EVERYONE I’ve spoken to has raved about Rome. Tourists. Locals. Its history. Its culture. Its sights. Its food.
Unfortunately, I have to say, I just didn’t get it.
My first trip to Rome left a weird taste in my mouth, literally and figuratively. Maybe it’s my fault, as I guiltily admit, I didn’t do enough research beforehand. During our short trip it was hot, crowded and dirty. Every which way I looked, there was another monument to see and more ruins to visit. Everything had some kind of critical lengthy historical significance.
Frankly, with only two days in the city, it was extremely overwhelming. We weren’t sure where to go and had little guidance from our hotel, so we ended up frequenting touristy hubs where the people were plenty, but the food was expensive and the quality was disappointingly poor.
Where was this Rome that I had incessantly heard of? This certainly couldn’t be it. 
I’m not the type of person that writes off a place and I was anxious to give Rome another chance.
I’m a big believer that every city has something uniquely special to offer. Now I’m not talking about the Roman Coliseum, the Pantheon or the Vatican [these are the obvious “specials” that every tourist with a dingy guidebook and Google Maps can locate]. I’m talking about the Rome behind the curtain, away from the endless lines and overpriced touristy targets. This time I was determined to find that Rome.
…..Ladies and gentleman, that Rome lies in Trastevere.
While most guided tours and excursions [understandably] gravitate towards tourist areas and attractions, I’ve come to learn that food tours actually do quite the opposite. Alternatively, food tours tend to avoid the touristy centers, because, as most experienced travelers already know, that’s where you’re likely to find the crappiest food at the steepest prices.
And that’s exactly why food tours are my favorite types of tours. They really give you an inside look into a new city: they take you off the beaten path, acquaint you with the locals and, above all, they introduce you to [what I consider the most important aspect of a culture], its food!!
Luckily for Rome, Italian cuisine is my all time comfort food, so the Italian capital already had a leg up. I knew if I was going to give this city a fair chance, I had to start there.
This is what lead me to book the Twilight Trastevere Tour with Eating Italy Food Tours. 
Just across the Tiber River, not too far from Rome’s bustling center, is the Trastevere neighborhood. This romantic, charming Roman quarter embodies the atmosphere of a small authentic Italian village. This was the Rome I craved. Lively piazzas, classic Roman churches, ivy-covered buildings, it was just what I was looking for. Not to mention food enthusiasts have come to favor the neighborhood for it’s wealth of family-owned establishments, outdoor eateries, homey bistros and traditional trattorias.
Unfortunately, the word is out on this once hidden paradise and many guidebooks have exposed its beauty to the world. Over time it has become yet another tourist breeding ground in Rome and those authentic family-run establishments are not always the easiest to find. If you know your way around you can still weed out the gems, but it’s way too easy to find yourself in one of Rome’s many mediocre tourist traps.
That’s where Eating Italy came in. Thanks to them, you can still get a true locals experience!
We ate, we drank, we laughed. We roamed the hidden, quiet cobblestone streets with not another tourist in sight.
We met the owners of little local shops and happily drowned ourselves generous helpings of everything cheesy and Italian. Prosciutto. Mozzarella. Pizza. Pasta. Warm bread. Fresh pastries. Creamy gelato. I ate and ate until my stomach began to protest. And even then, I happily ate more.
Heaven. On. Earth.
Thank you Eating Italy, for showing me another side of Rome!
Disclaimer: Eating Italy Food Tours kindly invited me on their tour for purpose of this review, but as always all opinions expressed are my own.
Check out this guide by “Mama Loves Rome” for more of the best food in Rome, and where to get it!
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Indeed you can meet many tourist traps in Rome! During my latest visit I had only one “bad” experience (it wasn’t that bad, but the food didn’t wow me). I visited Trastevere briefly in order to visit a restaurant I was recommended (called Sabatini or something like that) and wasn’t disappointed. Also found a couple of interesting restaurants in the streets around Piazza Navona (not on the square).
It can be hard to find good food in Rome… but when you do, you DO! 😀
I’ve yet to take a food tour, but i’m loving all the ones i’ve read about so far!
They’re the best!!!
And now I’m hungry! All of that Italian food looks so delicious! I totally agree with you about food tours being a way to experience cities away from the chaos of all the touristy areas. We’re planning a food tour when we visit NYC in December and I can’t wait!
I would love to do a food tour in NYC! Even though I’m from New York, I’d love to see what they have to offer. Can’t wait to read about it 😀
I’ve been on two walking food tours (in NYC & Puerto Rico) and I had so much fun with both experiences. Since you’re walking, there’s no guilt for how much you’re eating haha.
I like to tell myself that … but the amount I’m eating definitely isn’t canceling out haha … Oh well, worth every bite 😀
SO MUCH FOOD PORN!!!! This makes me want to book a ticket to Rome right meow! That gelato……
The gelato was nuts .. that flavor is actually beer and berries .. surprisingly delightful!
Trastevere was my favorite part of Rome! I even ate at that restaurant with the plaid/green tablecloths you have pictured. I’d love to go back to eat more Italian food.
We didn’t get to go to that restaurant, but it looked soo cute!! I’ll definitely be back, if nothing else, for more food!
That’s why I haven’t visited Rome yet – I’m really afraid that it’s just that: hot, crowded and dirty! But good to hear that there’s hope 😉 and the food is all the more reason to go, right?!!!
The food is the reason to go anywhere… right?! 😀
Its a shame you didn’t love Rome but glad you eventually found that feeling in Trastevere. We too, spent a day exploring Trastevere and eating our way through! Your post makes me want to go back!
Eating my way through Italy was the best way to experience it 😀
OH man I’m drooling – so much good food! I agree, Trastevere is a nice oasis from all the must-sees – although of course they are a fantastic part of Rome too. I had four days there last time which helped us to feel a little more relaxed about spending some time at the touristy haunts and some time exploring the river and back streets.
Oh myyyyy!! I love Italian food so much and this all looks drool worthy, luckily I just had lunch 😉
great food!!:) I’m glad you gave Rome a second chance!
Thanks Tanja! SO am I 😀
love trastevere! we did the eating italy tour in testaccio, and it was amazing. will definitely have to do the trastevere one if i hopefully go back to rome!
Eating in Italy could possibly be the BEST thing ever!
I’ve always wanted to do a food tour, but just never got around to it. They are kind of expensive and I’m a picky eater. I do love eating in lesser known restaurants though and getting to meet the owners. My husband and I did that in Paris and it is one of my fondest memories! I’d love to see a write up on some of your favorite restaurants you went to on the tour in Rome. Or even hear more about the types of food/how the tour worked. For example, if you didn’t eat a certain type of food (were vegetarian, gluten free, whatever) were there other options? Overall it looks like the food tour you went on was a lot of fun! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
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