The Cheap Eats Guide to Rome
Last updated: April 21, 2024
If you’re planning a trip to Rome you already know that a lot of the city’s top attractions come at a cost. From the Colosseum to the Roman Forum to the Vatican Museums: many entrance fees in Rome have staggering prices ranging from €10 to €30 per person. That can add up to quite a lot, especially if you’re a budget traveler or visiting as a family.
While there are plenty of free attractions that can be found in Rome, one of the best ways to stay on a budget while enjoying the city as you please is through eating at inexpensive eateries in Rome. After a few trips to Rome I can confirm that you can eat very well and really get a fantastic experience while managing a reasonable budget. Take it from someone who appreciates a good deal, but not at the expense of good food.
Budget Eats Rome:
Supplì Roma
Supplì consist of rice rolled into a ball with sauce, cheese, meat, or a mix. Afterwards they’re coated with egg and breadcrumbs before being fried. They’re a Roman invention so you must try them while in the city. Try them early in your trip as you’ll want to keep coming back for more!
The most common version you can typically find in the city are with mozzarella and tomato sauce. We tried this classic version and a cacio e pepe supplì, emulating the popular pasta dish also invented in The Eternal City. For €1.50 to €3 each they’re a stellar snack. There are other yummy looking variations like carbonara (also a pasta dish from Rome) and ragú.
You can also find appetizing pizza and pasta here! The gnocchi is especially good. You also pay for your food by weight, making it possible to easily try a few varieties of food without getting too stuffed. The price is pretty solid too, most of the pasta is around €1.20 to €1.70 for 100 grams (adding up to €12 to €17 for 1kg or ~2.2lbs). There are plenty of flavors and varieties to choose from so come hungry!
Via di S. Francesco a Ripa, 137
In & Around: Trastevere, Belvedere del Gianicolo, Porta Portese
Order: Supplì
Sto Bene Roma
Sto Bene Roma is home to some very tasty and satiating panini ranging from around €5 to €8 per sandwich. Their ingredient choices are fantastic! You’ll find toppings like mortadella, pepperoni, pecorcino, prosciutto, ricotta, mozzarella, and stracchino along with plenty of fresh vegetables and sauces. They even have panini based off popular pasta dishes like carbonara. You’ll find an illustrated menu inside that perfectly breaks down every ingredient in their pre-designed sandwiches, making it easy to find one that best suits your palette.
Piazza della Trinità dei Pellegrini, 88
In & Around: Largo di Torre Argentina, Turtle Fountain
Order: Cesare Panini, Giulio Panini
Caffé Antica Roma
This humble spot is the perfect spot for a quick breakfast on your way to the Colosseum. My sister, partner, and I ordered three espressos and two sandwiches to share, not really paying attention to the prices. Everything was appetizing and we were on our way out pretty quickly to get to our Colosseum time slot at the appropriate time.
When I went to pay I had to double check the receipt to make sure they hadn’t undercharged us. For two sandwiches and three single espresso shots we paid just €7.80. The espresso shots were €1.10 each and the tramezzini sandwiches were €2.25 each. There were also options for more gourmet sandwiches on focaccia for €4.
Via Marco Aurelio, 28
In & Around: Colosseum, Celio, Palatine Hill, Roman Forum
Order: Tramezzini Sandwich, Espresso
Forno Campo de’ Fiori
Despite being located across the popular and touristic Campo de’ Fiori, the food here is quite nice and overall reasonably priced, especially for their location! Sometimes you can find Roman and Jewish artichoke (carciofi), plus there are plenty of other options including panini served on freshly baked focaccia and pizza served by weight. Calzones are €3 per piece, artichokes are €2 per 100 grams, pastries are mostly between €2 to €3, supplì are €1.50 to €2 per piece, and most pre-built panini are €3.50 to €5. It’s the kind of place you have to visit to see what they have that day but unless they’re about to close you should have pretty good options.
They also pride themselves on their product! This little bakery opened up over 50 years ago in 1970 and they’re happy to continue their tradition of baking everything in-house each day, as well as use handpicked ingredients like high-quality olive oil and butter in order to guarantee the same quality they’ve been delivering for decades.
