What to eat à ROME? culinary specialties and gastronomy

Enjoying yourself à ROME

Timetable à ROME

Romans eat around 1/13.30 pm and in the evening around 9/21.30 pm. Restaurants, pizzerias, etc., open their doors around 12pm for lunch(pranzo), take a break from 3pm to 6pm and finish service around 11pm/00pm. Some restaurants open only in the evening. Many are closed on Mondays and in August for annual vacations(chiuso per ferie). Reservations are always advisable(prenotare).

Budget & Tips à ROME

The trattorie offer excellent value for money: a succulent and often hearty pasta dish will set you back between €11 and €15. If Naples is the cradle of pizza, Rome is also home to some of the country's finest pizzerias. A more gourmet offer has developed in recent years, with pizzas between €15 and €20, but you can still find cheap establishments with margherite from €7. And for a quick bite to eat, there's nothing better than pizzerie al taglio, where you can choose the size of your slice. There are also some excellent Michelin-starred restaurants in Rome, one of the most renowned being La Pergola*** (tasting menu from €270 to €320).

Please note: Italians still often pay in cash, but restaurateurs should give you the option of paying by credit card.

What costs extra à ROME

Some restaurants will charge you for bread and cutlery(pane e coperto), although in Rome this is rarer than in the rest of Italy. And even if you don't eat bread, you can't beat it! On average, expect to pay between €1 and €2 per person extra (the price should be mentioned on the menu). You should also know that it's not customary to order a carafe of tap water, as you'll automatically be served a bottle for a fee.

The local way à ROME

The pasta is served al dente, so it's quite firm!

To be avoided à ROME

Cutting spaghetti, putting cheese on fish pasta or ordering a cappuccino after 11am! But don't panic, there's no law against it - it'll just make Italians smile!

Kids à ROME

Children are king in Rome and welcome in all restaurants.

Smokers à ROME

As in France, smoking is prohibited in restaurants.

Tourist traps à ROME

Caution! There are plenty of tourist-friendly restaurants in the center of town. Some charge an exorbitant coperto (check it out, it should be on the menu!), others charge too much for mediocre quality. Follow your Petit Futé !

Take a break à ROME

Timetable à ROME

As in France, most bars close around 2am. The peak of affluence takes place at aperitif time or during the dopo cena, just after dinner (for a digestif!).

Budget & Tips à ROME

A pint of beer costs between €5 and €8, a cocktail or soda between €7 and €10. There are several inexpensive bars in the student district of San Lorenzo, where cocktails start at €3.

Age restrictions à ROME

Same legislation as in France.

What's very local à ROME

Gelato, eaten at any time of day, is an institution in Rome! It's not unusual to see long queues in front of gelaterias, and every Roman has his or her own favorite address. In fact, Rome is the city with the most gelaterias in Italy. As for aperitifs, some bars offer an aperitivo formula, as found in northern Italy, with cocktails and unlimited buffet. However, there are fewer and fewer of these.

Tourist traps à ROME

Don't hesitate to ask for panna (whipped cream) on your gelato. It's delicious, and most Roman gelaterias add it at no extra charge - you just have to know!