Rome Food Tour: Campo de' Fiori, Jewish Ghetto & Trastevere

Summary

Campo de' Fiori market flavors, Jewish Ghetto stories, Trastevere wine & pasta

You’ll start your Rome food tour tasting market-fresh caprese at Campo de’ Fiori before wandering through the Jewish Ghetto for fried cod and pastries straight from Boccione Bakery. Savor crispy artichokes at Da Enzo in Trastevere, then descend into an ancient wine cellar for pasta and stories with your guide. Expect laughter, unexpected flavors, and a sense of real Roman life woven through every stop.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect my first bite in Rome to be a tomato. But there we were, standing in Campo de’ Fiori’s noisy morning market — our guide Chiara handed me a chunk of caprese so fresh it almost dripped through my fingers. The basil smelled like summer (even though it was barely April), and some vendor was arguing with a woman over the price of lemons. I just stood there for a second, chewing slowly, watching locals haggle and tourists try not to look lost. That’s how this Rome food tour started for us — not fancy or staged, just real life happening all around.

The walk from the market into the old Jewish Ghetto felt like stepping sideways in time. Chiara pointed out the Portico of Octavia and told us how this whole neighborhood has held its ground for centuries — you could see it in the worn stones and tiny bakeries tucked under arches. We tried baccalà fritto (I burned my tongue because I couldn’t wait) and then wandered into Boccione Bakery where the smell of sweet ricotta and burnt sugar hit me right as we squeezed past an old man reading La Repubblica. Someone handed me a slice of cake with sour cherries — I still think about that taste when I see pastries back home.

We crossed over Tiber Island on a bridge that’s older than most countries. The light was changing by then — gold on stone, shadows stretching out behind us as we drifted into Trastevere. Da Enzo’s fried artichoke was crispy and salty (I tried to eat it gracefully but failed). Our last stop was Spirito di Vino; you go down into this cellar that’s literally ancient — colder air, rough walls — and they pour you wine while plates of pasta arrive one after another. Someone asked if the cellar really is older than the Colosseum; Chiara just grinned and said “much older.”

I don’t remember every detail perfectly (the wine probably helped with that), but I do remember feeling like we’d been let in on something special — not just food but people’s stories layered into every street. If you’re looking for a day trip in Rome that feels both local and surprising, this is probably it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Culinary tour of Rome neighborhoods

• Visit Campo de' Fiori market
• Taste caprese with San Marzano tomatoes
• Eat porchetta sandwich with red wine
• Try fried Roman-style salted cod
• Explore Passetto del Biscione passage
• Discover Rome's Jewish Ghetto streets
• See Great Synagogue of Rome
• Sample pastries at Boccione Bakery
• Visit Portico of Octavia archaeological site
• Walk through Tiber Island and Piazza San Bartolomeo
• Cross Fabricio's Bridge
• Stroll Piazza in Piscinula, Trastevere
• Enjoy pasta with beef ragu and wine at Spirito Divino
• Savor Jewish-style fried artichokes at Da Enzo
• Visit Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere

Top questions

How long does this Rome food tour last?

The tour typically lasts around 3-4 hours, covering several neighborhoods on foot.

Is pickup included for this Rome food tour?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet your guide at Campo de’ Fiori.

Are vegetarian or gluten-free options available?

Yes, but you need to email ahead about dietary requirements like vegetarian or gluten-free diets.

What foods are included on this day trip?

You’ll try caprese salad, porchetta sandwich, baccalà fritto, Roman-Jewish pastries, fried artichoke at Da Enzo, pasta dishes at Spirito di Vino, plus gelato.

Does this tour include wine tasting?

Yes—Italian wines are served throughout the tour including at Spirito di Vino’s historic cellar.

Which neighborhoods does the tour visit?

The route covers Campo de’ Fiori market area, Rome Jewish Ghetto, Tiber Island, and Trastevere.

Is public transportation nearby for getting to or from the tour?

Yes—public transportation options are available close to all main stops.

Can guests with severe allergies join?

No—guests with severe or life-threatening allergies can’t participate due to safety concerns.

What’s included

Your day includes six generous food stops featuring Roman-Jewish specialties like fried artichoke from Da Enzo and ricotta-cherry cake from Boccione Bakery; tastings of prosecco plus Italian wines and beer; a unique pasta meal inside an ancient wine cellar; gelato; entry to historic sites along the way; an English-speaking local guide who shares stories as you walk; plus a handy Rome Food Guide PDF for later cravings.