Latium's culinary tradition is made up of a popular and peasant cuisine, based on local and genuine ingredients, recipes handed down from generation to generation and truly exquisite dishes. Just think of pasta, such as bucatini all'amatriciana or the unmistakable carbonara, but also of products with PDO designations such as pecorino romano or mozzarella.
Here are all our tips for organising food and wine itineraries in Lazio!
Rome between beauty and taste
Rome, the Eternal City, in addition to being a veritable open-air museum is a riot of aromas and flavours: carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana, Roman tripe, saltimbocca alla romana, these are just some of the things to eat in Rome. So dedicate an entire day to discovering culinary traditions!
Morning in Rome. Start with one of the best maritozzi in Rome at Regoli Pasticceria, near Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. Then head to the nearby Mercato Centrale, the city's kingdom of flavours! As you stroll among the stalls, be sure to sample the famous supplì. For lunch, try one of the city's best pasta carbonara atHosteria La Carbonara.
Afternoon in Trastevere. After lunch, walk through the city centre, admiring sights such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum from the outside and reach the Trastevere district, where we recommend stopping at Sora Mirella to order a refreshing grattachecca. At 17:00 reach Piazza del Biscione to join a street food tour with a local guide (2 h 30 min). In the evening, order traditional dishes, such as cacio e pepe, at Osteria da Fortunata.
Main stops/countries: Rome
Local products and typical dishes: carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana, trippa romana, saltimbocca alla romana, maritozzo, supplì, grattachecca
Distance/duration of itinerary: one day
Where to sleep: Rome is full of fascinating districts, each with its own spirit. The best districts (map here) depend on the kind of experience you are looking for. The city has plenty to offer - compare the best accommodation on booking
Wine route Castelli Romani
The Strada del Vino dei Castelli Romani is a place with over 3,000 years of history, an area that combines archaeology, gastronomic tradition, scenic beauty and DOC wines. There are no less than 7 DOC production areas and the territory comprises 16 municipalities. If you love good wine and are in Rome, this is an excellent day trip.
Morning in Frascati (30 min by car from Rome). The most famous of the Castelli Romani. Enjoy a stroll through the historic centre, visit the cathedral, and pop into the Pasticceria Purificato, where you can taste the ricotta and sour cherry tart, and at Christmas time order a honeyed Frascati puppet! Lunch at Cantina Simonetti, enjoy schiaffoni alla frescatana, accompanied by house wine!
Afternoon in Ariccia (20 min from Frascati). Visit Cantina Costantini, where you can taste local wines accompanied by local produce. Then enjoy a walk through the centre of Ariccia, visiting the wonderful Palazzo Chigi Ariccia. For dinner, stop at theOsteria No. 1, where you must start with a tagliere of Ariccia porchetta(roast suckling pig), followed by a taste ofbaked abbacchio (lamb).
Main stops/countries: Frascati and Ariccia
Local products and typical dishes: fresh egg pasta, baked abbacchio, panzanella, porchetta IGP di Ariccia, Castelli Romani DOC wine, Velletri DOC, Frescati DOC, pupazza di Frascati with honey
Distance/duration of itinerary: one day
Where to stay: the Castelli Romani area is full of agritourisms surrounded by greenery, with incredible views and some even with a swimming pool. There is no shortage of hotels, even 4-star ones, for a luxury experience in nature - compare the best accommodation on booking
Tuscia food and wine itinerary
Tuscia is an area of truly unique historical and scenic value and lies between Latium, Tuscany and Umbria. But, above all, it is a place with a strong food and wine tradition: excellent wines are produced here, but above all you will find the best bread and oil in Lazio.
Day 1 in Viterbo. Enjoy a walk in the centre, visiting the Palazzo dei Papi and Piazza del Plebiscito. For lunch, stop at Leccabaffo - Il Panino della Tradizione, where you can enjoy one of the best sandwiches in town! In the afternoon, we recommend a visit to the nearby Azienda agricola Podere Grecchi, with exceptional wines! In the evening, stop at theAntica Taverna, known for its excellent beef, but where you can also sample dishes such as ombrichielli alla viterbese and porchetta potatoes.
