Share a taste of local life in Rome's non-touristy Testaccio neighborhood, and visit the famous Testaccio market.
Highlights
Explore Rome’s famous Testaccio neighborhood, a bustling hub of food, flavors, and culture — on a private tour designed exclusively for your group.
Master the art of making bruschetta and create your own with fresh tomatoes from local vendors at Testaccio Market — hands-on fun for kids, adults, and corporate teams alike.
Try Rome’s three iconic pastas — carbonara, amatriciana, and cacio e pepe — the cornerstones of local cuisine, all in one tour.
Visit Testaccio Market highlights and be mesmerized by its incredible tapestry of historical surprises.
Step into history at a 105-year-old gelateria and learn the difference between real gelato and the fake stuff.
Built for families, couples, corporate groups, food lovers, and celebrations — it’s just your group, your guide, your pace.
Tour Description
Looking for a private food tour in Rome that skips the tourist traps and takes your group into a real Roman neighborhood? Our private Taste of Testaccio is Rome’s original food tour — running since 2011 — now available as a private experience designed exclusively for your group.
Your private experience begins at Testaccio Market, where your dedicated local guide walks you through vendors who have been perfecting their trade for decades — from the freshest fruit and herbs to freshly baked bread. Watch these ingredients come together in front of you to make bruschetta and caprese salad with fresh buffalo mozzarella, right there in the market. From there, venture deeper into Testaccio for Roman street food, Rome’s three iconic pastas — carbonara, amatriciana, and cacio e pepe — and a finale at a legendary 105-year-old gelateria.
Along the way, you’ll catch glimpses of Testaccio’s hidden surprises — including Europe’s only pyramid and some of the city’s most striking street art.
Who this private food tour is for:
- Families with kids (4+) — The bruschetta-making is hands-on and kids love it. Parents love the wine.
- Couples and celebrations — Anniversaries, birthdays, milestone trips. Testaccio is romantic because it’s real.
- Corporate groups and team building — Offsites, client entertainment, incentive trips, conference programs. The interactive bruschetta-making makes this one of our best team-building formats.
- Food lovers and foodies — All three iconic Roman pastas in one tour. Few experiences in Rome go this deep.
- First-time Rome visitors wanting authentic — Testaccio is where Romans actually eat.
- Groups of friends — Keep everyone together, at your pace.
Unlike our small-group tour, a private booking means your schedule, your pace, your people.
Dietary Information
Vegetarian-Friendly Tours. Because it’s a private booking, we can accommodate most dietary needs with advance notice — vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and halal. Please share dietary restrictions upon booking for best accommodation. Note that tastings outside those catered for your needs are at your own risk. The company assumes no responsibility for any food allergies or intolerances. Guests with severe or life-threatening allergies cannot participate in this activity for their safety.
Why Eat with Us?
- It’s just your group — no strangers, no shared tables. Your guide, your pace, your people.
- Expert Local Guides — Fun, knowledgeable, English-fluent Rome locals. Other languages on request.
- Flexible scheduling — You pick the date and time. Perfect for family mornings, corporate offsites, or a first-day Rome orientation.
- Custom itinerary — Pacing, focus, and stops tailored to your group — more time at the market, more time with the pastas, or a full food-history deep dive.
- Established Expertise — Rome’s original food tour. Since 2011, simply the best.
EATING EUROPE INC. CANCELLATION POLICY
Small Group Tours
A tour can be cancelled with a full refund up to 24 hours before tour departure.
Private Tours
A private tour can be cancelled and fully refunded up to 7 days before tour departure
Gift Cards, Travel Vouchers & Flexi-Pass™
Gift cards, travel vouchers and Flexi-Pass™ are non-refundable.
LATE ARRIVALS AND NO SHOWS
Due to extremely strict time slots for entry into attractions and for food preparation, both in-person & virtual/online, we recommend you show up 15 minutes before the scheduled starting time of the tour or experience. Our group tours begin & depart precisely at the scheduled tour or experience start time. If you show up late or cannot find the meeting point, for any reason, refund requests are not honored per policy. If you are having a hard time arriving on time we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible so we can do everything in our power to assist you with arriving at the meeting point at the scheduled time or reschedule to the next available tour.
