Homesick? Here are the best international food stores in Rome!

Rome is not just the capital of Italy: as the base for numerous international organizations, embassies and foreign companies, it is also the place where many foreign communities can be found.

Therefore the city sees converging tourists in droves as well as expats, which have increasingly started to influence the range of products in the local supermarkets.

Let’s face it: all the small groceries from big name companies such as Carrefour, PAM, Coop and more all have a number of small items that cater to the international community – from coconut milk to cheddar slices, basics are always in stock, even if the store isn’t impressive in terms of size.

However, when food nostalgia hits really bad, that’s the time to go on the hunt for something that really reminds you of your home country, and that’s when From Home to Rome has got your back: we have listed below some, well, lifesavers!

We haven’t picked any of the very obvious choices, like Castroni or Drogheria Innocenzi, which we discussed about here: those groceries are well located within the city center so chances are you already know of them.

Instead, these are our very own haunts for international products and this is where we go shopping ourselves when we are looking for very specific ingredients!

Selli International Food Store

From British tea to pancake mix, this awesome grocer is not just focused on Asian fare (although they have an astounding selection of rice, spices and sauces). You can easily spend hours here, as every corner of the shop is packed with unusual items.

Selli has a very diverse customer base, too: from Italian grandmas looking to make “American cakes” to Japanese tourists longing for some home flavor, you’ll be surprised at just how many people come in on any given day, leaving with bags full of otherwise hard-to-find ingredients.

Via dello Statuto, 28/30 (Monti/Esquilino, walking distance from our managed accommodation on Via Mecenate)

Americaland

Even though they tend to take their holidays right in January, these guys are the go-to place when you are after something that originates in the U.S. (or Canada, in some instances).

From Twinkies to peanut butter, from hot sauce to Campbell’s soups, this shop is a must-visit, especially if you’re sticking in Rome for a while. And they even have an online store!

Via Cavour, 200 (Monti, walking distance from the subway stop @ Cavour and from our managed accommodation on Via dei Capocci)

Asia International

Come here for the range of products for sale, come back for the friendliness of every employee: an unassuming, simple door decorated with silk chillies hides one of the best stocked grocers in the whole city.

Asia International not only sells fresh produce and hard to find Chinese and Japanese items, it also caters to the needs of the Filipino, Indonesian and Vietnamese communities (and many more!). It also sells kitchen utensils, selection of rare teas and, for some reason, maneki-nekos (the Japanese lucky charm!).

Via Ricasoli, 20 (Esquilino, walking distance from the subway stop @ Vittorio Emanuele)

American Candy Corner

A shop devoted to sweets and fizzy drinks, but with a penchant for stocking flavory snacks and sauces (as well as pretty much everything else). Also an online shop, get in touch with them if you can’t find what you’re looking for right away: they’re super nice!

Via Albenga, 58 (walking distance from the subway stop @ Ponte Lungo or the city train station at Roma Tuscolana, on the FL5 line)