Best Street Food in Rome: The Local Guide

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Italy’s food is definitely one of the biggest reasons why I’ve always felt drawn to explore the country and its culture. The first Italian city I ever landed in was Rome, and it was an instant love affair. 

I made a conscious decision to stay in the Trastevere neighborhood (check out these divine restaurants in this part of Rome) as it’s a renowned foodie dream, and I wasn’t disappointed one bit. That bit aside, I, of course, explored all over the city, from the Jewish Quarter to Monti (my second favorite area in Roma) to the historic center. 

I munched my way through the best street food in Rome. The foods we’ve listed in this article are iconically Roman bites, inspired by its history and heritage, as well as some modern takes on old-time classics.

P.S. If you’re planning a trip to Italy, I would recommend three days in Rome. That’s a great amount of time to get a good feel for the city (though admittedly we traveled all over the country for a month, and it was the perfect amount of time: not too short, not too long).

1. Suppli

Is it an arancina? Is it a croquette? No, it’s suppli! 

While these deep-fried rice balls of goodness are quite similar to arancini, they are most certainly not the same as the original Sicilian snack — but they absolutely qualify as some of the best street food in Rome to try. 

Suppli look similar to arancini, so it begs an explanation of the differences. Both arancini and suppli contain risotto rice and mozzarella, but suppli are made with a tomato sauce and minced meat. Which came first? Arancini were invented circa the 10th century; suppli in the 19th. I’ll leave it at that.) 

You’ll mostly find suppli at pizzerias or served as appetizers on restaurant menus, as well as at Italian parties and family gatherings. There are also slight variations of the original suppli. For example, at Supplì Roma (one of Rome’s most famous street food spots), they are made with ragù sauce, amatriciana, Cacio cheese and pepper, and carbonara.

Best place to try suppli in Rome: Supplì Roma 

2. Pinsa Romana

Pinsa Romana was the first of the best street food in Rome that we tried as soon as we hit the streets of Roma. Staying in Trastevere, my hubby stumbled across a little takeaway pinseria. He had previously visited Rome and it was one of his favorite things, so he couldn’t wait for me to taste pinsa Romana.

First things first, pinsa is NOT pizza! Dating all the way back to ancient Roman times, pinsa is a lot lighter, crispier on the outside, i.e., around the crust, and more airy than traditional pizza. It’s also more rustic in its shapeless design, and it’s never circular but rather oval. I would say it’s closer to focaccia than pizza, in my opinion. 

The dough itself is also fermented for longer than pizza dough. Enjoy it with all sorts of toppings, just depending on where you are buying it from. 

Best place to try pinsa Romana in Rome: Pinsa ‘Mpò

3. Panino con Porchetta

If ‘panino’ refers to a sandwich, ‘con’ translates to ‘with’ and ‘porchetta’ is pork roast (not to be mistaken with the cured meat, prosciutto), then a panino con porchetta means a sandwich with pork roast — and that’s exactly what this delicious little parcel is all about! 

If you’re a lover of pork, then you have to add this to the top of that list of the best street food in Rome to try. While it might sound simple, you’ll be devastated you left it off! It is quite literally made from two things that Italians know how to do so well: bread and pork. So, it’s kind of a no-brainer. 

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Ultra-filling, this Roman street food is the perfect on-the-go snack, or for breakfast. And remember, the pork roast is slow-cooked, too, and typically stuffed with ingredients like rosemary, sage, and garlic. So these flavors come through in the meat. 

The best part about it? Those extra crispy fatty crackling bits; my mouth is literally watering just typing this.   

Best place to try panino con porchetta in Rome: La Vita è Un Mozzico; Vox Populi; Er Buchetto 

4.  Filetti di baccalà

Want to learn something interesting about one of our next best street food in Rome? If you’re looking for fresh cod (the fish) at the market/supermarket, in Italian it goes by ‘merluzzo.’ However, when you’re after cod that has been preserved or salt-cured, it then changes to ‘baccalà.’ 

Filetti di baccalà are deep-fried fillets of the extra salty cod fish and reminds me of the battered types of fish you find at a local chippy — just a hell of a lot saltier, which is right up my alley. (I’m part Hungarian, and apparently, we Hungarians love our salt!)

Munch down on these yummy battered fishy snacks at a local bar, or restaurant. The Romans love to squeeze some lemon on top, and it’s often eaten before the pizza course. They’re typically served in the ‘frito’ cone, like all good fried Italian food. They have Roman-Jewish origins.  

