Where to Eat Deliciously and Affordably in Rome

Compiling a list of inexpensive restaurants in Rome is no easy task. Not because there aren’t any. But because choosing 5, 10, or even 50 places from the sheer variety is impossible. And delicious food is almost everywhere anyway. After all, this is Italy! The homeland of pizza, pasta, gelato, risotto, arancini, ravioli… It’s quite likely that after a trip to the Eternal City, you’ll have your own list of the best of the best. So first, grab convenient tickets to Rome, and then add our list of budget-friendly restaurants to your favorites.

Pastasciutta

Just by the first five letters in the name, you can tell that delicious pasta is here. And it’s quite budget-friendly: most types will cost 5–7 €. It’s served quickly and fresh, as the stream of eager customers doesn’t dry up throughout the day. The menu includes classics like cacio e pepe and carbonara, as well as more refined versions, for example, with pesto and truffles. The establishment has two branches: one near the Vatican, and the other near Piazza del Popolo.

Address: Via Delle Grazie, 5, 00193

Taverna del Seminario

If you’ve been walking near the Trevi Fountain or the Pantheon and are hungry, you should visit Seminario. The atmosphere here is exactly what you’d expect from a small Italian restaurant: simple wooden furniture, warm yellow light, terracotta tiles on the floor. And waiters bustle between tables, serving guests plates of aromatic pasta. Besides pasta, you should order all the standard Italian classics — Caprese salad, Roman pizza, tiramisu for dessert. And a cup of cappuccino to finish — it’s also highly praised. Pasta arrabbiata will cost 9 €, a trio of bruschettas — just 6 €.

Address: Via del Seminario, 105, 00186

Supplì Roma

Supplì is a representative of Roman cuisine with rustic origins, which you won’t find in many standard Italian restaurants abroad. So you must try them. And the best place is right here, at Supplì in the Trastevere district. Essentially, these are meatballs (or croquettes, if that sounds clearer), but made from rice with cheese, various fillings, and sauces. You can have them as an appetizer or eat them on the go, without distracting from sightseeing. Supplì Roma serves several types of supplì — classic, Amatriciana, with cacio cheese and pepper, carbonara. Just a couple of euros each!

Address: Via di San Francesco a Ripa, 137, 00153

Trapizzino

Another Roman specialty that is relatively little-known abroad. Trapizzino is something between a sandwich and a pizza. In shape, it’s a kind of bread cone; in dough composition, it’s pizza. Inside, it has a filling of your choice. Options include tongue in green sauce, meatballs, stewed oxtails, Roman-style pork belly, and much more. There are many branches scattered throughout the city, so you can always grab a couple of triangles for 5 € each on the go.

Address: Via Giovanni Branca, 88, 00153

La Famiglia

The best way to eat affordably in Rome is to explore the preferences of locals. La Famiglia will be among them. It’s a simple family restaurant often frequented by students. And where there are students, prices are never high. The atmosphere here is relaxed, the service is friendly, pasta portions are huge, and the house wine is delicious. Fettuccine Alfredo goes for 10 €, Stracciatella alla Romana soup (broth with egg and Pecorino cheese) — for 8 €.

Address: Via Gaeta, 66, 00185

Forno Campo de’ Fiori

Despite the cafe being located in the popular tourist square Campo de’ Fiori, the food here is delicious and offered at reasonable prices, especially considering the location. Calzone will cost just 3 € each, artichokes — €2 per 100 grams, pastries mostly cost from 2 to 3 €, supplì — from 1.50 to 2 € each, and most ready-made paninis cost from 3.50 to 5 €. It’s worth coming here for breakfast, as the cafe opens early — at 7:30 AM.

Address: Campo De’ Fiori 22, 00186

Mordi e Vai

Mordi e Vai, one of the most popular street food spots in Rome, offers paninis with fillings based on traditional Roman recipes. Their bestsellers are alesso di scottona con cicoria (braised beef brisket with bitter greens), picchiapò (braised beef with tomatoes, onions, and carrots), vitello alla carbonara (veal carbonara), or polpetta al sugo (meatballs in tomato sauce). If you’re not afraid of experiments, try their signature dish — trippa alla romana (tripe).

Address: Via B. Franklin, 12 E, 00153

Fuorinorma

Fuorinorma serves simple but delicious dishes. Many paninis consist of only two ingredients, but their quality stands out. Prices range from 4.50 to 8 €. Conveniently, they mark which sandwiches on the menu are most popular, so if you’re unsure what to order, pick one of those. A panini with porchetta, tuna sauce, and sun-dried tomatoes might seem strange, but in fact, it’s a winning option. The option with beef, Parmesan, arugula, and olive oil is no less remarkable. Pay attention to the restaurant’s opening hours: they have a siesta from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Address: Via dei Serpenti, 178, 00184

Antico Forno Roscioli

This family pizzeria opened in 1972 and continues to delight visitors to this day. They are best known for their pizza al taglio (rectangular), traditionally sold by weight. During peak hours, it can be crowded, but the line moves quickly, don’t worry. Choose pizza to your taste, but don’t overlook the simplest versions like Margherita. Just dough, just tomatoes, and what a fantastic taste it turns out to be! The price for 100g is approximately 2–3 €. If you find yourself in Rome in spring, stop by for panettone — a festive cake, the Italian counterpart to Easter sweet bread.

Address: Via Dei Chiavari 34, 00186

Pizza e Mozzarella

Pizza and mozzarella. What else do we really need? This tiny restaurant near the Pantheon manages the incredible task of making hot, delicious pizza at an affordable price, and doing it so well that it’s praised and stands out among others. And this is in Italy! They also sell it by weight here, prices — from 2 € per 100g. Four cheeses, capricciosa, rossa, bianca, pepperoni with mozzarella — all the classics are here.

Address: Via del Piè di Marmo, 32, 00186