Rome for Foodies

What to Expect

Discover how ancient Romans had breakfast, lunch, and dinner, what gladiators and legionnaires ate, how emperors and city nobility feasted during the Late Empire period, and what was on the menu in Rome in the following centuries!

Starting from the Ponte district with its numerous bridges, boutique shops, antique stores, taverns, and cafes, we will immerse ourselves in the vibrant aromas of coffee and pastries. A short walk will lead us to the oldest and most picturesque market in the city, with its colorful array of spices, vegetables, fruits, and other typical and exotic products.

I will share the history of the market square, show you where to have a breakfast of hot pizza filled with mortadella (delicious Italian sausage) or fresh figs. We will also taste water from the small Nasone fountain (big nose) - as Romans call drinking fountains, and if you wish, we can enjoy some wine at the nearest wine bar. I will share my knowledge of local wines and the legends associated with them.

I will show you the house where the famous tavern 'La locanda della Vacca' was located, managed by Vannozza Cattanei - the mistress of Pope Alexander VI Borgia and mother of Lucrezia, Cesare, Juan, all born in the same house, where you can still see the family crest (by the way, there is a great series 'The Borgias' about the dramatic history of Rome during the reign of the debauched Pope Alexander VI).

We will stroll down a street full of shops and stop at a tiny osteria, whose menu - one of a kind - reflects the culinary traditions of ancient Rome. We will reach Largo Argentina, where we will briefly discuss the history of this important archaeological complex before delving into the winding alleys of the former Ghetto.

Here, we will taste the best artichokes in Rome and enjoy a rich selection of cheeses at the 'U Beppe' cafe. Of course, we will visit the Theater of Marcellus and the Portico of Octavia. Another legend of this district is associated with the ancient recipe of the famous Roman fish soup.

We will then cross a bridge and find ourselves in Trastevere: the realm of culinary delights - the liveliest and most cheerful district of Rome. Amidst the medieval streets around the beautiful church of Santa Maria in Trastevere, I will show you bakeries and restaurants frequented by locals (the area has become very touristy lately).

We will then take a taxi to a must-visit place - Eataly, a paradise for foodies. Housed in a former air terminal, Eataly offers everything on its four floors: all imaginable Italian products, restaurants, wine bars, culinary schools. You can taste any Italian dish and wine, browse the fish and meat sections, check out the vending machines for fresh milk, visit the pasta factory, bakeries, and breweries...

One could talk endlessly about all this, but it's better to visit Rome and savor the delicacies of Roman and Italian cuisine yourself!