Rome is full of surprises, and there is no shortage of things to do! Here is a guide for some great places to eat, drink, tour and stay while in the Eternal City. Written by a former graduate student (who lived in Rome for two years!) for current and future study abroad students!
This comprehensive guide includes:
-Roman culture basics
-Cheap eats near campus
-Parks around the city
-Where to get aperitivo
-Coffee shops + breakfast places
-Historic places to eat and drink
-Trendy bakeries and pastry shops
-Recommedations of where to stay around the city
-Farmers' markets
-Places to take parents for dinner when they visit!
-Phone service stores
-Where to shop for groceries
+ BONUS content!
If you are a student bound for Rome, this guide is sure to make your first few weeks in the city, just a little easier!
Book a consultation call with me, a former student, and I can recommend more places, activities and tips to make Rome feel like home!
I lived in Rome as a graduate student in 2021-2023 and had the opportunity to live in Rome before the pandemic! Rome is one of my favorite cities and there are a million and one things to do and see both in Rome and outside the city.
Being a student is a unique opportunity to live and learn about the city from a local point of view. Much of the beauty of the city lies in the everyday things, especially the food.
Your first day you will want to visit the major sights such as...
-Fontana di Trevi (it's best to visit go late at night or when the sunrises!)
-Spanish Steps (near all the major clothing brand stores)
-Colosseum (it is free entry on the first Sunday of every month!)
-Pantheon (usually a queue to get in so prepare to wait)
-Piazza Venezia (you can't miss it!)
But before you start exploring I recommend you...
-purchase an international sim card* (you will need your passport)
-buy some basic groceries*
-map out where the campus is located
*Below I have listed the names of the few phone stores, and grocery stores.
Roman Basics
Learning simple Italian phrases like ciao (hello), buongiorno (good morning), and buona serata (have a good evening), go a long way!
Don't wear flip flops or loose fitting sandals, your feet will thank you. Plus, a nice pair of sneakers will class up any outfit by Roman standards.
Many stores do close on Sundays (sometimes Mondays after a major holiday) so plan your grocery shopping accordingly.
Traveling throughout Europe on the weekends (while exciting!) can be costly and exhausting. Take advantage of getting to know Rome and exploring the city on the weekends!
After that first day, the adventure officially begins! I hope this guide is helpful in navigating your new home for the next few months.
Cheap Eats Near Campus
There are a few institutional places near AUR's campus, Gli Archi and Pizzeria da Simone, and Homebaked which are the closest walking distance to the AUR's campus. Here are few more choices for a quick affordable meal anytime of the day.
The Santi Brothers' sandwich shop is an AUR student staple lunch spot! You can build your own sandwich from assorted meats and cheeses like prosciutto, mortadella, soppressata, and pecorino, mozzarella di buffala and/or ricotta, just to name a few.
Pizza al taglio is a staple snack or lunch in Rome. Pizza by the slice is cut into squares rather than triangles and priced by weight. I highly recommend grabbing a slice or two (or a few pieces of supplí) before a night out with friends!
Alice is a chain but ingredients are always fresh and delicious. There is bound the be an Alice near you if you are in need of something to eat!
Another great pizza by the slice joint in the heart of Trastevere. They are fast and no nonsense, so order quick as someone behind you might order the slice you had your eye on.
Trappizini (plural of Trapizzino) are small pizza pockets. Pizza bread stuffed with fillings like chicken, meatballs, or eggplant! They usually have a long line for takeout but it is the perfect street food and cheap dinner when you don't feel like spending much!
When you are missing a hearty bagel, or a breakfast sandwich with an iced coffee, Mammò is the place to go! They offer a variety of lunch options including bagels from Beehive Bagels (the same place as the hostel listed above!)
One of the most underrated gelato shops in Rome, and only 5 minute walk from campus. They offer seasonal flavors as well as Roman classics like hazelnut and pistachio!
When you are invited to someone's house it is common to bring a box, or platter of assorted pastries like these! This location is a 15 minute walk from campus and offers coffee, and gelato in the warmer months!
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Parks Around the City
Rome is home to a ton of lovely parks filled with ancient fountains, ponds, running trails and peaceful places to study, or escape the crowds.
One of the most beautiful parks in Rome! Its streets make it the perfect place for a leisurely bike ride and the there are small stands in the middle of the park which sell coffee, wine and juice.
During the summer this is a great place to cook down and find refuge under the large shady trees!
Completely across the city from Villa Borghese, Villa Pamphili is a great place to read, jog or people right down the street from the university. There are multiple entrances and exists and there is a small restaurant in the park!
Located right across the street from AUR, this small park is a great place to take a stroll in between classes or enjoy lunch on one of the park benches!
This overlook is one of the best places to see the entire city of Rome at night!
