Lazio is Italy's most historically rich region, home to Rome — the Eternal City — as well as ancient ruins, medieval hilltowns, volcanic lakes, and a stunning Tyrrhenian coastline. From the Colosseum to the vineyards of the Castelli Romani and the thermal baths of Viterbo, Lazio offers an unparalleled blend of art, history, nature, and cuisine.
Lazio's culinary identity is anchored in Rome's extraordinary cucina romana — a deeply traditional, ingredient-driven cuisine born from poverty and ingenuity. The four canonical Roman pastas (cacio e pepe, carbonara, amatriciana and gricia) rely on minimal, high-quality ingredients. The quinto quarto (offal tradition) reflects the city's working-class roots. Beyond Rome, the Castelli Romani produce excellent white wines (Frascati DOC) and porchetta, coastal towns offer exceptional seafood, northern Lazio serves acquacotta (wild herb soup) and game, and the Ciociaria region is known for fresh pasta and lamb.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Lazio.
Cacio e pepe
Pasta with Pecorino Romano, black pepper and pasta water — deceptively simple and sublime
Where to try: Roscioli, Da Enzo al 29, Cesare al Casaletto
Price: €12-16
Carbonara
Guanciale (cured pork cheek), Pecorino, egg yolk and black pepper — NO cream allowed
Where to try: Roscioli, Da Enzo al 29
Price: €12-16
Carciofi alla giudia
Whole artichokes deep-fried until crispy — a Roman-Jewish specialty
Where to try: Nonna Betta, Jewish Ghetto restaurants
Price: €7-10
Supplì al telefono
Fried rice balls with tomato sauce and mozzarella that stretches like a telephone cord
Where to try: Supplì Roma in Trastevere
Price: €2-3
Porchetta di Ariccia
Whole pig roasted with rosemary and garlic, sliced in sandwiches — the Castelli Romani specialty
Where to try: Ariccia town, Frascati markets, Er Buchetto
Price: €4-8
Tiella di Gaeta
A local layered pie from Gaeta filled with octopus or olives — unique to southern Lazio coast
Where to try: Gaeta seafood restaurants
Price: €10-14
Acquacotta
Wild herb and vegetable soup with egg — traditional peasant dish of northern Lazio/Maremma
Where to try: Viterbo trattorias
Price: €8-12
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Da Enzo al 29
A beloved Trastevere institution serving quintessential Roman cuisine with market-fresh ingredients and no pretension. Famous for its cacio e pepe, rigatoni alla gricia and offal dishes beloved by both locals and discerning visitors.
Known for: Traditional Roman pasta and offal dishes
Via dei Vascellari 29, 00153 Roma
Roscioli
Part deli, part trattoria and part wine bar, Roscioli is a Rome institution near Campo de' Fiori serving exceptional Roman classics alongside an outstanding cheese and salumi counter and one of the city's best wine lists.
Known for: Roman pasta perfection and deli produce
Via dei Giubbonari 21, 00186 Roma
Baccano
A stylish all-day brasserie near the Pantheon with a stunning Art Deco interior, serving everything from breakfast to late-night cocktails with an excellent selection of Roman and national dishes.
Known for: All-day dining with excellent cocktails
Via delle Muratte 23, 00187 Roma
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Built into the ancient Monte Testaccio (a hill made of Roman amphora shards), this beloved Testaccio trattoria serves impeccably authentic Roman cucina with a particular focus on offal and slow-cooked meats.
Known for: Roman offal and traditional cucina romana
Via di Monte Testaccio 97, 00153 Roma
Supplì Roma
The best place in Rome to eat supplì — the iconic fried rice balls stuffed with tomato sauce and mozzarella — freshly made throughout the day in Trastevere. Long queues at lunchtime testify to their excellence.
Known for: Rome's finest supplì (fried rice balls)
Via di San Francesco a Ripa 137, 00153 Roma
Pierluigi
An elegant seafood restaurant in the heart of Rome near Campo de' Fiori, with a beautiful outdoor terrace opening onto a quiet piazza. Excellent fresh fish preparations and a superb wine list in a refined setting.
