Gourmet Food Shops: beyond Roscioli, 5 must-visits in Rome

Whether you’ve already visited Rome or you’re still in the planning phases of your holiday, “Roscioli” is a name that should sound immediately familiar.

You must have read about it in guide books, passed by it on Via dei Giubbonari, or even eaten there – there’s no doubt that this Roman family has built an empire based on high quality food, spanning four generations.

They started out with a simple grocery store, growing on to own several restaurants, all of them highly recommended.

To be fair, though, theirs is not the only gourmet grocery shop in the city.

Way before large-scale retail trade and distribution transformed Rome’s neighborhoods and its inhabitants’ customs in terms of shopping, having a local place where one could buy cold cuts, cheeses and wine of the highest quality was an extremely common sight in every neighborhood.

Just a handful remain today, and each in their own way they’re trying to adapt to the changing times, attracting new clients in the process. These are the ones we picked up for you, but keep in mind that every district has at the very least a couple of them – one of the joys of staying in Rome, whether you’re a foodie or not, is discovering them to try their delicacies!

Ercoli

A staple of the Prati district, where it opened back in 1928, it has recently opened a second location in the Parioli area, north of Flaminio. It shares the same formula with such places as Roscioli: a deli where you can do your grocery shopping, but also pick up items you can consume in the shop. Part restaurant, part bar, you can very well have aperitivo here.

Via Montello, 26 (closest subway stop: Lepanto)
Viale dei Parioli, 184 (bus 223 from Termini)

Volpetti

Arguably the most famous grocery in Testaccio, it’s first and foremost a cheesemonger and charcuterie shop. In 2016, Volpetti has reworked its image by adding a restaurant around the corner from its location.

One of the greatest Roman scenes you can witness here is seeing the cooks from the Taverna hurrying to get fresh ingredients from the store, which is located walking distance from our managed accommodation on Via Annia Faustina.

Volpetti – Via Marmorata, 47 (closest subway stop: Piramide)
Taverna Volpetti – Via Alessandro Volta, 8

Drogheria Innocenzi

On Via Natale del Grande, literally meters from some of our holiday rentals, this is an old-time grocery shop, looking exactly like Roscioli or Ercoli must have looked like before they included a kitchen on their premises!

A safe haven for gourmets and expats alike,the Innocenzi family prides itself on carrying produce that is not to be found in “general” supermarkets, including uncommon spices, sauces and delicacies.

Via Natale del Grande, 31 (tram no. 8 from Piazza Venezia)

Salumeria Paciotti

Around the corner from another recommended address for foodies (the Bonci Pizzarium pizza place!), the family who opened this shop in 1970 takes pride in their belonging to the pizzicagnoli category, an almost obsolete Italian term that was used to define delicatessen sellers and has been put out of commission by the rise of large-scale distribution. Go in and marvel at the amounts of ham, cheeses and wines on display!

Via Marcantonio Bragadin, 51 (closest subway stop: Cipro)

Norcineria e Gastronomia Cecchini

Walking distance from our managed accommodation on Via Mecenate, this is a real neighborhood deli, opening hours included (they take a lengthy lunch break). A norcineria was (and still is) a place that only sold pork meat and its by-products (sausages, guanciale, you name it!): overtime, Mr. Virgilio, the owner, has added cheeses, fresh pasta and ready-to-eat meals that are nothing like what you would usually get at supermarkets (and by the way they do incredible sandwiches, if you’re in a hurry!).

Via Merulana, 85 (closest subway stop: Manzoni)