Day 2 in Montefiascone. In the morning, visit the historic centre and the Rocca dei Papi, where theEnoteca Provinciale Tuscia is located. Here you can taste and buy local wines. For lunch, stop at Da Paolo Al Miralago, where you can taste truffle ravioli, another typical product of the area. In the afternoon, enjoy the beauty of Lake Bolsena. Enjoy a boat ride and take the opportunity to taste the famous'EST!EST!!! di Montefiascone' wine. In the evening, stop at one of the fish restaurants on the lakeside.
Day 3 in Bagnoregio. Known as the ' dying city', it offers one of the most unique views in Tuscia. Don't miss the Duomo and the Etruscan village of Bucaione. For lunch, stop at the Bisteccheria Ponziani (Ponziani Steakhouse), the tagliata is excellent, to be accompanied by a glass of red. Don't forget to drop by Valterio Tartufi & sapori to buy top quality local products! Finally, in the afternoon head to the Parco dei Mostri di Bomarzo, one of the most unique parks in Italy. Enjoy a stroll through the historic centre and eventually return to Viterbo.
Main stops/cities: Viterbo, Montefiascone, Lake Bolsena, Bagnoregio, Bomarzo
Local products and typical dishes: Monte Rufeno honey, Bolsena box tomato, truffle, Proceno red garlic, Alto Viterbese potato, Alta Tuscia extra virgin olive oil, hazelnut tozzetti, Alta Tuscia wines, Est! Est!!! Est!!! of Montefiascone DOC
Distance / duration of itinerary: 84 km / 3 days
Where to stay: we recommend you base yourself in Viterbo and Montefiascono, where you can find various accommodations including B&Bs and small hotels. All of Tuscia is however dotted with numerous agritourisms surrounded by greenery or overlooking the lake, where you can also find campsites - compare the best accommodation on booking
The flavours of the Velino Valley
Photo by Alessandro Antonelli. The Velino Valley is a wonderful place where nature, villages and traditions come together to create a perfect mix. In the Upper Velino Valley there is an itinerary of about 75 km leading from Castel Sant'Angelo to Amatrice, where you can rediscover truly ancient dishes and recipes. Impossible not to mention the famous Amatriciana di Amatrice, the egg pasta is made by hand following tradition, seasoned with mushroom, wild boar and truffle sauces!
Day 1 Castel Sant'Angelo. Visit the historic centre, the Church of Santa Maria della Porta, and enjoy a walk around the Swan Lake. For lunch, reach Borgo Velino, where it feels like stepping back in time. Stop at theAgriturismo Antichi Sapori, where they only have home-grown products, including meat.
In theafternoon, reach Antrodoco. This village is best known for its famous chestnuts, the Marrone Antrodocano, if you are in season you cannot miss them! In the evening dine at L'osteria di Ianus and order the " stracci antrodocani", one of the most typical dishes of the area!
Day 2 Reach Posta. Enjoy the small village and the beauty of its surroundings. For lunch, we recommend a stop at Benny's Restaurant, with excellent meat dishes. At the end of the meal, absolutely order the ciambelline al vino accompanied by gentian liqueur. Finally, head to Amatrice. Enjoy a stroll through the centre and then end on a high note with a plate of amatriciana or gricia at Ristorante La Conca!
Main stops/cities: Castel Sant'Angelo, Borgo Velino, Antrodoco, Posta, Amatrice
Local products and typical dishes: amatriciana, sauces, egg pasta, chestnuts (Marrone Antrodocano), gentian liqueur, truffles, porcini mushrooms, guanciale and pecorino cheese from Amatrice, rags from Antrodoco, pork trotters in green sauce
Distance/duration of itinerary: 48 km / 2 days
Where to sleep: in the villages you can find small family-run B&Bs, while in the surrounding area, surrounded by greenery, there are several agritourisms. If you are spending the night in Antrodoco, we recommend Villa Enrica with its swimming pool, but there is also a hostel in the centre - compare the best accommodation on booking
Wine route in the province of Latina
Photos of N i c o l a. The wine road in the province of Latina is an itinerary that combines wineries, medieval villages and breathtaking landscapes. A voyage of discovery of the area's typical products and wines, leading along the Latium coast, to discover excellent wines such as Circeo DOC, Cori DOC, Moscato di Terracina DOC or Aprilia DOC.
