Best Places to Eat Cheap in Rome by Neighborhood

Last updated on August 25th, 2026

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Rome is best experienced through its food. And this extensive guide to the best places to eat cheap in Rome will show you some of the best this city has to offer, all on a budget.

The Italian capital is one of my absolute favorite cities in the world. The architecture, the light, the food, the buzzing cafes—it all feels straight out of a movie!

And while Rome’s main allure is its ancient history, experiencing the city through its food should be a fundamental part of your Rome itinerary for a well-rounded Roman experience.

However, Rome’s foodie scene can be a tough place to navigate as a first-time visitor.

That’s why I stubbornly kept coming back to it, time after time, after time—besides, there are so many fun and unique things to do in Rome to last a lifetime, but I was focused on the food.

So, after many visits to this gorgeous city, lots of research, and the help of a good Roman friend, I have now compiled this extensive list of the best cheap eats in Rome.

From locally loved eateries in Trastevere to quintessential Roman cafes and tasty street food icons in the Monti neighborhood, this guide will help you eat cheap in Rome and have incredible meals every single time. All organized by neighborhood for easier navigation.

Best Places to Eat Cheap in Rome by Neighborhood

My experience with Rome and its food scene

I was obsessed with Rome even before I visited. I dreamt of all the tasty pizza, fresh pasta, and creamy burrata that I would eat when I finally made it here.

However, on my first trip to Rome, all I got was bland, overpriced pizza, chewy, questionable cheese, and very dry tiramisu.

And not because Italian food is overrated, but because I had no idea where to find those amazing Roman meals, so I naively ended up at all the tourist traps.

I was determined to never have that happen again.

The next time I visited Rome, I was Couchsurfing, and I stayed with a lovely local girl who guided me to a bunch of amazing places, like the historic Gelateria Fassi, the locally loved Pompi tiramisu, and Roscioli Bakery. I was starting to get a better taste of the city.

Since then, I kept coming back, again and again. I paid close attention to where locals ate, read lots of blogs by Italians, got recommendations from a new Roman friend I made through work, and got tips from another friend’s Roman professors.

I was finally starting to understand the city, but it took me many trips and a couple of years in between.

In hopes of saving you all that time and those multiple trips to Rome, here is my list of the best bakeries, cafes, bars, and restaurants to do as the Romans do and eat cheap (and delicious!) in Rome.

Where to eat in Trastevere, Rome

Tonnarello: Locally approved Roman dishes

Tonnarello was already on my radar due to its overwhelming amount of incredible reviews; however, it was once my Roman friend gave it her seal of approval that I was sold.

This Trastevere icon is known for its traditional Roman dishes. The star of the show is, of course, their tonnarelli, a traditional Roman pasta that is thicker than spaghetti and can be served with a variety of sauces.

My friend mentioned that she frequents this place with her family all the time, so if, like me, you ever wondered where locals eat in Rome, this is one of those places.

Since my first visit, this place has become a must-visit whenever I’m in the city, and it’s one of the first places I send people to when they ask for recommendations—it never disappoints.

The food tastes homemade, and the portions are quite generous, so make sure to arrive hungry! I’m a big fan of both the Amatriciana and the Carbonara.

Trattoria Da Enzo al 29: Popular and worth it

Trattoria Da Enzo al 29 is a very popular small trattoria serving delicious Roman classics, tucked away in a quiet street of Trastevere.

This cozy trattoria is known for its perfect Cacio e Pepe, but in my opinion, their Amatriciana and Carbonara are equally deserving of the hype.

Make sure to try their mozzarella di bufala with tomatoes, which you can only find on their off-menu chalkboard—it’s so fresh!

Something else that, in my opinion, is completely underrated from their menu is their tiramisu, which is one of my favorite ones in Rome. So do yourself a favor and leave room for dessert.

Supplì Roma: Best place to eat cheap in Rome

One of the easiest ways to eat cheap in Rome is to stop by Supplì in Trastevere to snack on their specialty, the supplì, a popular Roman fried snack.

Supplì is a gooey, cheesy fried ball of rice that comes with a variety of fillings and sauces—my favorite is the ragú one.

They can be enjoyed as an appetizer or as a quick snack on the go. They are so satisfying and incredibly affordable.

Even if you aren’t in Trastevere, you’ll find this Roman street food at many shops across the city if you need a quick, savory, and affordable snack while exploring Rome.

Trapizzino Trastevere: Easy and affordable lunch in Rome

If you’re looking for where to eat in Trastevere, the local favorite Trapizzino should absolutely be at the top of your list.

A trapizzino is something between a sandwich and a pizza; a bready cone stuffed with the filling of your choice. My two absolute favorites are the flavorful chicken cacciatore and the melt-in-your-mouth polpetta al sugo.

