Authentic Roman carbonara is pasta with guanciale (cured pork cheek), eggs, Pecorino Romano and black pepper, with no cream, bacon or garlic. Cacio e pepe is even simpler: Pecorino, pepper and starchy pasta water. Together with gricia and amatriciana, they form Rome’s four classic pastas, built on the same few ingredients.

The best gelato in Rome usually comes from shops that make it fresh: look for natural colors, seasonal fruit flavors and flat or covered metal tubs, not towering mounds. Order a cup or a cone with two or three flavors. Well-known places to try in the center include Giolitti, Gelateria del Teatro and Fassi.

Romans eat a meatless Christmas Eve dinner of fish and fried vegetables: marinated eel, skate broth, spaghetti with clams, fried salt cod, broccoli and artichokes. Christmas Day brings pasta in broth, capon and lamb. The sweets are pangiallo, torrone, panettone and pandoro, and on New Year’s Eve Romans eat cotechino with lentils for luck.

Discover the Jewish Quarter in Rome: History and Cuisine. Explore its ancient monuments, rich cultural heritage, and enjoy traditional Jewish-Roman dishes like carciofi alla giudia and kosher delicacies that have shaped Roman cuisine.

Rome’s shopping streets offer a mix of high fashion, unique boutiques, and charming markets. From luxury brands to budget-friendly finds, explore the best shopping destinations in the heart of the Eternal City, including Via del Corso, Via dei Condotti, and more.

Explore the diverse markets of Rome, where you can find everything from fresh produce and spices to vintage treasures. From Porta Portese to Campo de’ Fiori, these lively markets offer a glimpse into the authentic Roman experience and local culture.

A maritozzo is Rome’s classic breakfast pastry: a soft, lightly sweet yeast bun split open and filled with whipped cream. Romans eat it at the bar, usually with a cappuccino. You find maritozzi in coffee bars, pastry shops and some bakeries all over the city, and they are freshest in the morning.

Book a food tour to explore a neighborhood and taste a little of everything; book a cooking class to sit down, learn a skill and eat a meal you made yourself. Our food tour lasts 2.5 hours on foot and costs €150 per person. Shared classes last 2.5 to 4.5 hours, from €79 per person.

Discover the authentic Ricotta and Sour Cherry Tart Roman-Jewish Recipe, a delicious dessert with layers of ricotta and sour cherry jam, hidden between two discs of buttery shortcrust pastry. This traditional Roman-Jewish treat is rich in history and flavor.

Trastevere is the old district across the Tiber from Rome’s historic center, known for its narrow cobbled streets, ivy-covered houses and trattorias. Its main sights are the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere with its golden mosaics, Santa Cecilia, Villa Farnesina with Raphael’s frescoes and the Botanical Garden, with the Janiculum viewpoint just above.