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Original poster

Food in Rome

15 replies

WateringCanCan · 09/09/2022 19:29

Have just booked a week in Rome for me, DH and DD who is 12 and has autism. Just wondering about food options from those who have been to Rome recently -

DD only eats really plain food, will have margarita pizza and very plain pasta with tomato sauce/cheese but doesn't like anything 'fancy' at all. A little afraid we won't be able to find any restaurants who carry plain dishes?

Italy is known for such beautiful, sophisticated food, just hoping we will be able to find somewhere a bit more DD plain food friendly - can anyone advise?

OP posts:

Bobbobchampagne · 09/09/2022 19:33

It’s also great for very simple classics, you will be able to find what you’ve described in most restaurants in Rome. Have a lovely time

backinthebox · 09/09/2022 19:38

My son remembers his holiday in Rome where he was able to eat plain pasta for every meal very fondly. Be aware they will try and put either olive oil or butter on the plain pasta, but will happily leave that off too if you specify so. Plain pizza also on offer.

UrsulaPandress · 09/09/2022 19:43

Go to Alfredo’s for the fettuccine Alfredo.

Just pasta and cheese.

chocolatenutcase · 09/09/2022 19:57

We've just come back from Rome. My daughter is vegan and it was a nightmare finding food for her. She lived off marinara pizza (pizza with tomorrow sauce) and pasta with tomato sauce! So it will be so easy for you to find somewhere suitable for your DC as virtually every restaurant serves these! Have fun. We had a fab time.

Delabruche · 09/09/2022 20:00

Any Italian restaurant should be able to give you plain pasta or pasta with tomato sauce or ragu. It's a given.

mondaytosunday · 09/09/2022 21:33

I would say you will be spilt fur choice! Pizza in Rome is plain. And pasta comes with many or no sauce if you prefer! They are quite accommodating I'm sure you'll be fine.

Original poster

WateringCanCan · 10/09/2022 08:35

I have just shown DD the thread and she is very relieved! Thanks all 👍

OP posts:

Geamhradh · 10/09/2022 08:40

Typical Roman pasta dishes are very simple. The 3 main ones are Amatriciana, Carbonara and Cacio e Pepe. Typical Italian pasta dishes are very simple.
There isn't a restaurant in Italy that isn't used to people just asking for pasta and tomato sauce or a Margherita. In all honesty- it's the ones offering mainly fancy dishes that aren't traditional.
Have a lovely time!

Geamhradh · 10/09/2022 08:44

PS if you want pasta with cheese (as in just cheese rather than a sauce made with cheese) then ask for pasta in bianco con formaggio grattugiato.
Cacio e Pepe is pasta with a sauce made from melted caciotta cheese and pepper.
My DD used to eat mountains of pasta, burro e parmigiano (same as the pasta with grated cheese but with the cheese melted together with some butter)
All restaurants will whip any of those up for you.

Whycanineverever · 10/09/2022 09:02

Where we stayed there were some great street food type places where you just got slices of pizza and another one that did pasta in a box - you specified pasta and sauce separately so that would work I am sure.

MsTSwift · 10/09/2022 09:10

Most of the non swanky restaurants have a lot of choice - lots of pizza and pasta dishes our teens were in heaven food wise.

usernamealreadytaken · 10/09/2022 09:46

Just as an aside, DH took me to Rome for my 50th recently and as it was a surprise I didn't get the chance to plan anything. If you're going to visit the Colosseum book a guided tour - it cost a bit more but we got a deal and it was absolutely fantastic, we'd have missed so much without. We might just have been lucky to get such a good guide but she really made it an amazing experience. Have fun!

The food was amazing in every restaurant we visited, so much choice and the staff were so friendly and couldn't do enough for us, fabulous service. You don't have to go to "big" restaurants; there are little pavement cafes everywhere - our favourite was opposite the Colosseum and we just sat with a couple of drinks marvelling at being there. I don't travel much (DH does) and I was completely overwhelmed.

MsTSwift · 10/09/2022 09:54

Truffle pasta has to be tried!

WillPowerLite · 10/09/2022 10:06

You won't want pasta or pizza for every meal, I imagine! Cafes do little sandwiches called tramezzini- usually white bread with the crusts cut off - extremely child friendly! Lots of filling options and you can usually customise to a point. Italian cafes and restaurants will usually be very happy to make simple food for children. Lots of cafes also do crepes, different pastries and biscuits.

See if she'll try suppli or arancini - deep fried risotto balls, essentially. Suppli are Roman.

RampantIvy · 10/09/2022 17:05

Truffle pasta has to be tried!

I find truffle to be very much an acquired taste TBH, and a taste that I have yet to acquire.

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