In our up-coming October Trip, we are passing through Rome twice - with about a 2 hour layover - right about noon.

Does anyone know of a place in/right at Termini where we could pick up some sandwiches and fruit for our lunch on the train? Or is there a place right in the station (where we could go with our bags) that serves a lunch that you might recomend?

Thanks for your help,

Carol

If you're going to the main station I came through upon arrival from Florence, there are plenty of food options in the station.

Happy travels

Jules

Ther's a place right up on the second floor where you can buy food, and it even looks out over the ARR/DEP Board so if you need to, you can sit and watch the Board. I sat up there once to eat and watch for my train, and met a very nice lady from Venice to talk to while waiting. The food is not fancy, sandwiches and things, but if you don't want to leave the station with all your bags, at least it's a place to sit and eat.

There are various restaurants and bars around the neighborhood too, but all involve walking some distance with your baggage.

Hi Carol, I was going to post info but bellastar already did. I had friends who ate there also when using the train to get to Venice. She too said the food was alright and it was a handy place to eat. Have a fun trip!!

There's no shortage of places to pick up a meal. Here's the list (w/map):
http://www.romatermini.it/pagine.cfm..._3&lang=en

There are a few self-services, including a Ciao (run by the Autogrill folks) that's perfectly acceptable for a meal on the run and has a pretty wide variety of choices.

Oh my god! Upstairs in the train station is the best panini you can get. A few years ago while waiting for our train we had a ham and cheese panini...the best we ever had.

We have tried to duplicate it in the last three trips and nothing has come close.

You will not starve in the train station

If you exit the station from the left and walk one street over, you will be on via G. Amendola. Walk over one street more, towards St. Mary Major, there are a few really nice sidewalk cafes.

If you cannot bear to leave the station there is a HUGE food market (and a lot of other stuff) downstairs as I recall...kinda like a combination drug store and supermarket on steroids.

EVERY large train station in Europe has places selling decent sandwiches, snacks and drinks to bring onto the train. Load up the shopping bag and have a great picnic.

But if you bring lunch onto the train, you'll miss a great experience of sitting in the dining car. That was one of our "real European" experiences. We felt like we were in a movie!

Thanks for all the replies! I know I can always count on Fordorites to know the answers.

LoveItaly - too bad you won't be in Rome in Oct. You could meet me and Tom too! And I'm sure a host of others.

Howard,
I hadn't even *thought* of a dining car! Tell me all about your experience?

I was so glad to get the positive imput about the station. Believe me, I have been to many stations in my long life where you would NOT want to eat the food! I was especially glad to hear of the place on the 2nd floor. Paninis are some of our favorites too. NIce to know they have a "World Class" there!

And KT thanks for the website too.

Carol

Hi Carol, I wish I could be in Rome in October, that would be fantastic...and being with you two and Tom would be the icing on the cake. But because of "helping" my daughter & SIL get to Rome for the month of June due to my SIL's family problems there I will have to delay my trip to Italy until 2006. But sure hope you know you will be in my thoughts and heart. Have a wonderful glass of wine for me!!

I just remembered that the nice cafes I mentioned above are BEHIND the San Giorgio Hotel on G. Amendola. I think you can access them by walking through the lobby.

LoveItaly,
Maybe next year we can have a glass of wine together, but I'll certainly drink just for you this year.

Thingorjus,
I really appreciate knowing about the cafes - we will end up in Rome and we always stay in the Monti district as we prefer the "real" Rome neighbohoods and we know some nice little restaurants where we feel at home. But I'll certainly check these out too - and probably add them to my short list also.

Carol