Looking to skip the tourist traps and explore Rome like a local? The Roman Food Tour, created by Canadian-born Joshua Elledge, offers a flavour-packed way to experience authentic Italian cuisine while walking some of the city’s most storied neighbourhoods.
After moving to Italy more than a decade ago, Elledge worked in Roman kitchens and later became a Colosseum guide. But it was the questions from hungry tourists — “Where do Romans actually eat?” — that sparked an idea. One that would become one of the world’s top-rated culinary experiences.
Voted Tripadvisor’s Most Popular Food Tour Worldwide, The Roman Food Tour has welcomed thousands of food lovers from around the globe. If Italy is in your travel plans, this is one delicious detour you won’t want to miss.
Where to eat, sip and savour
- Prati food tour:
Steps from the Vatican, this four-stop walking tour weaves through the elegant Prati district. Guests sample local favourites and classic Roman dishes while picking up insider tips that enhance every meal that follows.
- Trastevere food tour:
This tour leads you through ivy-covered lanes and hidden trattorias in one of Rome’s most atmospheric neighbourhoods. With more than 20 tastings across four venues, highlights include truffle cheese, 30-year-aged balsamic vinegar, handmade pasta, Roman-style pizza, D.O.C.G wines and artisanal gelato.
- Trionfale market tour:
Rome’s largest market is a feast for the senses and this tour puts you in the middle of it. Meet the families behind the food stalls, learn how to shop like a Roman and enjoy tastings at nearby eateries.
- Rome cooking class—pasta and tiramisu making:
If you’d rather roll up your sleeves, join a four-hour cooking class in a cozy Roman kitchen. Guests learn to make traditional pasta and tiramisu, followed by a tasting of gourmet products from a local food shop.
Each tour introduces you to passionate chefs, regional ingredients and time-honoured Roman recipes. Along the way, you’ll stroll through scenic piazzas and lesser-known neighbourhoods, experiencing the city with both fork and foot.
More ways to explore Italy
- Colosseum tours:
No visit to Rome is complete without seeing this historic icon. Today’s tours offer more access than ever, including the once-restricted underground dungeons, where gladiators once prepared for battle.
- Cooking classes across Italy:
The culinary journey doesn’t have to end in Rome. Cooking Italy offers hands-on classes in Venice, Florence, Milan, Sorrento and Verona, followed by a communal to taste what you’ve created alongside fellow travellers.
- Mount Etna adventure:
For those heading south, Mount Etna in Sicily offers a dramatically different experience. Hike past craters and lava flows on Europe’s tallest active volcano while learning about its powerful history and local lore.
Book your Roman food experience
Ready to eat like a local in the Eternal City? Visit The Roman Food Tour to reserve your spot.
You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram for behind-the-scenes stories, tour updates and culinary inspiration.
