A Very Subjective List of the Best Cheap Eats in Rome

Issue #136

Porchetta or double porchetta? Those are the choices at Er Buchetto

I don’t know about you, but when I travel, I often prefer to have a quick, light lunch and save my appetite (and my money) for a nice dinner. And while there are plenty of fine dining restaurants where you might want to splurge on a fabulous meal in Rome, this city is also full of cheap eats that don’t skimp on quality. The street food scene here may not be as lively as it is in Naples and Palermo, but some of the Eternal City’s most beloved foods are snacks and quick bites that can easily become a meal.

If you’re on a budget or pressed for time, know that you can always pop into a bar and grab a panino or tramezzino (the triangular sandwiches on crustless white bread) and an espresso. To save money and time, eat/drink standing up at the bar. Just pay first at the cash register and put your receipt on the counter for the barista.

When I want something a little bit more special than the average panino, I like to stop by one of these places for a quick bite. And in case you’re wondering, no, I’ve never tried the sandwiches at All’Antico Vinaio, the viral Florentine sandwich shop that now has locations in Rome, Milan, Bologna, New York, Las Vegas, and Dubai. I just can’t bring myself to wait in that crazy-long line when there are so many other great places to grab something quick and affordable. These are my go-to spots for sandwiches, pizza, supplì, and more.

You’ll want to try all the different pizzas at Casa Manco

Casa Manco

For superlative pizza al taglio (by the slice), look for Casa Manco’s stand inside the Mercato di Testaccio, one of Rome’s bustling markets. This little family-run spot makes their dough using organic flour that’s been leavened for 100 hours and tops it with both traditional and creative combinations of ingredients, including fresh vegetables from the market. Per the norm for pizza al taglio, you pay by the weight; you can expect to spend €5 - 10 for a few slices.

Zia Rosetta

The name of this tiny sandwich shop in Monti is a play on words: it literally means Aunt Rosetta, but rosetta is also the name of the type of bread roll they use to make their sandwiches. Shaped sort of like a rose, the bun becomes a vehicle for delicious combinations of ingredients, like mortadella, stracciatella, and grilled zucchini or buffalo mozzarella, basil pesto, eggplants, and tomato confit. Normal-sized sandwiches range from €6.50 - €10 or you can get mini sandwiches for €3. They also have gluten-free bread.