Are you planning to move to Italy from the UK in 2023 and wondering how much it will cost you to eat in Rome, the Eternal City? Rome is a food lover’s paradise, with a variety of cuisines and dishes to suit every taste and budget. But how much should you expect to spend on food per day in Rome? Here are some tips and estimates to help you plan your meals and enjoy the best of Roman gastronomy.
The typical Italian breakfast consists of a coffee and a pastry, usually a cornetto (a croissant-like pastry filled with cream, jam or chocolate). You can find many bars and cafés where you can have this simple but satisfying breakfast for around €3 per person if you stand at the counter. However, if you prefer to sit down and get served, the price can increase significantly, especially in touristy areas. You may end up paying €5-10 for the same breakfast, plus a service fee.
If you are looking for a more substantial breakfast, such as a buffet or an à la carte option, you will have to look for hotels or restaurants that offer this service. Expect to pay anywhere from €12-30 per person for a more elaborate breakfast, depending on the location and quality of the venue.
Lunch in Rome can be as cheap or as expensive as you want, depending on your preferences and time constraints. If you are in a hurry or on a budget, you can opt for one of the many street food options that Rome has to offer. From pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) to supplì (fried rice balls stuffed with cheese) to trapizzino (a triangular pocket of bread filled with various toppings), you can find delicious and filling snacks for around €5 per person.
If you want to have a sit-down lunch without breaking the bank, you can take advantage of the lunch buffets that some restaurants offer, especially in areas with many offices. For around €9 per person, you can enjoy a variety of dishes, including water and coffee.
Another option for lunch is to visit a classic trattoria or osteria, where you can sample some of the traditional Roman dishes, such as pasta alla carbonara, cacio e pepe or amatriciana. A pasta dish will cost you around €9-14, while a second course of meat or fish will be around €12-20. Add some wine, bread and dessert, and you can expect to pay around €20-30 per person for a full meal.
Dinner is usually the most expensive meal of the day in Rome, as most restaurants charge higher prices in the evening than at lunchtime. However, you can still find some good deals if you know where to look.
One option is to go for an aperitivo, which is a pre-dinner drink accompanied by some snacks or finger food. Many bars and pubs offer this service from 6 pm to 9 pm, and charge around €10-15 per person for a drink and unlimited access to a buffet of cold cuts, cheeses, salads, pizzas and more. This can be a great way to save money and enjoy some socializing.
Another option is to look for restaurants that offer fixed-price menus or specials. These are usually displayed outside the restaurant or on a chalkboard inside. You can find some great deals for around €15-20 per person, which include an appetizer, a main course and sometimes a dessert or a drink.
Of course, if you want to splurge on dinner, you can also find plenty of gourmet restaurants and fine dining options in Rome. These will cost you anywhere from €50-100 per person or more, depending on the quality and reputation of the venue.
If you make your own meals at home, the average cost of food in Rome per day will be lower than eating out, but it will depend on what you buy and where you shop. You can find some estimates of the average cost of groceries in Rome from here.
So, based on these estimates, the average cost of food in Rome per day if you make your own meals at home could be anywhere from €7.65 to €10.34 per person, depending on your calorie intake and food choices. Of course, these are just rough averages and your actual spending may vary depending on your appetite, taste, and location. You can also save money by buying food from local markets or discount supermarkets.
As you can see, the average cost of food in Rome per day can vary greatly depending on your choices and preferences. However, as a general rule of thumb, you can expect to spend around €30-40 per person per day on food in Rome, Italy. This budget will cover three meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
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