Rome edible gifts and where to buy them

Rome edible gifts are a great way to bring back something small and delicious for those back home. 

Here are my favorite edible and drinkable things in Rome you can easily buy as a gift or frankly, just for yourself!

Gifts and Souvenirs to Eat and Drink

Things to eat and drink make great souvenirs for yourself, and also great gifts from Rome. It's usually something people appreciate and will use.

They are easy to pack, usually not breakable, and, will almost certainly be consumed and enjoyed. 

Just make sure you know the tastes of the people you are buying for. Otherwise, you might have to keep these things and eat and drink them yourself!

On this page, you'll find Rome edible gifts (along with drinkable gifts, too), in the following categories:

• Chocolates
• Cheese
• Truffles
• Cookies / Biscotti
• Coffee
• Wine
• Liquor

Rome edible gifts - chocolates

If you know anything about me, you'd know I'd start my list of ideas for Rome edible gifts with chocolates. Yes, I am a chocoholic.

Rome may not be a known chocolate-producing center, like Switzerland or Belgium, but you can find some truly excellent chocolates in Rome:

moriondo gariglio chocolates

Moriondo & Gariglio, right near the Pantheon is a Rome institution and a favorite of Romans in the know.

Begun in 1850 by the two eponymous cousins in Turin, they were suppliers to the Savoy royal house before moving to Rome.

They make fresh chocolates daily in their on-site laboratory.

Just entering the shop and seeing the beautiful displays and taking in the delicious aromas is a wonderful experience on its own.

Details:

• Address: 00186 Via del Piè di Marmo, 21/22
• Phone: +39 06 699 0856
• Opening hours: Monday-Saturday: 9:00–19:30 | Sundays: 12:00-19:30

Valzani Chocolates

Another chocolate emporium not to be missed in Rome is Valzani Chocolates in Trastevere.

They've been making artisanal chocolates and cookies since 1925 (in fact, most of the decor and fixtures in the shop are from when they first opened!)

Just walk through the door and you will be greeted with a wafting aroma of warm chocolate.

It's worth going inside just for that. 

But in winter, I go there also for the hot chocolate.

Just get it.

You will thank me.

Details: 

• Address: 00153 Via del Moro, 37a/b
• Phone: +39 06 580 3792
• Opening hours: Mondays: CLOSED | Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00-20:00

Quetzalcoatl Chocolatier

Another superb artisanal chocolate shop is Quetzalcoatl, right near the Spanish Steps.

I dare you to come in here without also getting a gelato or authentic eclair for yourself.

Details:

• Address: 00187 Via delle Carrozze, 26
  
• Opening hours: Monday-Saturday: 10:00-19:00 | Sundays: 14:00-19:00

Venchi Fine Chocolates

You might be drawn in by the chocolate fountains and the promise of gelato, but make sure to take some time to inspect, or rather, taste, the chocolates at Venchi.

And don't let the modern shiny decor fool you.

This is no newfangled newcomer.

In 1878, Silviano Venchi set up a small shop in his native town of Turin (arguably one of THE most important centers for chocolate-making in Italy.)

And the rest is history. What better gift for the chocolate lover in your life?

Details:

• Address: 00186 Via degli Orfani, 87
• Opening hours: Monday-Thursday: 10:00-00:00 | Friday-Saturday: 10:00-01:00 | Sundays: 10:00-00:00

Rinascente

Rinascente department store may not be the first place that comes to mind if you're thinking of getting some Rome edible gifts.

But their food emporium on the top floor is full of fun treats, whether for yourself or as a gift.

Like these chocolate shoes!

Details: 

• Address:

        - Via del Tritone, 61

        - Via dei Due Macelli, 23

• Opening hours: Monday-Sunday: 09:30-23:00

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Rome edible gifts - Cheese

Cheese also makes a terrific gift (of course you may want some for yourself, as well!)

Vacuum-sealed, it keeps up to 6 months until you open it. So it travels well.

NB - We are NOT talking about mozzarella or burrata or any other creamy cheese. Just the hard kinds like parmesan, grana padano, and similar cheeses.

You could easily buy vacuum-sealed parmesan cheese at just about any grocery store in Rome, and you can definitely get it at Fiumicino airport too.

But if you want to enjoy the experience of visiting a real Italian deli (salumeria in Italian), where the purveyors can assist you with your choices, and perhaps give you some tastes while telling you about the cheeses, you should head to some of the wonderful salumerie around Rome:

Antica Caciara Cheeses

Antica Caciara in Trastevere is another Rome institution. Romans come from all over the city just to shop here and to have a bit of a chat with Roberto.

Signor Roberto, the owner, has been working there since he was 13.

The shop was founded in 1900 by Roberto’s grandfather Albino.

As a bonus, there may not be anyone sweeter to buy your cheese from.

You will always leave Roberto's with a smile on your face.

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Details: 

• Address: 00153 Via di S. Francesco a Ripa, 140A/B
• Hours: Monday-Saturday: 7:30-20:00 | Sundays: CLOSED

Roscioli

Another excellent and well-known spot for buying Rome edible gifts in the form of cheese is Roscioli.

