The 5 Best Street Foods in Rome

Time and time again, I’m taken aback by how little-known Rome’s street food scene is. Yes, the Eternal City’s assortment of top-class restaurants is nothing short of extraordinary, but sometimes, good old-fashioned streetside snacks can be just as tantalizing.

That’s not to say that a sit-down meal in a cozy Roman trattoria near the Vatican or the Colosseum isn’t a preferred pastime of mine, but grab-and-go snacks from the stalls and food markets are criminally underrated here. Convenience and quality are certainly not mutually exclusive in the Italian capital, that’s for sure!

If pizza bianca by the slice, battered cod fillets, fresh maritozzos and roasted pork sandwiches sound like something that appeals to you, read on to find my complete guide to the best Roman street foods. Each has been tried and vouched for by me and included on my Rome food tours.

Pizza al Taglio 

It wouldn’t feel right to kickstart this list of the best street food in Rome with anything other than pizza al taglio, translating to “pizza by the slice.” Although a typical takeaway food in much of the Western world, like most things, it’s just that bit better in Rome.

It’s thought that pizza al taglio was developed in the mid-1900s, a time when traditional, round Neapolitan pizzas had yet to make it to Rome. After bakers learned of this increasingly popular creation, they had to put their own spin on it to work with their rectangular electric ovens.

Pizza al taglio follows the same procedure you’d expect: pick your slice, get it heated, and enjoy. However, these square-shaped varieties have thick, crispy dough. Sweet tomatoes and mild mozzarella are essentials, while spicy salami and peppery arugula are toppings I always go for.

Where To Eat It?

Ten minutes from the Pantheon lies a Roman pizzeria that’s never failed me in a constantly growing number of visits. Pizzeria Romana al Taglio is a stylish spot with beautiful aesthetics, a handful of seats, and a long line of returning customers.

Not only do they serve the best pizza bases which are delightfully crunchy and the toppings generous, but they also offer low-carb and vegan slices. If, like me, you tend to be quite indecisive when faced with a dreamy line-up of pizzas, you can’t go wrong with a margherita topped with creamy mozzarella from Lazio.

Pizzeria Romana al Taglio (€) – Via del Governo Vecchio, 10, 00186 Roma RM, Italy, Every day, 11:30 am to 7:00 pm

Supplì 

 

Ask any local what their favorite traditional Roman street food is, and I can say with some confidence that at least half of them will mention supplì. These deep-fried rice-ball-like treats bear many similarities to Sicily’s arancini, though they’re usually smaller and shaped like croquettes.

Little is known about supplì’s origins, though it’s likely linked to the Arab influence spreading north, which introduced rice to kitchens all over Rome. The name itself may come from the French word for surprise, in light of Napolean’s troops’ reaction to this mouthwatering snack.

Covered in crackling breadcrumbs and filled with sticky rice, gooey mozzarella, and a hearty tomato sauce, these cheap eats are at the top of my street food roster. I can’t seem to walk past a stall or store without picking up a handful of them for myself.

Where To Eat It?

East of the Tiber River in the Trastevere area is a casual eatery for ready-to-eat bites called Supplì Roma. Despite the name, Supplì Roma also serves to-go pizzas and pasta dishes, though I’d be lying if I said I ever look beyond these golden cylinders. They’re simply exquisite!

Supplì Roma focuses on street food, and the in-and-out concept means you’ll never have to wait long to get your hands on some supplì. However, I’ve devoured mine in seconds on more than one occasion and rejoined the line, and they might leave the same impression on you.

They even serve carbonara supplì here; the first time I had it, it was out of this world; the creamy mix of egg and cheese blended with the buttery crunch from the batter was a delicious combination.

Supplì Roma (€) – Via di S. Francesco a Ripa, 137, 00153 Roma RM, Italy, Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 9:00 am

Trapizzino 

Trapizzino differs from many other additions to the round-up of the best street foods in Rome, as it’s only been around since 2008 when it was invented by the great chef Stefano Callegari.

These stuffed pizza dough pockets quickly cemented themselves as a pillar of Rome’s street food circuit and continue making waves amongst foodies.

