Testaccio’s Top 5 Food Spots: A Tasty Guide

If you find yourself visiting Rome, you, more or less, ought to make a beeline for Testaccio. This neighborhood, that’s just a hop, skip, and a jump from the city’s center, is, basically, a foodie paradise. What sets Testaccio apart is, probably, its dedication to genuine Roman cooking and you could say that the dishes here are the kinds you can taste, as if they came from your grandma’s kitchen. So, prepare your appetite; we’re off to scout out five spots that are, apparently, worth the trip.

1. Nuovo Mercato di Testaccio: A Food Lover’s Hub

The Nuovo Mercato di Testaccio, it’s almost like, it is more than just a market, okay? It’s, actually, a complete experience. Stepping into this market means stepping into the heart of Testaccio’s culinary lifestyle. Picture this: rows upon rows of stalls, overflowing with the freshest produce, cheeses, and meats. Yet, this market is, in some respects, the best place to snatch up some tasty street food. For example, you could grab a supplì (a fried rice ball, very tasty!) from a stand, maybe try some fresh pasta. Plus, there’s bound to be some delcious pastries for you to try out! You can actually have an entire lunch just by strolling around! It’s, arguably, a local experience that’s hard to beat! If you want to know the real heart of a city, visiting its markets is usually the best way to start.

2. Flavio al Velavevodetto: Roman Classics with a View

Now, when it comes to diving into what people consider true Roman cooking, Flavio al Velavevodetto often comes up, usually recommended by locals. Perched on the side of Monte dei Cocci, this place, basically, offers you views alongside your meal—not any old views, mind you, but of an artificial hill made up entirely of ancient Roman pottery shards. The dishes that come out of the kitchen, might be simple, yet, they’re, also, packed with flavor, and that’s why the place is highly loved. Think cacio e pepe, gricia, and, probably, the reason most come here, the slow-cooked oxtail (coda alla vaccinara). People are, pretty much, going nuts over their carbonara! This restaurant, that one, tends to get quite busy, so, basically, plan ahead.

3. Pizzeria Remo: Thin-Crust Pizza Perfection

If you’re talking about Italian staple foods, and especially if you are close to Italy, there is no escaping pizza! Pizzeria Remo, a bit away in Testaccio, gives off what could be seen as a proper, classic Roman pizzeria vibe. Picture yourself sitting at simple, no-fuss tables, maybe outside, just watching people go by as you eat very thin-crust pizzas, baked to what I would consider crispy perfection in wood-fired ovens. Simplicity, it turns out, is this spot’s charm. You order, then eat. This place focuses a lot on the simple things and focuses on flavor above all! You see Romans visit for a great pizza, a cold beer, and, apparently, some enjoyable company. Anyway, what more could you ask?

4. Trapizzino Testaccio: Street Food Reinvented

Trapizzino Testaccio is a novel concept from Stefano Callegari. It gives street food a new twist, alright? Trapizzino, at the end of the day, is pocket-style pizza bread filled with classics from Roman cooking, kind of like little tasty sandwiches! Imagine fluffy, triangular pockets loaded with anything from braised oxtail and chicken cacciatora to meatballs in tomato sauce! These treats, basically, are great for on-the-go eating, perfect as a snack as you walk through Rome! Also, Trapizzino’s popularity is definitely because of how affordable it is! The flavors of Rome, at the end of the day, don’t need to be overly expensive!

5. Barberini Testaccio: Gelato and Sweet Treats

And for a final stop, you want something cool and fresh. Now, after all that Roman cooking, what better way to cap things off than with some great gelato? Barberini, just a walk in Testaccio, has garnered quite a fan base, supposedly, because of how they do their flavors— rich, actually, creamy, and seriously flavorful. They tend to use stuff that’s in-season, so, like your ice cream flavors change with whatever’s currently in season! Apart from just great gelato, their shop’s, really, rather inviting. With all their beautiful colors, what’s there not to love?