What to Bring Home from Rome: Best Italian Souvenirs and Gifts

Wondering what to buy in Rome?

We adore buying souvenirs in Rome, either for ourselves or as gifts for our loved ones.

You'll find many unique things here that you won't find elsewhere in the world.

So, make sure to leave some space in your luggage!

Even after all these years, we still discover something new!

Here are the things we've found so far that are worth buying in Rome.

Moka pot and Italian coffee

We must confess that we have no idea how to use a Moka pot, the little Italian coffee maker.

But we've seen it everywhere in Italian cities, from Milan to Bari.

We plan to buy one along with some Italian coffee and use it to make aromatic coffee at home. We'll do this in Rome!

Coffee from Sant'Eustachio il Caffè or Tazza d'Oro is a great choice.

On our trip to Rome in May, we stumbled upon the Bialetti shop on Via dei Coronari, which sells Moka pots in different sizes, colours and designs.

Pecorino Romano and guanciale

We adore carbonara, but to get it right, we need the real ingredients!

That's why, when in Rome, we never miss the chance to buy authentic guanciale (made up of layers of pinkish-red meat and creamy white fat) and Pecorino Romano.

We usually pick them up at Trionfale Market, where you can find lots of local vendors selling their products.

They can vacuum-pack the pieces you choose, so they travel well and stay fresh for weeks!

We also buy a wedge of aged Parmigiano Reggiano and some pork salami.

📍 Where to buy: Mercato Trionfale (just a short stroll from the Vatican Museums). ⏰ Open until 2 PM.

Pesto sauce

Italian pesto is one of our obsessions, especially pistachio pesto with its delicious crunchy pistachio bits.

A bowl of gnocchi with a few tablespoons of pesto makes a delicious, quick meal.

We also love it with baked fish, as a topping on freshly baked pizza, or simply spread on toasted bread.

We always stock up on pesto whenever we're in Rome. Castroni on Via Cola di Rienzo is where we find a great variety of pestos.

Casadora Restaurant & Bottega in Prati (close to Otto Rooms, where we stayed) also has some quality pesto on display in their shop.

Italian chocolates

A nicely wrapped bag or box of chocolates is one of our favourite gifts to bring home from Rome.

It's not expensive, but it's so delicious! 

We love how Italian chocolate melts in your mouth, even the dark chocolate!

Venchi has been our top choice from the very beginning. We love that you can mix and match different flavours!

We usually shop at the store near Piazza di Spagna or grab some chocolates at Fiumicino Airport.

Castroni also offers plenty of delicious chocolate options from various Italian producers. We recommend their cornetti - cheap and addictive!

Our tip: Chocolate might not be the best thing to buy in Rome during the hot summer months of July and August! ☀️

Artisan leather goods

Rome has a long tradition of leather craftsmanship, and you can still find small workshops where artisans make bags, wallets, belts and gloves by hand.

Look for good stitching and carefully finished edges, and try to avoid mass-produced souvenirs around the main tourist attractions. Some local shops even offer personalised leather goods.

Where to buy: Wander along Via del Governo Vecchio, around Campo de' Fiori or through the charming streets of Trastevere, where you'll find smaller leather shops and artisan workshops.

Puro toothpaste

For a rather unusual souvenir from Rome, pop into a nearby pharmacy (you'll find them on almost every corner!).

They sell all kinds of toothpaste, and the colourful packaging is hard to resist.

This autumn, we bought a Puro toothpaste (an Italian-made brand from Rome) with a refreshing lemon and icy mint flavour, leaving your teeth feeling completely clean and your breath fresh!

Next time, we'll try the spicy cinnamon flavour!

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