Campo de' Fiori, 22
In & Around: Campo de’ Fiori, Castel Sant’Angelo, Pantheon, Piazza Navona
Order: Focaccia Panini
Two Sizes
If you like tiramisu, Two Sizes is a must. They’re a cozy spot located in a quintessential Roman alley in the heart of the city. They have five great flavors to choose from: original, pistachio, strawberry, peanut butter, and caramel. I’ve tried all but caramel at this point and have been super pleased with all of them, especially pistachio and strawberry. The small tiramisu (pictured) is €3 and the larger size is €4.
I think the only other item they consistently sell here are cannoli. We tried their small chocolate version for €1.50 and they also have a larger size for €3. I’m not a big fan of cannoli so I haven’t tried too many, but it was easily the best cannolo I’ve every had.
Via del Governo Vecchio, 88
In & Around: Pigna, Piazza Navona, Campo de’ Fiori, Pantheon
Order: Tiramisu
Dolce Maniera
Dolce Maniera is a bakery open practically everyday of the year, 24/7. Whether you want a wholesome late night snack, an after dinner treat, or a carb-filled start to the day: they’re there for you. It’s not too fancy, just a neighborhood bakery, but if you’ve been wronged by one too many tourist traps you might appreciate this spot.
They don’t have most of their prices displayed, and I wouldn’t say that every product is amazing quality, but value for money is quite good. Their smaller pastries start at around 50 cents, sandwiches start at €1.50, and larger pastries start at around €2. Their tiramisu was pretty tasty and is priced around €2.50. They also have Pope cookies for 50 cents which we got a kick out of.
Via Barletta, 27
In & Around: Prati, Vatican City
Order: Papa (Pope) cookies, Tiramisu
Parenti
Just down the street from Dolce Maniera lies Parenti, a delectable pastry shop best known for their maritozzi. These sweet buns originate from Rome and are filled with fresh cream, then frequently topped with shavings of other ingredients like pistachio or chocolate. They’re a must try while in Rome, and the smaller portion starts at just over €1.50 so they’re easy on the wallet too. You’ll also find other Italian baked goods here including Sicilian cannoli, as well as cornetti, which are similar to French croissants.
Via della Pelliccia, 27
In & Around: Prati, Vatican City
Order: Pistachio Maritozzo
MAMI
MAMI is a solid snack shop with a large assortment of food to try! Focaccia, panini, pizza, fried artichoke, arancini, supplì- you name it! It’s a great place to enjoy Roman street food, with smaller items like supplì starting at €1.50, while arancini, which are bigger than supplì and originate from Sicily. start at around €2.50.
Via della Pace, 27A
In & Around: Piazza Navona, Pantheon
Order: Fried artichoke, arancini
Antico Forno Roscioli
This family own pizzeria opened in 1972 and continues to impress customers today. They’re known for their pizza al taglio or rectangular pizza traditionally sold by weight. It can be a bit chaotic during busier periods, but the line moves quite fast so if you didn’t get everything you wanted the first time you can always hop in line again. Choose whichever slices suit your taste, but be sure to also save room for their Pizza Rossa which is served with just tomato or red sauce, as well as their classic Pizza Margherita. They really show how fantastic simple pizza can be with quality ingredients. If you’re a meat eater then their porchetta and mortadella are freshly sliced in house and make for an excellent pizza topping.
I would say the price is not especially low, but it’s fair for the quality, I believe ranging from around €2 to €3 per 100 grams.
They also do an awesome job with other Roman treats like supplì. If you want to pick up something a little fancier to take home with you they also sell quality pannettone, which is a soft Italian fruitcake, traditionally eaten for special occasions and Christmastime.
Via dei Chiavari, 34
In & Around: Campo de’ Fiori, Pantheon, Piazza Navona
Order: Pizza Rossa
Gelateria Fassi
Gelateria Fassi is one of Rome’s most historic ice cream shops, first opening in 1880 in the Esquilino neighborhood, about a fifteen minute walk from Rome’s main train station, Termini. Here you’ll find classic gelato as well as semifreddi, which is a frozen Italian dessert. You can savor your gelato in a cone or even have it served in a brioche bun in traditional Italian style. There’s many indulgent flavors available including pistachio, stracciatella, Roman cream, and tiramisu. Small cones are €2 and large ones go up to €3.50. Brioche filled with gelato is €3.80.
