Akropolis: original greek flavours in Trastevere!

We are almost talking about a neighbour here, and what a neighbour! Akropolis is probably one of the best greek tavernas in Rome, and it is so close to Trastevere Bed and Breakfast you will be there before you know it. Owned and managed by Antonios, a Greek guy from Crete, and his son Gabriele, Akropolis will satisfy both light appetites and night cravings. Have a seat at one of its simple tables, surrounded by every greek item you can conceive and actual greek music – not the touristic kind.

Our advice is to start with a selection of the world-famous Greek dips: tzatziki (yoghurt and cucumbers), melintzanosalata (aubergine dip), tahini (sesame paste) and taramosalata (fish eggs paste), accompanied by the mouth-watering pita (greek bread). Then you can go straight for the meat (souvlakia or gyros), served in pita bread with delicious fries on top, or pick other greek specialties as the dolmades (stuffed vine leaves) or the melintzanokeftedes (amazing aubergine croquettes). This is just a first idea of what you will find. Add greek wines and spirits and desserts, and you will find a place that will make you come back. You can also choose take away.

Akropolis is open Tuesday to Sunday, evenings only, 19:30 to 23:30. Reservations are usually not accepted, so make sure to be there early, especially on weekend when finding a table can be a mission impossible.

The open-air market of San Cosimato: fresh, genuine food daily a few meters from Trastevere Bed and Breakfast

We think that an Italian holiday should be your occasion to reconnect with true flavours. So say goodbye to frozen foods and chemical stuff and step into a world where food is fresh, genuine and local like it used to be. Take a short walk from Trastevere Bed and Breakfast and you will end up right into the heart of Trastevere, Piazza San Cosimato. Here you will find one of the most beloved open-air markets of Rome. Monday to Saturday, both locals and visitors come here from the early morning to pick the best grocery, meat, fish and flowers. Fruits and vegetables are usually grown locally by the very people who will sell it to you. This means the taste is rich, the quality is great and unaltered. Plus, it has a low carbon footprint!

If you are a carnivore, go for some gorgeous cuts of tasty meat. If you prefer fish, you will find it a stall for it, too: fresh fish arrives here every day. So fresh that you will normally see one or two seagulls patiently waiting on a nearby wall to get their “share”. Never mind them: they have their own deal with the stall owner. The San Cosimato market is not huge, and it’s probably less frantic than the one in Campo dei Fiori. The square has been recently renovated, thus giving the market too a tidier look. Remember that the market closes after lunch, so you’d better set your alarm if you want to get the best stuff!

Antica Caciara: typical Italian products just in front of Trastevere Bed and Breakfast

A few meters from Trastevere Bed & Breakfast, in Via San Francesco a Ripa  – where the B&B is located – you will find the best cheese shop on the planet: Antica Caciara (check the website!).

Antica Caciara is located just around the corner and you simply cannot miss it: just follow the typical smell of cheese, ham and other Italian specialties. Basically, here you will find the best Italian food: Pecorino Romano, Caciotta, Parmigiano, Pasta, Prosciutto, Coppa, Porchetta, Ricotta and so on.

You can just have a great sandwich with ham and cheese or buy tons of Pecorino Romano to fill your luggage, it’s up to you!

Be sure to ask the super-kind and super-expert owner of the shop (named Roberto) about all your needs: he will be glad to satisfy your requests with a smile on his face and he could even try to speak english to you!

Don’t miss the Antica Caciara, just a few meters away from Trastevere Bed & Breakfast!