This City Was Just Named the Top Food Destination in the World by Tripadvisor

We’ve always known the promise of unending carbonara, cheese and black pepperpizza, and gelato are reason enough to visit Italy, and now it’s official. Tripadvisor just announced its Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Destinations, and Rome was named the world’s top food destination.

It’s no surprise Rome took the torta. While it’s in extra celebration mode this year with the Jubilee — expecting to draw upwards of 35 million visitors — the Eternal City has long been a haven for food lovers.

Plan a trip to taste it yourself this year. For pizza, queue up at Baked roscioliwhere thick pizza by the slice (by the slice) is offered with a range of seasonal toppings. For round pies, head over the Tiber River to Trastevere’s The Elementarywhere thin-crusted Roman-style pizzas emerge slightly charred from wood-fired ovens. Pair a pie with you supply on the phone (a fried rice ball filled with tomato sauce and mozzarella) and a local beer. While you’re in the neighborhood, save room for a triangle-shaped pizza pocket stuffed with fillings like tender oxtail or classic chicken cacciatore at Trapizzinoa modern Roman street food institution.

When it comes to pasta, the options are endless, but several spots stand out. Salumeria Rosciolia deli-restaurant hybrid, serves some of the city’s best carbonara made with guanciale and pecorino romano. Armando al Pantheona cozy, longstanding trattoria located just steps from the ancient monument, is known for its always-perfect cheese and black pepper and other Roman staples. (Set an alarm 30 days out to book a table.) Located just outside the historic center, From Caesar is well worth the trip for plates of fried gnocchi, bucatini all’amatricianaand pizzas. The family-run establishment is also behind the more recently opened Cesare al Pellegrinolocated downtown and serving a slightly different (but equally excellent) menu of perfectly executed classics.

For special occasions, Rome’s fine dining scene rivals any European capital. At Imageperched atop the iconic Hassler Hotelexperience chef Andrea Antonini’s contemporary Italian cooking with a backdrop of unparalleled city views. Or book a table at The PergolaRome’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant inside the Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria.

Gelato deserves its own itinerary, and Theater ice creamchurning out innovative flavors like Sicilian almond and raspberry sage, should be the first stop. (Also add Awful and A mirage to the list.)

Beyond the most well-known spots, also find foodie gems in some unexpected places. At the Bramante Cloister (Bramante Cloisters) a peaceful cafe serving cappuccinos and pastries is just steps from bustling Piazza Navona. The 16th-century architectural masterpiece is now a cool contemporary art gallery, but you can bypass the entrance fee for a quiet afternoon snack break. The Via del Tritone location of the Italian department store Renaissance has an ancient aqueduct in the basement and a rooftop restaurant perfect for aperitif with an Aperol spritz and a front-row seat for sunset. And visit Hotel Eden’s Il Giardino restaurant for lunch, when sweeping views of the beautiful Villa Borghese gardens are best.

The power of food as a travel motivator has never been stronger. According to Tripadvisor’s latest Seasonal Travel Index, 60 percent of global travelers cite culinary experiences as their most anticipated activity while traveling. And for those travelers, the Italian capital city is an especially exciting destination — all roads lead to Rome, especially for food lovers.