I don’t know about you, but when I have a stellar meal, handmade, with natural, local ingredients, along with superb wine, I feel uplifted, happy, energized, and refreshed. That was exactly the feeling I got when we dined at Roscioli Salumeria in Rome for lunch recently. On our prior trip to Rome in 2019, we ate at Roscioli Caffe in their restaurant, and it was astounding and memorable. I specifically remember the stuffed zucchini blossoms that were crisp, not super greasy, and the filling was gooey and rich, without being overwhelming. This past January, 2025, we were wandering around Rome checking out Caravaggio paintings in different churches, and we decided to try Roscioli again without having a reservation, a huge gamble! Well, the last table at the cafe had just filled up, so we walked down a few doors to the Salumeria to try our luck, and we managed to get the last table that was available!

Much like the Cafe, the Salumeria is not just a restaurant, but a place where you can purchase items to take away – they have an epic deli counter and a huge selection of bottled wines, as well as all sorts of packaged goods including heaps and mounds of pastas. The vibe here is a bit frenetic, though the service is chill and solid. Even though there were tons of folks coming in and out, we never felt rushed (even though we were advised there was a time limit for us to have our lunch), and we ate our meal at a leisurely, yet normal pace. You can hear plenty of Italian being spoken here, as this place is loved by tourists and locals alike! We ate in the front of the store, although there is a larger dining area in the back of the space, as well as more tables in the wine cellar in the lower level. I highly recommend getting a reservation rather than just walking in!

Even at a casual salumeria, Roscioli starts you off with a lovely amuse bouche – today it was anchovies with ricotta cheese and olive oil. Yum! We were also served a basket of fresh bread including a focaccia and multigrain. No olive oil or butter – that’s not a thing in Rome! Don’t even ask for it, and enjoy the fresh bread as is!

For drinks, I ordered a glass of Trebbiano wine, and Brian had a beer. Their drink menu is extensive, and there’s something for everyone.

We got a charcuterie plate (chef’s choice) to start, and there were five types of meats. This was easily enough for four people to share, and we had a tough time finishing it. Everything was fresh, and they even advised in what order to eat it in, to ensure maximum enjoyability. Eat the fattiest lardon last!

For the mains, Brian ordered meatballs with polenta cubes, which were massive. The meat was amazingly seasoned, the sauce was perfect, and the polenta perfectly crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside.

I had the spaghetti carbonara of my dreams. I always fail at making carbonara at home – I scramble the eggs every time – so I just have to order it wherever I go. This was easily the best I’ve ever had. The sauce was a perfect consistency – not too runny, nor too gummy. The guanciale was absolutely insane. It was really crispy, yet not overcooked, such that you could really taste the fat and flavor of the meat and it melted in your mouth after a tight, crisp, bite through the middle of the cube. The crunch of it really offset the al dente pasta, and I was in heaven. These little cubes of meat, and they way they are prepared here at Roscioli are honestly God’s Gift to Italian cuisine.

Unfortunately we had zero room for dessert after all of this food, but it was ok, because we were so full and happy. Roscioli is world renowned for its quality ingredients, and after joining them in their Salumeria, I can say that it’s some of the best food I’ve had in my life. You’re going to eat really well when you’re in Rome, but Roscioli is one of the best.