Food is an important part of the Italian experience, so if you travel to Rome, you might want to try a food tour or even a cooking class. I’ve put together a list of the best food tours in Rome, check them out!
On your vacation to Rome, there’s a high chance you’re going to fall in love with the food. Italian food is in my opinion the best in the world. The pasta, the tiramisu, and the gelato are all incredible. So, if you have time to take some food-tasting tours, between visiting the must-see attractions in Rome, I definitely recommend it.
With a local guide, you have a better chance to find the best gelato in Rome, the best carbonara in Trastevere, or the best caccio e pepe in the Rome city center. Here are some food tours that are highly recommended by tourists visiting Rome:
1. Unlimited food in Rome? Count me in!
During your visit to Rome, indulging in the local cuisine is a must-do experience. This tour offers you the chance to taste some of the best food and drinks in Rome. You’ll get to try the number 1 pizza in the city, pasta cooked al dente, truffles, cheese, cured meats, aged balsamic vinegar, Roman street food, and natural gelato. And it does say ‘unlimited’ in the title, so I think it’s a great way to get a taste of the local culinary scene and discover some hidden gems in the city.
2. Trastevere food tour
Trastevere is my favorite area to dine in Rome, so with or without a guide, I definitely recommend eating there. This food tour in Trastevere, Rome includes dinner, but also over 20 traditional Roman food and Italian wine tastings.
3. Campo de’ Fiori to Trastevere walking and eating tour
This is a 4-hour walking tour of Rome’s historic center, starting from Campo de’ Fiori and ending in Trastevere, that allows you to experience the traditional local food and drinks. Try the best of Italian cuisine at some of the most unique locations and local eateries that use only the highest quality produce.
4. Rome's best street food and history tour
Experience the best of Italian street food and Roman history on a mouth-watering tour that takes you through the charming Jewish Quarter and historic center of Rome. Delight your taste buds with a variety of local flavors as you explore some of Rome’s most popular and beloved eateries.
5. Rome, Trastevere Gourmet Food Tour
This Gourmet Food Tour takes you on a culinary journey through the charming Trastevere neighborhood in Rome, accompanied by a local food expert. You’ll savor the traditional recipes of Rome at some of the best local restaurants, while immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the city’s most vibrant neighborhood.
6. Food tour at the Vatican Ancient Trionfale Market
This food tour takes you at one of Rome’s most historic food markets – the Trionfale Market. With over 273 food stands, this ancient market is a foodie’s paradise that offers a wide variety of local fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and more.
7. Food tasting tour in the Monti neighborhood
This food tour in Rome promises you a gastronomic adventure through the trendy neighborhood of Monti, where a local food expert will guide you through Rome’s authentic street food culture. You’ll try Italy’s unique flavors, as you savor Rome’s best pizza, pasta, and other mouth-watering street delicacies. Sounds exciting!
8. Rome Tour with Tastings: Campo de'Fiori & Ghetto Street Food
Join this guided street food tour and discover the vibrant flavors of Rome. Wander through the city, as you sample a selection of local foods while discovering some of Rome’s most iconic attractions, including the Campo de Fiori, the Marcello Theater, and more. Immerse yourself in the bustling street food scene of Rome and savor its authentic culinary culture.
9. Rome food tastings: 3-Hour Guided Food Tour
This guided walking tour of Rome’s historic center allows you to treat your taste buds to some of the finest traditional Italian foods. Sample a variety of delicious foods including pizza, pasta, Italian hams, wines, and cheeses. Finish off your culinary adventure with some refreshing Sicilian gelato.
10. Vatican Food tour at Mercato Trionfale with cooking class
Experience the taste of Roman cuisine in the company of a local foodie. This tour includes tastings at the Mercato Trionfale in the Vatican, but also a delightful a cooking class that will introduce you to authentic Italian dishes. Explore the various food stands and savor the best of Rome delicacies.
11. Food tour near the Vatican with wine and gelato tastings
Explore the neighborhoods near the Vatican City on a food and wine tour that will treat your taste buds to the local flavors of Rome. The tour starts at a gourmet food shop, where you’ll get to sample the best Italian cheeses and meats paired with fine wine. You’ll also try the best pizza in Rome, homemade pasta. and Vermentino wine. The tour culminates with artisanal gelato, where you’ll also learn how to tell between authentic and bad gelato.
