THE BEST CHEESE SHOPS IN ROME
Rome is blessed with many gourmet food shops and markets, where you can find hundred of types of Italian cheeses.
Whether your preference is aged, fresh, spreadable, creamy or spicy, you’ll find it all in the Italian capital.
Here is a list of our favorite places to buy cheese in Rome
La Tradizione
La Tradizione is located in the Roman residential neighborhood of Prati, near the Vatican City.
It is known as the ‘cheese museum’, with over 500 types of cheese coming from all over Italy and abroad.
Our favorite cheese is the Torta Montanara. It is made with cow milk from the town of Bergamo, in the North of Italy. It is coated with black, green and pink pepper, bay leaves, wild fennel seeds and tarragon, then aged for one month
Another delight is the melanzane fantasia, which is mozzarella and cherry tomatoes over a cooked eggplant slice.
La Tradizione also offer a wide range of other premium quality dairy products including butter, milk, eggs, yogurt and cream.
The team comprises of Francesco, Stefano and Massimo, all friendly and helpful. Most purchases can be vacuum-sealed to allow you to take home with you.
Address: Via Cipro, 8 E, (PRATI / TRIONFALE) Metro Cipro
Phone: +39 06 3972 0349
Hours: Mon-Sat 08:00–14:30, 16:30-20:30
Paciotti Salumeria
Paciotti is a Roman family-run salumeria, voted the number one gourmet food shop in Rome on Tripadvisor.
It has been open since 1970, owned by Antonio and his three sons Stefano, Roberto and Luca. Each of them are kind, outgoing and friendly, taking time to show you around the shop and teach you about the products.
They sell many types of Italian cheese to satisfy all palates. Their best selling cheese is Pecorino Romano made from sheep milk. It is similar to Parmigiano Reggiano, but has a stronger piquant flavor. Romans use Pecorino Romano to sprinkle over their pasta.
Incidentally Italian cheese made from sheep milk, is called pecorino. The words pecorino devires from pecora meaning sheep.
Another favorite is Moliterno coming from the region of Veneto, in the north of Italy. It is a semi-soft cheese made from cow milk, aged in a coat of cinnamon, coriander and nutmeg then infused with rich black truffle slices.
There is also a range of lactose-free cheese including caciotta di pecora, stracchino and squacquerone.
Address: Via Marcantonio Bragadin, 51. (PRATI / TRIONFALE) Metro Cipro
Phone: +39 06 3973 3646
Hours: Mon-Sat 08:00 20:30
Antica Salumeria
Antica salumeria is the oldest gourmet food shop in Rome, dating back to 1375. It is located next to the Pantheon in Piazza Rotondo.
There is a huge selection of cured meats, cheeses, aged balsamic vinegars, olive oils and savory snacks on offer.
Locals choose a meat and cheese platter to enjoy in the seating area. There is also a good wine selection, for cheese and wine pairings.
Try the Sfogliatelle; a rich dessert, filled with ricotta cheese, with almond slices and orange zest added to it.
See our blog for information on prosciutto in Rome
Address: Piazza della Rotonda, 4 (PANTHEON)
Phone: +39 06 0190 6857
Hours: Mon-Sat 08:30– 00:00
The Trionfale Market
The food markets in Rome are some of the best places to purchase high quality cheese. Trionfale is the largest, known as “mercati populari”, market for the locals.
There are over 275 stands, selling every thing from fruit and vegetables, cheese, eggs, honey, curd meats and much more.
By the main entrance of the market, you will find number 266 owned by Danilo and his father Francesco.
His best seller is the juicy Barlotti buffalo mozzarella cheese, coming from Paestum in the Italian region of Campagna.
If you are looking to make a mozzarella caprese at home, this is the place to come.
Stand 222 is a pasta stand owned by Anna and her team. Here you can find all types of fresh pasta and sauces.
Take home a freshly made eggplant parmigiana to pop in the oven for dinner.
See our post for a complete guide to food markets in Rome.
Address: Via Andrea Doria, 41
Phone: +39 06 3972 0349
Hours: Mon-Sat 08:00–14:30, 16:30-20:30
Volpetti
Volpetti is hugely popular gourmet food store, located in the Testaccio neighborhood.
The Volpetti brothers and their team offer cured meats, cheeses and specialty items. Try their truffle salami!
They make delicious ham and cheese sandwiches, which you can take away and enjoy in Piazza Testaccio, a small square close to the shop.
A popular sandwich choice included roasted cherry tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, prosciutto and pesto.
Address: Via Marmorata 47 (TESTACCIO) Metro: Piramide
Phone: +39 375 513 0898
Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00–14:00, 16:00-20:00, Sat 09:-20:00
Eataly
Eataly is a gourmet superstore, offering all types of food, cooking equipment, recipe books and more. It’s the go to place for all types of Italian cheese.
The store is divided into different sections with restaurants on the upper levels.
Head over to the restaurant La Pasta e La Pizza if you get hungry after shopping.
Favorites on the menu include tonnarelli con cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper) and the pasta gorganzola with walnuts.
Pick up a map at the information point at the front desk.
Address: Piazzale 12 Ottobre 1492 (OSTIENSA) Metro Piramide
Phone: +39 06 9027 9201
Hours: Mon-Sun 08:00-21:00
Il Ciociaro
Il Ciociaro is a locally loved restaurant close to the Vatican Museums, serving pasta from a hollowed-out Pecorino Romano cheese wheel. Favorite choices are the Roman pastas carbonara, amatriciana and cacio e pepe.
Address: Via Barletta 21 (PRATI / VATICAN) Metro: Ottaviano
Phone: +39 06 9372 9204
Hours: Wed-Mon 11:00-15:30, 19:00-2330
Conclusion
That concludes my best cheese shops in Rome blog.
Which are your favorite cheeses and cheese shops? Let me know in the comments section.
For more information email us or see our Rome Travel Guide
Alternatively for a complete Italian cuisine experience join us on one of our food tours in Rome.