guide2ROME
guide2ROME
Cheri Leavy
An Italophile seeking to master La Dolce Vita - the good life - find the joy in the moment and smallest details // spotlighting the food + shops + sites in Roma
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Testaccio market
@sophieminchilli
The neighbourhood’s food market, it caters to both locals (you can catch them shopping for food between 8am-2pm) and students grabbing lunch (there is an architecture school nearby). While it’s fun to walk around the various stalls and check out the fruits, vegetables, seafood, meat and bread, this is also a great place to try some of Rome’s best street food: sandwiches at Mordi e Vai, pizza at Casa Manco and fried goodies at Food Box
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Salumeria Volpetti
@sophieminchilli
This food shop is my idea of heaven, I could spend hours here looking around and buying all the goodies to take back home with me. It’s great for food shopping (olive oil, cured meats, balsamic vinegar, canned good, cheeses..etc), but if you get hungry you have two options: Either ask for a sandwich to be filled with your choice of meat and cheese, or head next door to their bistrot called Taverna Volpetti, which serves simple but extremely high quality food
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Trattoria Pennestri
@sophieminchilli
Trattoria Pennestri is actually in Ostiense, a modern residential neighbourhood on the edge of Testaccio. The menu includes all the classics as well as others you might not have hear of like their version of Rigatoni alla Pajata (veal intestines) with the addition of Colatura di Alici (the Italian version of fish sauce). Very prepared staff, natural wines available and delicious desserts. This is one of my favortie restaurants in Rome and pretty much recommend it to everyone I know is coming to Rome, it's a must!
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La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali
@sophieminchilli
I’ve been coming here since I was a baby, a true family favorite. Cosy, family-run restaurant hidden behind the Colosseum/Forum. They serve traditional Roman dishes but their menu always features several seasonal specials as well as more creative interpretations of classic dishes. Save room for dessert!
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Ciardi Bar Ristorante
@sophieminchilli
My favorite coffee bar in the neighbourhood. It's a good mix of tourists and locals. They have delicious pastries which they make in house. You can also sit down for an 'american' breakfast if you are craving something savory
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Mercato Rionale Monti
@sophieminchilli
This very small indoor market serves the locals with everything they need: 2 vegetable stands, a butcher, a fishmonger and an alimentari for cheese, cured meats and bread. If you want to have a quick lunch, Massimo from the alimentari stand will make you a sandwich with whatever you desire or head to the fresh pasta stand (da Pippo) who cooks a couple special pastas each day for lunch. There are a couple of tables and benches in the market for you to enjoy your lunch
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Pizzeria alle Carrette
@sophieminchilli
They serve Roman style pizza (thin crust, wood burning oven) in a warm unpretentious setting. Open both lunch and dinner, you can either make a reservation or just show up for a table (there might be a fast moving like on the weekends). Start by ordering a few fried items like suppli, fried zucchini flowers and salt cod fillet. Romans never split a ‘pie’, you each other your own (and can then exchange a few slices)
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Hostaria Costanza
@sophieminchilli
In a small alley away from the chaos of the area, Costanza is built inside an ancient Roman theater (Teatro di Pompei). Delicious food, great service. I love their pastas, but they also have delicious meat and fish dishes available. Mostly frequented by locals, prices are a little more on the 'high' side compared to other restaurants in the neighbourhood. Perfect for a special dinner!
