The Travelling Maple Leaf

Introduction

Searching for the best food in Rome? The vast number of restaurants, cafes, and pastry shops can make finding food while exploring the city overwhelming. To ensure you get the full Rome experience, visit La Nuova Piazzetta, Sciascia Caffe dal 1919, Gelateria del Teatro, and others. Keep reading to learn about these dining experiences and others to ensure you leave no stone unturned during your trip to Rome.

Food in Rome: Pizza & Pasta

La Nuova Piazzetta

La Nouva Piazzetta has become well known for its delicious pasta and other traditional Italian dishes. Served in a formal and cozy dining environment, this is the perfect location for an authentic Italian meal. Its popularity speaks to the quality and freshness of its food which makes this a restaurant you don’t want to miss when in Rome.

Only a 7-minute walk from the Colosseum, La Nuova Piazetta is the perfect addition to an evening stroll through the beautiful city of Rome. This restaurant is popular so if you visit during peak dining times expect to wait but rest assured, the wait time is worth it.

The service is prompt and friendly and the food is amazing. We tried a few pasta dishes including Carbonara con Pasta Fresca and the Pasta fresca Alfredo. With freshly made pasta onsite, you can’t go wrong with this authentic Italian dining experience. To top it all off, the cost of dining is reasonable, and portions are generous.

Pasta Imperiale

If you are searching for a quick bite to eat that is fresh, flavorful, and delicious then you need to visit Pasta Imperiale. This restaurant offers completely customizable pasta dishes for take-out or casual dine-in. You choose the pasta and the sauce from several different mouth-watering options. Some of their deals include salads and drinks for reasonable prices.

The pasta was delicious and the best part of this dining experience was their tiramisu. Since it is a takeaway restaurant, the tiramisu comes packaged in a plastic container and may not have the most exciting presentation, however, it is delicious. Make sure to order one and try it for yourself if you visit Pasta Imperiale!

La Prezzemolina

Searching for pizza on the go? La Prezzemolina has you covered. Serving delicious pizzas ready in minutes, this restaurant is the perfect quick stop during a fast-paced day of touring Rome.

The Pizza is measured by the gram and they have a wide variety of options. This is a great opportunity to try a few different flavors at once. The staff are friendly and welcoming. The seating is limited and can be difficult to find if the restaurant is busy, so I recommend visiting before or after peak mealtimes.

La Prezzemolina is conveniently located 450 meters from the Colosseum which is approximately a 6-minute walk. The restaurant is also near other sites such as the Roman Forum. The location of La Prezzemolina and the fresh quality of their pizza make it a great stop for lunch while exploring the city and its history.

Food in Rome: Coffee Shops

L’Antico Forno di Piazza Trevi

This beautiful café with a view of the Trevi Fountain has become a popular stop for tourists looking for breakfast, lunch, or coffee. Located in a popular tourist area, this café is the perfect stop for a morning coffee and snack.

L’Antico Forno di Piazza Trevi has a beautiful view of the Trevi Fountain from its patio. However, the large crowds that flock to the fountain often obstruct the view from the café. This makes a quiet morning coffee looking at this lovely fountain a bit difficult to attain. Even though the view may not be perfect depending on foot traffic, this café offers a great place to sit down, relax, and escape the large crowds for a few moments.  

Overall, this café is delicious, beautiful, and full of traditional Italian coffees and goodies. Pair the beautiful view of the Trevi Fountain with a perfectly roasted espresso and a sweet treat for a lovely memory of this iconic city and fountain.

Sciascia Caffe dal 1919

Sciascia Caffe dal 1919 served the best coffee that I have tried in all of Rome. This café was recommended to us by a local and it was delicious! Sciascia Caffe is known for mixing coffee and chocolate to make delicious and rich creations. Their chocolate espresso is very popular and I particularly loved their cappuccino with cream and chocolate chips.

Sciascia Caffe dal 1919 is located near Vatican City but is not as central to other tourist destinations as the other locations listed. Nonetheless, this café is worth the venture for delicious coffee in a cozy dining area or on a covered patio.

Food in Rome: Gelato & Tiramisu

Gelateria del Teatro

A delicious cone of gelato is the perfect way to wander the streets of Rome. However, many gelato shops cater to tourists and don’t serve fresh and authentic gelato. But don’t worry, I’ve listed a few of the most authentic and delicious gelato shops in Rome including the Gelateria del Teatro.

This adorable gelato shop is nestled in the center of Rome and may be overlooked if you aren’t seeking it out. But believe me, it is worth a visit with its fresh ingredients and use of both traditional and new flavors. Gelateria del Teatro is known for using different herbs to find unique flavor combinations. Commonly referred to as the best gelato in Rome, this shop should be added to your travel itinerary.

Giolitti

Giolitti Gelato is known as one of the best gelato shops in Rome. There are a few located in the city with one only a 4-minute walk away from the Pantheon.

Giolitti has been a family-run business for three generations and has accumulated years of experience in mastering the art of gelato. With a classic and elegant ambiance, Giolotti is the perfect stop for gelato with several delicious and rich flavors.

Given how delicious and fresh this gelato is, it’s no surprise that Giolotti is often busy with long lines of people. Allow yourself plenty of time to wait if you are intent on trying some of this famous gelato.

Two Sizes Pastry Shop

This pastry shop is home to delicious tiramisu and other Italian goodies. Two Sizes Pastry Shop is known for its five different flavors of homemade tiramisu.

The flavors of tiramisu they offer are classic, strawberry, caramel, pistachio, and peanut butter. All these flavor combinations are fresh, delicious, and creamy.

The staff is polite and they serve customers quickly which minimizes wait times despite the popularity and business of this shop. Located only a 2-minute walk from the Piazza Navona you truly can’t miss this great stop. Two Sizes Pastry Shop is the perfect location for a delicious and quick dessert.

Explore Rome through food using this list as your guide to dining. The rich flavors of Rome contribute to how you experience the city and can spark fond memories of your dreamy trip to Italy. If you’ve visited Rome, comment on your favorite restaurant, café, or dessert shop.

Disclaimer: I can only attest to my personal experiences and I am therefore not liable for any negative experiences you may encounter.