Food and Dining Expenses in Rome: Feast Like a Roman

Cost of living in Rome – Food and Dining

How much does it cost to buy groceries in Rome?

The cost of buying groceries in Rome depends on how often

• Supermarkets: These are large supermarkets that offer high prices and quality on a wide range of products, such as Carrefour, Conad, or Coop. They may have the best quality and variety of products, but they are expensive and crowded for everyday shopping.
• Street markets: These are local markets that sell fresh and seasonal products from various vendors, such as Mercato Trionfale, Mercato Esquilino, or Mercato Monti. They may have the best freshness and taste of products, but they are also pricey and chaotic for regular shopping.
• Gourmet shops: These are speciality shops that sell premium and exclusive products from different regions and countries, such as Eataly, Castroni, or Volpetti. They may have the most unique and exquisite products, but they are also very costly and luxurious for occasional shopping.

What are the typical dishes and drinks in Rome?

Rome has a typical cuisine that is based on simple and hearty ingredients, such as pasta, cheese, meat, vegetables, and wine. Some of the most typical dishes and drinks in Rome are:

Pasta

• Pasta: This is the staple food of Rome and Italy in general. There are many types and shapes of pasta, such as spaghetti, penne, rigatoni, etc. There are also many sauces and toppings for pasta, such as tomato, cheese, meat, etc. Some of the most typical pasta dishes in Rome are:
  • Carbonara: This is a pasta dish with egg, cheese (pecorino romano), bacon (guanciale), and black pepper. It is creamy and savoury and is usually served with spaghetti or rigatoni.
  • Cacio e pepe: This is a pasta dish with cheese (pecorino romano) and black pepper. It is simple and spicy and is usually served with tonnarelli or spaghetti.
  • Amatriciana: This is a pasta dish with tomato sauce, bacon (guanciale), cheese (pecorino romano), and chilli pepper. It is tangy and smoky and is usually served with bucatini or rigatoni.
  • Gricia: This is a pasta dish with bacon (guanciale), cheese (pecorino romano), and black pepper. It is similar to carbonara but without egg. It is rich and salty and is usually served with rigatoni or spaghetti.
• Cheese: This is another staple food of Rome and Italy in general. There are many types and varieties of cheese, such as fresh, aged, soft, hard, etc. Some of the most typical cheeses in Rome are:
  • Pecorino romano: This is a hard cheese made from sheep’s milk. It has a sharp and salty flavour and a crumbly texture. It is used for grating over pasta dishes or for eating with bread or fruit.
  • Ricotta: This is a soft cheese made from whey (the liquid left after making cheese). It has a mild and sweet flavour and a creamy texture. It is used for filling pastries or cakes or for eating with honey or jam.
  • Mozzarella di bufala: This is a fresh cheese made from buffalo milk. It has a delicate and milky flavour
  • and a soft and moist texture. It is used for making salads or sandwiches or for eating with tomatoes or basil.
• Meat: This is another important food of Rome and Italy in general. There are many types and cuts of meat, such as beef, pork, lamb, chicken, etc. There are also many ways of cooking and serving meat, such as grilled, roasted, fried, stewed, etc. Some of the most typical meat dishes in Rome are:
  • Saltimbocca alla romana: This is a dish of veal slices topped with ham (prosciutto) and sage leaves and cooked in white wine and butter. It is tender and flavorful and usually served with potatoes or vegetables.
  • Coda alla vaccinara: This is a dish of oxtail stewed in tomato sauce with celery, carrots, onions, and herbs. It is rich and aromatic and is usually served with bread or polenta.
  • Pollo alla romana: This is a dish of chicken pieces cooked in tomato sauce with peppers, garlic, and rosemary. It is juicy and spicy and is usually served with rice or salad.
  • Trippa alla romana: This is a dish of tripe (the stomach lining of a cow) cooked in tomato sauce with cheese (pecorino romano) and mint. It is soft and tangy and is usually served with bread or pasta.
• Vegetables: This is another essential food of Rome and Italy in general. There are many types and varieties of vegetables, such as leafy greens, roots, bulbs, pods, etc. There are also many ways of preparing and eating vegetables, such as raw, cooked, pickled, etc. Some of the most typical vegetable dishes in Rome are:
  • Carciofi alla romana: This is a dish of artichokes stuffed with parsley, garlic, mint, and cheese (pecorino romano) and braised in olive oil and water. It is soft and fragrant and is usually served as an appetizer or a side dish.
  • Carciofi alla giudia: This is a dish of artichokes deep-fried in olive oil until crispy and golden. It is crunchy and salty and usually served as an appetizer or a snack.
  • Puntarelle alla romana: This is a dish of chicory shoots (puntarelle) dressed with anchovies,
  • garlic, vinegar, and olive oil. It is crunchy and tangy and is usually served as a salad or a side dish.
  • Zucchine alla scapece: This is a dish of zucchini slices fried in olive oil and marinated in vinegar, garlic, and mint. It is soft and sour and is usually served as an appetizer or a side dish.
• Wine: This is the most typical drink in Rome and Italy in general. There are many types and varieties of wine, such as red, white, rosé, sparkling, etc. There are also many regions and appellations of wine, such as Chianti, Barolo, Pinot Grigio, Prosecco, etc. Some of the most typical wines in Rome are:
  • Frascati: This is a white wine from the Frascati area near Rome. It has a dry and fruity flavour and a light and refreshing body. It is usually served chilled with fish or cheese dishes.
  • Cesanese: This is a red wine from the Cesanese area near Rome. It has a spicy and berry flavour and a medium and smooth body. It is usually served at room temperature with meat or pasta dishes.
  • Est! Est!! Est!!!: This is a white wine from the Montefiascone area near Rome. It has a sweet and floral flavor and a low and fizzy body. It is usually served chilled with desserts or pastries.

