What to Eat in Rome: 3 Iconic Italian Foods to Know
Rome isn’t just about ancient ruins and breathtaking architecture — it’s also a city that excites the taste buds! Italian cuisine is famous worldwide, and in Rome, some of the simplest dishes are also the most memorable. Here are three classic foods every visitor should know when exploring the Eternal City.
1. Gelato: Sweet, Creamy, and Irresistible
Gelato is more than ice cream — it’s an Italian tradition. Creamy, smooth, and bursting with flavour, it comes in everything, from pistachio and chocolate to fresh seasonal fruits. Walking along Rome’s cobblestone streets with a gelato in hand is a quintessential Italian experience. Italy takes gelato seriously, hosting events like the Gelato Europe Cup 2025, where top gelato makers compete for a spot in the prestigious Gelato World Cup at SIGEP 2026. These competitions celebrate the artistry, creativity, and timeless tradition of Italian gelato.
2. Simple Pizza: A Taste of Tradition
Rome is famous for its thin, crisp pizza, topped with just a few fresh ingredients. The classic Margherita pizza, made with tomato, mozzarella, and basil, is the perfect example — simple yet bursting with flavor. Created in 1889 and named after Queen Margherita of Savoy, its vibrant red, white, and green toppings proudly mirror the Italian flag, making it a true symbol of Italy's culinary heritage.
3. Simple Pasta: Comfort in Every Bite
Pasta is the heart of Italian cuisine, and dishes like Cacio e Pepe prove that less can be more. Just pasta, cheese, and pepper — yet the result is rich, comforting flavour. Each forkful is a small taste of Rome’s timeless culinary heritage. Did you know Italy has over 350 pasta shapes, each designed to hold sauces differently? From long strands of spaghetti to short twists of fusilli, every shape tells its own delicious story.
A Taste of Rome — Without a Fork
Even if you’re not tasting every dish firsthand, learning about these iconic foods adds a flavourful layer to your Rome experience. Gelato, pizza, pasta — each tells a story of Italian tradition, simplicity, and joy.
✨Rome’s cuisine is a celebration of tradition, creativity, and heritage — the perfect complement to its history, art, and vibrant streets.
