Eat and Drink in Rome

Attention: the most fancy places are usually tourist traps. We suggest to get lost in the narrow streets away form the big crowded ones. You should not pay more then 2 euros for a delicious crusty walking pizza…

If saving is your travelling philosophy, you can also drink your water from the public fountains that are spread all over.

And after pizza?? You need to end with a fantastic ice cream!

For an excellent one try Giolitti’s (Via Uffici del Vicario, 40, ph: 06 6991243; www.giolitti.it) that since 1900 has been serving savoury ice creams behind all expectations. It’s not in every guide... only Romans know!! Basically till now you should have spent not more then 5 euros!!! Quite good news for backpackers, or also families with children travelling on a budget!! Right??

But the best tips are the following: dinner out in Rome!!

The San Lorenzo and Trastevere neighbourhoods are both renowned for reasonably priced Roman-Style cooking. If you have a lodging there it will also be easy to get around: otherwise there are plenty of guest houses or family B&& (bed and breakfast, in Italy are also called pensioni or family guest house) available in many websites, among the others you can try Flashbooking.com which allows to book directly online providing you with the BB maps and directions and contacts as well. Very useful! We suggest you chose your BandB according to the location and if you get your accommodation in Trastevere be sure you will be in the most traditional, buzzing and authentic area of Rome!

There are very few things Romans will line up for. One of these is “da Baffetto” near Piazza Navona, more exactly in Via del Governo Vecchio,14;ph. 066861617). After 9 pm prepare to wait quite a lot because they do not take reservations but pizza is fabulous!!

For tradition Roman dishes there is also “Trattoria da Francesco” in Piazza del Fico, 29 (ph: 06 6864009) hidden in a cosy square that serves as a private garden. If this is not enough and you are planning to stay in Rome for few nights, consider a visit to Alfredo alla Scrofa and try the specialty: ‘Fettuccine’ (Via della Scrofa, 104)

For a little more expensive but trendy place (which is pizzeria, restaurant, wine-bar, ‘cheeserie’ all together is ‘Gusto in Piazza Augusto Imperatore, 9; ph: 06 32262 73; open every day from 10 in the morning until 2 in the night).