CANCELLATION DUE TO PLANES, TRAINS, AUTOMOBILES OR ILLNESS
Inside of 24 hours, your spot on the tour has been reserved exclusively for you. Since we are unable to fill your spot if you’re unable to attend for any reason (including transportation or illness), we do not offer refunds after that time. Please plan ahead so that you are able to join us and don’t miss out!
DISCOUNT CODES
Discount codes are valid for new bookings only. They are not eligible for pre-existing bookings and can not be applied retrospectively.
AMENDMENT POLICY
We would be happy to assist you with rescheduling your tour, free of charge, with any requests made more than 24 hours of 8am CET on the date of the tour. We reserve the right to charge an amendment fee should you request to reschedule within 24 hours of 8am CET on the date of your tour . Once again, this is subject to availability and price changes. In general, we only charge you for any additional costs that we incur such as tickets. We have no intention of profiting from disruptions to your vacation and will work with providers and suppliers to get this cost reduced to a minimum.
CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
From time to time, the terms of this policy may change at the Company’s discretion.
CONTACT US
If you have any questions regarding this privacy policy, you can contact us using the information below:
E-mail: [email protected]
Tour Highlights Include
The Flavors You'll Taste
- Cured meats and cheeses
- Supplì (fried, filled rice ball)
- Caprese salad with buffalo mozzarella
- Bruschetta (made by you with ingredients from the market)
- Pasta Carbonara
- Pasta Amatriciana
- Pasta Cacio e Pepe
- Gelato from a 105-year-old gelateria
- Red Wine
- White Wine
- Water
Please note that the items above are a selection of the delicious foods we often feature. Offerings may vary by day or season, but you're sure to enjoy a delightful array of local flavors.
Meeting Point
Piazza Testaccio, 39
Roma 00153
Your guide will be waiting for you and wearing our purple Eating Europe bag!
What's included in your private booking
- Dedicated private local guide
- 7 food and wine stops across Testaccio
- Guided walk through Testaccio Market with insider access to local vendors
- Hands-on bruschetta-making with fresh market ingredients
- Rome's three iconic pastas — carbonara, amatriciana, and cacio e pepe
- Gelato tasting at a 105-year-old gelateria
- Red and white wine pairings
- No hidden fees, no upsells
What Makes Testaccio Special
Testaccio, in the south of Rome, is the city’s historic food neighborhood. With its working-class roots, lively markets, and authentic trattorias, it offers a real taste of Roman life, away from the tourist crowds. From the morning bustle of market stalls to evening aperitivo spots, the streets and squares are always buzzing with local energy.
Food is at the heart of Testaccio. Traditional Roman dishes like coda alla vaccinara and carbonara sit alongside fresh produce at Mercato Testaccio and artisanal street food. Every corner celebrates centuries of culinary tradition, with recipes passed down through generations, preserving flavors you won’t find anywhere else.
What people are saying
Private tours
Our private Taste of Testaccio tours are one of the most popular corporate event experiences in Rome — and the go-to choice for families, food lovers, and groups who want the real thing.
How our private tours work: When you book a private Testaccio tour with Eating Europe, you get a dedicated expert guide and the flexibility to start at a time that works for you. Your tour is fully tailored — we go at your pace, making it ideal for families with young children, corporate teams, or anyone who wants a more personal experience. Private bookings start from 2 guests (up to 20 per group; larger groups accommodated on request). Prices are all-inclusive, with no hidden fees.
For corporate groups and team building: The hands-on bruschetta-making at Testaccio Market makes this one of our best corporate team-building tours — interactive, inclusive, and memorable. Ideal for offsites, client entertainment, incentive trips, and conference social programs. We offer company invoicing, advance payment, purchase orders, and dedicated event coordination.