Day 1 starts in Cori, a wine town of the highest level. Enjoy a walk through the historic centre, with a visit to the Temple of Hercules. In the late morning, visit the Cincinnato Wine Resort, a winery housed in a 19th-century farmhouse, with tours and tastings, a restaurant to stop for lunch, and an agriturismo. In the afternoon head to Latina but, before arriving in the city, stop at the Fattoria Didattica Il girotondo degli animali, where you can discover the animals and traditions of the area, also perfect if you are travelling as a family.
Day 2 in Latina. In the morning, discover the historic centre, starting from Piazza del Popolo, and then enjoy an excellent dish of spaghetti ajo, ojo and chilli pepper at theEnoteca all'Orologio.
In the afternoon, reach San Felice Circeo. Drive along the coast and, once you arrive, enjoy the wonderful sea of the Riviera di Ulisse or explore the centre, stopping at Casa Del Dolce Forno Pasticceria.
Day 3 in Terracina. Leave San Felice Circeo and reach Terracina. Here you can devote yourself to the sea, visiting the historic centre and attractions such as the Temple of Jupiter Anxur, or push on to the Monti Aurunci Natural Park. However, we advise you not to miss a visit to the Cantina Sant'Andrea Azienda Agricola Di Gabriele Pandolfo, one of the best in the area, where you can taste an excellent Moscato di Terracina DOC and also learn about the liqueurs produced. There is also a restaurant to sample the local cuisine.
Main stops/countries: Cori, Latina, San Felice Circeo, Terracina
Local products and typical dishes: supplì, rigatoni con la pajata, spaghetti ajo, ojo e peperoncino, pecorino cheese, sour cherry tart, pangiallo, Circeo DOC, Cori DOC, Moscato di Terracina DOC, Aprilia DOC, Merlot di Aprilia
Distance / route duration: 76 km / 3 days
Where to sleep: Latina has a great tourist offer. In places such as San Felice Circeo and Terracina, you can also look for accommodation with a sea view. The hinterland is rich in agritourisms surrounded by greenery - compare the best accommodation on booking
The Tracciolino della Ciociaria
Photo by Piergiorgio Mariniello. Ciociaria is the area around Frosinone, an area that is not very well known but has long traditions and sublime cuisine, as well as natural and historical beauty. There are numerous products to discover along the way, such as the buffalo mozzarella of Amaseno, the bread of Veroli or the excellent wines. If you are in Frosinone, you certainly cannot miss a day discovering all these flavours.
Morning start in Veroli (15 min from Frosinone). Enjoy a stroll through the old town centre, visit the cathedral, but above all, stop to taste Veroli bread, machio IGP, in the town's small bakeries.
Bymid-morning reach Arpino (30 min from Veroli), a wonderful village nestled in the hills of Ciociaria. Reach the Torre di Cicerone (Cicero Tower) to admire the view, then stop for lunch at I Giardini Dell'Acropoli. Try the supplì and lasagna!
Afternoon visit to the oil mill, to be precise Frantoio Le Macine, not far from Arpino, where you can buy really good extra virgin olive oil!
Youthen reach Amaseno (50 min by car). If you want to go shopping, stop in the centre at the Fattoria Lauretti, with meat, cheese and excellent local products. For dinner, we recommend the La Ciociara restaurant, where you can sample the buffalo meat of Amaseno.
Main stops/towns: Veroli, Arpino, Amaseno
Local products and typical dishes: buffalo mozzarella from Amaseno, lasagna ciociara, bread from Veroli, aniseed doughnut, ham flavoured with juniper and chilli pepper, pecorino cheese from Ferentino, Casenese wine
Distance/duration of itinerary: one day
Where to stay: Frosinone is ideal as a base, as it has a large tourist offer of flats and hotels. The surrounding area, on the other hand, is rich in agritourisms surrounded by greenery. In villages such as Arpino you will mainly find small inns that take you back in time - compare the best accommodation on booking
