One thing I love about travel is exploring culture without food. There is so much to learn about the history of a place based on the food they eat; a reflection of the geography, the climate, and the politics. This time, I explored Rome.

Many popular Roman foods originated from the poorer classes in Rome who would utilize the less desirable cuts of meat (offal, or organ meats). It’s pretty much all delicious if you’re willing to put it in your mouth.

What to eat in Rome

There are four basic Roman pasta dishes that I recommend trying: pasta alla Amatriciana, Cacio e pepe, Carbonara, and Gricia. Guanciale, or Italian cured pork, is featured in several of these pasta dishes. It’s like pancetta but even better.

I tried both Roman-style pizza with thin, crispy crust and Neapolitan-style pizza with thin, soft crust. I decided I like both and neither is better than the other.

If you’re lucky enough to visit Rome during artichoke season, you’ll find Carciofi alla Romana (Roman Artichokes) and Carciofi alla Giudia (Jewish artichokes) on menus. Roman Artichokes are gently steamed in white wine, olive oil, garlic, and herbs until tender. Jewish artichokes are deep-fried, giving them a golden color and crispy, flower-like leaves.

Every region in Italy (and most places in the world) has certain culinary specialities. In Rome, you’ll find these delicious foods (and more, of course):

• Pasta alla Carbonara (guanciale, pecorino romano, egg, and black pepper)
• Pasta alla Cacio e Pepe (pecorino romano, black pepper)
• Pasta Amatriciana (tomatos, guanciale, pepper)
• Pasta alla Gricia (guanciale, pecorino romano, black pepper)
• Trippa alla Romana (tripe in tomato sauce)
• Pizza (Roman and Neopolitan)
• Carciofi alla Romana (Roman artichokes)
• Carciofi alla Giudia (Jewish artichokes)
• Suppli (risotto balls)

Aperol spritz, Carbonara, and Amatriciana pasta at Trattoria Da Enzo al 29 @daenzoal29

Restaurants I ate at and liked in Rome

I was only in Rome for two days so I did not get to experience a lot of restaurants. Here’s a few places I went and liked. I’m not including the places I didn’t like or wouldn’t recommend, because that’s silly.

• Pizzeria Alle Carrette in Monti
• All’Antico Vinaio Sandwiches (various locations, prepare to wait in a line)
• Trattoria da Enzo al 29 in Trastevere
• La Licata in Monti (a stone’s throw from the Colosseum)

Prosciutto and Mortadella sandwiches from All’Antico Vinaio

Fried anchovies and suppli, prosciutto and melon, tiramisu from Pizzeria Alle Carrette