The Trastevere location is a great place for a quick, affordable lunch, with a small outdoor seating area perfect for taking a break from exploring with an Aperol Spritz in hand—their Spritzes and Negronis are perfection!

This location is also conveniently open until 1 am, perfect for grabbing a quick bite after a night out in the neighborhood.

Big Hilda’s Public Bar: Cozy bar in a lively street

I feel like the name “Big Hilda Public Bar” doesn’t really scream Roman vibes.

But trust me, this is one of the best bars in Rome for enjoying aperitivo on a terrace, on a warm Roman evening, and people-watching on one of Trastevere’s liveliest streets.

Our favorite thing to order here is their delicious salumi and cheese board with a drink—their Negronis are perfect—before heading out for dinner in the area.

Their boards are seriously good, with high-quality meats and cheeses that taste so fresh, which is sometimes not the case with bar food.

However, if you want this to be the main event, Big Hilda Public Bar also offers various simple, fresh, and delicious Italian classics on their food menu, such as panini, bruschetta, and crostini.

Where to eat in Esquilino Rome

Regoli Pasticceria: Best breakfast in Rome

Regoli Pasticceria is a Roman staple—a legendary century-old bakery in Esquilino, Rome, known for its mouth-watering cream-based pastries.

No matter what time of day you walk by, you’ll always see locals lining up—especially on weekends to collect pastries they will take to their family reunions.

While they offer many eye-catching pastries, the star of Regoli Pasticceria is the maritozzo: an ancient Roman pastry, a sweet bun filled with the lightest whipped cream. So simple and so delicious!

If you want to do as the Romans do, head to Regoli Pasticceria and order a maritozzo and a cappuccino for the best breakfast in Rome.

La Famiglia: Locally loved Roman restaurant

The best way to eat cheap in Rome is to eat as the locals do, and luckily, I have a few insiders.

La Famiglia is an unassuming restaurant recommended to a friend of mine by her Roman professor, as a spot loved by the faculty and locals in the area.

The place is casual and very local, but the service is still warm and friendly towards us foreigners.

The pasta portions are massive, the house wine is delicious, and their tiramisu is one of my favorite ones I had in the city—with the biscuit actually tasting like coffee but not soggy at all, just perfect—and all for very reasonable prices.

Definitely a place worth checking out if you’re close to Esquilino, Rome, and want to eat where locals eat in Rome.

Bakery Roscioli Pietro: Good at all times of day

Il Panificio Roscioli is another popular spot in Rome loved by both locals and tourists, and it came highly recommended by a Roman friend.

Serving everything from pastries and frothy cappuccinos in the morning to homemade pizza slices, sandwiches, and warm meals the rest of the day, Il Panificio Roscioli is the perfect place to stop at any time to fuel up with a tasty, affordable meal.

Just beware of lunch hour, when it can get quite crowded. But honestly, standing confused in the middle of a hungry Italian crowd shouting their orders across the counter is part of the Italian experience…

So maybe do visit during rush hour for the full Roman experience.

Mercato Centrale: Quick bite in Esquilino, Rome

Another convenient location of one of my favorite places to eat cheap in Rome, Trapizzino, is inside the Mercato Centrale in Esquilino, Rome.

The Mercato Centrale is attached to the Rome Termini train station, which is perfect for a Trapizzino fan like myself. I always try to stop for a quick Trapizzino on the way in or out of the city by train.

However, if you want to venture out of the Trapizzino world, the Mercato Centrale has many other food stands to choose from, from pasta to empanadas, panini, pizzas, ramen, and more.

Gelateria Fassi: Historic gelato shop in Esquilino, Rome

I was first introduced to the historic Gelateria Fassi by one of the lovely Couchsurfing hosts I had in Rome.

Gelateria Fassi is known for its extensive menu of all-natural, delicious gelato flavors, airy whipped cream, and incredibly affordable prices after all this time—it has been serving its artisanal gelato since 1880!

While you’ll find no shortage of gelato shops, Gelateria Fassi is one of the most historic and best gelaterias in Rome, so make sure to add it to your itinerary.

I’m a pistachio and dark chocolate fan. Don’t skip the whipped cream!

Where to eat in the Historic Center of Rome

La Piadineria: Cheap, quick, and delicious lunch

A great option for a quick, delicious lunch while being out and about is a piadina, a thin Italian flatbread typical of the Romagna region that can be filled with different meats, cheeses, and vegetables.

Kind of like an Italian quesadilla.

Tucked away in the charming Monti neighborhood, just a few steps away from the Colosseum, you will find La Piadineria, a casual restaurant specializing in this iconic street food.

My favorite one here is La Leggenda, with prosciutto crudo, cheese, and rucola—so simple, but so good!

A piadina is the perfect hand-held food to keep hunger at bay without losing too much time sitting at a restaurant, and they are also very affordable.

