Food, Things To Do, Apps, and Accommodations in Rome
This post is like the 7-Eleven - you’ll get all you intended plus some. I will share my responses to the most requested things. What’s the most requested things? Food, things to do, and accommodation recommendations. I’ll even throw in links and helpful apps to get you around the massive, chaotic, but stunning city of Roma. I haven’t lived there, but I’ve visited ten times and I’m not done. During those ten visits I’ve made some discoveries. I won’t list every place I thought was good, but I’ll list the ones that stand out. As always, these are based on my personal experience, i.e. they’re not borrowed opinions.
Go ahead and pull up your notes app and google maps for copying and pasting all the things that interest you. I’ll leave a map link at the bottom for all things mentioned.
Where To Eat in Rome
Like it or not, food has become a reason to travel. I can’t say I’m on board with that reason, but I’m definitely no stranger to over-indulging while visiting another city. Since I’m a lover of a variety of good food, I’m sharing a few places that will have you raving about how good the food scene is in Rome. I say, “Roma has the best food in Italy!” Test me on this and let me know.
Italian Food
Giulietta Vino e Cucina - a gastronomy laboratory; Italian ingredients paired and blended to make creative dishes. Read about the uniqueness of this place on the website and make a reservation.
Emma pizzeria - wonderful pizza and ambiance
Forno Campo de 'Fiori - bakeshop that sells traditional sweet & savory baked goods, slices of Roman pizza, and more.
Osteria da Fortunata - organic recipes & handmade pasta
Don Nino - gelateria, pasticceria, bakery, and caffetteria
OperArt - a typical Italian menu
Gino Sorbillo - Lievito Madre a Roma - I ate at this pizzaiolo’s pizzeria in Napoli. I didn’t know he had one in Roma, so I’m recommending it because their pizza is scrumptious!
Other Ethnic Foods
Pico's Taqueria & American grill - the best Mexican food I’ve had in Italy.
Ristorante Phở 1 - the best pho (pronounced: fuh) I’ve ever had and I lived in Hawaii.
Thai Inn - legit Thai food. Note: their spicy IS spicy.
Where To Stay in Rome
La Finestra sul Colosseo - studio, private bath, really clean, top notch service, breakfast is delivered to your room on request, a fantastic location, close to public transit, and several apartments available.
Casa Claudia at Colosseum - Basically on the same street as the Colosseum. Even though it’s street level, it’s quiet (at least for us it was). Sleeps 4, two levels, and is a superb location as bus 81 picks up right outside the front door and the metro and tram are just down the street. The host and her parents are very easy to communicate with and are kind. I’ve stayed here three times and my next say is already booked!
Chiavari 2bed/2bath Deluxe Apart.| Campo dè Fiori - airbnb, location is next door to Forno Campo de 'Fiori. A superb location, suitable for families, and a well-equipped apartment.
Houspitality Nero B&B - near the train station, studio room, private bath, communal space, and several apartments available.
Starhotels Metropole - Nice hotel and great location near the train station.
Things to Do and See in Rome
I’m not going to state the obvious things on my list. Those obvious things are the Colosseum Parc, Vatican, St. Peter’s, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. Let’s go beyond those.
*Note: for the Pantheon link above, it will take you to the reservation form on the official booking site. You will need to login to make a reservation which is mandatory at this time. ENTRANCE is FREE. If you want a guided/audio tour, then yes, there will be a fee.
These are in no particular order.
Explore Rome in a 1970 Fiat with Erion - I did this for my birthday and had a blast. Erion is like an old friend the moment you meet him. I highly recommend this for singles, couples, or a small group of friends. Save time and energy - ride around the city.
Trastevere - walk around this town and enjoy the cool vibes.
Villa Borghese - massive park with a great city view, rentals to ride around the park, and a museum.
Pyramid of Caius Cestius - who knew there was a pyramid in Roma?
Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano - a stunning basilica with massive statues of the apostles. Across the street from the Holy Steps.
Scala Santa - The Holy Steps - brought from Jerusalem at the order of Constantine’s mom.
Buco della serratura dell’Ordine di Malta - take the keyhole camera shot of the Vatican.
Tiber Island - there’s an island in Roma and you should see it. Walk across the Ponte Garibaldi for a great view.
Piazza Venezia - from this piazza you’ll be looking at the Altar of the Fatherland. Take the lift up for another great view.
Basilica di Santo Stefano Rotondo al Celio - a basilica off the beaten path. The church is named after Stephen who was martyred in Acts 7.
Mamertine Prison - the prison where Paul is said to have been imprisoned.
Campo de' Fiori - visit the market in the piazza.
Via del Corso - Walk the Main Street for lots of shopping and people watching. It stretches from Piazza del Popolo to Piazza Venezia.
Museo Storico - Padiglione delle Carrozze - after you exit the Vatican, via the souvenir shop and cafe, and walk out onto the courtyard. There is a lift and next to it a sign for the Carrozze Museo - take the stairs down and enter the museum to view former popes’ carriages, sedan chairs, and cars.
What Apps Are Useful in Rome?
Mycicero - for public transportation. Load credit card information in advance.
FreeNow - Taxi app like Uber. Load credit card information in advance.
EasyPark - if you are driving, use this app to pay for parking. Load credit card information in advance.
HappyCow - vegan and vegetarian restaurant finder
Rick Steve’s Audio Europe - instead of paying for an audio tour guide at the sites, just use this app. Be sure to pack your headphones.
EatWith - find local people to “eat with”, or cook with.
A google maps list for all the things mentioned above.
For an itinerary see this post: Italy - 10 Day Itinerary
