Testaccio or Trastevere: the short answer
- Testaccio: pick it if you want traditional Roman cooking, the quinto quarto (offal), the covered market and a morning outing. The feel is that of a residential area, with few monuments. See the Testaccio neighbourhood and the Testaccio market.
- Trastevere: pick it for the cobbled lanes, wine, fritti and pizza, in the late afternoon or evening, with one or two historic stops. It is more touristy but very pleasant. See the Trastevere neighbourhood and where to eat in Trastevere.
- Who for: Testaccio suits food lovers who want to taste what Romans eat, Trastevere those after a friendly evening with wine. Both are done on foot, without climbs.
The tours on offer
| Tour | Length | Indicative price | What you taste | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trastevere, food and wine, with 20 tastings | 3 to 4 h | Around €100 to €130 | Several stops: Roman specialities and wine (depending on the operator) | Food lovers, an evening with friends | See |
| Testaccio market with tastings | About 3 h | From about $100 | Covered market, local produce, slow-cooked sandwiches | A morning, everyday cooking | See |
| Testaccio: street food, market and traditions | About 3 h | Depends on the date | Street food, market, neighbourhood specialities | A first taste of Roman food | See |
Prices and lengths noted in October 2026 from listings and operator websites: they vary with the date, the season and group size. Check the listing before booking, as well as what is included (drinks, number of stops).
What you taste
- In Testaccio: slow-cooked market sandwiches, supplì, cured meats and cheeses, sometimes a plate of Roman pasta in a local trattoria. The trapizzino was born here; see our guide to street food in Rome.
- In Trastevere: depending on the operator, pizza, fritti, supplì, cured meats, cheeses, pasta (carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana) and Lazio wines, with a dessert or a coffee.
- Allergies and diets: tell the operator when you book. The tours are heavy on meat and cheese; a vegetarian version is sometimes offered on request.
How to choose
- Morning or evening: Testaccio is done in the morning, when the market is open (closed on Sunday); Trastevere in the late afternoon or evening.
- Group size: small groups are nicer and cost more; check the maximum number of participants.
- Number of tastings: compare the number of stops and the real amount served rather than the "20 tastings" claim; the tour sometimes replaces lunch or dinner.
- Drinks: wine is included in some tours only.
- Cancellation: read the cancellation and rescheduling terms on the listing before paying.
- Without a guide: a meal in a Testaccio trattoria, or a cooking class, to cook for yourself.
Going further
To go further, read our guide to what to eat in Rome, the trattorias serving Roman cuisine, the best pizza in Rome and the markets of Rome.
To follow up with the wines of Lazio, compare the tastings: Wine tasting in Rome: which tour to choose?.
