Rome Food Tour: Unlimited Tastings, Barolo & Bonci Pizza

Summary

Rome’s food scene up close with Barolo wine and Bonci pizza tastings

You’ll wander Rome’s lively foodie neighborhoods with a local guide, tasting everything from Bonci’s famous pizza to 30-year aged balsamic vinegar at La Tradizione. Savor handmade pasta paired with endless Barolo wine before finishing with true artisanal gelato. Expect laughter, new flavors, and those small surprises you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We started in a side street near Roma Termini, just a handful of us blinking in the late afternoon light. Our guide, Marco, waved us over with this kind of easy Roman confidence — you know the type. He handed out little glasses of Prosecco before we’d even left the sidewalk. That first sip was cold and sharp and I swear I caught a whiff of basil from somewhere nearby. It felt like someone had flipped a switch: suddenly I was hungry, really hungry.

The first stop was La Tradizione — not some tourist trap but an actual gourmet shop packed with locals arguing about cheese. The family who runs it seemed to know everyone by name (except us). They sliced up Parmigiano Reggiano so old it crumbled between my fingers, then drizzled it with balsamic vinegar that had been aging longer than I’ve been alive. I tried to pronounce “caciotta” and got it wrong; Marco just grinned and poured more Montepulciano d’Abruzzo into my glass. I could smell truffle in the air — earthy and almost sweet — and there were so many kinds of cured meats I lost count after five.

I didn’t expect to care much about pizza (I mean, it’s everywhere in Rome), but Bonci’s place changed my mind fast. The crust was chewy at the edge and almost creamy inside — how is that possible? — topped with things like zucchini flowers or potato slices that actually tasted like something. There was this moment when Li from our group tried to ask for seconds in Italian; she got shy halfway through and we all ended up laughing too loud for such a tiny spot.

By the time we sat down at Il Segreto for pasta and free-flowing Barolo wine, I’d stopped pretending to pace myself. The pasta was handmade — you could feel it in the bite — and there was this DOCG label on the bottle that Marco made sure we noticed (“Only the good stuff tonight,” he said). Dessert was gelato from a shop where they still use metal tubs instead of plastic bins. Pistachio for me, because someone told me that’s how you judge if it’s real.

I walked back to my hotel full but not heavy, still tasting truffle honey on my tongue. Rome felt different after all that food and laughter — warmer somehow. Sometimes I catch myself looking for that same aged balsamic smell when I walk past cheese shops at home. It never quite matches.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Rome food tasting and wine tour

• Taste mozzarella and bruschette with Prosecco
• Try Parmigiano, prosciutto, and truffle dishes with wine
• Taste special pizzas by chef Gabriele Bonci
• Visit gourmet shop and sample fine products
• Enjoy classic Roman pasta with Barolo wine
• End with artisanal gelato dessert

Top questions

How long does the Rome food tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours.

Is there unlimited food & wine during the tour?

Yes, unlimited tastings of food and wine are included throughout the experience.

Does the tour include Bonci pizza?

Yes, you’ll taste special combinations at Bonci’s pizzeria in Rome.

Are dietary restrictions accommodated?

Yes, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-intolerant options are available if requested at booking.

Where does the tour start?

The experience begins near Roma Termini station in Rome.

Is this walking tour suitable for children or people with limited mobility?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and infants/children can join using strollers or prams.

What wines are served on this Rome food tour?

You’ll enjoy Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOP, and free-flowing DOCG Barolo wine.

How many people are in each group?

The group size is limited to a maximum of 15 people.

What’s included

Your day includes all food tastings across five locally loved venues—think Bonci pizza slices, gourmet cheeses at La Tradizione, artisan cured meats—and unlimited pours of fine Italian wines like Barolo. You’ll also get lunch or dinner depending on your booking time plus dessert gelato before heading off into Rome again—all guided by a local expert who handles every detail (even water is covered).