New or innovative takes on long-standing dishes are usually quite controversial, but trapizzino has managed to defy the odds and is here to stay. This delectable on-the-go offering first came about thanks to a brainwave from a Roman chef while working in his pizza al taglio store.

Comprised of thick triangular-shaped dough, rich tomato sauce, and delicate mozzarella, trapizzino takes pizza to the next level. The likes of eggplant, artichokes, and meatballs are just a handful of the toppings you’ll have to pick from.

Where To Eat It?

The only place you can sample trapizzino is at one of the namesake eateries, Trapizzino | Testaccio, as the original store has expanded into several outlets around the city. 

You’ll have six locations to pick from when sampling this great Italian food, though the Testaccio store is an extra special as this is the neighborhood Trapizzino came from.

Trapizzino’s slick Testaccio branch has a stellar craft beer selection to wash down your pizza pocket with. If it’s your first visit, I encourage you to go for the chicken cacciatore, which is made with tender chicken thighs and an intense blend of tomatoes, garlic, wine, and rosemary.

Trapizzino | Testaccio (€) – Via Giovanni Giolitti, 36, 00185 Roma BA, Italy, Every day, 11:00 am to 12:00 am

Panino con Porchetta

Who knew the Romans crafted such tasty sandwiches? Panino con porchetta is the perfect snack when you’re in the market for something quick and filling. Made by combining slow-roasted pork and fresh bread, I think the beauty of these sandwiches is in their simplicity.

The central component, porchetta, is believed to date back over 3,000 years when those in Ancient Rome would prepare this crispy-skinned delicacy as a sacrifice to their gods. Today, the meat still takes center stage and is served only with bread and no other ingredients.

Homemade ciabatta is often served with porchetta as it soaks up all the meaty juices. Stuffed with garlic, sage, and rosemary, each slice of tender porchetta is packed full of flavor, all of which is made even better because of the diverse fusion of tender, chewy, and brittle textures.

Where To Eat It?

I’ve tried more panini con porchetta than I care to admit, but La Vita è Un Mozzico seems to get better with every visit. This hole-in-the-wall spot around the corner from Piazza del Popolo deserves all the praise it gets.

You’ll likely be tempted by the dreamy selection of fillings, with pesto, salami, and mozzarella all on the menu, but trust me on this one: keep it classic and stick to the porchetta and bread. Adding additional fillings will take away from the herbaceous and aromatic nature of the porchetta.

La Vita è Un Mozzico (€) – Via Angelo Brunetti, 4, 00186 Roma RM, Italy, Monday to Wednesday and Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, Thursday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Saturday, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm

Filetto di baccalà

Among the most revered Roman street foods is filetto di baccala, a battered cod fillet that has been feeding locals on the go since Ancient Rome.

Originating amongst immigrants in the Jewish Ghetto around the 15th century, filetto di baccala has links to Spain and Portugal as much of the Jewish population fled to Italy from these Iberian nations.

Simple but incredibly flavorful, filetto di baccala is made by dipping succulent cod fillets into an egg-based batter and deep-frying until perfectly golden. The gentle, slightly sweet cod and crunchy batter is an unbeatable pairing and one that I just can’t say no to!

Where To Eat It?

You’ll notice filetto di baccala on menus all over the city, but Dar Filettaro a Santa Barbara near Campo de’ Fiori is an entire establishment dedicated to these fried snacks.

While they also offer a lovely salad, you’ll notice from the name that this place revolves around their sought-after filetti di baccala. The portion of it is extremely generous, especially the size of the battered cod. 

I’ll never forget the sizzle from the battered cod; the crisp, buttery batter had some salty notes and added a nice crunch to the soft texture of the flaky cod, which had a pleasant, lightly sweetened edge that would excite any avid seafood lover.

Dar Filettaro a Santa Barbara (€) – Largo dei Librari, 88, 00186 Roma RM, Italy, Monday to Saturday, 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm

Conclusion

Here ends my Rome street food guide! The Italian capital has a never-ending list of curbside nibbles, and you’d need more than a handful of trips to sample them all.

Go beyond the surface of the city’s street food scene by taking our Trastevere Rome food tour to sample the most authentic eats in fascinating tasting rooms.