Roscioli has a salumeria, bread shop (forno), bakery (pasticceria), café, and a wine-tasting venue, Rimessa Roscioli.

At their salumeria, you can buy cheese but you can also eat in (if you can get a reservation.) They are famous (thanks to Anthony Bourdain) for their carbonara.

Details: 

• Address: 00153 Via dei Giubbonari, 21/22
• Phone: +39 06 687 5287
• Opening hours (store): Monday-Sunday: 09:00-21:00

La Formaggeria Roma at Piazza Epiro

In the San Giovanni neighborhood, not far from the Colosseum, you can visit a local covered market, Mercato Latino at Piazza Epiro.

And inside this market is a man who can arguably be called one of the most important cheese vendors in Rome, Franceso Loreti.

Besides being the supplier to many of Rome's best-known restaurants, Francesco has cheeses you can't find anywhere else in Rome.

A great option for the cheese lover in your life!

Details:

• Address: Mercato Latino at Piazza Epiro, box 25 - 26
• Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 07:00-14:00 | Saturdays: 07:00-19:30 | Sundays: CLOSED

Beppe e i suoi Formaggi

Beppe and his cheeses (literally the name of his shop) have been a fixture in the Jewish Ghetto since 2008 when he opened up shop.

Much more than "just" a cheese emporium, Beppe e i Suoi Formaggi is also a wonderful wine bar and restaurant.

Details:

• Address: Via di S. Maria del Pianto, 9A/11 
• Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 09:00-23:00 | Sundays: CLOSED

Rome edible gifts - Truffles

Truffles are one of those foods people either love or are indifferent to (I adore truffles and cannot imagine being indifferent to them. I think it's a genetic thing.)

Truffles don't grow just anywhere in the world.

Most truffle connoisseurs will tell you that the best ones grow primarily in Italy and France.

Also, truffles are seasonal.

You will find the tastiest truffles starting around October.

Fresh black (or white if you can find them) truffles (tartufo or tartufi in Italian) like you find at the market (and in the photo at the top of this page) are not ok to take home with you.

They will rot quickly, and are probably against any Customs rules back home where you live.

But you can bring home truffles in a jar.

They come several ways: Whole black truffles, sliced truffles, or truffles mixed into a spread.

Sliced truffles, truffle oil, and truffle sauce all keep very well.

If you bring back whole black truffles in a jar, you will want to get them right before you fly home, and use them right when you get home.

They barely have any shelf life, I am talking about a few days max (I found this out the hard way, sadly.)

But sliced truffles are preserved in oil, and they are just fabulous on top of pasta, steak, eggs (oh yes eggs!), bruschetta and anything else you can think of.

An unopened jar of these will last quite a while.

Truffle spreads are the easiest to use and to keep.

They also make great gifts.

This usually involves truffles blended to form a spread you can use with bruschetta or crostini.

Where to buy Truffles in Rome

To get whole black truffles in a jar, you can usually find them here:

• Gourmet food emporium Castroni, which has branches throughout Rome. 
• Eataly, the giant Italian-food mall in the Ostiense neighborhood.
  
• Try also some well-stocked, well-known salumeria (deli shops), such as Paciotti (Prati), Volpetti (Trastevere and Testaccio), and Salumeria F.lli Ciavatta (Trevi Fountain.)
  

Finding jars of sliced truffles or truffle spreads is much easier.

You will find them here:

• Many Rome food markets sell them (such as at Campagna Amica, pictured above).
• Many supermarkets in Rome sell one or both types of truffle product.
• Truffle restaurant and shop Tartufi and Friends, near the Spanish Steps, has a lot of truffle products for sale.

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Rome edible gifts - Cookies / biscotti

I think biscotti (cookies) make a wonderful gift.

They don't spoil, they are relatively light and easy to carry, and most people love them.

Here are some of the best places in Rome to shop for cookies /biscotti, whether to eat them on the spot or to give them as Rome edible gifts:

Biscottificio Innocenti

In the heart of Trastevere you will find one of the best cookie bakeries in the city.

It's not easy to find but just follow your nose.

This biscottificio has been here for 3 generations. Today Stefania runs it on her own but she does so every day with a smile and a kind word.

It's impossible to come in here without getting at least one for yourself, so give it a try and enjoy some truly original Roman sweets.

Details: 

• Address: 00153 Via della Luce, 21
• Phone: +39 06 580 3926
• Opening hours: Monday-Saturday: 08:00-19:30 | Sundays: 09:30-14:00

Antico Forno Roscioli

I already mentioned Roscioli above as a great place to buy cheese. I also refer to them below as a great place to buy wine.

Each of these places is a separate entity, as is their bakery (forno.)

Here you will find pizza and bread but also plenty of delicious cookies that make excellent Rome edible gifts.

Details: 

• Address: Via dei Chiavari 34
• Phone: +39 06 686 4045
• Opening hours: Monday-Saturday: 08:00-20:00 | Sundays: 08:30-18:00
  

Forno Campo de' Fiori

Tucked away into the corner of Campo dei Fiori is another Roman bakery, simply called Forno Campo dei Fiori.

