The Best Street Food in Rome We Found After 3 Days Eating Across the City

Wondering where to find the best street food in Rome?

With delicious food on almost every corner, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the choices and not know where to begin.

On our recent visit to Rome (May 2026) we spent three days eating our way across the city, from busy local markets to quiet neighbourhood bakeries, searching for the most memorable bites Rome has to offer.

Along the way, we tried everything from crispy supplì and pizza al taglio to rich, savoury sandwiches as well as porchetta and classic Roman snacks.

When visiting Rome on a budget, you'll find street food a perfect choice.

This guide is based entirely on what we actually tasted, loved, and would go back for again. Happy eating!

Street food in Italian would be "cibo di strada"!

One Thing We Learned!

Don’t limit yourself to places with thousands of reviews. Walk around your hotel or apartment, and you’ll often discover fantastic food spots nearby. Some of our favourite finds have been small, lesser-known places just around the corner from where we were staying.

Top Roman street food we loved to munch

1. Pizza al taglio - slices of pizza

Our number one Roman street food: squares of pizza that you can find on almost every corner of the city. Baking trays are loaded with different varieties of pizza, which can be cut to any size you like, then warmed up and served ready to eat.

The combination of thick, crispy dough and a wide range of toppings makes for a delicious meal.

Toppings can get quite creative, featuring seasonal vegetables, truffles, mortadella, ham, zucchini flowers, potatoes, porcini mushrooms, tomato sauce and mozzarella, ricotta, eggplant, cured meats, and gourmet cheeses.

One of the joys of pizza al taglio is choosing several different slices and trying a variety of flavours.

best street food in rome pizza al taglio

How much does pizza al taglio cost?

It depends on the size of the slice, but for a medium-sized slice you’ll pay around €5–6, which is quite cheap. One of the best budget eats in Rome.

Where to try the best pizza al taglio?

Rosamunda's (📍 Via dei Coronari, near Piazza Navona) – Crispy, rich pizza al taglio, with generous portions for only €6–7. It can be enjoyed on the spot or taken away.
Pizzarium di Gabriele Bonci (📍 Via della Meloria 43), located near the Vatican Museums, is known for its thick dough and some of the most generous toppings you’ll find in Rome — exactly what we love about this pizza. We first ate here during a foodie walk through Prati!
Forno Campo de' Fiori, close to Piazza Navona, serving delicious warm pizza slices
Antico Forno Roscioli (📍 Via Dei Chiavari 34)

2. Pinsa - Roman style pizza

The dough uses wheat, rice and soy flour, with more water and less salt than pizza. This makes the dough more airy and a healthier option to pizza.

Pinsa is similar to pizza but comes in small oval shaped and is made of a mix of flours, such as wheat, rice and soy flour, with more water and less salt than pizza. This makes pinsa more airy and a healthier option to pizza.

It's typical to Rome and is called pinsa Romana. The crust is slightly thiner than pizza al tagio but the toppings are the same. Makes a great cheap snack or light lunch when in Rome.

How much does a pinsa cost?

The cost of one pinsa start from 6-8 euros.

Where to try Roman pinsa?

Our favourite spot is Pinsa 'mpò (📍 Via dei Gracchi 7), not far from Eccelso hotel where we stayed at that time. This place is small, but have great selection of pinse romane. Just point to the pinsa you want, and it will be ready in only 3–4 minutes. Seating is limited, but they offer convenient takeaway packaging, making it easy to eat on the go.

Another great place is Pinsere, not far from the Termini Station, serving richly topped pinse.

3. Pizza bianca with mortadella

Pizza bianca with mortadella is one of Rome’s simplest but most iconic street food combinations.

The pizza bianca is soft, airy, and lightly salted with a crisp crust, while the mortadella adds a rich, silky, and slightly fatty flavor that melts into every bite.

Together, they create the perfect balance of texture and taste — warm bread against delicate cured meat. It’s the kind of snack Romans grab on the go from local bakeries, often eaten fresh and still slightly warm straight from the counter.

How much is pizza bianca with mortadella?

Pizza bianca with mortadella usually costs around €5–€8 in Rome bakeries, depending on the place and portion size.

Where to eat pizza bianca with mortadella?

Our favourite one was from Bonci Pizzarium - so crunchy and loaded with slices of fatty mortadella. After our golf cart tour in Rome, we stumbled upon Brillo restaurant on Via del Corso and grabbed pizza bianca with mortadella to take away (they packed it in a small box).

4. Supplì

The supplì are one of the most authentic Roman street food. These crispy fried rice balls are one of the city’s most loved snacks, usually filled with rice, tomato sauce, and gooey mozzarella that stretches beautifully when you pull them apart.

How much is one supplì?

Warm, crispy, and full of flavour, a supplì usually costs between €1 and €3, making it the perfect quick bite or comfort food.

Where to try the best supplì?

One of our favourite places for supplì lately is Supplì Roma in Trastevere.

They serve the classic version with rice, tomato, meat, and mozzarella, but also creative flavours like cacio e pepe, amatriciana, and carbonara. The menu changes slightly from day to day, which makes every visit a little different, and I highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the area.

Other well-known spots for supplì include Supplizio, Pizzarium, and La Casa del Supplì. The best part about supplì is that you can find them almost everywhere in Rome, so it’s worth trying a few different ones to discover your personal favourite.

5. Panino con la porchetta

Another Roman street food classic you have to try is the panino con porchetta. This simple but incredible sandwich is made with crusty bread filled with porchetta — slow-roasted pork seasoned with garlic, herbs, and black pepper. The meat is juicy, tender, and packed with flavour.

How much does it cost?

You can usually find a good panino con porchetta in Rome for around €6 to €9, and it’s one of the city’s most popular quick bites.

