Best Street Food in Rome, Italy: 8 Must-Try Eats

Planning a trip to Rome? After living here for eight years, I’ve discovered the best street food in Rome, Italy—hidden gems and local favorites you won’t want to miss. From crispy fried bites to sweet treats, the city’s street vendors serve up some of the most authentic and affordable flavors. Let me guide you to the best spots for a true Roman food experience!

Supplì

If there’s one street food that defines Rome, it’s supplì. These golden, crispy croquettes of deep-fried risotto are pure comfort food magic. Break one open, and you’ll witness the famous “al telefono” effect—the mozzarella inside stretches like an old-school telephone cord. The outer crust is beautifully crunchy, giving way to a creamy, cheesy, tomato-infused rice filling that bursts with flavor. It's the kind of snack that stops you in your tracks, demanding that you savor every single bite and is widely available all over Rome. 

Where to Find Supplì in Rome:

Supplizio (Check Location Here)

Price: €3 - €5 per piece

Why go? This isn’t just street food; it’s elevated Roman cuisine. Owned by Chef Arcangelo Dandini, Supplizio crafts each supplì with precision, using high-quality ingredients that make every bite taste like a nostalgic embrace from a Roman grandmother.

Supplì Roma (Check Location Here)

Price: €1.50 - €2 per piece

Why go? This no-frills, hole-in-the-wall spot is a local favorite, known for its crispy, perfectly fried supplì. The balance of crunch and gooey mozzarella is simply addictive, and it’s the perfect snack after an evening stroll through Trastevere. A must-try when exploring cheap street food in Rome!

Arancina

Bigger, bolder, and often mistaken for supplì, arancine are Sicily’s answer to deep-fried heaven. These hefty, golden rice balls are stuffed with a variety of fillings—think slow-cooked meat ragù, saffron-infused risotto, or creamy béchamel and peas. Unlike the slender supplì, arancine are round and satisfyingly dense, with a thicker, crunchier crust that shatters beautifully as you bite in. One bite, and you’re instantly transported to the sun-drenched streets of Palermo.

Where to Find Arancini in Rome:

Mondo Arancina (Check Location Here)

Price: €3 - €6 per piece

Why go? If you want the best street food in Rome with a Sicilian twist this is THE place for Sicilian street food in Rome. The arancine here is massive, crispy, and bursting with flavor. The saffron-infused rice and slow-cooked fillings make each bite an explosion of warmth and spice, exactly how it should be.

Pizza al Taglio (Pizza by the Slice)

Pizza in Rome isn’t served as a whole pie—it’s cut into big, beautiful slabs and sold by weight. The best pizza al taglio (literally, “pizza by the cut”) is an experience of contrasts: a crunchy-yet-airy crust, topped with seasonal, high-quality ingredients that showcase Rome’s obsession with simplicity done right. Whether you go classic with tomato and mozzarella or adventurous with toppings like zucchini flowers, fig and prosciutto, or gorgonzola and pear, every bite is a little taste of pizza perfection.

Where to Find Pizza al Taglio in Rome:

Pizzarium Bonci (Check Location Here)

Price: €4 - €7 per slice

Why go? Gabriele Bonci, known as the “Michelangelo of Pizza”, has perfected the art of high-hydration dough and unique toppings. Every bite of his pizza is crispy yet fluffy, rich yet delicate—a true work of art.This is Italian street food at its finest!

Alice Pizza (Multiple Locations-Check Here)

Price: €2 - €5 per slice

Why go? A reliable and affordable option across Rome, Alice Pizza is perfect for a quick, delicious bite while sightseeing and experiencing cheap street food in Rome. Their pizza is always fresh, crisp, and generously topped.

Trapizzino

Think of trapizzino as a pizza pocket stuffed with classic Roman stews. The bread is thick and fluffy, lightly toasted on the outside to give it a pleasant crunch while remaining soft on the inside. Each bite bursts with the rich flavors of slow-cooked fillings like chicken cacciatore, beef meatballs, or oxtail stew, making for a satisfying, handheld meal.

Where to Find Trapizzino in Rome:

Trapizzino (Multiple Locations- Check Here)

Price: Around €4 each

Why go? Invented by Stefano Callegari, this is the original trapizzino spot! Their fillings are rich and deeply flavorful, slow-cooked to perfection before being stuffed into the freshly baked pizza pockets. It’s cheap street food in Rome with a gourmet twist!

