We want to guide you through the best traditional food markets in Rome, to live the real essence of the Eternal City, its roots, savours, inhabitants and fresh food products. Discover with us every secret of Rome’s wine and food tradition to buy and eat as Romans do.

This article is kindly provided by http://www.italyrometour.com/

Testaccio market

An original local market where to savor all the delicacies and traditional dishes of the real roman cuisine. Definitely one of Rome’s most popular food markets, Testaccio is a very genuine and ancient district renewed with restaurants, museums and cool venues, that still preserves the original roman spirit. Once, the biggest slaughterhouse of the capital, Testaccio or Monte dei Cocci, is an artificial mound in Rome composed largely of fragments of broken amphorae dating to the Roman Empire. Here is sold every product or food we find in the traditional dishes of Rome’s cuisine, such as the tasty tripe or “coda alla vaccinara” (Roman Oxtail Stew). You will also find: roman cheeses, artichokes, the “coppiette” (traditional Rome’s meat jerky), the amazing pizza and the finest local wines. Here you will witness together with the locals to cooking steps of how puntarelle (Lazio’s chicory) are dressed, or in addition you will discover what coratella is.

Campo de’ Fiori market

In the heart of Rome is situated the most famous and historical local market of Rome, Campo de’ Fiori. A real jewel among the districts of Rome and among the most fashionable piazzas of the capital. A popular open-air market in the morning that turns into a nightlife centre in the evening. In the middle of a charming setting steeped with history and colors, surrounded by fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables, you will taste the delicious “pizza bianca” right in one of the best “Forni” (bakeries) of the city, in addition the ham and the cured meats of an old “Norcineria” (Roman Butchershop). All that inside the market. Once there you will find out also the difference between Pecorino cheese and Parmesan cheese in some trusted small grocery stalls where italian mothers go, and finally you will discover Carciofi alla Giudia (Jewish-Style Artichokes) right where they were created.

 

Esquilino market

It used to be one of the most suggestive outdoor food markets of the city, set around Vittorio Emanuele square, with two rows of stalls organized by genres with an attention for the price and a predisposition to theatricality. For over 100 years it has been the official dealer of the Esquilino district, of the whole city actually, offering typical cold cuts, cheeses, meat, fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. From 2001 the market has turned indoor and is located in the Ex Caserma Sani. The peculiar thing is that, in addition to traditional italian and roman food such as chicory and chard from Lazio, you can find products coming from esotic places like China, India, Romania, Senegal, due to the multi-ethnic nature of the place. This characteristic confers a very picturesque trait to this market immersed into its numerous spices, nuances and strange fruits. But doesn’t end here, because you’ll be spoiled for choice as regards as seasonal foods and vegetables like the gorgeous zucchini flowers, picked and served everyday at the stalls.

San Lorenzo Market

San Lorenzo market, is located in one of the trendiest areas of Rome referring to hanging out, clubs, style and nightlife, and has very ancient roots, dating back to pre-war era. Back to that time the stalls used to be more, but also nowadays we can count 25 stands with farmers selling their products, fish stands, Alberto’s butchery, the “pizzicheria” (a regional delicatessen), fresh pasta and even a bio stall. A distinctive and very appreciable feature of this market is the”Nave dei folli”, a mix between a stall selling bio products and a sort of club. Here you can take an espresso while learning new languages, or reading books about San Lorenzo district, with the trademark of slow food coming from Lazio region. Without a doubt a must-go place either for food lovers or for tourists who want to breathe the genuine air of locals’ life and habits.