Eating in Rome

Look for the Despar supermarkets. The ones I was in seemed to cater especially to tourists' needs, with lots of sliced cheese and meat selections and individual salads and prepared foods. Buy large bottles of soft drinks and use them to refill the small individual bottles. And never buy water - fill bottles from the hotel tap or from the ever-flowing fountains all over the city.

If you get the chance and are in the Trastevere area of Rome, you have to try Ivo Pizzaria on Via di San Francesco a Ripa. Amazing pizza, great pasta, and if you like olives, the best fried stuffed olives I've ever had. Trastevere may be a bit out of the way for you but you should check it out...it's a great neighborhood with many great inexpensive restaurants. Enjoy!

I would upon arrival head downstairs in the train station and get some things at the grocery... I've been to Rome several times and figure it has saved me a lot of money.

Agreed. The markets near the central train station, and in the somewhat less touristy / more blue collar neighborhood south and west of the station, will be cheaper than those near the Spanish Steps.

My wife and I will often pick up snacky things to have a meal in our room (and a quick nap...) to stretch our dollars. To make this most effective, eat your lunches out, dinners in the room, as lunch menus are typically cheaper.

Note that we don't prioritize money quite that aggressively... preferring to have long, casual dinners out. If you go this route, the 'daily menu' (menu del giorno) is among your more cost-effective options. It's a multi-course meal that is the 'special of the day'. Often I'll get the multi-course menu of the day, and my wife will order only a pasta course or entree course and we share everything. Watch your drink orders -- they can be killers. Specify 'tap water' (acqua del rubinetto) if you want the free stuff, otherwise they will bring you bottled water for a charge (acqua minerale).

Items placed on the table that you don't order are not free -- unlike bread in the U.S. ... anything you eat will be extra charges. If they bring something you didn't order, and you don't want it (and don't want to watch your kids to keep them from eating it...), tell them to take it away ('eliminilo'). ... or just look displeased... waving your hand... say "No"...

Near the Vatican I recall that a restaruant called 'Matriciano' (spelling?) was very reasonable, and had nice outdoor seating.

Also consider the Campo de Fiori open-air market -- near Corso Emanuelle II toward the Tiber. Good deli shops nearby, fresh produce, as tasty as reasonably priced.

Another restaurant notion -- near the Forum / Colosseum -- at the corner of "Via dei Fori Imperial" and "Via Cavour" just 3 minute walk from the Colosseum -- a place that has good pizza and outdoor seating, had good prices (family friends went there as recently as September 2008).

There is a great restaurant one block northeast of Termini at the corner of Via Marghera and Via Magenta (I can't remember the name, but it will be on your right as you reach the corner). Excellent food, reasonably priced; you can eat inside or at the sidewalk tables. You won't find many tourists, but a lot of local people eat there. Some of the best Tira Misu I've ever eaten.

All of the previous posters have contributed some very good ideas. Every restaurant will have their menu posted somewhere outside of the restaurant. Simply scan a menu until you find a restaurant in your price range. You can wander onto the side streets to find some where the locals eat.

The traditional "pane e coperto", which is a per person table charge is being replaced with the American tip process called "la mancia." Some places try to scam you with both, but only do one or the other.

Buon viaggio,

RB

Some consider Alla Rampa next to Spanish Steps touristy but it is really cheap if you just get the antipasti plate. The selections are very nice and last time we ate there it costs 10 euros for the ap. I would definitely dine there again. There is a deli/sandwich shop called Volpetti ( maybe two shops) which has good sandwiches.