The specialities to try
- Supplì: a rice croquette with tomato ragù and a heart of mozzarella that stretches when you cut it, hence its nickname "supplì al telefono" (the telephone cord). It is breaded and fried. You find it in the "friggitorie" and in pizza al taglio shops. Expect to pay €1.50 to €3 each.
- Pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice): a big rectangular tray, sold by weight or by the slice, with varied toppings: margherita, potatoes, courgettes, mortadella. A thick, airy dough, very different from the round restaurant pizza.
- Trapizzino: a triangle of open pizza dough filled with a Roman stew (chicken cacciatora, meatballs in tomato sauce, tripe, oxtail). It was born in Testaccio in 2008. Expect to pay €3.50 to €5.
- Porchetta: roast pork stuffed with garlic, rosemary and wild fennel, served sliced in a crusty roll. The most renowned comes from Ariccia, in the Castelli Romani (protected geographical indication).
- Fritti: fried salt cod fillets (filetti di baccalà), courgette flowers, stuffed Ascoli olives, potato croquettes.
- Maritozzo: a split brioche bun filled with whipped cream, the Roman sweet for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
- Panini and pizzette: red or white pizzette, perfect for a snack.
Where to eat: established addresses
- Trapizzino, Testaccio (Via Giovanni Branca 88): the original address, to eat standing up.
- Supplizio (Via dei Banchi Vecchi, near Campo de' Fiori): high-quality supplì, closed on Sunday according to the information found; it is a little more expensive than in the neighbourhood friggitorie.
- Pizzarium Bonci (Via della Meloria, near the Vatican): Gabriele Bonci's pizza al taglio, a reference for seasonal toppings.
- Antico Forno Roscioli and the Campo de' Fiori bakery (historic centre): pizza bianca and rossa, pastries, to eat on the square; see Campo de' Fiori.
- La Renella (Trastevere): wood-fired oven, pizza al taglio and pastries.
- Mercato Centrale (Termini station): pizza, trapizzino and cheese counters under one roof: see the page on the Mercato Centrale.
Eating in the markets
Covered markets are excellent street-food addresses, at much gentler prices than the tourist streets. The Testaccio market is the most renowned for its slow-cooked sandwiches. The Esquilino market offers inexpensive international food; the Trionfale market is perfect before or after the Vatican Museums; and at weekends the "cuochi contadini" of the Campagna Amica market at the Circus Maximus serve traditional dishes. On Sundays, the Porta Portese flea market is a chance for a snack between stalls. Our guide to Rome's markets gives days and hours.
Summary table: what to eat and for how much
| Speciality | Indicative price | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Supplì | €1.50-3 | Friggitorie, Supplizio, markets |
| Pizza al taglio | By weight or by the slice | Pizzarium, neighbourhood bakeries |
| Trapizzino | €3.50-5 | Testaccio, Mercato Centrale |
| Porchetta sandwich | Depends on size | Markets, food trucks |
| Maritozzo | Depends on the address | Pastry shops, cafés |
Indicative prices noted in October 2026: they vary with the address and the filling.
Tips for eating well on the go
- Eat standing or take away: most counters charge more for a seat; the "coperto" does not apply to takeaway in paper.
- Avoid tourist traps: the streets around the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona are full of touts; prefer side streets and counters where Romans queue.
- Pizza by weight: ask the size of the slice, which is weighed in front of you, and check the price per kilo before ordering.
- Water: bring a bottle, as the city's "nasoni" fountains are free.
- Hours: many counters close in the afternoon and on Sundays; check before going.
Going further
To go further, read our guide to what to eat in Rome, our selection of pizza in Rome, the Testaccio neighbourhood and the budget for Rome to calculate your meals.