Via Principe Eugenio, 65-67
In & Around: Esquilino
Order: Pistachio Gelato
Gelateria Artigianale Corona Roma
This humble gelateria is family-owned and was introduced to me by a local who believes they make the perfect gelato. She pointed out that they have all the correct qualifications needed for excellent gelato:
Muted colors/naturally sweet (no artificial dyes/sweeteners should be added, which draw people in, but distract from real flavor)
Not piled high (which again is only used to draw people in and means the gelato has been filled with emulsifiers and vegetable fats to keep it looking overly whipped)
Stored in a metal container, which helps keep the gelato at the correct temperature
I tried the lemon, lemon and basil, and stracciatella flavor. and I have to say, the gelato was very enjoyable. A small cone starts at €2.50, with 50 cents added for each additional size.
Largo Arenula, 27
In & Around: Largo di Torre Argentina, Turtle Fountain
Order: Lemon and Basil
Fuorinorma
Fuorinorma serves simple but delicious food. Many of their panini have just two ingredients, but the quality of the ingredients helps the sandwich stand out. Their panini range is priced at €4.50 all the way to €8. They conveniently indicate which of their sandwiches are best sellers on their menu so if you’re unsure of what to order, pick one of those. The porchetta sandwich with tuna sauce and sun-dried tomatoes might sound odd, but it’s a winner. The beef, parmesan, rocket, and olive oil sandwich is just as nice. You can also try one of their meat and cheese cutting boards which start at €12 per person. Not as thrifty as a sandwich, of course, but solid value for the quality.
Via dei Serpenti, 178
In & Around: Monti, Roman Forum, Colosseum, Palatine Hill
Order: #16 - Sedici (Porchetta, tuna salsa, tomatoes)
Mercato Centrale Roma
This indoor food market is located on the end of Rome’s biggest train station, but don’t underestimate this spot. Here you’ll find both Italian and international food, but we chose to focus on the Italian goods. We tried arancini, supplì, pizza, pasta, and gelato. and didn’t have a bad bite. The prices are higher than some of the other spots on the list but I still had to include this food hall since the prices are overall fine, there are so many options, there are plenty of spots to sit, it’s in a convenient location if you’re leaving or arriving to the city by train, they accept most credit cards, and they have air conditioning. Plus, everything tasted good! Prices range from reasonable to a little overpriced, but the arancini was tasty and well-portioned for €4. I saw premade panini for €4 to €8, and pasta plates start at €5.
Via Giovanni Giolitti, 36
In & Around: Roma Termini, Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore
Order: Arancini Ragu
Pastasciutta
For pasta at a good price look no further than Pastaciutta. Most pasta plates are €5 - €7 and delicious pasta plates are ready in just a few minutes. Throughout the day pasta and sauces are made in house, making it a terrific place to eat in a short time and on a budget. They offer classic Roman pasta like cacio e pepe and carbonara, as well as other moreish plates like pesto and truffle pasta. They have two locations, one near Vatican City and the other near Piazza del Popolo.
Borgo: Via delle Grazie, 5
Flaminio: Piazzale Flaminio, 10
In & Around: Vatican City, Borgo, Castel Sant’Angelo, Piazza del Popolo, Terrazza del Pincio, Villa Borghese
Order: Pasta of the Day
Pizzeria La Boccaccia
Pizzeria La Boccaccia has three locations in central Rome, making it a convenient place to enjoy a budget meal in the city. Most pizza slices range between €1.50 to €2.50 per 100 grams, but their Pizza Rossa (red sauce) and Pizza Bianca (white sauce) are only €1 for 100 grams.
Trastevere North: Via di Santa Dorotea, 2
Trastevere South: Via di S. Francesco a Ripa, 21
Monti: Via Leonina, 73
In & Around: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Trastevere
Order: Pizza Bianca
Pastificio Guerra
This pasta shop is well known in Rome for offering a great deal, so expect a line. They serve only two pasta dishes each day, and these pasta dishes are always €4.50 per plate. If you eat in house they’ll typically offer a complimentary glass of wine or water. They’re pretty good at what they do, and although some flavors are better than others, if you’re in the area and hungry, it’s worth a visit. The queue seems to typically move quite fast too.
