Tastes & Traditions of Rome: Testaccio Food and Market Tour

Please note that this description is an example and stops or tastes may vary depending on the season, day of the week, and group size. Regardless of where your tour goes, you always have a delicious experience.

Start your morning the Roman way: with coffee and pastries!

The quiet, non-touristy Testaccio neighborhood has long been considered the cradle of Roman cuisine among locals. Today, we’re showing you exactly why that is as we eat and drink our way through some of the area’s best family-run eateries on a Testaccio food tour.

Our morning begins at a bustling café in the heart of Testaccio. You’ll learn how to do breakfast like a local here in Rome (hint: it involves whipped cream-stuffed pastries and freshly brewed coffee). Before you leave, your guide will also introduce you to more of the delicious treats in the pastry case, so you know exactly what to order during the rest of your time in Rome.

Get a taste of everyday Roman life at the Testaccio Market.

From there, it’s off to the historic Testaccio Market, where we’ll sample some of the city’s freshest products surrounded by neighborhood residents doing their daily grocery shopping. Freshly baked pizza, local charcuterie and cheese, and Rome’s most famous sandwich are all on the menu! As we make our way from stall to stall, you'll learn more about the top-quality regional products and the importance of seasonal eating in Italy.

Wrap up your Testaccio food tour with pasta, wine, and gelato.

After tasting our way through the market, we'll make a brief stop at a local monument that serves as a reminder of Testaccio's working-class roots—and how they influenced Roman cuisine as a whole. Then it's the moment you've been waiting for: it's time for pasta! We’ll sit down for a laid-back lunch of quintessentially Roman pasta and wine at a family-run restaurant that rightfully forms a piece of Testaccio’s history.

On the way to the final stop, you'll be humbled by the history of Testaccio as you pass by an Ancient Roman archaeological site filled with broken clay urns used to store olive oil and other goods.

Last but not least, we hope you saved room for gelato! Get to know the owner of our favorite gelateria in Testaccio and discover her tips for spotting the good stuff as you enjoy a cup or cone of your favorite flavors.

By the time we’re through with our Testaccio food tour, you’ll feel ready to eat and shop with the Romans like you’ve lived here your whole life—and know how to find the best food in the city.