Student Trip and Low Cost Places to Eat

Side streets between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona have several pizza-by-the-slice/weight places that also serve salads, panini, etc. On the other side of Piazza Navona (toward the Tiber) there are also a number of places that will make sandwiches to order for about 5 euro. You can also buy or have sandwiches made at grocery stores in the area. For an inexpensive sit-down meal, those same side-streets have some neighborhood trattorie - just stay away from the restaurants on major piazze. Via del Governo Vecchio has a good ion of places, and almost every restaurant has menus posted outside. If breakfast is not included at your hotel, do what Italians do and order a coffee or other drink and a pastry at a bar, stand at the bar and eat it (sitting outside in the piazza will double the cost).

For a sit-down meal, try Miscellanea which is at the back right-hand corner of the Pantheon as you face it. They're used to feeding students. An option for true Roman style pizza is Baffetto. I'd suggest Baffetto Due near Campo dei Fiori rather than the original location (better able to accomodate a group). I suspect both places could do one filling course plus drinks in the 10 euro range, and both are close to where you're staying. Since you'll be a group on a budget, stop and talk to them in advance. Otherwise, it's sandwiches or pizza by the slice (or etto - weight). Some of the supermarkets have decent sandwiches to go and cold drinks. There's a good supermarket near Largo Agrentina (named Despar, I think) - walk to left of Pantheon if walking toward Largo Argentina or to right of Feltrinelli book store if heading back toward the Pantheon. EDIT: I checked the Despar and Carrefour supermarkets near Largo Argentina today (09/28) and neither had pre-made or made-to-order sandwiches available. They would be great places to assemble a picnic lunch though. Carrefour is one street to the left of above directions (Via dei Gesu) and Despar is across the main street from Feltrinelli.

Two places within a stones' throw of each other are Trattoria Antonio Bassetti and Antica Taverna. Very reasonable prices and Antica Taverna is always willing to let people share pastas, etc. Their antipasto platters are huge, by the way. Look for them on the daily sheet. Both restaurants are west of P.za Navona. Bassetti is better known as "da Tonino" and there is no sign. It is on Via del Governo Vecchio. Antica Taverna is a block up the adjacent street.

There used to be a McDonald's right across from the Pantheon. :)

For a cheap (but good) lunch in Florence try Leonardo's. It is located on a side street near the Duomo-we found it in Rick's book. Our lunch for two of us was 11 euros. It is cafeteria style and everything looks fresh and tasty. Yes, McDonald's is still near the Pantheon. We also liked Baffetto's for pizza.

Actually, the MacDonalds in Florence, near Santa Maria Novello, is a great place for breakfast. It's a posh, Italian coffee shop with great espresso, juice and pastries.
And I've eaten at Leonoardo's. Great place. I was sitting at a table with my RS guide on the table, the owner walked by, saw the book and said "Love that book!"

I should also have mentioned the bars that sell sandwiches, i.e., panini & tramezzini, all over Rome. While many will charge €3.50- €5.00, if you get to a side street a couple of blocks away from the big piazzas, there are some smaller bars with better panini for €2.70-€3.00. One of our favorites is off Piazza Barberini, on via di San Nicola da Tolentino, on the right up the street a couple of "blocks". If you have a similar panino on P.za Barberini, it will cost €5.00. There's another good bet in an unassuming bar south of the Pantheon on via dei Cestari. My rule of thumb: If the Panini in the window look fresh and are €3.00 or less, it's a good bet for lunch.

The McDonald's on Piazza Pantheon has closed.

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I think they were just what I was looking for. Glad the MacDonald's on the piazza in front of the Pantheon is closed. Really don't need that visual pollution in front of my favorite building! If there's any other suggestions, keep posting them!
Thanks again.

Dar Poeta might be too expensive but the New York Times had a nice article today (9/30/12) on two sides of Rome, expensive and cheap. Check it out.

Mmmm, Dar Poeta is my favorite pizza in Rome! About €8.00-9.00 per pizza. House wine is super inexpensive.

There are inexpensive pizzerias all over Rome, no worry! But DO be aware that the Italians take both Easter Sunday and Easter Monday (yes, that is a holiday too) very seriously. Most of the places near the Vatican were open Easter Sunday, and I was there this year, but we made a reservation from home for dinner on Easter Monday. That was our "splurge meal." Contact your hotel for suggestions. I love a place that has great food near the Vatican (I stay at Hotel Alimandi Tunisi) and the name is Piaceri Molisi. But, do, make sure
you know where you are eating both Easter Sunday and Monday if you will be there on those days.

In Florence, if you are taking the students to the Santa Croce church, there is an absolutely fabulous cheap trattoria that is only open from 11am till 2pm. It is on Via Gibbolina, Trattoria I Fratellini. It is all picnic tables, and home cooked local cuisine and paninis. Very hearty hot food, soup, vegetables, roasted meats (my mouth is watering just remembering it)! I don't think it's open on Sunday for sure, and certainly not Easter. There is also Yellow Bar which the students frequent, which serves pizzas and pastas. I hope you have the RS guide book on both cities, as he has lots of suggestions for cheap eats. But seriously, if you're near the Santa Croce Church, this little "dive" had the best food we had in Florence (and cheapest).
Like going to Grandma's. NOT FANCY. I found it on my first trip to Florence. There was an apartment being remodeled near us, and at lunch time, we decided to follow the tile guys to where they were eating! I eat there several times every time I'm in Florence!

Trattoria Bordino still has an 8 euro 2 course lunch. Via Stracciatella 9r, 50125 Florence, Italy In Oltrarno, not far from the Ponte Vecchio http://www.trattoriabordino.it/

Wow, these suggestions sound great! Anyone else have suggestions? How did we make travel plans before the internet?!