Where to Eat in Rome Like a Local?

There are many kinds of restaurants in Rome, and your choice of where to eat on a significant part depends on the place you go. Roman cuisine is famous for old-school traditions, simple recipes, and delicious dishes.

Italians are in love with food and eat so much. Their typical day usually consists of:

Prima colazione (Breakfast) – from 6 am to 10 am. Italians don’t usually eat much during the morning time they prefer to have a coffee with cornetto.

Secondo colazione (Second breakfast) – short break for a sandwich, Panino or tramezzino

Pranzo (Lunch) – from 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm. Traditional Italian lunch consists of 4 meals:

1. Antipasto (starter) – usually cheese, sliced prosciutto, olives, bruschettas with different toppings
2. Primo piatto (first course) – any pasta or risotto
3. Secondo piatto (second course) – meat and/or fish with vegetables (contorni)
4. Dolce (sweets) – tiramisu, panna cotta, Italian gelato

Aperetivo – preparation for the dinner with a cocktail and snacks. Read more here

Cena (Dinner) – from 8 pm to 10.30 pm. Dinner consists of the same variety of dishes as lunch.

Here’s a list of what different kinds of restaurants in Italy are and what to expect in their menu.

Ristorante

Ristorante is familiar to every word because it merely means “restaurant”. This is the place where you can expect full-service with a variety of dishes from Italian and international cuisine. However, there are different levels of restaurants, and ristorante doesn’t automatically mean expensive. The average price per person starts from 15 euros.

• Also read: Restaurants in Trastevere with Best Italian Food

Trattoria

There are many similarities between a ristorante and a trattoria. However, trattorias are usually located out of central locations and main touristic sites. Moreover, you can find all dishes from Roman cuisine and such kind of places are mostly family-owned and run. At the same time, a trattoria is more likely to be smaller than a ristorante. The average price per person is 10-15 euros (including a drink).

Osteria

An osteria is cheaper than a ristorante or a trattoria and, usually, there are plates from the local cuisine. It is also less likely to have a central or any other popular tourist location. Moreover, an osteria often looks like a bar, but with food and a service like in a ristorante. The average price per person is 7-10 euros (including a drink).

Enoteca

An enoteca is a shop/bar where the only alcohol served is wine. In any enoteca, you will find a wide selection of wines from local Italian production and imported wines. Also, you can see a menu of appetizers or snacks, which will be the perfect accompaniment to the wine you select. An enoteca is usually smaller than the types of places described above. The average price per person is 7-15 euros.

Pizzeria

Pizzerias are not only about pizza on their menu. However, such kind of places specializes mainly on pizza and usually has a generous selection of them. There are two bases for pizza: white and red, where white-all cheese pizza is without tomato sauce, and red has cooked tomatoes, and both include different toppings, according to your choice. The average price per person is 8-10 euros (including a drink).

Spaghetteria

It is evident from its name that spaghetteria is a bar-restaurant serving spaghetti dishes and not only. However, as in pizzeria, spaghetteria mostly focuses on various kinds of pasta. The average price per person is 8-12 euros (including a drink).

Paninoteca

Panino in Italian means sandwich, so paninoteca offers sandwiches, tramezzini, bread, and cold cuts. The typical Italian panino consists of freshly baked bread, mozzarella, tomatoes, prosciutto Cotto, Crudo or speck, grilled vegetables, and sauces. Moreover, it can be a good alternative for your lunch or dinner. The average price per person is 5-7 euros (including a drink).

Rosticceria

A rosticceria specializes in roasted and sliced meats or chicken, but it is different from a butcher because its meat has already been cooked. Also, such places usually offer a good selection of other pre-made meals.

In addition, there are hot and cold dishes such as various kinds of meat, pasta, vegetables, and salads. A rosticceria is an inexpensive option for lunch or dinner and is an excellent option for those tired after a long day and who don’t want to cook. The average price per person is 10 euros (including a drink).

Pizzeria al Taglio

Pizzeria al Taglio is very popular in Rome. There you will find various kinds of sliced pizza, sandwiches, and hot dogs. This is some fast food, but you can choose among white, red, gluten-free, and vegetarian pizzas with freshly baked bread. The average price per person is 5-7 euros (including a drink).

• Also read: The Best Street Food in Rome

Gelateria

Gelateria is a café specializing in Italian ice cream, which usually sells other desserts and drinks on the base of milk. As you may know, Italian gelato is one of the leading features of the country and the best ice cream in the world.

So, don’t miss an opportunity to try the tastiest ice cream in one of the gelaterias! The average price per person starts from 2 euro.

• Also read: Where to Taste Best Gelato in Rome.

Café/Bar

I’m not talking about typical bars with music and drinks, but about the Italian bar where you can meet almost on every corner of Roman streets. Italians prefer to get a quick cup of espresso or spend some time outside during sunny weather with one of the snacks offered there.

Overall, it is a great place to stop for a quick break to enjoy fresh juice, coffee, sandwich, cornetto, or one of many other specialties offered in most Roman bars. The average price per person starts from 5 euro (or cheaper if you get only a drink).

Tavola Calda

In a Tavola Calda, you will find a variety of pre-made dishes. Moreover, its cost depends on the weight. Undoubtedly, a Tavola Calda is Italian fast food, especially a favorite among business people and students. However, it may also be an option for a lunch or dinner, instead of cooking at home. The average price per person is 5-10 euros.

Italy has a wide variety of food and different names for eating places. So now you know the difference between several kinds of Italian restaurants. I hope this article was helpful for you!