It made me think, in Rome I hardly practiced my Italian, neither was I picking local cafés to try their espresso. You see even been in other people’s heaven of coffee, it is just not my thing. Nothing flat, I was just seized by scents. Those of fresh bread in the morning and of cheese in the early afternoon. I was there, in the very late evenings, enjoying the kitchen’s staff door opening and closing around echoing pedestrian streets.
No need to make you wait any longer, here comes my favorite street food from Rome and where to have a bite.
1. PIZZA AL TAGLIO:
If you visit Italy and skip ‘Pizza Al Taglio’, well you just gave yourself a solid excuse to come back. The italian pizza is circular whilst the street food version is rectangular. It is sold in weighted slices to take on the go, both for a main meal or just a refuelling snack.
In Rome, PIZZERIA LA BOCCACCIA, VIA LEONINA had me from the first sight. A small hidden shop? Check. A long line? Check. – Not that I like waiting yet unquestionably for me, crowds are the ultimate go signs for a random pick. & of course, heavenly smell? Check.
Now, close your eyes and picture yourself in a narrow street down the road to the Colosseum. Hold yourself still and think of the step by step making of your next order. Right up front, an inaugural tomato sauce base on the pizza. Next up the first 15-20 minutes round in the oven. Then as soon as the edge begins to brown, follow the Pizza’s second round of ingredients before hitting back the oven. Wait a bit until that mozzarella melts while the edges get completely golden. Open your eyes, pick your favorite dressings and that’s it, your tasty ‘Bella Vita’ moment served in a takeaway Pizza box – you are welcome.
LOCATION | PIZZERIA LA BOCCACCIA
2. TRAPIZZINO:
Another type of pizza with a fast food twist? Recently introduced to the Italian and international food Market, ‘IL TRAPIZZINO’ is a white pizza pocket closed on the sides. This dish is made with a mixture of soft wheat flour and yeast.
If you visit Rome and fall for the bites of the place, you might be able to stumble upon it elsewhere. (In Milan for instance and New York as well). Besides the everyday 5 flavors available in all restaurants, 3 specials as a daily additional surprise are available in stores. Since it is according to the season or to special dates, I enjoy going back to this place each time wondering what the updates of the menu are. I usually order the Parmigiana Di Melanzane from the permanent list. Unfortunately, I still haven’t met days with Burrata E Zucchine Alla Scapese, Cariofi Alla Romana and Musticanza Alla Romana. But I have them noted down on my food-to-eat list. Remember, too much pizza or Trapizzino is never enough, I can prove it – well they can prove it-
WEBSITE | IL TRAPIZZINO .
3. SUPPLI:
When I first sat in front of my laptop to write an article, Suppli, the king of Roman street food, baffled my mind. I don’t know about you, but I get excited seeing the place I am about to try is a compact hidden pick. In SUPPLI DEI CORONARI, the sparkle of the unique decor and the sense of intimacy within the limited seats gave another taste to the local servings.
Imagine all of this joined with a ‘Supplì Al Telefono’, which when translated to English gives something like ‘Suppli on the telephone’. The name itself owes its origins to the scene of Mozzarella holding Suppli’s parts when divided into two. Basically, Suppli is cooked rice formed in an elongated shape and deeply fried. As you can see, just enough to turn golden and melt the diced Mozzarella inside. Make sure to devour it while hot to enjoy the crunch.
As for the flavors, the basic tomato and cheese is essential. The twisted version with radicchio and gorgonzola is fundamental for a strong cheese racy feel. The ‘Cacio e pepe’ is the roman must-try treat.
LOCATION | I SUPPLI DEI CORONARI
4. TIRAMISU:
Beyond question if you use Italy and dessert in one sentence, Tiramisu magically shows up. Street food or classical, Tiramisu is made of 3 main ingredients; Mascarpone cheese, Ladyfinger biscuits and coffee. Whoever invented it, missed the outbreak of the most popular Italian dessert worldwide. Luckily for us though, new versions birthed down the line of years. Today Tiramisu layers welcome red fruits, pistachio, nuts, Nutella – I have to admit my thoughts are dramatically shifting to sweets after my Suppli craving. I am seized in another moment.
Back then, when I was playing my tourist digging for street food, I literally ran to TWO SIZES TIRAMISU each time I thought I was around the address. Two Sizes is home for five Tiramisu flavors sold in two sizes, small and large – hence the name. As you might have guessed, I have tried them all. The original with coffee, the one with strawberry, the surprising peanut butter version, the tasty pistachio cup, and the enchanted chocolate option. I will let you decide for yourself, but for me each spoon was a soft spread of happiness hold tight to my roman memory.
LOCATION | TWO SIZES
5. GELATO TIME:
The fast food tour ends in Trastevere district for ice cream. Contrastingly to the previous addresses I noted in this article, this Gelato spot is my go back excuse ticket to Rome. Between making a way to throw a coin in Trevi and taking the endless steps to the Vatican Dome. Or again, reaching the Colosseum just in time for the sunrise, heading back to Otaleg was just hopeless.
However, I had it for a while on my must-try for Roma. Which is why I am postponing it to another time, hopefully soon enough. I really want to try their signature flavor ‘Dragon’s Blood’ if they still have it by then. If not, I would treat myself to a cream-based flavor or a fruit sorbet from their classic or unusual menu listing that you can check here https://www.otaleg.com/
LOCATION | OTALEG
Don‘t be afraid, I did have my sweet tooth’s satisfaction at Venchi. With over 90 recipes and spreadable cream on cones and bowls, watching crunchy seasonal grains topping my base gave me one hell of fight to decide which combination I wanted to try. In case you didn’t know, this address is also a chocolate heaven. – Thinking of it, some losses are just different wins.
WEBSITE | VENCH
As you can see, various are street food places to venture your devour soul in Rome. And since I have been down a culinary memory lane from daybreak, I wanted you to put your apron on and join me on this little Roman street food discovery. Definitely no cooking included – I still can’t figure the math of magically adding a little of this and a bit of that to concoct a dish. I am happily passing over the wand to experts. Instead, I will keep on eating my way through plates, literally.
READ LATER | WHERE TO EAT IN ROME?
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