What Food Is Rome Known For: Best Dishes, Must Try (In 2024)

Rome, the eternal city, is known not only for its ancient ruins and stunning architecture but also for its delicious cuisine. From traditional pasta dishes to savory meats and decadent desserts, Roman food is a feast for the senses.

One of the most iconic dishes from Rome is carbonara, a pasta dish made with eggs, cheese, pancetta, and black pepper. Another famous dish is cacio e pepe, a simple yet delicious pasta dish made with pecorino cheese and black pepper. Rome is also renowned for its pizza al taglio, a type of rectangular pizza sold by the slice and can be topped with various ingredients.

Other popular dishes in Rome include supplì, which are fried rice balls stuffed with cheese, and Roman-style artichokes, which are fried and seasoned with garlic and herbs. Rome’s food scene is truly a reflection of its culture and history, and its unique flavors and dishes continue to captivate and delight visitors from around the world.

With delectable cuisine and rich culinary history. What food is Rome known for

In this blog, we’ll delve into Roman cuisine, exploring the city’s most famous dishes and the stories behind them.

Carbonara

Carbonara is a delicious Italian pasta dish that originated in Rome. It’s made with eggs, cheese, guanciale (cured pork jowl), and black pepper. The dish is rich and creamy, with a unique combination of salty and savory flavors that are sure to satisfy your taste buds. Carbonara is typically served with spaghetti or fettuccine, and it’s a popular choice among both locals and tourists.

Pizza

Pizza is another popular food that Rome is known for. The city is home to some of the best pizzas in the world, with thin, crispy crusts and delicious toppings. Romans take their pizza seriously, and you’ll find plenty of pizzerias throughout the city that specialize in this delicious dish. Some of the most popular toppings for Roman-style pizza include mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, but you’ll also find plenty of other creative options as well.

Glato

Glato is a must-try dessert when you’re in Rome. Gelato is a type of Italian ice cream that’s made with fresh ingredients and served in a variety of flavors. You’ll find gelato shops throughout the city, each with its unique selection of flavors. Some popular options include chocolate, pistachio, and hazelnut, but you’ll also find plenty of other creative options as well. Gelato is the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day or to enjoy as a sweet treat after dinner.

Cacio e Pepe

Cacio e Pepe is a beloved pasta dish from Rome that is simple yet bursting with flavor. It is made using only three ingredients: pecorino romano cheese, black pepper, and pasta. The cheese is grated and mixed with pasta water to create a creamy sauce, while the black pepper adds a spicy kick. The pasta is then cooked and mixed with the sauce, resulting in a dish that is both comforting and complex in taste.

Supplì

Supplì is a popular street food in Rome that originated from the traditional Sicilian arancini. It is a fried rice ball that is crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, thanks to the mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce stuffing. The rice is cooked with a flavorful broth, often made with meat, and seasoned with parsley, onion, and Parmigiano cheese. The mixture is then rolled into balls, stuffed with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce, breaded, and fried until golden brown. It is a delicious and satisfying snack that is perfect for any time of the day.

Saltimbocca alla Romana

Saltimbocca alla Romana is a delicious dish that showcases the skillful use of veal in Italian cuisine. It consists of thin slices of veal, often pounded to tenderize them, wrapped around a slice of prosciutto and a sage leaf. The veal is then sautéed in butter and white wine, creating a delicious sauce that complements the flavors of the meat. It is a dish that is both elegant and flavorful, perfect for a special occasion or a romantic dinner.

Tiramisu

Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert that originated in the region of Veneto but has become a beloved dessert throughout Italy, including Rome. It is a rich and indulgent dessert made with layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cheese, and cocoa powder.

The mascarpone cheese is mixed with egg yolks and sugar to create a creamy and decadent filling. The ladyfingers are then soaked in espresso and layered with the filling, resulting in a dessert that is both light and indulgent. It is a perfect way to end a meal, especially when accompanied by a cup of espresso or a glass of sweet dessert wine.