Filetto di Baccalà

Light, crispy, and packed with flavor, filetto di baccalà (fried cod fillet) is a must-try Roman specialty. The cod is dipped in a light batter and deep-fried to golden perfection, resulting in a crunchy outside and a tender, flaky inside. It’s simple, delicious, and a true Roman street food classic.

Where to Find Filetto di Baccalà in Rome:

Dar Filettaro a Santa Barbara (Check Location Here)

Price: €5 - €7 per piece

Why go? This historic spot is famous for serving some of the best Italian street food in the city. Their perfectly fried filetto di baccalà is light, crisp, and utterly delicious—one bite and you’ll see why it’s a Roman favorite.

An Italian Panino

A panino in Rome is not just a sandwich—it’s an experience. Imagine biting into freshly baked, crusty bread, stuffed with layers of thinly sliced prosciutto, creamy burrata, or aromatic truffle spreads. One of the most iconic fillings is porchetta—slow-roasted pork with crackling skin, seasoned with wild fennel and herbs, giving it a deep, smoky flavor.

Where to Find An Italian Panino in Rome:

All’Antico Vinaio (Check Location Here)

Price: €7 - €10 per sandwich

Why go?This legendary sandwich shop from Florence has taken Rome by storm with its enormous, flavor-packed panini. Filled with premium ingredients like truffle cream, mortadella, and pecorino, these sandwiches are worth every bite.

Bono Street Food (Multiple locations- Check Here)

Price: €5 - €8 per sandwich

Why go? If you want a classic, no-fuss panino, Bono Street Food delivers. Their porchetta panino is juicy, packed with herbs, and served on perfectly crispy bread. A must if you want to try the best street food in Rome.

Roman Fried Artichoke (Carciofi alla Giudia)

A true Roman classic, carciofi alla giudia (Jewish-style fried artichoke) is a crispy, golden masterpiece. This dish dates back centuries to Rome’s Jewish Ghetto, where artichokes are trimmed, flattened, and deep-fried until their delicate leaves turn shatteringly crisp. The result? A stunning, flower-like artichoke that’s crunchy on the outside, tender at the heart, and bursting with earthy, nutty flavor. Lightly salted and served piping hot, it’s an unmissable bite of Roman history.

Where to Find Roman Fried Artichoke in Rome:

Nonna Betta (Check Location Here)

Price: €6 - €10 each

Why go? Located in the heart of the Jewish Ghetto, Nonna Betta is famous for its expertly fried artichokes. They’re perfectly crispy yet melt-in-your-mouth tender, just as they should be.

Giggetto al Portico d'Ottavia (Check Location Here)

Price: €6 - €9 each

Why go? A historic spot serving some of the best carciofi alla giudia in town. Their artichokes are fried to perfection and pair beautifully with a glass of local white wine.

Maritozzo

Imagine a soft, golden brioche bun, slightly sweet and fluffy, bursting with an airy cloud of fresh whipped cream. That’s maritozzo, a Roman pastry that feels like a warm hug from a nonna. Traditionally given by suitors to their sweethearts (hence the name, which comes from "marito" meaning husband), this treat is light yet decadent, simple yet luxurious.

Where to Find Maritozzo in Rome:

Regoli Pasticceria (Check Location Here)

Price: €3 - €5 each

Why go? This historic bakery has been making maritozzi for over a century. Their version is light as air, never too sweet, and packed with the freshest cream.

Il Maritozzaro (Check Location Here)

Price: €3 - €5 each

Why go? Specializing in maritozzi, this spot is a local legend. Their maritozzi are generously filled, perfectly balanced in sweetness, and an absolute must-try.

Bar Baffo Caffè Vergnano (Multiple Locations-Check Here)

Price: €3 - €6 each

Why go? A charming cafe in Trastevere serving up a top-tier maritozzo alongside excellent coffee. Perfect for a sweet morning treat or an indulgent afternoon break.

Pappagallo (Check Location Here)

Price: €3 - €6 each

Why go? Known for its beautifully crafted maritozzi, Pappagallo serves up an irresistible combination of soft brioche and rich, fresh cream, making it a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Best Way to Experience the Street Food in Rome

After years of tasting my way through Rome, I can confidently say that the best way to experience the city’s street food is to eat like a local. If you want to dive into these flavors with an expert guide, I highly recommend the Rome Street Food Tour. I’ve been on this tour myself, and it’s an incredible way to discover hidden gems, hear the stories behind each bite, and eat your way through Rome’s best street food—all without the guesswork. Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, this tour will take your Roman food adventure to the next level!

And if you need help planning your trip, feel free to book a consultation call with me here. I'd love to share all my tips and hacks to help you plan the best trip to Italy.

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