Via della Croce, 8
In & Around: Villa Borghese, Terrazza del Pincio, Piazza di Spagna, Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo
Order: Whatever they’ve got! Amatriciana or pesto, if they have it.
Reasonable Eats Rome:
The following are not budget eats, however if you’re looking for nicer sit-down meals in Rome that offer decent prices for the atmosphere and food quality, (and aren’t tourist traps!) then here are my suggestions. Since I normally eat at more casual eateries when visiting Rome, this list is not as thorough.
Keep in mind that many sit-down restaurants in Rome have an added service charge, which is typically €1 to €3 per person. This is not a tip that goes to the waiters, it instead goes to the restaurant. Tipping in Rome is completely optional, and €1 to €3 or around 5 to 10% is enough if you want to show a little extra appreciation for your service.
Osteria Nuvolari
This lovely Roman restaurant is home to flavorful and delightful food at decent value. The pasta dishes range from €10 to €14, while the meat dishes are €10 to €15. The focaccia is expertly coated with olive and rosemary (€4), while the meat and cheese plates were €8 per person (pictured is a serving for two people). The creamy ravioli I had was very filling so I had no room for dessert, but their tiramisu was quite tempting. Their menu is expansive without being overwhelming, making this a great place to try any regional food you haven’t had the chance to order yet.
Via degli Ombrellari, 10
In & Around: Vatican City, Castel Sant’Angelo
Order: Ravioli Castelmagno
MASTO a Testaccio
Meat lovers, this place is for you.
This is the place to try meaty Roman dishes like Roman oxtail stew (Coda alla Vaccinara), rolled meat with ham and potatoes (Saltimbocca alla Romana), pasta with tomato, pecorino cheese, and pork cheek sauce (Pasta Amatriciana), and meatballs with tomato sauce (Polpette alla Romana). You’ll also find plenty of hearty pasta options like gnocchi, lasagna, and risotto. The gnocchi is fantastic and really a must order. Their reviews also rave about their cold cuts and cheese platters, although I haven’t tried them yet. If you’re unsure of what to order, their staff is quite friendly and ready to help you build a personalized Roman feast. The pasta dishes are €12 to €16 while the meat dishes are in the €12 to €22. You’re practically guaranteed a very favorable and memorable meal.
Via Galvani, 39/41
In & Around: Testaccio, Giardino degli Aranci
Order: Gnocchi, Whatever the staff recommends for your taste
Tacito
Tacito doesn’t fit into many of the traditional restaurants in Rome between their modern decor, well-lit interior, and QR code menus (although that might’ve been a COVID addition). However just because it’s not a classic Roman spot doesn’t mean this place lacks heart. We visited at around 11PM one evening after arriving in Rome later than expected due to a delayed flight. We hoped to start our trip with an Italian restaurant and Tacito was the only place in the area still open. At this hour they only offered pizza which worked out perfectly for us.
For such a nice looking place and hearty portions the prices were more than reasonable. The personal pizzas ranged from €11 to €14, with many of the pizzas having more intricate toppings. I ended up going with the RE for €12 which was topped with truffle cream, mozzarella, mushroom, prosciutto, and burrata. I’d very happily order this item again, although the menu was filled with a diverse mix of immaculate looking options like their spicy Angel & Demons pasta.
Via Tacito, 18
In & Around: Prati, Castel Sant’Angelo, Piazza del Popolo
Order: RE Pizza
Old Bear
Old Bear was introduced to me by a colleague who’s been living in Rome for over fifteen years. It’s a wholesome eatery, and between the welcoming staff and pleasant dishes, it’s sure to be an overall great dining experience. The menu is charmingly handwritten, and the dishes served are rich and comforting. Although I’ve only visited once, I certainly plan to return.
Their meat dishes can range from €10 to €20 per person and pasta dishes from €10 to €16 per person. Their lasagna is around €12 and just excellent.
Via dei Gigli d'Oro, 3
In & Around: Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Castel Sant’Angelo
Order: Lasagna Tartufo