The Best Food Markets in Rome

Visiting the food markets in Rome, is one of the best way to get in touch with Roman customs and culture.

Life in Italy happens at the food table, where food markets date back to Ancient Rome. Despite the influx of supermarkets, they continue to be at the center of communities, throughout the Eternal City.

Therefore allow all your senses to come alive, with the culinary delights of Roman market life. Below is a comprehensive guide to Rome’s food markets, to get an authentic taste of Italy’s capital city.

For a complete insight in Italian cuisine, join us one of our award winning food tours in Rome

Where to find the best food markets in Rome

Trionfale Market

Of all the food markets in Rome, Trionfale market is the largest. With 275 stalls spread over 6.000-sqm of floor space, its also one of the largest food markets in Italy. Exploring it fully, is ideal for working up an good appetite.

It is located in the residential neighborhood of Prati, close to the Vatican City. It’s known as the ‘mercato di populari,’ meaning the market for the locals. Often you will see mothers picking out groceries for their families, or local chefs running around with their shopping lists.

The market is organized by color-coded food stands. Fruit and vegetables is green, cured meat is red, fish is blue and yellow is wholesome baked products and fresh pasta. Whether you are looking for truffles, eggs, honey, nuts, olive oil or aged balsamic vinegar you will find everything here.

Popular stands include number  266, owned by Ernesto and his son Danilo. For over 40 years, they have been selling all types of cheese, including buffalo mozzarella, eggplant parmesan and Pecorino Romano.

At stand 229, Anna and her team, sell all types of fresh pasta including lasagna, ravioli and melanzane alle parmiagno. You can also find the Roman street food suppli (fried tomato rice balls filled with mozzarella). They can heat up for you if you wish to eat while standing.

The market is one of the favorite venues on the Taste of Trionfale food tour. 

Address: Via Andrea Doria, 41
Hours: Mon – Sat 07:00 – 14:00

Campo dei Fiori Market

Rome’s oldest food market is located in Campo de’ Fiori. Due to its central location, the open-air market does cater predominately to tourists, but the food here is fresh and delicious. The market has various bars, restaurants, sandwich shops and ice cream vendors around it.

The hustle and bustle of market life is great for people watching.Enjoy the Italian atmosphere, while locals haggle with traders looking for bargains. It is lovely to observe with a cappuccino at a nearby coffee shop.

Locals come here for fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and flowers, as well as bio and organic options. There is also the possibility to do some souvenir shopping, if you don’t have time to go to a gift store.

Mustafa entertains the crowds with his humorous sales techniques for food preparation and cooking gadgets, as well as kitchenware.

Address: Piazza Campo de’ Fiori
Hours: Mon – Sat 07:00 – 14:00

Testaccio market

Testaccio is arguably one of Rome’s trendiest food markets. It moved recently from the old covered stalls in Piazza Testaccio to a new building near to the Macro Museum.

These days it is a modern indoor gastronomic center, where you can discover Italian cuisine in all its forms. There are many stands and restaurants, offering fresh seasonal food, artisanal street food and gourmet goodies. It is also a popular place for locals, to meet up and enjoy meals at the various eateries.

You can find everything from fruit and vegetables, spices, herbs,fresh cannoli and many more delectable snacks and imaginative grub.

Address: Via Aldo Manuzio, 66b
Hours: Mon – Sat 07:00 – 14:30

Eataly

Eataly is a multi level gastronomic center, opened in 2012 open 7 days a week. It is located by the Ostiense station, near the Testaccio neighborhood.

It is the second largest food mall in the world, spread over 170,000 square feet and 4 floors. Quite simply, you can find everything gastronomic related here; a food lovers paradise.

• The ground floor is made up of food stores, cafes, chocolate and pastry shops, bakeries, ice cream vendors and sandwich sellers
• The first floor is comprised of pizzerias, seafood and pasta restaurants, bars, wine and craft beer vendors.
• The second floor is gourmet restaurants offering meat, fish and traditional Italian cuisine, as well as various vegetarian and vegan options. Consider the Bosco Umbro restaurant, with head chef Paolo Trippini
• On the third floor there are rooms for cooking classes, with some of Italy’s best chefs. Click here for their schedule.

Eataly has also opened a smaller second store in Rome, near the Termini train station.

Address: Piazzale 12 Ottobre 1492
Phone:+39 06 9027 9021
Hours: Mon – Sun 08:00 – 21:00

Mercato Centrale

Located by the Rome Termini station, the mercato centrale is a foodie paradise, with a whole range of eateries and food shops. You can find everything from a quick snack to a restaurant meal.  It is open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. until midnight.

The Mercato Centrale houses some of Italy’s biggest names in food, inspired by the slow food movement. Take at least one lap before deciding what you want.

• Gabriele Bonci, known as the ‘Michelangelo of pizza’ has a stand where you can taste some of the best pizza al taglio in Rome.
• Alterantively ‘La Pizza’ owend by Pier Daniele Seu, for more traditional pizza pie.
• Stefano Callegari who created Rome’s popular street food Trapizzino.
• The butcher Roberto Liberati offering organic, natural and biodynamic meat cuts and salami.
• Oliver Glowig’s restaurant ‘La Tavolo, il Vino e la Dispensa’ offers delicious gourmet meals.

Address: Via Giovanni Gioletti 36
Phone:+39 06 4620 2900
Hours: Mon – Sun 08:00 – 00:00

Piazza San Cosimato Market in Trastevere

The market in Piazza San Cosimato held on weekday and Saturday mornings is smaller than most of the other markets in the City.

It is Located in Trastevere just off the main high street, Viale di Trastevere near the Nuovo Regina Margherita Hospital. It is a traditional open air fresh food market where you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, seafood, spices, fresh herbs, and cheeses.

The San Cosimato square also makes a lovely place for peole watching, with the surrounding streets are perfect for getting lost in.

Address: Piazza di S. Cosimato, 64
Hours: Mon – Sat 06:30 – 14:30

Porta Portese Market

An additional entry to the best food markets in Rome, is the Porta portese flea market. Each Sunday, the largest flea market in Rome, takes place in the neighborhood of Trastevere. A fun place to haggle, negotiate and find a bargain, as well as try some local food. Best to go early to avoid the crowds

You can find everything here from antiques, collectables and trinkets. Stands on the outskirts tend to have clothes, bags and books. Towards the center, you will find more interesting things, such as clocks, watches, old coins and currency and vintage mokas (coffee makers).

There are food stand selling various types of street food from pizza, suppli and sandwiches.

Address: Piazza di Porta Portese
Hours: Sunday 06:00 – 14:30

Conclusion

I hope you have found this blog on the best food markets in Rome useful. 

When you are in Rome, Join us on The Roman Food Tour by day, where we visit the Trionfale market. There are also visits to other locally loved venues, such as pizzarium and the Paciotti salumeria.