Popular corporate use cases:
- Executive retreats and leadership offsites
- Sales incentive trips
- Client appreciation events
- Team building activities (the market bruschetta-making is a highlight)
- Conference social programs
- Board dinners and partner meetings
Languages available for private bookings: English by default. Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and German on request. Other languages may be available — please ask when booking.
Why Eat with Us?
#1 food and drink experience in Rome - 14 years. 500,000 Clients. 25,000 Five-Star Reviews!
Every tour is meticulously curated to showcase the very best of Rome’s food scene.
Exclusive access to the most legit local spots, from the famous hole in the wall to the trendy new restaurants.
Premium tours with expert guides, outstanding food, and drinks always included
Dining with Purpose
We proudly support World Central Kitchen. Every tour you book helps provide meals to communities in crisis.
Looking for a Unique Corporate Experience?
Treat your team or clients to a private food tour tailored to your needs. Flexible group sizes, seamless organization, and unforgettable moments in Europe’s top cities.
Meet Your Local Rome Tour Guides
Our Rome food tours are led by passionate locals who truly know the city. Cooks, sommeliers, baristas, storytellers, and culinary historians, they go far beyond the postcard sights to show you where Romans actually eat. More than guides, they’re generous hosts who share Rome through its food, turning each tour into a window onto daily Roman life, filled with stories, flavors, and moments that stay with you long after the last bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Tour Information
Is a private Taste of Testaccio food tour worth it?
Absolutely. This is Rome’s original food tour — running since 2011, with over 8,400 five-star reviews. The private version gives your group the full experience — 7 stops, 3 iconic pastas, Testaccio Market, and a 105-year-old gelateria — on your schedule and at your pace.
What's included in the price of the private food tour?
All food and drinks across 7 stops, plus your dedicated private local guide, the guided market walk, and the hands-on bruschetta-making. No hidden charges, no upsells.
How long is the tour?
This private food tour runs 3.5 hours and can be extended on request.
What neighborhood does the tour cover?
The tour covers Testaccio — Rome’s historic working-class food neighborhood, home to the famous Testaccio Market and some of the city’s best traditional trattorias.
What is the private group size?
Private bookings are available for 2 to 20 guests. For larger groups, contact us and we’ll design a custom experience — often split across parallel sessions.
How far in advance do I need to book a private food tour?
We recommend booking at least 2 weeks in advance. Corporate and family groups should book 4+ weeks ahead, especially during peak season (April–October).
Can I customize the private tour?
Yes. Start time, pacing, stops, and focus can all be adjusted. For corporate or milestone events, we can add welcome touches or extend the experience.
Is the private tour suitable for families with young kids?
Yes. Kids as young as 4 can join. The bruschetta-making is hands-on, and the market walk keeps kids engaged throughout.
Do children under 4 need a ticket for the tour?
Children under 4 do not need a ticket and can join for free. Food is not included for children 3 and under. Paid tickets with food are available for ages 4 and up.
Food and Drink
What kind of food will we taste?
You’ll enjoy a selection of Rome’s most iconic dishes — cured meats and cheeses, supplì, bruschetta, caprese, all three iconic Roman pastas (carbonara, amatriciana, cacio e pepe), and gelato. Offerings may vary by day or season.
Will we really try all three iconic pastas?
Yes. Carbonara, amatriciana, and cacio e pepe are all featured on this tour — few food tours in Rome cover all three in one sitting.
Are drinks included?
Yes. Red wine, white wine, and water are included in the price.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Because it’s a private booking, we can accommodate most dietary needs with advance notice — vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and halal. Guests with severe or life-threatening allergies cannot participate for safety reasons.
Are portions enough for a meal?
Yes. You’re guaranteed to eat at least the equivalent of a full meal across the 7 stops.
Can I buy food or souvenirs at the market?
Of course. If you’d like to buy something at one of the market stalls, you’re welcome to do so — or ask your guide for help.
Booking and Payment
How do I book a private food tour?
Click “Book Private Tour” to book directly, or “Request Corporate Proposal” for corporate bookings, group quotes, and custom requests.
