Italy has one of the most highly regarded cuisines on earth, and food outlets everywhere attempt to recreate the most popular dishes, with varied results.

You may be thinking of pizza and pasta when you envisage Roman cuisine. While there are many unmissable spots for both, there are also numerous local delicacies that are traditional in the city, dating back hundreds of years.

Food tours in Rome aim to break down your pre-existing thoughts of what food is like in Rome and show you all of what the Eternal City has to offer your taste buds.

This is your ultimate guide to food tours, some of the most delightful gastronomic experiences in Rome.

What are the best food tours in Rome?

Rome street food tour with guide

This two-hour guided food tour takes you on an exploration of Roman cuisine. You'll sample Italian delicacies such as fried rice balls and deep-fried artichokes, as well as the city's more famous offerings of creamy gelato and flavorful pizza.

Rome 4-hour food tour by night

If you want to see the city come to life, choose a nighttime food tour of the streets. You'll explore the neighborhoods that are most renowned as foodie havens and experience more than 20 tastings.

You'll visit unusual food outlets such as a water buffalo specialty shop. Fresh mozzarella, pesto and artichokes are just some of the tastings you'll experience in the first part of your tour. Continuing on, you'll try creative pizza combinations, handmade pasta and rare truffles.

Rome food tour with pizza-making, trattoria tastings and gelato

This tour takes place in a small group with 12 or fewer participants. You'll start in the Jewish Ghetto where you'll learn more about the influence of the Jewish culture on Roman cuisine and taste some local starters.

Heading out of the ghetto, you'll enjoy tastings of cheese, wine and beer among other delicacies, before creating your own decadent pizza in a cooking classes in Rome.

Rome secret food tour

On this food tour in Rome, you'll seek out all of the hidden gems that the city has to offer. What sets this tour apart is that you can choose to have a privately guided trip which provides a more personal experience.

You'll start at Piazza Navona and stroll through several Roman neighborhoods such as Trastevere and the Jewish Ghetto. While journeying through these areas by foot, you'll try local specialties such as fried risotto balls, freshly prepared pizza and cured meats.

How much are Rome food tours?

Rome street food tours include a local guide who will inform you about the history of Rome's neighborhoods, as well as samples of traditional food and beverages. You can expect to pay €45 per person for a tour of this nature.

Night food tours last for four hours, cost approximately €120 per person and include a local guide, as well as all food and wine tastings. Food tours in Rome that include pizza making cost about €80 per person and include food and drink tastings, an expert guide and a pizza-making masterclass.

Secret food tours include food and wine tastings, as well as lunch and a local guide. You can choose to take the tour as part of a group which costs about €100 per person.

Alternatively, you can select a privately guided walk around Rome, tasting all of the most delicious delicacies for €350 per person. Bigger groups receive a per-person discount and if you travel in a group of three or more, you'll pay €180 per head.

What do food tours in Rome include?

On food tours in Rome, you can expect that all tastings of food and beverages will be included. You'll usually try local wine and have a craft beer tasting, and there's water available for those who don't consume alcohol.

When it comes to food, samples of cured meats and cheeses are always provided. On most tours, you'll also try fried rice balls and fried artichokes, as well as Roman pizza and pasta. At the end of the trip, you'll often sample fresh gelato.

Some excursions also include other food and beverage tastings along the way. You'll have a professional guide to help you explore the traditional Roman cuisine and provide a history of the evolution of the city's palette.

What is the meeting point of Rome food excursions?

Food tours in Rome start in a variety of locations. Piazzas are popular meeting points as they are easily accessible to all. You can expect your guide to be wearing or holding something that makes them easily identifiable, such as a brightly colored umbrella or clipboard.

No matter where your tour departs from, the spot will be predetermined so you'll be able to arrange your transportation beforehand.

How long do food excursions in Rome last?

You can expect a food excursion in Rome to last between two and four hours, and visit several Roman neighborhoods. If you're looking for an in-depth tour with lots of different tastings, you'll probably be most interested in a tour that lasts closer to four hours than two.

When is the best time to go on a Rome food tour?

Italy is famous for its cuisine all over the world. From traditional Margherita pizzas to handmade linguine, you can find all of Italy's best delicacies in Rome. If the cuisine is what brings you to the city, you should take a food tour as soon as possible.

You'll taste authentic Roman delicacies and explore traditional food outlets. This will allow you to enjoy the rest of your culinary journey in the city thoroughly, through the best dishes and local restaurants.

Take a food tour in Rome around lunch or dinner time to ensure that you have a big appetite.

Are there any combos available with food tours?

Rome e-bike night tour with food and wine tasting

If your time in Rome is limited, consider taking a combined food tour and Rome biek tours. You'll experience the panoramic views from Aventino Hill which include Circo Massimo and Campidoglio.

Electronic bikes allow you to explore the city without wearing yourself out. Once you've finished sightseeing from the hillside, you'll slowly make your way towards the Trevi Fountain passing by sites that include the Colosseum.

This tour includes an e-bike rental and a guide, as well as charcuterie and wine at the end of the excursion. You can expect to pay about €70 per person.

Tips before yo go

Many food experiences in Rome are walking tours. For this reason, you should wear comfortable shoes.
Advise your tour operator of any dietary requirements in advance.
Some walking tours aren't able to cater to wheelchair users. Check whether your tour is suitable before booking.
Food tours in Rome usually include at least 10 samples. Begin on an empty stomach to enjoy the tour fully.

What are other gastronomic experiences can you enjoy in Rome?

Food Tours in Rome