Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Eat as the Romans Do
For
colazione
(breakfast), most Romans head to a bar for a cappuccino and a
cornetto
- a
croissant filled with
cioccolato
(chocolate),
marmelata
(jam) or
crema
(custard cream).
The main meal of the day is
pranzo
(lunch), eaten at about 1.30pm. Many shops and
businesses close for three to four hours every afternoon to accommodate the meal and si-
esta that follows. On Sundays
pranzo
is particularly important.
Cena
(dinner), eaten any time from about 8.30pm, is usually a simple affair, although
this is changing as fewer people make it home for the big lunchtime feast.
A full Italian meal consists of an antipasto (starter), a
primo piatto
(first course), a
secondo piatto
(second course) with an
insalata
(salad) or
contorno
(vegetable side dish),
dolci
(sweets), fruit, coffee and
digestivo
(liqueur). When eating out, however, you can do
as most Romans do, and mix and match: order, say, a
primo
followed by an
insalata
or
contorno
.
Vegetarians & Vegans
Panic not, vegetarians, you can eat well in Rome, with a bountiful choice of antipasti,
pasta dishes
, insalati, contorni
and pizzas.
Be mindful of hidden ingredients not mentioned on the menu - for example, steer clear
of anything that's been stuffed (like courgette flowers, often spiced up with anchovies) or
check that it's
senza carne o pesce
(without meat or fish). Note that to many Italians ve-
getarian means you don't eat red meat.
Vegans are in for a tougher time. Cheese is used universally, so you must specify that
you want something
'senza formaggio'
(without cheese). Also remember that
pasta
fresca,
which may also turn up in soups, is made with eggs. The safest option is to self-
cater or try a dedicated vegetarian restaurant, which will always have some vegan options.
GLUTEN-FREE
Most restaurants offer gluten-free options, as there is a good awareness of celiac disease here. Just say
'Io sono
celiaco'
or
'senza glutine'
when you sit down, and usually the waiters will be able to recommend you suitable
dishes.
Where to Eat
Eateries are divided into several categories.
