by Isla Campbell

The phrase 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do is the perfect statement to encourage travellers who visit to try out local customs and cuisines. While it is a very liberating expression that gets many tourists into the right spirit, it is one that seems to have become estranged from its roots and its Italian city of origin.

Which all leads to the question, what should or shouldn't you do in Rome?

photo by Nova/Wikimedia

The main faux pas is to act as if you're still in your home country. There is no need to compare object, landscapes or meals to what you'd have back home, just enjoy the moment and embrace the new experiences.

One of the main places to let go of your knowledge and to dive deep in to the local culture is when you're eating out. If there's something on a menu that you haven't tried, or something you're not sure about, this is the time to experiment. You'll also find that typical Italian food, in particular pasta dishes and pizzas, are cooked to a much higher standard in Italy. Even if it's something you'd normally ignore from your home town menu, trying it as it's meant to be cooked, may open your eyes to a new way of eating.

photo by Onofrio Scaduto/Wikimedia

Other foods to be on the look out for include, suppli (fried balls of mozzarella, rice and tomato), gnocchi (savory dumplings) and tiramisu (a cake made with Italian coffee that just has to be tried in Italy). Even though they are becoming popular world wide now a paninni sandwich from Rome is a real treat not to be missed. A favorite to all visitors is cannoli, the traditional Italian pastry with a lovely cream filling surrounded by a sweet crunchy cookie.

If you are hankering for ethnic food, the best is in the Jewish Ghetto in the Travestere area. Try their savory beef briscuit for an inexpensive meal. The most traditional Roman meals include Abbacchio, milk fed lamb in a mixture of seasonings to suit almost everyone’s tastes. Porchetta is another Italian favorite, herbed roasted pork.

The fun thing about eating in Rome is how they eat. Normally you will have a four course meal, but don’t be surprised at 7 courses. Normally you will start out with Antipasti. This start to a meal could be brushetta (toast rubbed with garlic, topped with a garlicky tomato and olive oil mixture), a variation of salads (artichokes with olives, cheese surrounded by meats, or delicately made seafood’s. Next comes pasta, anything from a spaghetti dish, could be carbonara (with egg yolk, cheese and pork), peperoncino a spicier version, to traditional 4 cheese. Or Cannelloni with stuffed ricotta (adding spinach is delightful) and herbed creamed tomato sauce.
Then comes your vegetable dish, Pomodori (tomato’s with basil and garlic), and artichokes are very popular. Then your meat dishes, try Saltimbocca Alla Romana (skewered veal and ham). To top it all off will be an exciting dessert accompanied by a hot coffee.

Because Italians have been dedicated connoisseurs of gastronomical delights, when cooking their food they know how it's meant to be prepared. Although the American habit of customizing menus to suit the diner 'hold the mayo', or 'can I have this without…', is something that's becoming more common in the UK, but it's something that is still frowned upon in Italy. They serve their dishes according to traditional ways and asking for their recipes to be changed will be offensive.

photo by Brenda Annerl/Wikimedia

To accompany your meal never ask for a cappuccino, unless you're eating breakfast. For Italians, the inventors of the drink, cappuccino is purely a morning beverage and asking for it after 11am will get you funny looks and a lot of moans.

If you do decide to go ahead with an afternoon cappuccino, remember to order your drink at the bar as receiving table service can triple your bill in some establishments.

photo by DocteurCosmos/wikimedia

It is recommended that before travellers arrive in Italy - even if you leave it to the last minute while they're on their flights to Rome - that you make a list of all the foods you want to try. Research where the best restaurants, cafes and pastry shops are for the type food you want or have heard about from your friends. Now you will be prepared to have a culinary experience to remember for a lifetime. Maybe you might even bring home a recipe or two and try them out with your friends and re-live you fond memories of a exceptional trip in Rome!

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Here are a few suggestions on good restaurants:

Lo Scopettaro
7 Lungotevere Testaccio
Phone: +39 06 574 2408
A Roman experience!

Antica Roma
Via Appia Antica
+39 06 513 2888
This restaurant is built into ancient ruins, filled with ambiance. Historic recipes from the past with sauces you will not soon forget.

Da Lucia
2 Vicolo del Mattonato
+06 580 3601
Located in the lively Travestere, the food here is some of the best you will have in Rome with a inexpensive price. Try pecorino and bacon or stew.