Discover a side of Rome that few tourists ever taste—a food and history tour dedicated to forgotten dishes and ancient flavors that only a handful of traditional Romans still embrace today. This is not your typical pizza and pasta walk. Instead, you'll explore the city through a menu of old Roman specialties made from ingredients once common, now considered bizarre or extreme. These time-honored recipes, born from peasant ingenuity and deep-rooted culinary tradition, reveal a gritty, authentic side of Roman culture that’s rarely seen—or eaten. As you move through centuries of history and stunning landmarks, your palate will follow a trail of dishes that are bold, surprising, and delicious in ways you never expected.

Start with trippa alla romana, slow-cooked strips of stomach lining in tomato, mint, and Pecorino Romano—unexpectedly rich and comforting. Then, dare to try rigatoni con la pajata, pasta served with the intestines of unweaned calves. Its creamy, savory sauce is a controversial classic rooted in Rome’s culinary past.

You’ll sample sugo di coda alla vaccinara, a hearty oxtail stew simmered to fall-off-the-bone tenderness with tomato, celery, and a hint of cocoa. Then lighten things up with vignarola, a spring vegetable medley of fava beans, peas, and artichokes—simple, seasonal, and pure Roman soul food.

For the boldest moment of the tour, try lumache alla romana—snails in a spicy tomato, garlic, and mint sauce. Earthy and fiery, they surprise even the skeptical. To finish, enjoy a glass of amaro, a bitter herbal liqueur once taken medicinally, now a sharp, complex toast to your journey.

This is Rome off the beaten path—raw, real, and unforgettable.