In this three-hour Rome food tour, accompanied by a food writer, chef or culinary educator, we will explore some of the city's delicious specialties, with an emphasis on its revered street food culture. Rome shines brightly as one of Europe's top food destinations, with a gastronomic culture that can be traced back to ancient Roman times, and we’ll look at how this history, and more recent outside influences, make for a unique, stimulating, and diverse eating experience. During the tour, we will walk through the historic city center or Trastevere on the hunt for the best coffee, chocolate, pizza, and gelato.

Our time together will begin near the Jewish Ghetto, where we can sample some of Rome's legendary fried snacks, and possibly carciofi (artichokes). Though the route of our tour will vary depending on the season and our interests, we will hit several different local shops that illustrate the rich food culture of Rome. Whether it be pizza, coffee, gelato, or biscotti, all of our samplings will teach us a bit more about the tapestry of foodstuffs that are integral to the cultural attitudes and history of the city. Our tour will most certainly include an experience with a coffee (or cappuccino) at a local coffee bar, where we’ll learn about the history of coffee culture and the fierce rivalries that exist today between different coffee shops.

Of course, our tour will not be complete without a slice of pizza. We’ll taste thin-crusted Roman-style pizza and discuss characteristic varieties, especially the renowned pizza bianca. Finally, we’ll wrap up our tour at a family-run, artisanal gelateria, where the gelato is made by hand using the freshest ingredients sourced from all over Italy. By the end of our walk, we’ll come away with an appreciation for and understanding of the rich culinary tradition that still exists in the center of Rome. Using the lessons learned with our gastronomic expert, we’ll comfortably be able to navigate Rome's cafes and food shops like a native.

Thirsty? Consider our Rome Wine Tour and Tasting. Want to dig deeper into traditional Roman cooking? We suggest our Cooking Class in Rome, in the home of a Roman chef

Can I participate food tours if I have food allergies or other dietary restrictions?
Yes. If you have any specific allergies/intolerances please indicate these in the Notes section when you're booking and your guide will do his or her best to accommodate. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and nut-free diets can certainly be accommodated, although the shops we visit do use wheat flour and nuts in the kitchen for other items. If you are booking privately, we can customize a route that will avoid such items, something that we cannot fully do on our small group walks.

It looks like this isn't available in August. Why? 
We don't offer this tour in August since most of the shops are closed.

Are the tastings included?
Yes, you'll notice during checkout, there is a €15 per person tasting fee. Your guide will take care of all purchasing while on the tour.

Is this walk mobility-friendly?
Overall, yes. All sites are accessible although the length of itinerary and terrain might pose difficulties to slow walkers or wheelchair users. Please note, the shops we visit do not have wheelchair-accessible toilets.