12. Truffle tasting in Rome
Indulge in a unique one-hour tasting experience at a popular local restaurant in Rome, where you can relish on a variety of truffle tastings and other delicious treats. Discover the essence of authentic Italian cuisine and wine while you’re there.
13. Luxurious gourmet dinner at a fine dining restaurant in Rome
Experience an evening of luxurious gourmet dining, as you indulge in the finest foods and wines of Italy at a fine dining restaurant in Rome, accompanied by an expert food and wine connoisseur. Treat your taste buds to a culinary adventure, as you savor some of the most exquisite dishes in Rome, perfectly paired with the finest Italian wines.
14. Rome walking food tour in Testaccio neighborhood
This walking food tour takes you on a short and delicious journey through Testaccio, a charming Roman neighborhood. As you wander off the beaten path, your guide will lead you to the best local eateries in Testaccio and market stalls where you can taste some of the best food and wine in Rome. Highlights include a family-owned bakery, a visit to the popular Testaccio Market, where you can try the buffalo mozzarella and craft your own bruschetta, and a top restaurant serving traditional Roman cuisine.
15. Rome vegetarian food tour
This food tour explores the essence of seasons, offering a culinary journey through traditional Roman cuisine. You will try Sicilian delights during the tour and explore the gastronomic traditions of Rome with pairings like Cheese’n’Pear. The tour takes you to top-awarded patisseries and offers real Italian espresso, making it a perfect way to experience the true flavors of Rome.
A great way to become an expert in Italian food is by making it yourself in a cooking class in Rome. This is a unique experience to have on your vacation to the Eternal City, so I’ve selected some food classes that are highly recommended.
1. Learn to make Tiramisu and Pasta at this cooking class in Rome
At a family-run restaurant in Rome, you can learn the art of making handmade pasta and tiramisu from scratch. This unique Italian experience includes free-flowing fine wine that pairs well with the flavors of the dishes. The cooking class ends perfectly with a delicious 3-course traditional meal.
2. Pasta cooking class with cocktails in Rome
While in Rome, join a chef-led class and learn how to cook traditional Italian food with a cocktail in your hand. Follow classic Roman recipes, learn how to make fresh pasta, and sip on 3 handcrafted spritzes during this amazing culinary experience. The chef will guide you through the preparation of the dishes, giving you an insight into the techniques and traditions of Italian cooking.
3. Piazza Navona Rome cooking class: Learn how to make pizza and tiramisu
At this cooking class in Rome, you will discover the secrets of authentic Italian pizza and tiramisu-making at a traditional restaurant located near Piazza Navona, in the heart of Rome. Get hands-on in the kitchen as you learn how to make pizza from directly from the experts. After the cooking class, sit down and relish your creations while sipping on a glass of fine Italian wine.
4. Rome cooking class: Make fresh fettuccine pasta and tiramisu
On you trip to Italy, experience a hands-on cooking class in the heart of Rome and learn how to make fettuccine and Tiramisù using simple and fresh ingredients. Under the guidance of a local chef, you will master the art of pasta-making and dessert preparation. After the class, take a seat and savor the flavors of your homemade dishes.
5. A fresh pasta and tiramisu cooking class at a local's home
Experience the art of Italian cooking in a cozy and relaxed atmosphere at this private pasta and tiramisu-making class. Discover the secrets of preparing the most popular pasta dishes and the classic Italian dessert, tiramisu, in a welcoming home. Afterward, indulge in a delicious lunch or dinner with the fruits of your labor and savor the authentic flavors of Italy with a glass of local wine.
6. Fun tiramisu and pasta-making class in Rome
Unlock the secrets of authentic Italian cuisine with a pasta-making workshop in the heart of Rome. Discover how to prepare some of Italy’s most famous pasta dishes and a traditional Italian dessert in a fun and educational environment. You’ll learn from expert chefs and gain valuable knowledge and skills that will definitely impress your friends and family.
7. A Unique Rome Travel Experience: Traditional Pizza and Gelato Making Class
Unleash your inner chef in Rome with a fun and traditional pizza and gelato-making class in the heart of the city. Learn how to prepare the perfect dough and slide it into the oven for a crispy base. Then, let your imagination run wild as you choose your own toppings for your pizza. After that, satisfy your sweet tooth by making your own delicious gelato. Enjoy your creations and savor the authentic flavors of Italy.