Despite its large size, importance to the country’s economy and beautiful countryside, Lazio can be a bit of an unknown to tourists visiting Italy. That’s because the name of this region is nowhere near as well-known as its most famous city, Rome, which also happens to be the Italian capital and home to some of the most important cultural and historical events, buildings, movements and cooking in the whole of Europe. But while throngs of visitors head directly for Rome to see its stunning architecture and indulge in plenty of pasta, there’s much more to see, do and taste in other parts of Lazio, which is home to some stunning beaches, beautiful medieval hilltop villages (known as borghi) and rolling fertile hills producing fantastic wine, fruit and vegetables.
In terms of regional cooking steeped in history, it’s true that Rome trumps the rest of the area with its famous pasta dishes, traditional meat cookery and world-famous restaurants, but places like Amatrice and Antrodoco have made their names through food too. Then there’s the little towns along the coast and further inland which are home to hidden little trattorias serving up awe-inspiring simple dishes that encapsulate everything good about Italian cooking (without a tourist trap in sight). Whether you’re heading to Rome for a spot of sightseeing or venturing outside its walls into the Lazian countryside, you certainly won’t be short of delicious things to eat. Here’s what to look out for when you’re there.