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Rome - Creating our own food tour - suggestions welcome!

We've decided that instead of booking a food tour, we'd like to create our own. San Francisco has a 100 things to eat list that comes out every year (http://www.chompinggrounds.com/2014/02/7x7-sfs-big-eat-list-of-100-things-to.html); we figured let's try to do that with our trip to Rome. Obviously won't be able to hit everything, but are excited about seeing options. We are interested in all types of food and all neighborhoods; hoping the list can grow to be shared for future Rome travelers! Here are some examples: sausage pizza at Pizzeria Ivo, broccoli pasta at Pipero Roma, any drink during the late day or early evening at Terrazza Caffarelli... And of course, gelato!

As for our time of travel, we arrive early on Easter Sunday, April 1 and leave at some point on April 5 (have to be in Milan for a Friday morning flight). The only thing we've scheduled is the Pristine Sistine tour Tuesday morning and will be trying for Colosseum tickets for Easter Monday (not available until 3/19 for purchase). Other than that, we have not made any other scheduled plans or tours. We've been to Milan before but this is our first time to Rome.

What would you recommend we add to the list? What has been recommended to you that you try but haven't yet?

Posted by
59 posts

Fun idea! I hope you get some good replies. Just a suggestion... you may want to post your question on the forum at chowhound.com. There are some folks there that know A LOT about food in Rome. Just a "heads up" though, they take it all very seriously so there may be some bickering on your thread. But you can't deny their expertise. Good luck putting together your list!

Posted by
123 posts

What a cool and fun way to build your itinerary! So excited to hear the forum members' recommendations for your trip.

For gelato, my favorites are Fatamorgana and Gelateria del Teatro. Fatamorgana has multiple locations throughout the city. I was a daily regular at their Monti location on my first trip to Italy, and I still dream about their unique flavors. I discovered Gelateria del Teatro last year while moseying down Via dei Coronari. They make amazing gelato with tons of fresh ingredients onsite. Last year, I smelled roasting pumpkins, came upon their display window where they were breaking down said roasted pumpkins, and I hit auto-pilot to immediately order a cup. Perfect!

Happy planning!

Posted by
2147 posts

A wonderful gelato place is Frigederium near Piazza Navona. And be sure to go to Giolitti- a very historic gelatoria. The Testaccio neighborhood has great delis and restaurants, plus an Eataly which is fun to visit.

Posted by
5276 posts

How fun! In case you have not discovered them on your own, some food writers to consult include Katie Parla, Elizabeth Minchilli, and Rachel Roddy. I also use the Slow Food app.

Posted by
2124 posts

Yeah, Katie Parla turned me onto Emma Pizzeria near Campo de' Fiori for Spaghetti alla Carbonara. Emma is owned by the Roscioli family, which also owns Forno, a bakery on a nearby street. The bakery goods they have are fabulous, but the daily rectangular pizza slices for 2 Euro they serve at lunch are unbelievable, the real thing. Only thing is for the short period I was there, they never repeated the same pizza twice, and I loved the fennel sausage & rapini pizza they served the first day. Never got it again!

Also near Campo de' Fiori, there is a little place called Elle Effe with Sicilian specialties--anchovy and black olive pizza, no cheese but with red pepper oil, insalata d'agrumi (salad with onion & blood orange), and caponata--a vegetable medley similar to ratatouille.

All this within 5 minutes from our apartment, so needless to say there are wonderful finds all over the city. Do your homework and enjoy your planning!

Posted by
19 posts

Thank you for the suggestions! I'll add to this list from chowhound as I get replies

Posted by
110 posts

also in Campo di Fiori is Obika, a mozzarella bar. Very good fresh food and varieties of fresh mozzarella.

Posted by
110 posts

also if you have time to pre-order, the tour of the Scavi, underneath the Basilica takes you right into St. Peters at the end of the tour. it's inexpensive and limited to 11 people max due to the cramped spaces. very cool. if interested go to the vatican website and look for scavi tour.