Known for: Fresh seafood in the historic centre
Piazza de' Ricci 144, 00186 Roma
La Pergola
Rome's only three-Michelin-star restaurant, set atop the Cavalieri hotel with panoramic views over the city. Chef Heinz Beck creates extraordinary Italian tasting menus drawing on regional ingredients and classical technique.
Known for: Rome's finest fine dining with city views
Via Alberto Cadlolo 101, 00136 Roma
Il Pagliaccio
A two-Michelin-star restaurant in the historic centre offering inventive contemporary Italian cuisine from chef Anthony Genovese in an intimate dining room. The tasting menus are creative explorations of Italian ingredients.
Known for: Creative Italian fine dining
Via dei Banchi Vecchi 129, 00186 Roma
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Roman
Da Enzo al 29
Roscioli
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Tonnarello
Trattoria da Cesare al Casaletto
Ristorante Il Matriciano
Ristorante Sibilla, Tivoli
Enoteca Corsi
Osteria di Monteverde
Osteria Gatta Mangiona
Ristorante La Sosta di Pio IX
Ristorante Settimio all'Arancio
Hostaria Grappolo d'Oro
Trattoria da Augusto
Tavernaccia da Bruno
Castelli Romani
Roman Bakery
Roman Street Food
Coastal Lazio
Creative Roman
Fresh Pasta
Gelato
Pizza Al Taglio
Roman Jewish
Roman Offal
Roman Wine Bar
Viterbese
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Supplì
Fried rice balls stuffed with tomato, mozzarella and sometimes meat ragu
Find it at: Supplì Roma (Trastevere), various friggitorie
Pizza al taglio
Pizza sold by the cut (per gram) at bakeries throughout Rome
Find it at: Pizzarium Bonci (Prati), Forno Campo de' Fiori
Pizza bianca
Plain white pizza with olive oil and sea salt, eaten like bread
Find it at: Forno Roscioli, all Roman bakeries
Maritozzo
A sweet bun split and filled with whipped cream — Rome's beloved pastry
Find it at: All bars and pasticcerie, especially morning
Porchetta sandwich
Sliced roast pork with rosemary in a crusty roll
Find it at: Er Buchetto (Termini), markets in Castelli Romani
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Campo de' Fiori Market
Rome's most famous outdoor market selling flowers, produce and street food in a beautiful piazza
Hours: Mon-Sat 7AM-2PM
Testaccio Market (Mercato di Testaccio)
Rome's best covered market for authentic local produce, deli goods and excellent street food stalls inside
Hours: Mon-Sat 7AM-3PM
Porta Portese Flea Market
Rome's vast Sunday flea market in Trastevere with clothes, antiques, books and curiosities
Hours: Sun 6AM-2PM
Mercato di Piazza Vittorio
A multicultural covered market near Termini reflecting Rome's diverse population with world food stalls
Hours: Mon-Sat 7AM-3PM
Frascati Wine Market
Regular wine events and markets in Frascati showcasing Castelli Romani DOC whites
Hours: Varies seasonally
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch (pranzo) is typically 12:30-3PM and dinner (cena) 7:30-10:30PM — restaurants close between meals
Sitting down (al tavolo) costs more than standing at the bar (al banco) — order coffee at the bar for local prices
Avoid restaurants with pictures on the menu near major monuments — seek side-street trattorias
A coperto (cover charge) of €1-3 per person is normal and not a scam
Romans eat late — prime dinner time is 8:30-9:30PM; avoid peak hours if you haven't booked
- Vegetarian
- Roman cuisine has many vegetable dishes; artichokes, pasta al pomodoro and pasta e ceci are excellent. Most trattorias accommodate vegetarians.
- Halal
- Limited halal options in traditional Roman restaurants; the Esquilino/Termini area has various international restaurants with halal options
- Gluten free
- Most Italian restaurants are aware of gluten intolerance; look for signs saying 'senza glutine.' Dedicated gluten-free pasta is widely available.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €8-15 per meal | Street food, bakeries, pizza al taglio, trattoria lunch menus |
| Mid-range | €25-50 per meal | Traditional trattoria or osteria with wine included |
| Upscale | €80+ per meal | Fine dining, Michelin restaurants and special occasion dining |