Best place to try filetti di baccalà in Rome: Dar Filettaro a Santa Barbara; Yotvata; Osteria Pesce Fritto e Baccalà

5. Pizza al taglio

Again, the best way to describe pizza al taglio is to translate it for you — I love how directly descriptive Italian can be! 

In this case, this best street food in Rome directly translates to ‘pizza by the cut.’ You’ll spot these pizza squares alol over the city! One thing I noticed was that there are either pizzerias, pinserias, or pizza shops where pizza al taglio is sold. 

Instead of dough that is spun in the air and then fired in the wood oven, the dough is placed into a square/rectangular-shaped tin tray and then baked in the wood-fired oven in these trays. Perhaps this is where Philly got its pizza-pie inspiration from (which is also always sold as a square)? Pizza al taglio’s base is also thicker than your traditional Roman-style pizza, light inside, and crispy on the outside. Slices are sold by weight. 

P.S. Unlike cities such as Firenze, where the best street food in Florence is a lot of panini and sandwich-based goods, variations of pizza reign supreme in Rome. 

Best place to try pizza al taglio in Rome: Spizzica Roma; Alice Pizza; Pizza Florida

6. Trapizzino

Introducing a newer contender of the best street food in Rome: trapizzino. 

Yup, that’s right. These stuffed pizza pockets/sandwiches were invented by Rome-based pizzaiolo Stefano Callegari back in 2008. Callegari was inspired to create something new on the Italian food scene while still respecting ancient traditions. And so, the trapizzino was born. It’s a fusion of the tramezzino (the triangle-shaped sandwich) that is stuffed with classic Roman ingredients. Instead of using white bread, he replaced this with pizza dough. 

The name makes me think of a trapped pizza pocket, and I think it’s really cute, as they kind of are little traps of delicious pizza toppings! Now, you’ll spot them all over Rome (and the world, too).  

Best place to try trapizzino in Rome: Trapizzino 

7. Carciofi alla giudia

Okay, I have always enjoyed eating artichokes, but I have to admit, after my first visit to Italy, I became OBSESSED with artichokes and went through about a jar a week at home, putting them on everything, from homemade pizza to rice crackers to serving them mezze-style any chance I got. 

With my newfound appreciation, I can totally relate to the Romans’ fondness for the edible plant, and obviously had to include it as part of the best street food in Rome — not to mention it most certainly is. 

Another food made popular through the city’s Jewish communities, deep-fried artichokes have become a staple, and you’ll always find it on an antipasti menu, or served as bar snacks. Not to mention they are sold fresh almost everywhere when in season. 

The deep-fried rendition is known as carciofi alla giudia — although I don’t mind them any which way. You gotta try them! 

Best place to try carciofi alla giudia in Rome: Trattoria Vecchia Roma; Piccolo Arancio; La Piccola Cuccagna

8. Maritozzi 

Don’t think we forgot our delicious sweet best street food in Rome! Walking the streets of Roma, you’ll see maritozzi everywhere, from bakeries to cafes, even supermarkets. 

These sweet Italian buns (brioche vibes) are split down the middle and then filled with sweetened whipped cream. I feel like we’ve taken this original rendition and sold it around the world now — I know you find them at most supermarket’s bakery sections in South Africa, anyway! 

They’re best enjoyed in the morning with a cappuccino (I’ve seen Italians dunk the buns into their coffee), but I’d say any time of day is acceptable, teehee. By the way, did you know that, in Italy, cappuccino is typically reserved for the morning? The milkiness of the coffee pairs so well with this bun, and the two really balance each other. But I don’t put any sugar in my coffee, and I don’t think the Italians do either. 

Foodie tip: I heard through the grapevine that Il Maritozzi Rosso now does a savory rendition of the classic sweet maritozzi! Located in foodie-centric Trastevere, it’s totally worth a taste! 

Best place to try maritozzi  in Rome: Il Maritozzaro; Regoli Pasticceria 

While I absolutely adore Rome, Florence is without a doubt my favorite place in all of Italy. Firenze’s restaurant scene is out of this world due to its positioning in the Tuscan countryside, including vegan options as well as its pasta joints. And Florence’s nightlife vibes was really my glass of Aperol Spritz! 

But everywhere in Italy has something different to offer. For even more inspiration, explore these bucket list day trips from Milan, including Lake Como! 

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