Hipmunk City Love: How To Eat Vegetarian or Vegan in Rome

Traveling to Italy for the food is a no-brainer. The famous pasta, pizza, and gelato are just as iconic as the Colosseum in Rome. However traveling as a vegetarian or vegan presents unique challenges. Luckily there are many tips and tricks that will help you enjoy the local cuisine without compromising your food beliefs. Let’s start with a favorite local restaurant for vegetarians and omnivores alike.

Arancia Blu Cucina Vegetariana con Enoteca

This Roman favorite offers hand crafted vegetarian cuisine with all the love and care of any Italian momma. With emphasis on fresh, local ingredients, an attentive wait staff, and a preset menu for only 20 euro, it’s easy to see why this is such a popular spot. As with most European cities, at dinnertime you will feel most comfortable if you’ve changed out of your day clothes and spruce up before showing up.

Image courtesy of Gulliermo Alonso from Flickr

Much Ado About Gelato

There’s no denying that gelato and Italy are interchangeable, so what’s a vegan to do when they want to experience the creamy, delicious flavors and texture of the country’s signature street dessert? Five years ago it was nearly impossible to find this delight available to those who don’t eat dairy. Now nearly 75% of the gelato shops are offering entire cases and many flavors, so be ready for some pleasant surprises. If you’re in doubt, just point to the gelato or sorbet in question and ask “senza latte” with your best Italian accent. They will appreciate your efforts to speak the language and your request will be understood.

Vegetarians and Vegans Rejoice Over Pizza in Rome

For vegetarians, chowing down on pizza in Rome is an easy feat. From potato and rosemary combinations, hearty eggplant, roast peppers, and everything in between, grabbing a slice is easy as pizza-pie. For a vegan it’s a little trickier to avoid the cheese, so your best bet is to order a pizza marinara which is the pizza base with delicious tomato sauce and fresh basil. Then try asking for the toppings you want; it’s easier than asking for vegan pizza which will usually just be met with a shake of the head.

Image courtesy of citymama from Flickr

Don’t Forget About Side Dishes

While nearly 10% of Italians are now vegetarians, the main dishes in standard restaurants haven’t changed for generations. Many of them are meat-laden and the ones that aren’t usually inclue fish. However the side dishes, Contorni, are often vegetarian based. Think artichokes, marinated mushrooms, freshly grilled vegetables, bruscetta, and of course fresh and delicious bread.

Get a Guide and Eat Your Heart Out

Sometimes tours are the best way to see a city, and Eating Europe offers vegan and vegetarian tours in Rome, as well as cooking classes catered to your eating style. Rome is one of the best food destinations in Italy and the world, and there’s no reason you should miss out just because you’re a compassionate and conscious eater! Ask the concierge of your hotel in Rome for tips. After all, everyone knows at least one vegetarian.

Please note : This is part of a series for #HipmunkCityLove. Hipmunk.com is low-cost and budget travel service that I use while planning budget travel, and am thrilled to write for. I know you will find the articles as well as their services useful.

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