The crown jewel of Rome's bustling, historic Testaccio neighbourhood, Testaccio Market is renowned for its authentic Roman atmosphere and high-quality local products. Frequented by Romans and tourists alike, the market is housed in a spacious and modern building and offers a tantalising mix of fresh produce, street food, meat, fish, cheese, clothing, and handcrafted goods across over 100 stalls. The market’s roots go back over a century, and it was originally located in Piazza Testaccio, where it served as a neighbourhood hub for decades. In 2012, the market was relocated to its current home between Via Galvani and Via Franklin.
The new building was designed to preserve the market’s traditional spirit while offering updated facilities. Following the relocation, the market remains an authentic Roman institution with many of its stalls run by families who have been there for generations. The focus on local, seasonal, and traditional products is as strong as ever and it is one of the best places in the city to try Supplì (Rome's answer to arancini), Trapizzino (triangular pizza pockets stuff with various fillings) and Porchetta (slow-roasted pork stuffed with herbs). The market is open from Monday to Saturday, from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, with many stalls starting to wind down after 2:00 PM. As such, it's best to visit in the morning when the market is a flurry of activity as locals shop for their daily groceries and street food vendors prepare their specialities.
Italian cuisine is one of the most esteemed and influential in the world, renowned for its rich flavours, and fresh, seasonal ingredients and deeply rooted in cultural traditions. Rome in particular showcases a delectable range of Italy’s most emblematic dishes, with so many pizzerias, trattorias, markets and charming cafés that it can be hard to know where to begin. One excellent option for savouring the best bites the Eternal City has to offer is to treat yourself to a private food tour in a golf cart. Setting off directly from your hotel, you will embark on a fun-filled, delicious and scenic journey through some of Rome’s loveliest neighbourhoods, eating out and about like true Romans do thanks to the expertise of your charming local driver-guide.
On your all-inclusive private food tour, you will:
When in Rome, eat as the Romans do on this fabulous 4-hour food tour, where you will glide through some of the most enchanting, traditional neighbourhoods of Rome in your private golf cart and taste your way through the delicious flavours of the Eternal City. Your culinary adventure will begin bright and early at your central hotel, where your guide will be waiting to whisk you away on a voyage of epicurean discovery where you'll be introduced to a carefully curated selection of the locals’ favourite haunts.
You will kick off with a potent espresso and a crash course in the legendary Italian coffee culture, paired with a typical breakfast pastry like a soft flaky cornetto or a decadent maritozzo con panna. You will then proceed to explore the area around Campo de Fiori, one of the city’s liveliest piazzas and a favourite gathering place for locals and tourists alike. You’ll take in the sights and enticing aromas of one of Rome’s most famous open-air markets and pop into one of Rome’s oldest norcinerie, a specialist butcher shop where you can try cold cuts and locally sourced cheeses.
Later you’ll also have the chance to discover the Jewish Ghetto, a neighbourhood seeped in history, where your guide can explain the profound influence of the Jewish community on Roman gastronomy and visit a cherished traditional bakery to taste some of the distinctive flavours. You will also get acquainted with Roman street food and try 'suppli' –traditional fried rice balls with tomatoes, mozzarella and minced meat - allowing you to enjoy the sun-ripened flavours of Italy in one mouthful. Your experienced tour guide will take you to the best local eateries, where you will not only get the chance to taste many Roman delicacies but also learn about the people behind the magic. There will of course be plenty of opportunities throughout the tour to wash down your marvellous morsels with beer, wine or refreshing Italian soft drinks.
Last but certainly not least, you will stop by a famous gelateria where you can enjoy Italy’s classic frozen treat and learn how it differs from (and many would say improves upon) typical ice cream. By the time your tour comes to an end, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel with a much deeper understanding and appreciation of the traditions and values that have produced such exceptional dishes for generations. This is a great opportunity to experience authentic Italian cuisine at its finest and includes a full meal’s worth of tastings so make sure to come hungry!
Please note: During the Jubilee Year, Rome is expected to experience increased visitor numbers and heightened security measures. While we strive to provide a seamless experience, some attractions may face last-minute closures without prior notice, longer-than-usual wait times, or time restrictions on visits inside certain attractions due to crowd control policies.
In such cases, your guide will expertly adapt the itinerary to ensure the best possible experience, using their local knowledge to navigate any challenges. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to make your visit to Rome unforgettable despite these unique circumstances.
Rome has no shortage of excellent dining options across its 22 Rioni (historic districts), but travellers seeking an authentic taste of the Eternal City’s culinary culture shouldn’t miss Testaccio, a foodie haven that many consider to be the birthplace of Cucina Romana. Many of Rome’s most iconic trattorias can be found in Testaccio, and its bustling food market has long been a hub for fresh, local ingredients and street food, reinforcing the neighborhood’s role as a culinary epicentre. Our private food tour allows you to delve into the history of Testaccio and trace its evolution into a gastronomic powerhouse, sampling its most emblematic dishes along the way.
On your private half-day food tour, you will:
Discover one of Rome’s most exciting and authentic culinary neighbourhoods on a delicious journey through Testaccio, the district Romans themselves turn to when they want to eat well. In the company of a passionate local guide, you’ll uncover the stories and flavours that have shaped this vibrant corner of the city for centuries, beginning with a classic Roman start to the day: coffee and a pastry at a neighbourhood café.
From there, you’ll dive straight into the beating heart of the area: the Mercato Testaccio. This lively food market is the epicentre of the district’s gastronomic life, where generations of vendors proudly display their fresh produce, cured meats, artisanal cheeses, and irresistible street food specialities. As you wander its stalls, your guide will introduce you to the characters who make the market tick, sharing insights into the seasonal ingredients and family recipes that define Cucina Romana. Along the way, you’ll sample a generous variety of tastings, which might include crispy supplì, a slice of trapizzino, bruschetta topped with fragrant olive oil, or a refreshing caprese salad with creamy buffalo mozzarella. Each stop tells a story, linking the food on your plate with the history of the neighbourhood around you.
Beyond its food, Testaccio has a remarkable past. Built upon Monte Testaccio, a man-made hill formed entirely from broken ancient Roman amphorae (clay jars which were once used to transport oil), the area is steeped in history that continues to influence its culinary culture today. Between bites and sips, perhaps a glass of local wine, beer or prosecco, you’ll discover how this working-class neighbourhood helped shape the food traditions that Rome is famous for. The tour ends on a sweet note at one of Testaccio’s best gelaterias, where you’ll not only indulge in a scoop of gelato but also learn how to tell when you have found a truly authentic version of this beloved frozen treat.
Designed for curious travellers with a love of food and culture, this tour offers an immersion into the flavours, people, and stories of Testaccio, a neighbourhood that remains one of Rome’s best-kept secrets.
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