Gianicolo (Janniculum in English) is a great route to take when walking to the Prati neighborhood!
On the surface, Circo Massimo (Circus Maximus in English) does not look like much but it is an ancient entertainment venue still in use today! Back in Roman times, it was the venue of chariot races, today there are often concert venues built to host modern artists!
From Circo Massimo you are only a few minutes walking from The Colosseum!
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BONUS - Places for Aperitiv0
Aperitivo (pre-meal drink or snack) is how Italians spend the hours between lunch and dinner. Often a spritz, a glass of wine, beer paired with small bites to eat. These are my favorite places to enjoy an aperitivo!
One of my favorite spots in Monteverde and has great offerings for any time of day. Breakfast is simple and often packed with locals but you can stand at the bar and drink a cappucino with a pastry before class.
They offer a lunch menu with a ton of vegetarian options and a deal at less than 15 euros for a meal, water and an espresso.
For aperitivo (Italian version of happy hour) they offer spritz, wine and beer as well as other cocktails with a full plate of tasty Roman snacks such as focaccia, supplí and bruschetta.
Off the beaten path of the crowded Trastevere street. Da Nina is great spot for a simple breakfast or apertivo. Sitting outside under the lights during the warmer months is peak!
When you are in need of a no nonsense dive bar and aperitivo joint this is a great place to stop. The menu is small but a spritz, a glass of wine or a beer will not cost you more than 6 euro.
This place usually fills up before the night even begins, but if you can get a table outside, it is a great place to people watch and be where the locals are.
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Common aperitivo drinks and food items are...
Drinks:
Prosecco (sparkling wine from Northern Italy)
Vino bianco (white wine)
Vino rosso (red wine)
Spritz with Aperol or Campari (this is the brightly colored red/orange drink you often see in photos)
Birra (beer) - popular brands include Peroni, Birra Moretti, Ichnusa and Menabrea
Food:
Taralli (crackers)
Bruschetta (in the summer!)
Crostini with vegetables (in the fall and winter!)
Olives
Tramezzini (finger sandwiches)
Lupini (beans)
Coffee, Juice and Breakfast Places
During your time in Rome you will probably see locals outside drinking coffee or taking a pause for a juice. Healthy centrifughe (blended smoothy or green juice) or spermute (fresh fruit juice) is a great way to combat the mid semester fatigue! These places are also a great spots to sit and chat with friends, or bring a book and relax without the hustle bustle of the traditional bar.
One of my favorite places to go and read a book or catch up with a friend. They serve coffee, fresh juice, smoothies, and aperitivi. They are open most days out of the year because Rome is notoriously sunny even in the winter months!
Also next to Piazza Navona! This cafe is relatively new but they serve coffee, tea and aperitivi. The atmosphere inside is very calm and relaxing while outside you can sit and people watch.
A hidden gem with a old school vibe inside! They have a larger selection or pastries and breakfast snacks than a normal bar, but it is a great place to stop for a mid-day coffee and have a slice of cake.
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Coffee is taken very seriously in Italy. While in Rome I recommend doing like the Romans do and forgoing the American staple coffee drink: iced latte, and opting for an espresso, macchiato, or if need be, an americano. Here are my favorite coffee drinks.
Caffè lungo - literally a longer espresso, so you can enjoy it for a few more minutes
Cappuccino - you can order it whenever you want, don't let the internet tell you otherwise
Doppio espresso - double espresso
Caffè Americano - the most similar to a drip coffee
Italian bars are not fully equipped with the various milk alternatives, but they often have soy milk (latte di soia)
This staple Roman institution is in the heart of Trastevere and is frequented by locals (young and old), students, and travelers. With some of the best prices in the city, people hang out on the patio or in the streets in front of the bar. On the weekends there is often live music!
Right in between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, this caffè serves high quality coffee drinks in one of the most underrated piazza's in the city center!
A great destination place! I recommend taking a long walk through the center passing the Pantheon, stopping for a gelato at Giolitti and then heading over to the Trevi Fountain! The prices are great for the portion sizes! Remember to order seasonal flavors!
While there are a ton of museums in Rome, The National Gallery of Modern Art is a great place to explore the other sides of the art world in Rome. The stairs outside the museum are a great photo backdrop and the museum is walking distance from Villa Borghese.
Also known as the Cat Sanctuary. While there are no shortage of neighborhood cats, it is always fun to walk by and see the cats sunbathing on the Roman ruins.
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Farmers' Markets & Local Food Services
Local, seasonal food is the only way to eat in Rome, it is one of the pillars of the Italian lifestyle. Farmers' markets and local food services can be a great alternative to large grocery stores and a unique way to explore the city.