St’ Eustachio Il Caffè: Historic coffee shop near the Pantheon

St’ Eustachio Il Caffè is one of the most popular cafes in Rome, and for good reason; each drink here is consistently prepared with great attention to detail, making every sip a happy dance experience.

They also offer delicious pastries to accompany your drink of choice, one of my favorites being the cloud-like cream custard-filled Bomboloni.

For a breakfast on a budget, order your morning gran cappuccino and croissant inside and eat at the bar. For a splurgier version, arrive early to grab a spot on their outside tables—the prices are higher for dine-in.

Or come later in the day to fuel up on their delicious Moretto, a cocoa powder-topped espresso.

This cafe is a must for me; I have visited it every single time that I’ve been in Rome, and sometimes even twice a day. It’s so conveniently located, the coffee is amazing, and if you have it at the bar like Italians do, it’s quite affordable.

Il Baccanale: Quick snack by Campo de Fiori

Il Baccanale is a restaurant located just around the corner from the popular Campo de Fiori. I never tried the restaurant, but the one thing I tried on a random evening stroll around Campo de Fiori was the delicious suppli that they sell on the little stand next to the restaurant.

You’ll see a window display of many panini ready to go; however, I would say skip the panini—I tried their porchetta one and was not impressed—and order their tasty suppli instead: the perfect snack or lunch on the go while exploring this iconic area of Rome.

Piccolo Buco: Popular pizza by Fontana di Trevi

If I’m being completely honest, Piccolo Buco is not necessarily the cheapest meal in Rome, but I think it’s worth mentioning, since—to my surprise—this popular pizza spot, just a few steps away from the Fontana di Trevi, actually lives up to its hype.

The pizzas are small but tasty, with the perfectly risen crust and gooey mozzarella di bufala.

They don’t take reservations, but I would say they are worth checking out if you’re in the area and catch this place without a crazy line.

I’m forever a margherita fan, but their Nduja pizza is also very tasty.

L’antica Pizzeria di Trevi: Great pizza spot close to Fontana di Trevi

If you happen to find Piccolo Buco too crowded, or even closed, a great option nearby for when you need to fuel up after fighting the crowds at Fontana di Trevi is L’antica Pizzeria di Trevi.

We ended up visiting this spot since Piccolo Buco was closed that day, and I’m so happy we did. At this local spot, the pizza is delicious, reasonably priced, and the restaurant is very conveniently located just a few steps away from the famous fountain.

This is a great restaurant to have on your map, as you’ll inevitably be around this part of the city at one point in your itinerary, and a lot of the restaurants surrounding Fontana di Trevi are very tourist-trappy, but not this one.

Gelato Frigidarium: Popular place for chocolate-dipped gelato

Gelato Frigidarium is a popular spot for some of the best gelato in Rome; one of the reasons they are known is their gelato cones dipped in quick-drying liquid chocolate—kind of like Dairy Queen, but better.

The place tends to have a line, but it moves fast, and it’s honestly so worth it on a hot summer day. Make sure to try their pistachio and tiramisú gelato; you can taste the coffee and rum in the tiramisú one—it’s so good!

Pastasciutta: Practical fast-food-style pasta restaurant

I kept seeing this pasta place packed every evening I walked by. At first, I was put off by its “fast-food” style look, but I decided to give it a try on a very busy evening when I just needed a quick meal before heading home.

And that’s exactly why this place works so well!

Pastasciutta is a fast-food-style pasta restaurant: you order your desired pasta shape and sauce from the cashier, get a ticket, and then pick up your order when your number is called from the little window. You can either enjoy it there or take it to go.

It’s fast-paced (contrary to Italian dining habits), tasty, affordable, and very convenient for those days when you just need to feed yourself during your trip but don’t want to make a whole evening out of it.

You can also find a location close to Piazza del Popolo and one close to the Vatican.

Pompi Tiramisu: The Tiramisu that Romans love

If you want to do as Romans do, skip the touristy Two Sizes for tiramisu and head to the local favorite Pompi Tiramisu instead.

One of my favorite Italian desserts is without a doubt the classic tiramisu—I’m obsessed—and when I asked my Roman friend, “Where does one get the most authentic tiramisú in Rome?” she unflinchingly directed me to Pompi Tiramisu.

Similar to the maritozzi at Regoli Pasticceria, Pompi Tiramisu is a place locals frequent to get a tiramisu to take to their family reunions. And if that’s not the ultimate Italian stamp of approval, I don’t know what is.

At Pompi Tiramisu, you can get conveniently pre-packed, personal-sized tiramisú in a variety of flavors—I prefer the classic one—served with a tiny spoon for you to immediately dig into.

My favorite thing to do is to grab my little tiramisu box and sit at the closest plaza to enjoy it in a very Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love style.

All’Antico Vinaio: THE best panino ever.

