Lazio Food Guide

Once the beating heart of the Roman Empire, this region nourished its citizens with simple yet hearty fare. From the ancient Romans' love for grains and legumes to the modern-day pasta dishes that grace Italian tables, Lazio's culinary heritage is a testament to its rich history.

Learn about Lazio See our weekly menu

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What to eat, see and do in Rome

Ornate structures stand tall at every corner of the ancient Italian capital, against the peal of the bells of St. Peter’s Cathedral. The tale of the Eternal City is rooted in its history, from the Roman Colosseum to Michelangelo’s fresco adorning the ceiling of Sistine Chapel. The food culture of Rome also has historic roots, it can be traced back along the tangible timeline laid out in the city’s architecture.

Taste

Porchetta

A savoury pork roast, often stuffed and redolent of fresh herbs, porchetta is a masterpiece of Central Italy's cuisine.

Pecorino Romano

After Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano is perhaps Italy's second most famous formaggio, hailing from Rome.

Carbonara

Perhaps the world's best-loved pasta sauce, carbonara, made with eggs and, traditionally, guanciale, hails from Rome.

Carciofi alla Giudia

Though Rome's Jewish population has declined over the years, carciofi alla giudia (Jewish-style artichokes) live on in the capital.

Cacio e Pepe

Cacio e pepe, or 'cheese and pepper', is another of Rome's staple pasta sauces, simple yet extravagant.

Guanciale

Guanciale is a fatty, salty cut of cured pork traditionally used in the carbonara sauce.

Romanesco

Romanesco, almost so beautiful they might be from a fairytale, are also known as 'Roman cauliflower', and hail from Lazio.

Frascati

Frascati is Rome's most famous wine, enjoyed widely throughout the capital.

See

Colosseum

Rome's great Colosseum towers over the Italian capital, an unmistakable symbol of civilisation through the millennia.

Sistine Chapel

The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512.

Vatican City

The Vatican City is a country in its own right. The state was created through Mussolini & the Pope's Lateran Treaty of 1929.

Castelli Romani

The Castelli Romani are a verdant retreat, some 20 kilometres south of Rome. For millenia, Romans have visited for a weekend escape.

St Peter's Basilica

Perhaps the most famous church in the world, St Peter's Basilica can be found in the Vatican City.

Trevi Fountain

Rome's Trevi Fountain, built in 1762 by Nicola Salvi, is a feat of the Baroque tradition.

The Spanish Steps

135 steps in Piazza di Spagna leading up to the magnificent Trinità dei Monti church.

Roman Forum

As a city with millenia of history, it's easy to stumble across ruins of the ancient world here.

Learn

Trevi Fountain

Some €700,000 of coins are cast into Rome's Trevi Fountain each year by those making wishes.

The Pope

Perhaps Rome's biggest celebrity, the Pope inhabits the Vatican City microstate within Rome.

Eternal City

Endlessly beautiful, defying its thousands of years of history, Rome is poetically nicknamed the ''Eternal City''.

La Dolce Vita

A masterpiece of Italian cinema, Federico Fellini's ''La Dolce Vita'', was filmed in Rome.

La Sapienza University

Rome's La Sapienza university is the second biggest in the world.

Togas

In Ancient Rome, only free-born men were allowed to wear togas.

Pasta Museum

Rome has a museum dedicated entirely to pasta.

Wild Cats

Wild cats are found throughout Rome & are protected by law. This feline makes a point of its protected status by snoozing openly.

Read about Lazio

Enamoured by the gently sloping hills and the beautiful expanse of the Tyrrhenian Sea? Why not satisfy your longing for Lazio with our Pasta alla Carbonara recipe, inspired by the most famous dish this region has to offer. Journey with us along ancient roads and let us bring this special place to life.

Our Signature ‘Carbonara of Dreams’ Recipe

Tipple of Lazio: the Campari Spritz

A Foodie's Guide to Rome

My Time in Lazio: Georgie Ma

Guide to Wines Produced in Lazio

KEEP TRAVELLING

Don’t stop there – there’s so much more to see! Continue your Italian odyssey and explore other regions below.

Summer Tour of Italy

Winter Tour of Italy

BECOME A PRO PASTAIO

PASTA MAKING KITS

Take your Italian education one step further by learning to make your own pasta at home. Our pasta making kits come complete with specialist tools and flours, and if you’re a complete newbie, don’t worry – we have a range of gift sets that cater for all abilities. Once you’ve perfected the basics, you’ll become a pasta pro in no time!

VIEW PASTA MAKING KITS