It won't be hard to find as you will nearly always see a line of people waiting outside.

Romans stop here for a mid-morning pick-me-up of pizza bianca (focaccia) or pizza e mortazza (focaccia with mortadella) or just pizza rossa (pizza with a light slathering of tomato sauce.)

But of course as a bakery they also have a superb selection of cookies.

What a great excuse to come by these Rome edible gifts for your friends and loved ones back home, while treating yourself to your own pizza pick-me-up.

Details:

• Address: 00186 Piazza Campo de' Fiori, 22
• Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 08:00-14:30, 16:30-19:30 | Saturdays: 08:00-14:30 | Sundays: CLOSED

Antico Forno Stelletta

Antico Forno Stelletta is one of my favorite places to stop when I am walking around between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.

They have a giant bakery in the back and often I can smell the bread baking as I approach.

I love their seasonal treats like castagnole and frappe in February, but I love their cookies, too.

Details: 

• Address: 00186 Via della Scrofa, 33
• Phone: +39 06 8777 6822
• Opening hours: Monday-Sunday: o8:00-20:00

Pasticceria delle Cinque Lune

Just next to Piazza Navona is one of the Romans' favorite pastry shops.

I love their fresh pastries (which don't travel well) but you can also stock up on biscotti and other cookies to bring home as gifts or for yourself.

Details:

• Address: Corso del Rinascimento, 89
• Hours: Mondays: CLOSED | Tuesday-Sunday 08:00-21:00

Antico forno Serpenti

In the Monti neighborhood you'll find the Antico Forno Serpenti pastry shop where you can sample lots of lovely treats, sweet and savory, or buy some as gifts.

Details: 

• Address: Via dei Serpenti, 122-123
• Opening hours: Monday-Sunday: 07:45-20:45
  

Drinkable gifts in Rome

Besides Rome edible gifts, coffee, wine, limoncello, and grappa also make excellent drinkable gifts or souvenirs from Rome.

Where alcohol is concerned, you are probably going to get them in the same place: A wine shop, or enoteca (see below.)

First, let's talk about coffee as a gift or souvenir from Rome. 

Coffee

Coffee is one of my favorite gifts to get for friends and family. There are some famous coffee places in Rome, and they make nice gift-packages.

Coffee doesn't break, it doesn't weigh too much, and it will make your luggage smell great (if you like coffee, of course!)

Head over to some of Rome's best-known cafés and grab a bag of beans, whole or ground, or perhaps some chocolate covered espresso beans, or even some tea.

Wine

Wine makes a great gift or a souvenir for yourself.

It's one of the gifts in Rome I get my dad each year - two bottles of fabulous red Italian wine.

As an American, I am allowed two bottles of wine duty-free, so I just get the two. I also don't get more because frankly it would weigh down my luggage.

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Limoncello, Grappa, Amaro

Limoncello is a nice gift because it usually comes in small, cute bottles. Ditto for grappa. But if you are getting limoncello or grappa for people as gifts from Rome, make sure they will actually like/drink it.

Limoncello is very sweet, and has a high alcohol content. It's meant to be consumed as an after-dinner "digestive."

Grappa is not sweet at all, and in fact, can even burn a little. It's got a high alcohol content as well, and like limoncello, is meant to be consumed as an after-dinner digestive.

You could also consider getting an "amaro", another digestive liqueur which is something like Jaegermeister.

Where to buy wines and liquors in Rome

If you are unsure about which wine or liquor to get, it's best to head to a wine store where they can assist you with your purchase.

Here are a couple of different address for well-stocked wine shops in Rome, with knowledgeable people who can help you make a selection:

Rimessa Roscioli

A great place to shop for wine, and frankly to drink it, is Rimessa Roscioli.

You may even want to sign up for their wine club, or gift this to someone who loves wine.

Details:

• Address: 00186 Via del Conservatorio, 58
• Hours: Monday-Friday: 17:00-24:00 | Saturday-Sunday: 12:00-24:00

Trimani

Trimani is one of the largest wine shops in Rome, and supposedly the oldest.

The shop sells everything from wines to liquors to other Rome edible gifts like chocolates, pasta, and biscotti.

Details: 

• Address: 00185 Via Cernaia 37/b, sort of near Termini and piazza Repubblica
• Opening hours: Monday-Saturday: 11:30-15:00, 17:30-24:00 | Sundays: CLOSED

Costantini

In Prati, the largest and best-known wine shop is Costantini. It's also a wine bar.

Details:

• Address: 00193 Piazza Cavour, 16 b 
• Hours: Mondays: 16:00-20:00 | Tuesday-Saturday: 09:00-13:00, 16:00-20:00 | Sundays: CLOSED

You will also find plenty of smaller wine shops all around Rome.

Visit my page about Rome Wine Bars for more places to buy wine.

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For more Rome edible gifts and other Italy-related gift ideas, you may want to browse my Amazon shop.

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Rome edible gifts - a map

Click here to visit my interactive Google map showing all the places you can purchase Rome edible gifts listed on this page.

It will open in a new window.

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