Where to find a tasty one in Rome?

There are plenty of places in Rome to try one, but one of our favourites is La Norcineria di Iacozzilli in Trastevere. The staff are incredibly friendly, and they prepare the sandwiches fresh to order. The salty, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth porchetta is exactly what you want from a perfect Roman sandwich.

Another great place is Saporizzo, place near Piazza Venezia, that served amazing porchetta sandwiches.

Porchetteria La Rinascita, near Piazza Navona also served juicy porchetta panini.

We also love making our own panino con porchetta. Usually, we buy freshly sliced porchetta from Mercato Trionfale — right near the entrance — along with some fresh focaccia, then put together our own delicious sandwiches at home.

6. Filetto di baccalà

One of the most beloved Roman street foods is filetto di baccalà — a golden, battered cod fillet that has been enjoyed as a quick bite in Rome for centuries.

With roots in the Jewish community of the Roman Ghetto dating back to around the 15th century, this dish also reflects influences from Spain and Portugal, brought by Jewish communities who settled in Italy after leaving the Iberian Peninsula.

Simple yet incredibly satisfying, filetto di baccalà is made by coating tender cod fillets in a light egg-based batter and deep-frying them until crisp and golden. The result is a perfect contrast between the delicate, slightly sweet fish and the crunchy exterior — an irresistible combination that’s hard to say no to.

Where to find the best ones?

You’ll come across filetto di baccalà on menus throughout Rome, but one place that has built its entire identity around it is Dar Filettaro a Santa Barbara near Campo de’ Fiori.

Although they also serve a simple salad, the focus here is clearly on their famous fried cod. The portions are generous, with thick, golden pieces of battered fish that arrive hot and crisp.

What really stands out is the texture: a satisfying crunch from the batter followed by soft, flaky cod inside. The fish has a mild sweetness that pairs perfectly with the salty, fried coating, making it especially appealing for seafood lovers.

Tips for eating street food in Rome:

Avoid restaurants right next to major landmarks — prices are usually higher and quality is often lower
Go for lunch before 1 PM to beat the queues and get the freshest food
Many places charge by weight, especially pizza al taglio, so don’t be surprised by pricing per slice or gram
Keep some cash with you, as smaller bakeries and street food spots may not always accept cards
Look for places with a steady local crowd — it’s usually a good sign of quality.
Don’t rush ordering; take a moment to check what’s fresh out of the oven or fryer
Try eating standing at the counter like locals do — it’s often cheaper than sitting down
Be open to small, simple spots in side streets — some of the best finds are away from the main tourist areas

Best areas for street food in Rome

For some of the best street food in Rome, head to Trastevere for lively nightlife, casual food spots, pizza al taglio, and fresh panini.

Testaccio is known as the heart of traditional Roman cuisine and is perfect for authentic local street food.

Campo de’ Fiori is a great area for quick bites, bakeries, and sandwiches while exploring the historic centre, while Prati, near the Vatican, is famous for excellent bakeries, focaccia, and delicious porchetta sandwiches.

Best street food places near the Vatican

Pinsa M'po - tasty pinse Romane for affordable prices
Pizzarium Bonci - richly topped pizza - one of the best in Rome

Best street food in Rome near the Colosseum

Saporizzo - food store ideal for panino con porchetta

Top street food in Rome near Piazza Navona

Rosamunda's (Via dei Coronari) - Tasty pizza al taglio — a large slice for only €5–6!

Best Roman street food in Trastevere

Norcineria di Iacozzilli in Trastevere - you can buy a delicious porchetta panino here

Want to skip the planning? Join a street food tour in Rome

If you’d rather skip the research and just enjoy the best food in the city, joining a local food tour is the easiest way to experience Rome’s street food without any guesswork.

A good tour takes you straight to the most loved bakeries, snack spots, and hidden local favourites — the kind of places we discovered only after wandering for days.

It’s a simple way to try a variety of dishes, learn the stories behind them, and see parts of the city you might otherwise miss, all in just a few hours.

Here are three of the best food tours in Rome to consider:

1. Rome Street Food Walking Tour (Trastevere & Jewish Ghetto)

A great all-round introduction to Roman street food, this walking tour takes you through two of the city’s most atmospheric neighborhoods. You’ll try classic bites like supplì, pizza al taglio, and local fried specialties while learning the stories behind them from a local guide. It’s ideal if you want a mix of food, culture, and walking through historic streets in a small group setting.

👉 Perfect for first-time visitors who want a balanced food experience.

2. Evening Rome Food Tour with Wine & Local Specialties

This evening tour is all about eating like a local at night. You’ll visit traditional eateries and street food spots, sampling Roman classics alongside regional wines. Expect a relaxed pace, generous tastings, and a focus on authentic neighborhood flavors rather than tourist-heavy areas.

👉 Best for travelers who want a slower, more social food experience in the evening.

3. Rome Market & Street Food Tour (Campo de’ Fiori Area)

Centered around one of Rome’s most famous markets, this tour combines fresh produce, street food, and artisan snacks. You’ll taste seasonal specialties, explore market stalls, and stop at nearby food spots for freshly made Roman bites. It’s a great way to see how locals actually shop and eat in everyday life.

👉 Ideal for food lovers who enjoy markets and fresh, local ingredients.

We hope this webpage has given you plenty of inspiration for your next street food adventure in Rome!

As you’ve probably noticed, many places sell several of these classic snacks, making it easy to try a little bit of everything and fully experience Roman street food culture. Most of these dishes are simple, but the quality of the ingredients is what makes them truly special — and that’s exactly why I love them all so much.

That’s the end of our Rome street food guide! The city has so many great snacks that one trip is never enough to try them all. After all, Rome stands alongside the best food cities in Italy.

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