I first tried All’Antico Vinaio while visiting Florence for the first time back in 2018, and ever since, I have been hooked! I was convinced then and there that this was the best panino I had ever had in my life, and I wasn’t wrong.

So when their name popped up on my Google Maps while looking for food in Rome, I ran to the location to see if it was the same company, and it is!

The decadent Florentine panini can now be found in Rome, and they’re just as good as they are in their native Firenze.

My go-to order is their flavorful panino “Boss”: a generous amount of prosciutto, pecorino cheese, arugula, and their addictive truffle cream—just insane; I can’t even describe how good this is.

One of my absolute favorite meals ever!

I Pizzicaroli Piazza Navona: Rustic wine bar with amazing cheese and salami platters

Even though I adore Piazza Navona, sadly, most of the restaurants on the plaza look like overpriced tourist traps, which is why I was so happy to find I Pizzicaroli just around the corner.

I Pizzicaroli is a rustic wine bar and restaurant offering delicious, well-curated salami and cheese platters in a quiet street, just a few steps away from the busy Piazza Navona.

Their menu offers a variety of set combinations of meats, cheeses, bruschettas, and jams served in a basket to share. I can’t remember exactly which one we picked, but we devoured everything on that basket—it was incredible!

Definitely recommend it for a tasty aperitivo around Piazza Navona, or an Italian girl dinner✨

La Salumeria: Salami and cheese platters, and gourmet sandwiches

La Salumeria is another great option in the Historic Center of Rome for enjoying tasty boards of salami, cheese, and jams with a side of bubbles to wind down for the day.

Or if you would prefer something to go at lunch hour, they also use all their delicious ingredients to create all kinds of tasty gourmet sandwiches.

A great way to eat cheap in Rome, be time-efficient, and make an experience out of it is to come here to pick up a sandwich and have a picnic at the edge of the Tiber River, which is just around the corner—a true main character moment.

Gelateria La Romana: The creamiest gelato

Another stellar recommendation by my Roman friend is Gelateria La Romana, a gelato shop born in Rome in 1947 that offers a limited but mouth-watering variety of flavors.

The locally loved gelateria has some of the creamiest gelato I had in Rome—even the whipped cream they top the gelato with was noticeably better than other places.

The service is friendly, and you can add whipped cream or melted chocolate to your gelato at no extra cost.

Definitely one of the best gelatos in Rome—if you don’t believe me, check out the Google reviews of any of their locations.

Where to eat in Pigneto, Rome

Pezzotti Gelateria: Breakfast in Pigneto

On my second-longest visit to the Eternal City, I stayed with a friend in Pigneto, Rome, and during the month I was there, this little multifaceted gelateria around the corner from the apartment became one of our favorite spots to grab breakfast in the morning.

We spent so many mornings at Pezzotti Gelateria sipping cappuccinos with chocolate cornetti on their terrace and coming back in the afternoon for a little espresso or a spritz.

This is a quaint little local place to stop by if you’re in the area, but don’t go out of your way if you’re not.

BORDO | La pizzeria del Pigneto: Incredible Neapolitan-style pizza

Bordo la Pizzeria del Pigneto is another great spot to eat cheap in Rome and still have an incredible meal.

This Pigneto pizzeria was just opening when I first visited. Still, it was clear that it was quickly gaining popularity in the area due to its delicious pizzas at incredible prices, its tasty suppli, and its cozy patio ambiance.

The place is super casual, with local and international students gathering here in the evenings to enjoy an authentic Neapolitan-style pizza and a beer.

I had their classic margherita, my favorite, and it was so good! Definitely a place worth checking out if you’re staying in Pigneto, Rome.

Kalapa: Delicious Greek street food

If you get to the point where you cannot even look at another plate of pasta, it’s time to head to Pigneto, Rome, the up-and-coming neighborhood full of students and lots of international food options, such as the popular Greek restaurant Kalapa.

Kalapa is a modern but casual Greek restaurant that keeps the students in the area fed with delicious gyros, baked potatoes, fresh Greek salads, and more.

All of this for very affordable prices, which is why this place is a favorite among students looking to eat cheap in Rome.

Final thoughts on the best places to eat cheap in Rome

Rome is undoubtedly an incredible foodie destination; the problem is knowing where to eat all the delicious food Rome is known for.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, it took a lot of hits and misses, and some time to understand the Roman food scene and find many of these locally loved gems.

But all that time, effort, and research was so worth it. I’ve been to Rome around seven times now, and I love arriving in the city knowing where to go for lunch, revisiting my favorite spots for dinner, and spending slow mornings at my favorite cafes.

And most importantly, I love sharing it with people.

I really hope this list helps you conquer that Roman food scene better than I did on my first trip here. Please do let me know if you end up visiting any of my recommendations; I would love to know!