If it's one thing you know about Rome, or Italy in general, the food culture is one of the most loved and sought after in the world. In this ancient city, there's no shortage of options if you're looking for a memorable meal. I've been to the famed city twice, but both trips were fairly short. This is a quick guide of spots to try if you're on a time crunch during your visit but still want the security of knowing you'll have a delicious meal.
Saltimbocca
This restaurant is located about a 2 min walk from Piazza Navona, and what I loved most about this spot was the friendly staff and of course, delicious pasta. The best part? The seafood dish I ordered was served to me neatly wrapped in foil shaped like a swan! I loved every single bite of my food, and the truffle fries? Madness! They were so good. A great spot to enjoy lunch or dinner with a group without breaking the bank.
Ristorante la 34
This was such an unexpectedly amazing meal we had while exploring the area near the Spanish Steps, and I HIGHLY recommend you make the time to stop by and enjoy dinner here. Many of the patrons dining here seemed to be locals, and the ambiance of the place felt very comfortable. Friends sat together chatted outside while larger groups mingled and passed around shareable-sized dishes. The food was both fresh and well-made, but their chocolate cake dessert literally had everyone in my group ordering one of their own to inhale. As an even sweeter surprise, we were also treated to complimentary shots of Limoncello (a popular Italian lemon liqueur).
Pasta Making and Wine Tasting at Tinello 28
Tinello 28 is both a winery and space to experience local cuisine. In particular, visitors are taught the art of pasta making while also getting to enjoy decadent local wines from the Frascati area. This establishment is situated about 20 minutes outside the center of Rome, but can be easily reached by train or Uber (if you miss the hourly train like my group and I did). I actually found this experience through, well you guessed it, Airbnb Experiences and it was my favorite activity in Rome to date. Is it mainly because I love consuming copious amounts of pasta? Duh! But not only that, learning step by step how to create a delicious pasta dish all on my own was so fun and enlightening, and our host did an amazing job keeping it fun while explaining the cooking steps. He also revealed some history about their winery and pasta-making in the region. A definite recommendation from me!
Homebaked
Okay, hear me out. I know, I know. You didn't travel all the way to ITALY to eat an American-styled breakfast, right? But listen! A typical Italian breakfast tends to be quite light, including a pastry of some kind, espresso, and maybe a bit of cured meats and cheeses. I myself am a breakfast lover, so the heavier the better. Homebaked is perfect if you're looking to sate that craving for pancakes, french toast, and much more! Not only that, but you can also pick up some baked treats like pumpkin pie, cheesecake, cinnamon rolls and muffins. Owned and operated by a wonderfully friendly Americans, this place also serves as a home away from home for many international students and expats who live in the area. The space is small and quaint, the walls are lined with college flags and notes from patrons around the world, and you're sure to leave here both happy and full.
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