What forms of payment are accepted?
We accept major debit and credit cards, iDEAL, and Bancontact. For corporate bookings, we also accept company invoicing, advance payment, and purchase orders.
Do you offer private Testaccio tours for corporate events and team building?
Yes. The hands-on bruschetta-making at Testaccio Market makes this one of our most popular corporate team-building tours. We offer company invoicing, group rates, and dedicated event coordination.
What is Eating Europe's cancellation policy for private tours?
Private tours can be cancelled and fully refunded up to 7 days before tour departure. For full details, please see our cancellation policy page.
Tour Experience & Expectations
How much walking is involved?
This is a walking tour of the Testaccio neighborhood. The pace is leisurely with multiple sit-down stops. If anyone in your group has mobility concerns, contact us — we can adjust the pacing and route, or recommend our private golf cart tour as an alternative.
Will the guide speak my language?
All our guides are fluent in English and Italian. For private bookings, we can arrange guides in Spanish, French, Portuguese, and German on request.
Can I take photos during the tour?
Yes. Testaccio Market, the neighborhood’s street art, and the pyramid viewpoint make this one of our most photo-friendly tours.
Do I need to tip the guide?
Tips are not required but always appreciated.
Will we visit the same places as other tours?
No. The majority of stops are venues that work exclusively with Eating Europe. On a private booking, you have even more flexibility to adjust stops if you’ve been to Rome before.
Do you offer other private food tours in Rome?
Yes. We also offer private tours in Trastevere (pasta making, twilight), the Jewish Ghetto, and private VIP golf cart tours (day and night). Contact us to discuss the best fit for your group.
City Tips
Jewish Ghetto Rome: History, Culture & Food
Campo di Fiori Rome: History, Culture, Food & Things to Do
Trastevere Rome: Authentic Charm and Vibrant Streets
A Guide to San Lorenzo in Rome
A Local’s Guide to Healthy Food in Rome
EATING EUROPE INC. CANCELLATION POLICY
Small Group Tours
A tour can be cancelled with a full refund up to 24 hours before tour departure.
Private Tours
A private tour can be cancelled and fully refunded up to 7 days before tour departure
Gift Cards, Travel Vouchers & Flexi-Pass™
Gift cards, travel vouchers and Flexi-Pass™ are non-refundable.
LATE ARRIVALS AND NO SHOWS
Due to extremely strict time slots for entry into attractions and for food preparation, both in-person & virtual/online, we recommend you show up 15 minutes before the scheduled starting time of the tour or experience. Our group tours begin & depart precisely at the scheduled tour or experience start time. If you show up late or cannot find the meeting point, for any reason, refund requests are not honored per policy. If you are having a hard time arriving on time we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible so we can do everything in our power to assist you with arriving at the meeting point at the scheduled time or reschedule to the next available tour.
CANCELLATION DUE TO PLANES, TRAINS, AUTOMOBILES OR ILLNESS
Inside of 24 hours, your spot on the tour has been reserved exclusively for you. Since we are unable to fill your spot if you’re unable to attend for any reason (including transportation or illness), we do not offer refunds after that time. Please plan ahead so that you are able to join us and don’t miss out!
DISCOUNT CODES
Discount codes are valid for new bookings only. They are not eligible for pre-existing bookings and can not be applied retrospectively.
AMENDMENT POLICY
We would be happy to assist you with rescheduling your tour, free of charge, with any requests made more than 24 hours of 8am CET on the date of the tour. We reserve the right to charge an amendment fee should you request to reschedule within 24 hours of 8am CET on the date of your tour . Once again, this is subject to availability and price changes. In general, we only charge you for any additional costs that we incur such as tickets. We have no intention of profiting from disruptions to your vacation and will work with providers and suppliers to get this cost reduced to a minimum.
CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
From time to time, the terms of this policy may change at the Company’s discretion.
CONTACT US
If you have any questions regarding this privacy policy, you can contact us using the information below:
E-mail: [email protected]