How much does it cost to eat out in Rome?

The cost of eating out in Rome depends on how often and where you eat out in Rome. You can choose between different types of restaurants, such as cheap (osteria, trattoria, pizzeria), mid-range (ristorante, enoteca, bistrot), or expensive (ristorante gourmet, ristorante stellato, ristorante panoramico).

The prices of eating out vary depending on the type, quality, quantity, and location of the restaurant. For example:

• A pizza costs from €5 to €15.
• A pasta dish costs from €8 to €20.
• A meat dish costs from €10 to €30.
• A fish dish costs from €15 to €40.
• A dessert costs from €3 to €10.
• A glass of wine costs from €2 to €10.

According to Numbeo.com, a website that collects user-generated data on prices and quality of life around the world, the average cost of eating out for a single person in Rome is about €15 for a cheap meal, €30 for a mid-range meal, and €60 for an expensive meal.

These are just average figures, and they may not reflect the actual costs that you may incur in different restaurants or areas of Rome.

For example, some of the cheapest restaurants to eat out in Rome are:

• Pizza al taglio: These are places that sell sliced pizza by weight or piece. You can choose from different toppings and flavours, such as Margherita (tomato and cheese), capricciosa (tomato, cheese, ham, mushrooms, etc.), diavola (tomato, cheese, spicy salami), etc. You can also find other snacks
• and drinks, such as supplì (fried rice balls with cheese), crocchette (fried potato balls), or soda (soft drink). You can eat on the go or sit at a table if available. The average cost of a pizza al taglio is about €5.
• Trapizzino: These are places that sell trapizzini, which are triangular pockets of pizza dough filled with various sauces and ingredients, such as pollo alla cacciatora (chicken stew), coda alla vaccinara (oxtail stew), parmigiana di melanzane (eggplant parmesan), etc. You can also find other snacks and drinks, such as salads, desserts, or beer. You can eat on the go or sit at a table if available. The average cost of a trapizzino is about €4.
• Panino: These are places that sell panini, which are sandwiches made with various slices of bread and fillings, such as prosciutto e mozzarella (ham and cheese), tonno e pomodoro (tuna and tomato), porchetta e rucola (roasted pork and arugula), etc. You can also find other snacks and drinks, such as chips, cookies, or juice. You can eat on the go or sit at a table if available. The average cost of a panino is about €5.

Some of the most expensive restaurants to eat out in Rome are:

• Ristorante gourmet: These are places that offer high-end cuisine with creative and sophisticated dishes and presentations, such as La Pergola, Imàgo, or Aroma. They may have Michelin stars or other awards and recognitions. They may also have panoramic views or elegant settings. You can expect to find exquisite ingredients and flavors, such as caviar, foie gras, truffles, lobster, etc. You can also expect to find fine wines and spirits, such as champagne, cognac, or grappa. You need to make a reservation in advance and dress appropriately. The average cost of a ristorante gourmet is about €100 per person.
• Ristorante stellato: These are places that offer traditional cuisine with high-quality and authentic dishes and products, such as La Rosetta, Antico Arco, or Il Pagliaccio. They may have Michelin stars or other awards and recognitions. They may also have cosy and charming settings or locations. You can expect to find classic ingredients and flavours, such as pasta, cheese, meat, fish, etc. You can also expect to find local wines and drinks, such as frascati, cesanese, or est! est!! est!!!. You need to make a reservation in advance and dress appropriately. The average cost of a ristorante stellato is about €50 per person.
• Ristorante panoramic: These are places that offer scenic views of Rome from different perspectives and heights, such as Mirabelle, Terrazza Borromini, or Terrazza Barberini. They may offer different types of cuisine, such as Italian, Mediterranean, or international. They may also have romantic and elegant settings or atmospheres. You can expect to find various ingredients and flavours, such as salads, pasta, meat, fish, etc. You can also expect to find various wines and drinks, such as prosecco, cocktails, or coffee. You need to make a reservation in advance and dress appropriately. The average cost of a ristorante panoramico is about €40 per person.

Cost of food: cost-effective online ordering services

Here is a table listing a few cost-effective online ordering services in Rome:

These online ordering services provide a convenient way to order food from various restaurants in Rome and have it delivered to your doorstep. You can visit their respective websites to explore the available options and place your order.