One of the best and albiet larger farmer's markets in the city! Campagna Amica is a market near Circo Massimo with vendors from the Lazio region. There are a variety of vendors selling seasonal produce, bread, baked goods, fish cheese and there are food stands on the back patio offering hot plates and cold beer!
This is a great place to stock up on fresh fruit, vegetables and what learn what makes seasonal food all the more delicious.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a great way to support local farmers and receive fresh, seasonal producer straight from the producer! All you have to do is sign up for a Beehive (L'Alveare) near you, select products online and on your designated day, your order will be available to be picked up. It is a very grassroots way to eat as locally and seasonally as possible. They also offer handmade pasta, pizza and ready made lasagna, which comes in very handy during finals.
A small but great fresh food market with ready-made meals and a fully stocked dry pantry.
They offer large salads, wraps and ready-made meals which are great for nights when you don't feel like cooking!
Beehive Bagels is another great way to support local food systems in a unique way! You can easily order online (minimum of 25 dollars) and they will be delivered to your apartment or campus! Getting adjusted to the small, sweet pastries typical in a Roman breakfast can take a toll on your hunger. These bagels are a familiar food that will keep you well fed before class!
Another great alimentari enoteca (groceries/wine shop) is Cataldi 1956. It's traditional in Rome for every street to have a little corner store which has bread, milk, cheese and dry goods. They have everything you need and more if you are looking for a few quick groceries on the way home.
Great local frutteria in Trastevere! While this shop was not the closest to my apartment, I loved stopping in for a ball of fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh figs (when in season) and any other staple vegetables I needed.
Even if you are staying at a hotel, it's nice to have some snacks in the room. This is a great place to get those.
This mircobakery in the Ostiense neighborhood has everything you need in terms of artisan coffee, amazing food, delicious pastries made in house, and natural wines and craft beer to pair with brunch or lunch. This establishment does not take reservations and mind you, it has become very popular!
Somewhat famous bakery in Rome, still baking fantastic bread, pastries and pizza al taglio! They have a system and there is often a queue but if you are in the Prati neighborhood it is worth the visit!
This hostel is the run by the friendliest couple, and at a prime location near Termini Train Station! This is main train station that connects Rome to the airport, as well as every other metropolitan city in Rome. The owners also started their own bagel company and you can order delicious, artisan, handmade bagels for breakfast during your stay!
This hotel is out of the main city center but only a 20 minute walk to the center! Located in the residential area of Monteverde it is close to some of the best small shops, eateries, coffee shops and will truly lend a more local experience.
This is a perfect place for parents, and friends to stay while visiting as it is very close to the university.
There is breakfast upon request!
This is my favorite pizza place in Rome. While it is a 20 minute walk from campus and tucked away in the suburbs of Monteverde Nuovo, it is well worth the trip. Delivery services are commonly used in Rome and food apps like Glovo can be used to have it delivered!
This is the perfect place to take parents when they are in town. Typical Sicilian food and wine and only a four minute walk from the university!
You must get the pistachio pesto pasta or the pasta alla Norma!
Il Mulino serves Roman classics with a twist. It's a family owned restaurant with a small area for seating, but they will treat you like you are guests in their home.
Located in the Prati neighborhood, this is usually a locals only place. Open even on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day it's a great ristorante with a simple Roman menu featuring all the classics. They also have a great affordable wine list!
Supposedly serves one of the best pasta carbonara in the city! While I recommend taking a taxi, it is worth it! The service, the wine list and the food was all fantastic.
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Phone Service Stores and Grocery Stores
It completely depends on the student, but I chose to purchase an international sim card during my time in Rome. Typically the cost per month is 20-30 euros for unlimited data.
Phone Stores:
TIM
Vodafone
Wind Tre
I personally used Vodafone and it was easy to recharge the amount on my account online. When I traveled around Italy and Germany, I had no problems being without service.
Grocery Stores:
Conad - one of the largest supermarkets and has a lot of store branded items that are affordable for students on a budget
Pam - smaller store with a smaller selection
Carrefour - another large supermarket chain (they also have carrefour express)
Still have more questions, or concerns? Schedule a consultation call with me! I will work with you one-on-one to better understand how I can help make Rome feel like home!
Ciao ragazzi! I'm Tana, your Italian natural wine and craft beer expert.
I moved to Rome, Italy for grad school and never looked back. I have a master's in sustainable food policy and have a decade of experience working hospitatliy, food and beverage. I am on a mission to visit every wine region in Italy and I frequently visit wineries, breweries and farms all over the country - now I want to share them with you all!
Over the last decade I have lived and worked in Rome, Porto and Barcelona and I love finding small artisan wine bars, pubs and restaurants that support local and sustainable food systems.
I made these guides to help conscious travelers seek out lesser known establishments where they can experience natural wine, artisan beer and delicious, responsibly sourced food.
