The Top Roman Fritti You Need to Order
In Rome, the Italian word fritti refers to the mouth-watering array of fried foods on offer at restaurants and street food joints across the city. Although they are consumed any time of day, as part of a meal or as a quick bite on the go, in Rome the true home of the fritti is the pizzeria. Romans will always kick-off a meal in a pizzeria with a range of fried antipasti which should be freshly cooked to order and brought to the table piping hot, accompanied by an ice-cold beer to de-grease the palate.
The Top Roman Fritti You Need to Order
In Rome, the word “fritti” refers to a wonderful array of fried foods available at restaurants and street food spots throughout the city. While these treats can be enjoyed at any time of day, their true home is the pizzeria. Romans love to start a meal at a pizzeria with a selection of fried antipasti, freshly cooked to order and served piping hot, ideally accompanied by an ice-cold beer to cleanse the palate.
Here are our top 5 favorite fried foods that you must try in Rome:
Supplì
The traditional Roman supplì is an oval-shaped, breadcrumb-coated ball of rice and tomato ragù. Hidden inside is a piece of mozzarella that melts during cooking, creating a string of cheese when you bite into the center. This gives it the full name “supplì al telefono,” referring to the telephone wire appearance of the melted cheese string. Modern variations of supplì now include different ingredients and flavorings, and some even use pasta instead of rice.
Fiori di Zucca
Zucchini flowers are the star of this Roman version of tempura. The delicate blossoms are carefully opened and filled with mozzarella and anchovy before being dipped in a light batter and deep-fried until golden. The combination of creamy mozzarella and salty anchovy creates an explosion of flavors with each bite.
Olive Ascolane
Originally from Ascoli Piceno in the Marche region, olive ascolane have become a favorite in Rome. These succulent green olives are pitted and stuffed with a mixture of ground meat and spices, then breaded and fried to create a crunchy outer crust. They make an excellent aperitivo snack.
Filetti di Baccalà
Baccalà, or salt cod, is typically eaten on Fridays in Rome. One of the most popular preparations is coating the soaked and rehydrated fillets in batter and deep-frying them to create a crispy exterior. The bright white fish inside is tender and flavorful, making this a must-try dish.
Mozzarella in Carrozza
This indulgent treat is essentially a fried mozzarella sandwich. Slices of mozzarella are sandwiched between bread, then dipped in egg and breadcrumbs before being fried until the coating is crisp and the cheese inside is melted. The name “carrozza” means carriage, referring to the strands of mozzarella that stretch out like reins of a horse-drawn carriage when you bite into it.
These are just a few examples of the incredible fried foods available in Rome. Be sure to also look out for fritto misto (battered fried vegetables or fish), mozzarelline (small balls of fried mozzarella), crochette di patate (potato croquettes), and arancini (filled fried rice balls from Sicily).
For more unmissable local foods in Rome, subscribe to the Local Aromas YouTube channel or join our Roman Street Food Tour to taste our very favorite supplì and discover more delicious Roman fritti.
Join Our Community
For more authentic and traditional Italian experiences, join our Community Casa Local Aromas and immerse yourself in the true essence of Italy.