Eating in Rome

Usually, one only orders a cappuccino with breakfast. Although you can probably get one later on in the day, most of the locals will look at you strangely.

There are many local bakeries which offer wonderful breads, pastries and other gastronomic delights. One of the more popular items in Rome is called ‘Suppli al telefono’ or, more simply, ‘suppli’. It is a ball of rice wrapped around mozzarella cheese and then breaded and fried. When you bite into it, the melted cheese oozes out and resembles a telephone wire!

During lunch, there is no better way to experience Italy than to go to a pizza shop. Try to experiment outside of your comfort zone as you may find some wonderful pizzas with such things as sliced, hard boiled eggs or mayonnaise.

Dinner starts a little later in the evening than many are used to. The Italians are very social people, even more so during a meal and are likely to try to find you a companion when dining.

Coffee

‘Latte’ in Italian is just milk and so you need to say "cafe latte." A ‘latte macchiato’ is steamed milk stained with a smaller shot of espresso. ‘Espresso’ is just a shot of coffee. ‘Espresso doppio’ means a double shot of espresso, while ‘espresso macchiato’ is
espresso 'marked' with a dab of steamed milk. ‘Americano’ is filtered coffee. ‘Cappuccino’ is not so popular with Italians and not
normally drunk other than in the mornings.

Ice-cream

Generally you pay for your ice-cream first and then show your receipt to the server. When asked “panna?” This means “do you want whipped cream on top?”

Pizza

The best pizza is served in the evening when the wood oven has heated up. For a typical local meal try one of the fried items such as battered salt cod for a starter, followed by a pizza. Pizzas tend to be very thin-crusted. Avoid the tourist areas where prices are high and the pizza is poor. Pizza al taglio is pizza by the slice, point to the one you want and the size as it’s sold by weight.

Trippa

Trippa is tripe. Offal is a Roman tradition, e.g. osso buco, bone marrow.

Budget restaurants

Arancia Blu – Vegetarian

Charming, softly lit atmosphere and a flavours' symphony of famous peasant cuisines from all over the world – from the Arabian
hummus and tabouleh to the Sardinian sheep's cheese enriching the ravioli ripieni di patate e menta. Generous wine list and
inventive desserts. Closed for three weeks in August. Via dei Latini 55-65. Telephone 06 4454105.

Hostaria dei Bastioni – Italian

Take a seat on the terrace, enjoy a glass of wine and contemplate the travellers' buzz in front of the mysterious Vatican. The menu offers a real bargain. Don't miss the freshly grilled fish, the fisherman's risotto with shellfish or the delicious cutlets of tender beef with mushrooms. Closed 15 July to 1 Aug. Via Leone IV 29. Telephone 06 39723034.

Il Bacaro – Italian

Cosy and unpretentious, a lovely place for travellers to enjoy a traditional Italian lunch right next Piazza di Spania. A must-taste is the fresh, homemade cheese, while the pasta menu will challenge your senses with unusual flavour combinations. Via degli
Spagnoli 27. Telephone 06 6864110.

Otello alla Concordia – Italian

A cosy restaurant amid the charming boutiques sprinkled along the narrow streets in the northern Spanish Steps area. On the
arbour-covered terrace or in the packed but friendly dining room indulge your senses with the delicious abbachio arrosto (roast
lamb) or the traditional Roman-style Saltimbocca (veal with ham). Via della Croce 81. Telephone 06 6791178.

Medium range restorants

Crab - Seafood

Very close to Basilica of San Giovanni, this trattoria will reveal to you the seas' secrets from all over the world – oysters from France, crustaceans from the Adriatic, lobster from the Atlantic . Don't miss the chef's recommended king crab legs. Via Capo d'Africa 2. Telephone 06 77203636.

La Tartaruga – Italian

A wine bar in Campo dei Fiori area, this place always surprises with the elegant but cosy atmosphere, fantastic food and a tempting wine list. Great selection of antipasto – cold meats and cheeses from all over Italy. Closed Mondays and August. Via del Monte della Farina 53. Telephone 06 6869473.

L'Eau Vive – French, International

Elegant French atmosphere, imposing architecture and fine cuisine prepared and presented by missionary Christian nuns dressed in traditional costumes. The menu reveals exquisite French cuisine and exotic international dishes. The delicious homemade patés are a must-taste! Via Monterone 85. Telephone 06 68801095.

Splurge

La Pergola – Mediterranean
Amazing views from atop Monte Mario! An exquisite setting and a terrace for alfresco dining but it's actually the food that impressed the critics to call this place Rome 's best restaurant. The menu is a spectacular symphony of colours and unusual flavours. Try the chef's recommendation - pasta tagliolini with zucchini, fresh lime and shrimp. Via Cadlolo 101. Telephone 06 35092152.


La Terazza – Italian, International

With a formal yet not intimidating atmosphere, this place offers a sensational view over St. Peter's, and the culinary masterpieces of chef Adriano Cavagnini who trained at Lake Garda. Among the menu highlights you will discover sea bass baked in a crust of black olives. Via Ludovisi 49, in the Hotel Eden, Near Via Veneto & Piazza Barberini. Telephone 06 478121.

La Rosetta – Seafood

Right in the shadow of the Pantheon, you will be surprised to find a fine dining place, where the chef-owner might take your order
himself and give his recommendations. Fresh and quality ingredients, a warm atmosphere and simple but extremely savoury dishes. No red meat on the menu! Via della Rosetta 8-9. Telephone 06 6861002.

Traditional Italian restaurants

ARSIAL (Regional Agency for the Development and Innovation of Agriculture in Lazio) and FIPE (Italian Federation of Public
Concerns) promotes traditional Roman cuisine and grants a trademark of ‘typicality’, “Ristorante Tipico” (typical restaurant). The
restaurants below have this trademark.