Roman-style artichokes

This dish is a popular appetizer in Rome that is made with deep-fried artichokes. The artichokes are seasoned with garlic and lemon juice, giving it a tangy and savory taste. The dish is typically served as a starter, and its unique flavor and texture make it a must-try for anyone visiting Rome.

Porchetta

Porchetta is a traditional Roman street food that consists of slow-roasted pork seasoned with herbs and spices, such as rosemary, garlic, and fennel. The dish is typically served on a warm roll, making it a perfect on-the-go snack. The crispy and flavorful pork, along with the warm bread, makes this dish a popular choice among locals and tourists alike.

Bucatini all’Amatriciana

This is a classic pasta dish that originated in the town of Amatrice, near Rome. It’s made with tomato sauce, guanciale (a type of cured pork), and pecorino romano cheese, which gives it a salty and slightly spicy taste. The pasta used in this dish is bucatini, which is a thick spaghetti-like pasta with a hole running through the center. This dish is a favorite among locals and is a must-try for anyone visiting Rome.

Osso Buco alla Romana

This hearty stew is made with veal shanks, tomatoes, carrots, and celery. The dish is slow-cooked for several hours, allowing the flavors to meld together, resulting in a rich and savory stew. The veal shanks are cooked until they are fall-off-the-bone tender, making this dish a perfect comfort food for a chilly evening.

Maritozzi

Maritozzi is a sweet bun that is typically enjoyed for breakfast in Rome. The bun is filled with whipped cream and sometimes have raisins or candied orange peel added to it. The bun is soft and slightly sweet, making it a perfect morning treat. It’s often paired with a cup of coffee, which makes it a favorite breakfast choice among locals.

Pecorino Romano

Another staple of Roman cuisine is Pecorino Romano, which is a sharp and salty cheese that is often grated over pasta dishes in Rome. This cheese is made from sheep’s milk and has a unique flavor that pairs perfectly with pasta.

Fritti

For those who love fried food, Fritti is a must-try. This dish consists of a variety of fried foods, including zucchini flowers, cod, and calamari. The burstiness of this dish comes from the variation of textures, flavors, and shapes.

Rigatoni alla Pajata

For those who enjoy more unique and adventurous dishes, Rigatoni alla Pajata is a pasta dish made with the intestines of a milk-fed calf, simmered in tomato sauce. This dish is highly complex and can be perplexing to some due to its unique ingredient.

Roman-style tripe

This is a traditional dish that is made with the lining of a cow’s stomach, which is slow-cooked in a tomato-based sauce. The tripe is typically cut into small pieces and then simmered with celery, onions, and other herbs and spices. The resulting dish is hearty and flavorful, with a rich tomato sauce that complements the tripe’s mild flavor.

Fiori di zucca

This dish features zucchini flowers that are stuffed with mozzarella cheese and anchovies and then fried. The delicate flowers are carefully cleaned and stuffed with the cheese and anchovy filling before being dipped in a light batter and fried until crisp and golden. The resulting dish is both savory and slightly sweet, with a delicate flavor that is perfect for a light lunch or appetizer.

Pollo alla Romana

This is a classic Roman dish that features chicken cooked in a tomato-based sauce with peppers and onions. The chicken is typically browned first in a skillet before being simmered with the vegetables and sauce until it is tender and juicy. The resulting dish is hearty and flavorful, with a rich tomato sauce that is the perfect complement to the chicken’s mild flavor.

Cannoli

This is a popular dessert that features a sweet pastry shell filled with ricotta cheese, chocolate chips, and candied fruit. The pastry shell is typically fried until crispy and then filled with a sweet, creamy filling before being dusted with powdered sugar or cocoa powder. The resulting dessert is both rich and indulgent, with a creamy filling that is perfectly balanced by the crispy shell.

Also Read What Food Is Rome Known For: Best Dishes, Must Try (In 2024)

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