Rome Food I Am Still Dreaming About

Everything about my last visit to Rome was just perfection — the season, the weather, my planned itinerary, our accommodation, and even the day trips we took. But what took it to the next level and made it a truly unforgettable holiday was of course the delicious food we ate.

We spent 7 days in Rome, and I know that’s very long for many of you who are coming to visit Italy from far away, and want to also experience Florence, Venice, maybe Milan, Lake Como, the Amalfi Coast, or the Dolomites.

That’s exactly why I am writing this post, so I can take you on a gastronomic journey and share the best Rome food I personally want to eat again, and you might want to try too. 

P.S. I won’t be sharing every single bite or location here. If you’re looking for full reviews, comparisons, prices, and addresses, check out my separate articles on different food categories.

My Dream Roman Breakfast

Breakfast has always been my favourite meal of the day, especially on holiday. I love the choice and atmosphere of a fancy hotel buffet, but there’s nothing quite like an Italian cafe in the morning.

Imagine exiting your apartment or hotel after having taken your sweet time getting ready. Isn’t that what a holiday is about – slowing down? Instead, we often forget to actually leave time to enjoy the simple pleasures of a vacation, and we instead fill it with things to do and places to rush to.

You are walking the streets of Rome, surrounded by the morning bustle — cars heading to work, motorinos sneaking through alleys, and locals meeting friends for coffee before starting their day. That’s pure entertainment, and it’s a great reminder of why Italy is such a special place.

Back to our breakfast plans now. My favourite breakfast spot is one that’s in the centre of the city but fairly quiet inside, and by quiet I don’t mean empty. A great example is Monteforte Bakery or Dolcemascolo. They both have great locations, beautiful interiors, the loveliest staff, and delicious pastries. 

You are likely thinking – what about food though? If I had to recreate my perfect breakfast in Rome it would include all of these elements, from the different spots I tried:

• A selection of butter biscuits from that artisan bakery I discovered in Trastevere. Those will go down a treat as the first bite with an espresso. But since I don’t drink coffee, I would enjoy them with a cup of tea and oat milk.
• A maritozzo and pistachio croissant from that place where we had to queue for over an hour. Worth it if you want to sit down, but I share a tip in my Breakfast post on how to avoid that line.
• Those tiny soft and fluffy milk bread rolls with chocolate chips that were so fragrant I tried recreating them at home.
• The pear and chocolate pastry I shared with my husband before taking a train to the seaside.
• The flaky brioche-like croissant with an apricot filling from that cafe in Prati.

That’s a lot of food to eat at breakfast, but keep in mind these things: I would share it all with my husband, and we always skip lunch on holiday, plus calories don’t count when you are having fun, right?

I Know I Said No Lunch But..

If I only had one day in Rome, there’s no doubts I would have this for lunch. After all, here’s what I told my husband when I first tasted it:

I will gladly eat this every day for lunch!

Let me describe it for you. Picture a warm, fluffy and crunchy exterior flat bread just like the Romans make it. Now, add just this one ingredient, but it must be the best quality and super fresh. You’ve got yourself the perfect sandwich for lunch that’s filling, healthish, and so so delicious.

If you haven’t guessed it yet, I am referring to a focaccia sandwich with mortazza — which means mortadella in the Roman dialect.

What if that wasn’t enough?

If breakfast was small, or I was particularly ravenous that day, this is what my ideal lunch in Rome would look like:

Sitting outside with a beautiful view of the Roman streets, or even better a historical sight. Could you imagine lunching at a table in the middle of Via dei Fori Imperiali, possibly with an umbrella because that street gets really sunny?

On that table, I’d like an Aperol spritz — but make it light for me because I really can’t do alcohol. Give me my mortazza sandwich please, and a few of my favourite Roman supplì. I would be a very happy gal, and then I will make sure to walk some of those calories off!

PS: If you like the idea of having lunch with that historical view, you actually can. There are benches along that street, on both sides. So you could grab these bites, pick up a bottled Aperol spritz from the supermarket, and have a picnic among the Roman ruins. How does that sound? 

Just one favor – please don’t litter. Make sure to clean up after yourself.

The Roman Dinner I’d Fly Back For

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of dinner in Rome? 

For me it’s an authentic, fun experience with delicious food, great conversation, and a bit of people watching. Dining under the stars in Rome wouldn’t be so bad either! If that sounds like your ideal dinner, hear me out.

There’s one place I would fly back to eat at, and I’d make sure to book a table this time. We got lucky snagging a spot without a reservation last time, but I doubt we’d be so lucky twice!

Would I order the same food I ate that first time?

Hmm.. almost. 

I would definitely order that plate of gnocchi cacio e pepe with zucchini flowers, such a unique and delicious take on this Roman classic. I am pretty sure my husband would get the same.

But before that, I’d want that never ending bowl of freshly fried homemade potato crisps — light, airy, and super crispy, with just the right amount of olive oil.

Since I am not a big eater, especially at night, that would do it for me.

If I Could Only Eat One Dessert In Rome..

I’d make sure I don’t get sick and ruin the next day’s eating plans!

If you are not dairy intolerant, there’s nothing to worry about. In my case, I would just have to try the lactose free version, or find a vegan option elsewhere.

But if you read my review – Best Tiramisu in Rome (where I compare the 3 most popular options), you’ll understand why that would be difficult. It was the best tiramisu I’ve ever had in my life.

The walk, the location, the look, and of course, the taste made our night end on a true sweet note. We even walked to Piazza di Spagna afterward, how magical is that?

If it wasn’t for my fussy stomach, I would have loved to try the giant tiramisu at the restaurant where we had dinner. It came in the tallest dessert glass I’ve ever seen, and I have heard amazing things about it. You should give it a try!

Planning Your Time In Rome?

If you’ve booked your holiday to Rome, or are about to, I am so excited for you. Rome truly is the most special spot on Earth, and you’ll only understand why and how much that is when you get to experience it.

If you need help figuring out your itinerary, and would like to read reviews about the best Rome food to eat, have a look at this selection of articles I wrote about Rome. There’s everything from where to stay, to the best walks, and my favourite restaurants.

Don’t know where to start? Read this first – Rome vs Florence: Which is the Perfect Italian City for Your Trip?

I hope this has been helpful. If you enjoyed it, could you please leave a heart and share it with a friend who is coming with you, or planning their own Rome holiday?

Grazie tante,
Alessia.