We wil be spending four days in Rome and would really appreciate recommendations for good value (cheap?) eating places. We are going to Rome to see the sights, not to eat fine food - we have plenty of good italian restaurants in London. We will be looking for places where we can have short stops for a plate of pasta or good pizza, probably followed by coffee. Friends have tried to frighten us with scare stories about the high price of eating out in Rome but I am sure that the locals know the good places. Help please.

Enoteca Cul de Sac near Campo Fiore.

Read all about. Click link below. Go To ACT III.

http://web.me.com/tomfielding1/Tom_%...Roma_2009.html

If you think Italian food in London tastes good, I'm sure you will happy eating anywhere in Rome. Just look for the cheapest price. Menus are posted in the window. If the menu is also in English, you will be able to get fast food. If the menu is only in Italian, you will be expected to eat like Italians do, which is to order something more than one course and not expect fast service.

Bars (which serve coffee) also have microwaves and can produce pasta in a jiffy, and you can top it with a coffee before you run out the door.

Your "scary" friends probably went to good restaurants in Rome. Don't listen to them.

There are plenty of places to get pizza by the slice very cheaply. These places don't have a view of the Trevi fountain of course... so just walk a block or two away from the prime tourist sites.

Try eating your main meal at lunch time as prices are generally cheaper and having pizza and gelato for dinner while you sight see.

A friend of mine has just asked me 'why don't you just look at the travel websites for Rome?' I told her that Fodors forum members are more reliable, trustworthy and really come up with answers. Many thanks for the first reponses to my question.

hi bowlsman,

I agree with the above - if you find a neighbourhood with some locals, you'll soon find some reasonably priced places. if you click on my screen-name you'll find my trip report from my recent week in rome, with a few ideas.

have a great trip

regards, ann

zeppole - your post cracks me up - I think half the reason we are returning to Italy is for the food - yeah the art is amazing and the people are wonderful - but after enjoying gelato everyday, trofie al pesto in liguria, pound cake soaked in Sciacchetrà, and the best pizza ever - nothing else compares - we couldn't eat "American" Italian food for months after returning from our last trip to Italy - the food is just that good. Please don't be offended bowlsman - but I can't imagine visiting Italy and not being concerned about finding great food - which doesn't have to be expensive.

Bowlsman - check out the graffiti wall at ricksteves.com for some great and inexpensive restaurant ideas - under the "Mouthwatering Italy" heading. I had some of the best Indian food I've ever had in London - but I wouldn't miss the opportunity to experience it in India. Food is always best where it originates - eat at local, mom and pop places without english menus and you will be amazed at how good it is and how affordable too. Don't be in a hurry and ask what is fresh or local - you won't be disappointed. Hope your holiday is amazing!

No offence taken - we love good food, we just do not want 'fine dining' on a short city break. I still say that there is still some pretty good Italian food in London!

Ha - I totally understand - food can get expensive but in Italy great food and fine dining don't have to go together. The earlier post about taking advantage of street food is good advice - my son lived on street food in London and Paris. I loved the food in London but then I liked dorm food Sorry couldn't resist the dig - but seriously, you have awesome ethnic food in the UK. We love the Indian, Sushi, and Italian during our visits - great veggie choices too. OK, I'm ready to go back to London now