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FRENI E FRIZIONI
@sophieminchilli
One of Rome's most famous cocktail bars, I love coming here for either aperitivo (they have a set price if you want to have some snacks with your drink), or after dinner drinks. It fills up with locals standing outside with a cocktail or beer, especially on the weekends
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Latteria Trastevere
@sophieminchilli
I usually come here for aperitivo (great wine list, cheese/meats boards from local producers), but this is also a great option if you want to stay for dinner. All of their ingredients are thoughtfully sourced from small farms all over Italy, and their menu might include things like Pistachio Lasagna or Gnocchi with white lamb Ragu. Both indoor and outdoor seating available
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BABY BAO Dim Sum & Bao Bar 点心包子酒吧
@sophieminchilli
If you’ve had enough of pasta and pizza, come here for delicious and innovative asian street food. Bao, Baize, Shumai, Ramen and much more available in this little and very cool looking space. The chef has worked all over the world and then decided to come back home (to Rome) and offer his people delicious Asian food which is definitely lacking in the city. Some of my favourites include the Dumplings and Bao which have a Roman touch and inspiration to them. Both indoor and outdoor seating available
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Checco Er Carettiere
@sophieminchilli
One of the most historic restaurants in Rome, Checco er Carrettiere has been around for over three generations. They are a classic Roman trattoria that serves traditional dishes like Ossobuco, Carbonara, Amatriciana, Trippa and much more. The space feels like stepping back in the 50’s and the service is excellent. Prices are higher than other restaurants in the area, but it’s worth it for it’s history and food. They also have an excellent gelateria/pastry shop next door
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Forno da Milvio
@sophieminchilli
This is both a bakery and a ‘rosticceria’ which is the Italian version of take away food. If you don’t have enough time to sit down at a restaurant and just want something quick, this is the place. They serve delicious pizza by the slice, a variety of different fried rice balls, and a selection of cooked dishes that vary daily (pasta, risotto, vegetables, meat stews, lasagna..etc). They have quite a few seats in the back of the shop so you can grab your tray and have a seat
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La Matriciana dal 1870
@sophieminchilli
Another family favorite. Seeing food in this place feels like stepping back in time (in a good way). Classic menu, design from the 70's, nicely dressed waiters, dessert cart..etc
Their Amatriciana is of course delicious, but they also offer seafood dishes which I often end up choosing because they are so good. When the season is right, they also have dishes with Porcini mushrooms and truffles. I love their poached pear with chocolate for dessert
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Al Vino Al Vino
@sophieminchilli
Cozy neighborhood spot, perfect for a glass of wine before dinner. I love their front room, with shelves filled with wine bottles, a big wooden counter and ceramic tables painted with grapevines. They also have snacks on the menu to accompany the glass of wine
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Ciardi Bar Ristorante
@sophieminchilli
My favorite coffee bar in the neighbourhood. It's a good mix of tourists and locals. They have delicious pastries which they make in house. You can also sit down for an 'american' breakfast if you are craving something savory
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La Licata
@sophieminchilli
A favorite with both locals and tourists! Delicious coffee and great place for both sweet and savory breakfast
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Zia Rosetta
@sophieminchilli
This tiny shop on Via Urbana attracts people from all over the city for their gourmet sandwiches. Traditionally the ‘Rosetta’ has a crusty exterior and a hollow center which is usually filled with a slice of mortadella and eaten as a quick and simple lunch. At Zia Rosetta they have perfected the bread recipe and fill the sandwiches with the most innovative, seasonal and delicious ingredient combinations
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Fafiuché
@sophieminchilli
Perfect place for ‘apericena’ (Italians coined this word to mix aperitivo and cena), which is much more than a snack, but not enough to be considered a full dinner. If you had a big lunch and aren’t in the mood for a huge dinner, this is a great option! They serve wines from Piedmont and the snacks are inspired by the region of Puglia (that’s where the owner is from). If you are in the mood for dessert, make sure to order the bruschetta Fafiuchè which is a slice of toasted bread topped with shavings of cioccolato cremino, drizzle of olive oil and flaky salt
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Mercato Rionale Monti
@sophieminchilli
This very small indoor market serves the locals with everything they need: 2 vegetable stands, a butcher, a fishmonger and an alimentari for cheese, cured meats and bread. If you want to have a quick lunch, Massimo from the alimentari stand will make you a sandwich with whatever you desire or head to the fresh pasta stand (da Pippo) who cooks a couple special pastas each day for lunch. There are a couple of tables and benches in the market for you to enjoy your lunch
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Oro Bistrot
@cherileavy
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Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina
@cherileavy
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Campidoglio square
@cherileavy
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Borghese Gallery and Museum
@cherileavy
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Trevi Fountain
@cherileavy
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Pantheon
@cherileavy
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Piazza Navona
@cherileavy
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Spanish Steps
@cherileavy
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Li Scalini
@cherileavy
Hard to find dead end alley not far from Rome’s University - Messina family - killer pizza
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cheri Leavy
Cheri Leavy is a connector, cheerleader and marketing consultant for fellow entrepreneurs.
Building rapport and strengthening a sense of community:
• A community of female entrepreneurs through the The Southern Coterie and The Southern C Summit
• The faces and places of Athens, Georgia that make our city so vibrant through guide2athens
• A community of devoted Georgia football fans through Bulldawg Illustrated
+ Contributing columnist to Coastal Illustrated in the Golden Isles of Georgia
+ An Italophile seeking to master La Dolce Vita - the good life and find the joy in the moment and smallest details
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