
If you have been to Rome or making a Roman itinerary, would you agree with our list? Let us know in comments or contact us via our socials. Thanks for reading!
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